Bathroom colour ideas to invigorate, soothe or refresh

You might not have given much thought to your bathroom colour ideas if you are just embarking on a new bathroom project. Often, the first steps taken in the bathroom design process tend to be deciding on a layout and choosing the larger items of sanitaryware. 

However, as is so often the case, it is the finishing touches, such as a colour scheme, that secure the success of a space — both visually as well as the way in which it feels to spend time in. 

Here, we have pulled together a selection of our very favourite bathroom colour schemes, from those that will help a space feel like a soothing solace, to tones that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. 

Ways to introduce bathroom colour ideas

While the most obvious way to inject colour into your bathroom is to paint the walls, there are other methods of bringing it into the space.

Your choice of bathroom tiling ideas, for example, will play a huge role here. Many people choose to leave a couple of walls a neutral shade and then cover the others with tiles in brighter shades or patterns — and don't forget the effect your choice of bathroom flooring can have on colour either. 

Bathroom wallpaper is also an option these days with more and more products coming on to the market all the time specifically for use in spaces with high moisture levels. 

And, finally, your choice of sanitaryware and fittings will also have a role to play in your bathroom's colour. 

"Coloured sanitaryware has made a firm comeback and is great for injecting personality into what can often be a clinical space," says Phil Etherden, MD at The Albion Bath Co. "We are seeing a huge increase in interest for coloured baths and bathroom furniture from our customers, and often in luxuriously bold shades such as navy, emerald green and deep crimson."

1. Pair navy and white for a fresh finish

Navy is a shade that never seems to go out of fashion and it works really well for those after bathroom ideas that are classic and unlikely to look dated any time soon, as well as for anyone looking for modern bathroom ideas. Paired with white, navy looks super chic and the two look perfect with both polished chrome as well as warm metallics such as brass and copper. 

Here, Hague Blue paint by Farrow & Ball has been used all over the walls. It is the perfect backdrop for the traditional bathroom suite and the natural stone flooring. 

2. Conjure up relaxed vibes with warming pinks

Soft powdery pinks are the perfect choice for those seeking to create a bathroom that feels warm and soothing and are so easy to work with when it comes to pairing them with other shades, be that a scorching red or a baby blue. 

In this cosy bathroom, Joyous Expressions Porcelain Eleni tiles by Sasha Compton from Ca' Pietra have been used to tile the floor. The walls and bath panel have been painted a pink that picks up on shades within the floor tiles, while the pearly white and grey tiles within the showering area keep the whole look calming. 

3. Use your sanitaryware to inject colour

Using coloured items of sanitaryware is something that anyone could consider, from those looking for fun family bathroom ideas to those looking for ways to introduce personality into a guest bathroom. 

While many people still struggle with shaking off the coloured suites of yesteryear, there is no need to fear that we are talking avocado and champagne here. Used in the right way, coloured items such as baths, basins and even toilets can work really well. The key lies in being careful with the colours that you use elsewhere for tiles, walls and floors. 

This Ellipse Freestanding Bath by Waters Baths of Ashbourne in Dutch Orange works brilliantly alongside the neutral colour scheme used elsewhere in the space. 

4. Float away with an ocean-inspired shade

As well as colour, it can be a good idea to think in terms of texture too — and your choice of plaster finish can really make a difference here. Take Venetian plaster, for example. This is a finish made up of plaster mixed with marble dust. It is applied to the walls in thin layers which are then burnished to create texture and character.

"Matte, structured textures have taken over high-gloss, shiny surfaces and this will continue to be the case for next year" says Hege Lundh, marketing and business development director at Lundhs Real Stone. 

In this stunning bathroom, Venetian plaster in a sea blue has been used both for the walls as well as in the construction of the chunky vanity unit. 

5. Soothe the senses with grey and white

If neutrals are more your thing than eye-popping shades then choose wisely to ensure that the overall look doesn't end up too sterile or cold. Grey comes in all kinds of variations. Choose a grey with a yellow or pink undercurrent to ensure it feels warm and when it comes to whites, look for those with a creamy hint to them. 

This sophisticated scheme uses two different shades of grey for interest while the floor and walls have been painted a warm white. The bath is from Waters Baths of Ashbourne. 

6. Connect to nature with forest greens

Green is a shade that really soothes and helps create a sense of being connected to the great outdoors. If it is a restful bathroom you are after then green really is a shade you should strongly be considering. Look for forest-inspired shades with brown undertones to ensure the look is warm — as opposed to those with cooler minty tones.

