The Best Welcoming Powder Room Paint Colors

Turn a powder room into an elegant jewel box with these bold, beautiful colors

By
Diana Hathaway Timmons
Diana Hathaway Timmons

Diana Hathaway Timmons has over 10 years as a color and interior design consultant. She writes about ideas and tips for beautifying your space and incorporating decor trends into your home. She wrote the book "How to Sell Your Home Without Losing Your Zen" and has been featured in the "Huffington Post," "Better Homes & Gardens," and additional publications.

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Updated on 05/10/21
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 small space. Why not experiment with a strong paint color in a small powder room? Turn your guest 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 10 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 color like Benjamin Moore's Peony (2079-30) is a stunning choice for a powder room. A small 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 can balance this color.

  • 02 of 06

    Benjamin Moore Marine Blue

    Marine Blue paint swatch from Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    A deep, blackened navy blue like Benjamin Moore's Marine Blue (2059-10) can be a surprisingly glamorous paint color choice for a powder room. 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. Wall sconces on either side of the vanity mirror will illuminate the wall. A delicate mini-chandelier adds ambient lighting. A metallic silver or pale blue paint on the ceiling enhances the chandelier's glow for extra glamour.

  • 04 of 06

    Valspar Apricot Butter

    Apricot Butter paint swatch from Valspar

    The Spruce

    A rich peachy and golden yellow paint color like Valspar Apricot Butter (2005-2A) turns a powder room into a welcoming and relaxing space. Crisp white trim makes this color pop. Add in fluffy white towels for a 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 finishes 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 choice for a beach-inspired powder room that needs some drama. A versatile teal like this, with more blue than green undertones, can easily be paired with natural woods or crisp whites.

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

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