Bathroom colour ideas – choosing a theme
Deciding on a colour scheme for your bathroom can be more of a challenge compared to the other rooms in your home, and this is partly due to the fact that you’ll want it to complement the fittings, blind and flooring, as well as the towels and bath mats.
You will also need to take the colour of the bathroom furniture into consideration too, as it will need to match your chosen colour scheme.
When deciding which colours to use in your bathroom think about how you want the space to look and feel. It’s a good idea to take note of how much natural light there is, as this can have an impact on your chosen colour.
If you have a small bathroom it doesn’t mean that you have to stick to white or light colours, which can actually make the space appear dull and lifeless.
Instead, paint your bathroom in stronger colours and create a unique look. A bathroom or downstairs toilet with little natural light provides the perfect opportunity to use a bold colour. For a sense of drama and intimacy use a strong, warm colour.
If you’re worried about your colour choice dating, we recommend opting for one of these enduring combinations that will look great well into the future.
1 – Black & white
Black and white is a timeless combination that became very popular during the Art Deco period.
Opt for black and white tiles, chrome fittings and a silver framed mirror for a colour combination that works just as well today as it did back then.
A black and white theme also works well in a contemporary bathroom.
To make a statement choose an eye-catching pattern for the floor, and for the walls, use white metro tiles part way up and black paint on the top half for a touch of drama.
To complete the look, use white and black accessories, or you could add a pop of colour with red or yellow towels. Avoid creating a busy look, and instead keep the space simple.
For further noir bathroom inspiration, explore our dedicated blog – Black Bathroom Design Ideas.
2 – Monochromtatic grey
When done well, grey bathrooms look chic and sophisticated.
There are many shades of grey available, all of which work great with brighter coloured accessories such as green or pink.
A grey bathroom creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere, which is how the most used room in your home should feel.
Grey furniture provides the perfect way to introduce this calming shade to your bathroom. You could fit a grey vanity unit and matching mirrored cabinet to add contemporary style. Why not complete the look with an anthracite vertical designer radiator or heated towel rail?
You could also paint the walls a dark grey, which will make other colours really stand out.
Dark walls with white furniture and bright towels is a combination that works well. Grey tiles are another option if you don’t want to paint your bathroom.
Light, glossy grey tiles add a soft, ambient feel, while dark grey slate effect tiles create a natural feel. You could even fit a slate effect shower tray to continue the natural theme.
More style tips and inspiration can be found in our grey bathroom ideas blog.
3 – Mocha & neutrals
A neutral scheme may be simple but it will truly stand the test of time, and although it’s not eye-catching, it will make your bathroom appear warm and inviting.
You could try experimenting with this colour scheme by adding lighter or darker tones.
Neutral tones are easy to work with and have a timeless appeal.
They also work well with furniture which has a wood effect or white finish – perfect for traditional or country bathrooms.
For a more modern touch, combine neutral tones with oak or dark wood furniture.
Mocha tones work well with creamy white, you could layer with different espresso-inspired shades to add depth.
It’s a good idea to use blocks of colour to highlight the different areas in your bathroom such as the bath to create extra interest.
If you’re not keen on creamy white, opt for a crisp white instead, and contrast with a rich, warm mocha.
Avoid using bold or bright colours as they won’t work with this subtle scheme.
4 – Blue & yellow
A blue and yellow colour scheme will add a bright, cheery feel to your bathroom.
For a cooler feel, opt for sky or ocean blue as your main colour, and use yellow for the accent colour.
For a warmer scheme, choose yellow as the main colour through the use of tiles or paint and accent with blue.
Try not to go over the top with yellow as it can be overpowering, especially in a small bathroom. Mosaic tiles limited to a certain area of your bathroom such as in the shower or behind the bath create an eye-catching focal point.
5 – Earthy green
Earthy green hues provide the perfect way to create an organic feel in the bathroom. Also ideal for traditional bathroom schemes, earthy green combined with off white tones enhances a sense of calm. This colour is great for softening busy patterns too.
The Dulux muted greens colour family includes a variety of shades ranging from the pale and calming Willow Tree to the dark and luxurious Highland Green.
