The Best Welcoming Powder Room Paint Colors

Even the smallest powder rooms can stand out with these bold, beautiful colors

By Diana Hathaway Timmons
Updated on 08/11/22
powder room with gray paint

Arno Smit / Unsplash

Your powder room can be the jewel box of your home with the right color. It's also the perfect spot to take a color risk because it's such a tight space. If you want to make make a small powder room look bigger, there are color tricks for that, too⁠—and don't be afraid of using dark paint colors for powder rooms. Why not experiment with a strong powder room paint color? Turn your small bathroom into a mini-retreat with luxury linens, sparkling lighting, and touches of artwork, all tied together with a new, bold color.

Overview

  • Color Family: Mostly warm with a couple of cool and neutral picks
  • Complementary Colors: Grays, violets, and blues to name a few
  • Pairs Well With: Crisp white, metallic finishes
  • Mood: Glamorous and elegant
  • Where to Use: Walls

Here are six good paint colors that can live large and beautiful in your tiny powder room.

  • 01 of 06

    Benjamin Moore Peony

    Peony paint swatch from Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    A vibrant, lush fuchsia like Benjamin Moore's Peony (2079-30) is a stunning choice for a small powder room's paint color. A compact room that is used only briefly can handle a bold and cheerful color like this. Creamy white trim, dark wood or tile floors, a white stone vessel sink, and soft lighting will balance this color. Paint walls with a glossy finish so more light can bounce off surfaces, all of which offer the illusion of a larger space.

  • 02 of 06

    Benjamin Moore Marine Blue

    Marine Blue paint swatch from Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    A blackened navy blue like Benjamin Moore's Marine Blue (2059-10) is a glamorous paint color choice for a powder room⁠. One of the best colors for a small powder room is surprisingly a deep, dark color like this because it creates depth and makes the space feel larger. The secret to using a dark blue is pairing it with crisp whites, metallic accents, and a sparkling light fixture such as a mini-chandelier. Swap out the usual bathroom mirror for one with an ornate gold or silver frame. 

    Tip

    Instead of painting every wall in a tiny powder room a dark color, concentrate on using the color in small quantities to create depth. The wall above the tile in the tub area or a sliver of a wall works best. Paint the rest of the walls in a color that's two shades lighter than the dark color.

  • 03 of 06

    Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn SW 7674

    Peppercorn SW 7674 paint swatch from Sherwin-Williams

    The Spruce

    Choosing a dark paint color like Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn (SW 7674) for a small powder room requires careful lighting selection and placement, but it can be stunning, even in a powder room with no windows. Wall sconces on either side of the vanity mirror will illuminate the wall. A delicate mini-chandelier adds ambient lighting. Metallic silver paint on the ceiling enhances the chandelier's glow for extra light reflection or use pale blue paint above for a touch of the sky in a windowless space.

  • 04 of 06

    Valspar Cantaloupe Smile

    Cantaloupe Smile paint swatch from Valspar

    The Spruce

    One of the most welcoming and relaxing colors for a small bathroom is this rich peachy and golden yellow paint color from Valspar called Cantaloupe Smile (2007-2A). Crisp white trim makes this color pop. Add in fluffy white towels for an airy, spa-like atmosphere.

    Continue to 5 of 6 below.
  • 05 of 06

    Sherwin-Williams Gingery

    Gingery paint swatch from Sherwin-Williams

    The Spruce

    For Craftsman or transitional decorating style, try a rich neutral color like Gingery (SW 6363) by Sherwin-Williams. This warm, vibrant cinnamon-caramel brown with a subtle hint of orange is a great alternative to the traditional red colors typically used in powder rooms. Brushed metallic accessories and natural stone surfaces pair beautifully with this delicious color.

  • 06 of 06

    Valspar Dreamy Teal

    Dreamy Teal paint swatch from Valspar

    The Spruce

    Valspar's Dreamy Teal (5007-8B) is a refreshing cooler paint color for a powder room that's beach-inspired but also adds some visual drama and depth. A versatile teal like this, with more blue than green undertones, is easily paired with natural woods or crisp whites.

    Determine how much paint you need with The Spruce's Paint Calculator.

42 Pretty Powder Room Ideas for Your Half Bath