35 Designer-Approved Bathroom Paint Colors to Refresh Your Retreat
From purple plaster to glossy green, you can't go wrong with any of these options.
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Good bathroom color ideas are all around, but committing to a hue that works for your space can feel overwhelming (especially if your bathroom is on the smaller side). Sometimes, you need a push to leave your days of settling behind. You can give your bathroom an extreme makeover with just one coat of paint, and it won't break the bank to do so. Deciding which color you want to use in your new luxurious self-care retreat is a crucial part of the process. So, we've gathered plenty of designer-approved bathrooms that put color first and serve major inspiration. These eye-catching bathrooms will spark your creativity and allow you to envision your own space in the color without lifting a finger.
Whether you're remodeling top to bottom or simply tired of looking at stark white walls, the designer bathroom projects below will give you the push you need to commit to a color. The opportunities to create a dreamy bathroom are practically endless, from an accent wall to a monochromatic look. Refresh a powder room with a vibrant blue, or surround yourself with light olive green walls as you enjoy a book and bath. Painting your bathroom is the quickest DIY project you can work on, and if you decide you aren't a fan of the color after a few months, you can simply repaint it. Read on to find the inspiration your Pinterest board is missing.
For more house paint help:
• 18 Small Bathroom Paint Colors We Love
• How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House?
• 35 Failproof Paint Color Ideas For Every Room in Your House
Additional copy by Hadley Mendelsohn.
Soothing Purple Plaster
"A deep-hued plaster feels elegant and glamorous, especially for a small bathroom," says designer Wendy Labrum. "Make sure it's well-lit for vanity lighting, but don't be scared of saturated color." For this bathroom, Labrum chose Benjamin Moore's Tempest as a plaster. It pairs nicely with the dramatic veining in the marble countertop and flooring.
Glossy Olive Green
Drench the bathroom walls and ceiling in olive green paint, as designer Roger Higgins did in this small space. "Saturated color adds ambiance and elevates the mood of a room," he says. "Add a high-gloss finish, and you’ll elevate the look even more." Try Olive by Little Greene for a similar look.
Sleek Black and Bright White
Try painting traditional beadboard in a sleek black hue and contrasting it with bright white paint on the upper half of the wall, as designer Linda Hayslett did for this tiny bathroom. She chose Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore for the beadboarding to put a modern twist on the classic style. "People often think black would be too overpowering or make a space look smaller, but in this case, Black Beauty helped to give character and life to this space," Hayslett says.
Soft White
Benjamin Moore's White Dove is a tried-and-true designer favorite paint color for practically every room in a home. It's excellent for a bathroom if you're looking to create a serene environment. Designer Marguerite Rodgers used the shade on the walls of this bathroom and paired it with other neutral accents to enhance the room's tranquility.
Muted Green
Not only will a muted green bathroom promote a sense of calm, but it can bring the outdoors in. “I chose Farrow & Ball Green Smoke for this cute powder in Texas because I wanted to continue the green from the exterior but didn't want it to be too dark," says designer Linda Hayslett. The soft, light green “makes an easy transition into the bathroom from the outside since it's accessible from the back patio and inside of the house,” she adds.
Crisp Ivory
"Ivory is an excellent canvas for the addition of energy and personality through bath linens, counter accessories, and wall art," says Emily Munroe, who designed this bathroom. "We are huge fans of color, with a reputation for pushing the limits on bold pattern-on-pattern designs, but we often end up designing bathrooms with crisp ivory walls." For a similar shade, try Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore.
Sparkling Ruby Red
Bring the party into your bathroom with rich jewel-tone colors, as designer Kati Curtis did in this Boston-area home. She used Dark Burgundy by Benjamin Moore to give it a mysterious, moody feel. A purple chandelier and tropical curtains brighten up the space.