In this bathroom, a rich earthy green has been used for the lower section of the walls and the vanity unit, while the wallpaper – Woodland Floor Night Wallpaper by Studio Le Cocq – really brings the look to life. Note how the bathroom lighting ideas have been selected to highlight the print. 

7. Keep it classy with simple black and white

If it is smart, simple and timeless that you are after then black and white is the colour combo for you. This is a scheme that will work for those after small bathroom ideas particularly well as it is fuss free and ensures that the space won't feel overly busy.

In this elegant bathroom, the Shikara Cast Iron Hurlingham Bath from Renaissance At Home takes centre stage. The black flooring and column radiators set off the crisp white walls perfectly. 

8. Warm things up with burnt orange hues

The latest bathroom trends are very much centred around using bolder, warmer shades in this room — as opposed to the cooler greys and whites that were previously being used. 

"I have noticed a rise in clients requesting dark and moody interiors," says  Juliette Thomas, founder and director of Juliettes Interiors. 

Burnt oranges, forest greens, burgundy, navy and crimson are all great choices for those keen to add warmth and personality to their bathrooms. In this beautifully rustic space, the orange walls work fantastically well with the exposed timber beams and simple rolltop bath. 

9. Take a trip to the seaside with pretty pastels

If there is one room in the house that can benefit from a coastal feel in terms of its decor it has to be the bathroom. That said, blue and white stripes can feel a little overdone these days so if you are looking for bathroom design ideas that look fresh and modern and come with seaside connotations this one is for you. 

Think ice-cream colours of candy pink and pistachio and include some beach-related motifs — the result will be a fun-feeling space that whisks you away to sunnier climes while you are in there. 

The Gems of the Sea Wallpaper by Sorbet Dreams features shades of calm blue and yellow and sweet pink clam shells.

10. Add a bit of glitz with metallics

If you want your bathroom colour design scheme to be bang up to date then you really need to think of ways to introduce a few metallic finishes.

"Metallic touches in the bathroom are hugely fashionable at the moment and give a real sense of getting back to base materials," says Phil Etherden, managing director of The Albion Bath Co. "Luxurious burnished and polished bath finishes are a popular option for anyone looking for a solid, industrial warehouse look."

Burnished brass and brushed metal finishes look great combined with natural materials, such as slate bathroom flooring, and wooden touches. 

11. Turn to pink and green for a fresh yet classic combo

While the combination of pink and green tends to come with slightly retro vibes, this colour combo is actually very much in fashion right now. The two shades really bring out the best in one another, managing to look somehow springlike all year long. These shades also work well when used with natural materials and can be paired with both traditional bathroom ideas or those that lie on the more contemporary side of things. 

This stylish shower room is a good example of how well black finishes also work well with these hues. The Foile Basin 3 Hole Set Deck Mounted in Matt Black from Crosswater and coordinating towel warmer look spot on in this shower room. 

What paint should I use in the bathroom?

There are several good options when it comes to choose the right type of paint for your bathroom. 

Stick to something hardwearing, such as a well-primed gloss or eggshell topcoat for wooden elements, such as for bathroom panelling ideas, and an emulsion on your walls.

The best options tend to be acrylic eggshell or, at a push a satin paint. You might also like to consider a paint specifically designed for use in bathroom — some are mould and moisture resistant too. 

If you are keen to choose a lower chemical paint or one free from VOCs, there are also some great options around. Little Greene, for example, produce a range called Intelligent Paints which includes an eggshell and a matt. Both are durable and completely washable making them ideal for bathrooms.

Can wallpaper really be used in a bathroom?

Homeowners tend to be a little wary of using wallpaper in the bathroom, fearing it may become soggy and start to peel away from the wall — or to be prone to mould. 

However, if chosen well, wallpaper can be a great way to introduce colour into your bathroom. 

You need to select a product that has been designed specifically for bathrooms or areas of high moisture. Bathroom wallpaper is commonly made from PVC or will have been given a coating to make it impermeable to water and moisture. 

Phil Etherden

Phil Etherden is managing director of The Albion Bath Co.

Juliette Thomas

Juliette Thomas is the founder and creative director of the London-based interior design and luxury furniture retail company, Juliettes Interiors. Juliette has been designing and offering unique exclusive interiors and furnishings since 2005.

Hege Lundh

Hege Lundh is marketing and business development director at Lundhs Real Stone.