If you fancy something a bit brighter than an earthy green, why not consider Pantone Colour of the Year 2017 – Greenery?
Check out these ideas on how to incorporate Greenery into your bathroom
6 – Duck egg blue
It may have been around for a while, but duck egg blue is a classic colour that will never go out of fashion.
Ideal for softening up the space, duck egg blue is a great shade for the bathroom – it adds a splash of colour and promotes tranquillity.
Duck egg blue works well when combined with cream, brown or pastel shades for a pretty bathroom scheme.
7 – Copper
Copper is becoming a popular option for the bathroom and it’s an exciting new interiors trend that we think will stick around for a good while. It’s a refreshing alternative to chrome and works well in both modern and traditional bathrooms. You could introduce touches of copper with accessories, brassware and lighting, or go all out with a copper freestanding bath for a stunning focal point.
Copper can be incorporated into any colour scheme, but pairs wonderfully with dark blue, teal, grey and black. Introducing copper to your bathroom instantly creates an exciting new vibe and is a great colour choice for softening an industrial look. Use different textures such as marble and brick to add contrast.
8 – White
White has got to be the most popular colour choice for the bathroom.
It’s the perfect option for creating a clean, fresh look and works equally well in both contemporary and traditional bathrooms.
Since white is so popular, it means there’s more white bathroom products available than any other bathroom colour.
White bathroom tiles come in many designs and textures, while white basins, vanity units, toilets and baths are available in a huge array of styles and shapes. Heating-wise, you could choose a white heated towel rail or a space-saving white vertical designer radiator.
White can easily be combined with other colours if you feel an all-white bathroom could look too stark and cold.
You could add pops of bright colour or keep things subtle with pastel shades. If you need more ideas, then take a look at our blog on how to add style and personality to white bathroom suites.
9 – Black
Black as the dominant colour in your bathroom is one way to make a bold statement.
Black bathrooms are sophisticated and desirable, and it’s a colour that will stand the test of time.
It suits both modern and traditional bathrooms and adds a sense of drama to the space.
Make use of black taps, shower, furniture, tiles and a black designer radiator for a dramatic bathroom scheme.
For extra wow factor, choose a black freestanding bath or a black shower enclosure.
More ideas can be found over on our dedicated Black Bathroom Ideas Pinterest board.
10 – Blush pink & grey
Blush pink and grey work well together to create look that’s soft, chic and timeless.
You could choose either pink or grey to be the dominate colour and use the other as an accent colour. Why not opt for grey bathroom furniture, tiles and a heated towel rail and add dashes of blush pink with towels, bath mats and accessories? This colour scheme suits traditional and modern bathrooms, small or large.
Compementary colours
A complementary colour scheme is where two colours that are opposite to each other on the colour wheel work well together, such as blue and orange.
For example, a small amount of bright orange will really pop in a light blue bathroom.
Other complementary colours include yellow and purple, and red and green.
You could also add in the tertiary colours, so for example, yellow-orange and blue-purple are complementary.
If using complementary colours, be careful with the placement to ensure the scheme flows well.
Complementary colours are made up of one cool colour and one warm colour. Orange, reds and yellows are warm colours, while blues, greens and purples are cool.
To find a complementary colour look for the main colour on the above colour wheel, and then find the colour on the exact opposite side. It’s a good idea to choose one colour that will dominate and use the other as an accent. You could combine different shades of the same colour too.
What kind of paint is best to use in a bathroom
Paint that can withstand high levels of moisture is ideal for use in the bathroom.
This type of paint is more durable than standard paint and is designed to handle steam and condensation more effectively. Look for paint that contains anti-microbial additives that will help resist mould and mildew.
Remember that paint isn’t the only way to add colour to your bathroom. You can easily add colour with accessories, towels and bath mats.
What colours have you used in your bathroom?
We’d love to see some weird and wonderful bathroom colour schemes!
Why not drop us a comment below with your amazing bathroom transformations and show off your bathroom colours to our readers?
Rikki has a passion for interior design and an even bigger passion for writing about it. When she isn’t writing about gorgeous bathroom interiors, you’ll find her discovering all of the latest trends.
