How to Choose Bathroom Paint Colors

The paint colors that you choose for the walls of your home have a lot of power to affect your mood and the overall feel of your space. This is especially true in the bathroom, where choosing the right colors can make the difference between it being just another room and it being a Zen-like oasis. So how do you pick the right bathroom paint colors? There are some tricks for that.

Whether you’re doing a complete bathroom remodel or just looking to freshen up the space, here’s what you need to know to choose the best bathroom paint colors—plus some of the most popular choices for getting those spa-worthy vibes.

Choosing Bathroom Paint Colors

There are a number of considerations that you have to keep in mind any time you pick out paint colors for your home. Painting is a time-consuming task, and if you’re paying someone to do it for you, it’s a costly one too (anywhere from $200 to $6,000, according to HomeAdvisor). It’s important then to pick out the right color on the first go, instead of realizing after the whole room is done that you should have gone in another direction.

When it comes to your bathroom paint colors, keep these following factors in mind to ensure you make the right choice:

Lighting. The same color can look very different in natural light versus artificial light, so your choice of color for your bathroom walls will vary depending on if you have a window or not. In either case, be sure to bring a paint swatch home before committing to a particular shade and to hold it up to the wall to see how it’ll look in your specific space.

Flooring. Since you’re probably not going to want to swap out your floors just to match your walls, you need to work from the opposite angle and choose a wall color that complements your existing flooring. If you have a neutral tile in a color like white or gray this shouldn’t be too difficult to do, but if you’re working with a non-traditional floor color your options will be more limited.

Overall color scheme. In addition to your flooring, there are a few other features in bathrooms that are difficult to switch out or change—including your vanity and your cabinets (though in the latter case, if it’s just your cabinets that look off with your choice of color, you can consider painting those too to a more flattering shade). Keep your overall color scheme in mind as you browse bathroom paint colors, and be careful not to inadvertently clash with the other major focal points of the room.

Room size. Size matters when choosing bathroom paint colors, and a bright or bold shade might look great in a powder room but garish in a master. Likewise, a bathroom that seems a little too roomy can become more cozy by painting the ceiling a darker shade than the walls. In either case, factoring in room size will help you make paint decisions that don’t just address how you want the room to look but how you want it to feel.

Popular Bathroom Paint Colors

If you get overwhelmed looking at a wall of swatches, we don’t blame you. Here are some of the most popular bathroom paint colors to help you narrow down your search.

Warm Gray

Greige

Sage

Navy

Blush

Powder Blue

White

Choosing bathroom paint colors is all about finding colors that speak serenity to you. Think of what you’re trying to achieve with your space—such as relaxation and tranquility—and seek out the colors that make you feel that way. From there, it’s just a matter of ensuring that the other features in your bathroom complement your shade of choice.

For more help with your project, check out our interior painting tips and tricks, plus our best advice for how to paint a room quickly.