Go all-white. All-white bathroom designs never go out of style. They also have the added advantage of making the room look bigger as white reflects light better than any other colour. As most bathroom fixtures tend to be white, this also creates a more seamless, unbroken look throughout the space.
What is the best paint color for a small bathroom? According to basic design principles, light colors such as white, crème, pastel blue, gray or yellow will visually expand a room, while dark colors such as a deep red, green or brown, will make a room feel smaller.
Narrow bathrooms will look the best in light shades of paint: blue, green, gray, or tan. Stay away from yellow or orange hues as they can close in the walls visually. Paint walls behind vanities and cabinets white to “push” them back visually into the space.
Whilst bold colours are modern and can help to create depth, it's often best to use them sparingly if you're trying to create the impression of increased space. We recommend choosing pale tile shades such as white, cream, beige or grey because they can make the room look lighter and brighter.
A bright shade of yellow creates the illusion of light in any windowless bathroom. Pairing the color with white makes the overall room an uplifting oasis.
Those that follow trends will argue with me here, but a white or neutral bathroom will never go out of style. Selecting an all white palette will create a timeless design that you'll love for years to come. If you love bold colors, consider adding an eye-catching rug, colorful painting, or fun decor and accessories.
Soothing neutrals in blue, green, and gray will help create a relaxing, spa-like vibe for your bathroom. Look for colors inspired by nature like soft sage, sky blue, and ash gray. If you prefer warmer colors, opt for a pale yellow, warm beige, or even a delicate blush color to give the space a welcoming glow.
White tile is probably the most popular solution in our bathrooms. Why? White brightens the interior.
Consider Large Format Tile in Small Bathrooms
The larger the tile, the fewer grout joints you'll have and the greater sense of spaciousness you'll feel. Take this notion to an extreme and you might have just one very large format tile in that small space. Remember, though, that you can have fun with grout colors.
Using larger floor tiles is a great way to trick the eye and make a room look bigger than it actually is. Larger tiles used throughout the bathroom look a lot less 'busy' than with smaller tiles, which therefore make the room appear larger; the lack of grout lines also makes the whole space appear more expansive.
To create a luxurious small bathroom look, use white bath towels and a light neutral color. If you spend more on high-quality white towels and rugs, your casual bathroom can appear more luxurious. Also, make everything look cohesive and accessorize with natural materials to go with your white linens.
Include lots of natural light. Small bathrooms can often appear dark. Natural light makes the room look brighter and opens up the space so it appears larger. If you only have a small window, install a skylight or solar tunnel to bring more natural light into the room.
But should bathrooms be light or dark? When picking bathroom color ideas, you'll want to consider the mood you want to create as much as your style and taste. While light neutral tones are usually considered calming and soothing, perfect for a relaxing bathroom, it is also true that dark colors have much to offer.
White walls are a great way to open up a small space, and they can act as the perfect neutral backdrop for colorful decor. A white color is not only a classic clean look, but it's also the perfect color when you're dealing with a windowless bathroom or one which doesn't get a lot of natural light.
The streamlined architecture of a modern bathroom pairs well with certain bathroom color schemes—think crisp whites, pretty pastels, and bright and bold hues, as opposed to more muted tones. Traditional spaces look great painted in nearly any color.
Don't Be Afraid of Dark Colors
Dark colors don't necessarily make rooms look smaller; they just make them look darker. If you don't want to try a bold or dark color in your main bathroom, a guest powder room is an excellent place to experiment.
The dark coloured bathroom tiles grounds the floor, which makes the room feel smaller. To avoid such a feel, we recommend to use light coloured tiles for the floor if using dark coloured tiles for the walls. This contrast will create a horizon to make the dimensions of the room seem larger.
The colour of your bathroom tiles can really make an impact in a small bathroom. Most people go for light hues such as white, cream and light grey although many small bathrooms still look fantastic with darker shades. Neutral colours help keep the tone of a room calm and clean which really helps in smaller rooms.
Many opt for white when planning their powder room or shower space. This is because lighter colours give the impression of larger bathroom wall space, as well as floor space.
First, you'll notice that most timeless tiles have a neutral, earthy, or muted color palette. Black and white is one standard color scheme, but other colors you might notice in classic tile patterns are light gray and tan or brown shades. In many cases, these tiles are made from stone, concrete, or terracotta.
Bright and cheery, Benjamin Moore's pick for 2023 color of the year is a vibrant red-orange called Raspberry Blush. The saturated shade energizes a room for a lively look that's anything but timid.
Outdated Colors
Another thing that screams outdated is toilets, tubs, and sinks in creative colors like pastels. Those were common in the 1970s! Today's fixtures are subtle creams, whites and beiges. Just say no to pink porcelain.
Whether you prefer a classic-looking bathroom or a spalike retreat, Winn says, “white doesn't go out of style.” Think white paint, tile, countertops, vanities and textiles. If you find yourself craving color, you can add it with window treatments and towels, Gates suggests, or wallpaper and art.