Lush Duck Green
While this luxurious bathroom designed by French & French Interiors is technically a guest bath, it has a creative concept worth applying to any main bathroom (especially a smaller one!). The design makes choosing a green as lush as Duck Green by Farrow & Ball easy. We love how it lets the arched mirror pop against the backsplash.
Sweet Lavender Haze
Every day feels like summer in this dream of a bathroom created by designer Kureck Jones. The relaxing lavender pairs perfectly with the tonal pinks and purples of the tile and the romantic leaf motif on the floor. Try Farrow & Ball's Sugared Almond for a similar look.
Fresh Cornflower Blue
Make a wall-spanning vanity stand out with powder blue paint. In this New England powder room by designer Katie Rosenfield, the paint pairs nicely with the sweet cornflower blue wallpaper, chrome accents, and silvery floor tiles. Try Harbor Fog by Benjamin Moore for a similar look.
Zesty Lime Green
Every day is a spa day when you're surrounded by art and built-in bookcases, like in this bathroom by designer Corey Damen Jenkins. The Greek Revival columns and bookcase are coated in Medieval Times by Benjamin Moore. The light olive green adds character and vibrancy to the whole space.
Invigorating Sunny Gold
Wake up with an extra pep in your step as you enter a warm, soothing bathroom thanks to a pop of sunshine through paint. For Dabito's bathroom, the designer chose Golden Aura for the arched shower door and Blooming Jasmine for the walls, both by Behr. The combination creates a lively yet relaxing atmosphere.
Mysterious Deep Plum
A deep shade of plum emboldens the beadboard paneled walls in this bathroom designed by Heidi Caillier. Opening up to a dusty peach-toned bedroom, the bathroom plays the role of its moodier counterpart and adds just the right amount of complexity. For a similar look, try Self-Portrait by Backdrop.
Soothing Pale Gray
A pale shade of gray paint keeps this bathroom designed by Osklo Studio neutral and calm but also polished and formal. It's the perfect shade for this environment, as a stark white would be a little too bright. The gold fixtures and accents contrast the cool color family. Consider Farrow & Ball's Cabbage White for a similar effect.
Refreshing Spring Green
This adobe home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, features tons of rich earth tones. In the powder room, French & French Interiors matched the matte spring green paint color Calke Green by Farrow & Ball to the floor tiles, making the room feel extra bright and inviting.
Playful Clay Pink
Retro clay-toned tiles are brightened up by Sherwin-Williams's Bella Pink paint on the walls of this bathroom in designer Lathem Gordon's Georgia home. The bold gallery wall with colorful artwork ensures the space doesn't feel too monochromatic and adds character.
Sophisticated Dark Gray
It's all about layers, textures, and color in this warm bathroom designed by Heidi Caillier. She transformed a rustic green dresser into a sink vanity, which is polished off with a natural stone countertop for a sleek touch. The most transformative element of the space is definitely the dark gray paint, which strikes a cozy mood. Try Quinn by Portola Paints for a similar look.
Quirky Turquoise Blue
With an adventurous mix of colors, patterns, and textures, this bathroom designed by Sean Scherer is bursting with character. The inky black clawfoot tub, bronze sconces, and gilt-framed artwork add a cool gothic twist to the light tropical turquoise wall painted in Farrow & Ball's Blue Ground. The floral carpets tie everything together.
Elevated Light Pink
We love the eclectic artwork against the baby-pink walls of this powder room in designer Alania Michelle Ralph's South Carolina home. The pink backdrop makes the traditional portrait gallery fun and whimsical. A teeny tiny bathroom is the perfect place for a playful paint color since there's not much room for other decorative statements. Try Early Sunrise by Benjamin Moore for a similar look.
Edgy Light Gray
If you want to create a gritty, edgy design, paint the walls light gray. Then incorporate more industrial elements. For this bathroom, designer Leanne Ford worked with concrete and exposed piping to create a simple yet impactful small bathroom. Try Plummett by Farrow & Ball on the walls for a similar look.
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