These 8 Paint Colors Have a Stunning Effect in the Bathroom

Decor experts weigh in the on the best hues in the washroom

By
Deirdre Sullivan
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Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

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Updated on 11/04/21
Long and narrow bathroom with light blue painted walls

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

The bathroom is one of the best places to get inventive with color. With a few paint strokes, you can transform a small powder room or a sizeable two-sink bathroom into a relaxing spa-like retreat. Gone are the days of bulldozing the room and starting all over; instead, try a much cheaper solution: paint everything. Tweak your color scheme and decor. A few simple changes can create an entirely new vibe without breaking the bank.

As you reimagine your bathroom, think of the space as a place for boosting your energy in the morning or as a relaxing, bubbly hideaway after a long, busy day. Think about the mood or vibe you want in the bathroom—pursue those ideas for your bathroom.

  • Color Family: Varies, runs the color spectrum 
  • Complementary Colors: Varies; the blues complement orange tones, forest green complements red tones, and neutrals go with everything
  • Pairs Well With: White trim and white ceilings to brighten and give the room a larger feeling
  • Mood: Bright, energetic, relaxing
  • Where to Use: Bathroom, powder rooms, changing rooms

Here are the best paint colors for a swoon-worthy bathroom, according to decor experts. 

  • 01 of 08

    Best Warm White: Benjamin Moore Simply White

    Benjamin Moore Simply White

    The Spruce

    "Bathrooms set the stage for the beginning and end of your day. Seeing your face and clothes in their true colors provides context. That is why I prefer clean white walls that reflect natural light in bathrooms," says interior designer Jennifer Jean Morris. A white room keeps things feeling fresh, but the warm undertone ensures it doesn't feel sterile. Benjamin Moore describes this crisp white to be "fresh as the first snowfall."

    Picking the correct paint sheen is an essential consideration for rooms that have higher humidity levels like bathrooms and kitchens. Go for a gloss or semigloss; the paint needs to stand up to damp conditions constantly.

  • 02 of 08

    Best Emerald Green: Sherwin-Williams Shamrock

    Sherwin-Williams Shamrock Green

    The Spruce

    A deep shade like emerald green is always a gorgeous option for nearly any area of your home. "Powder rooms are spaces where you can have more fun with color," says Felipe Navarro, the interior designer behind Philippe Luxe. "I like to go with a bold jewel tone like Sherwin-Williams' Shamrock. It works well with white fixtures and beautifully complements accent colors like navy or dusty pink."

  • 03 of 08

    Best Medium Green: PPG Pear Cactus

    Pear Cactus by PPG Porter Paints

    The Spruce

    Dee Schlotter, a color expert at PPG, finds that bathrooms are among the best spaces to experiment with due to their small size. Pear Cactus works if you're on the hunt for something bright and colorful but not too brash or loud. This saturated shade of green falls more on the subdued, serene side, making it the perfect hue for preparing for work or winding down for bedtime.

  • 04 of 08

    Best Light Blue: PPG Ariel

    Ariel Light Blue by PPG Paints

    The Spruce

    "A stunning shade of blue that is fresh and bright, evocative of crystal clear streams and cloudless summer skies is perfect for bathrooms," says interior designer Tara Polony. Mix in white accents and gold or brass hardware for an elegant look while relaxing in the tub.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Best Cool White: Farrow & Ball Strong White

    Farrow & Ball Strong White

    The Spruce

    You can't go wrong with a cool white in any space. A few coats of this paint can quickly turn a bathroom into a clean, minimal sanctuary. Cooler whites look great with silver hardware but can also adapt easily to warmer-toned accents. Farrow & Ball's Strong White with its light gray undertones is a fail-proof bet for a modern look and feel.

  • 06 of 08

    Best Taupe: Benjamin Moore River Reflections

    Benjamin Moore River Reflections

    The Spruce

    "Benjamin Moore River Reflections is a rich and creamy taupe that adds classic style to any bathroom," says Keri Feeney, an interior designer at Alicia Weaver Design. She suggests pairing it with subway tile and white cabinetry for a fresh look.

    White is a natural go-to color for trim, ceilings, tubs, tiles, and flooring in bathrooms—making the room feel clean and bright. White is especially significant in small bathrooms because it reflects light and makes the space appear larger. 

  • 07 of 08

    Best Light Green: Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed

    Rainwashed by Sherwin-Williams

    The Spruce

    "I love wall colors like Rainwashed by Sherwin-Williams that seemingly transform throughout the day based on changes in light," says Fantastic Services interior designer Issabel Williams. It's a versatile shade that pairs well with fresh white as well as earth tones.

  • 08 of 08

    Best Icy Blue: Sherwin-Williams Icelandic

    Icelandic paint swatch from Sherwin-Williams

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams Icelandic is an icy sky blue, and when paired with cloudy white, it's as if your bathroom resides in the heavens. This cooling, refreshing color works well in bathrooms styled classic contemporary, industrial modern, or midcentury modern. It pairs well with bright whites, cream, natural wood tones, and most metallics.

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