Wondering how to choose a bathroom paint color? With virtually unlimited options, it can be a tough choice to make. However, there are some ways to help you narrow down the options — including choosing popular schemes, building personal color palettes and more.
Read below for a guide on choosing bathroom colors.
Consider Popular Palettes First
There’s a reason they’re so popular, after all! Right now, popular color schemes include black and white and shades of gray, green and blue. Typically, you’d anchor the space with a vanity in a darker shade, then paint the walls in a lighter shade to provide contrast and prevent the bathroom from getting too dark.
Create Your Color Palette
If you’d rather be different, feel free to create your own color palette. Popular choices include:
- Monochromatic looks, which are based on just one color (although you can use different shades for brighter and darker areas).
- Analogous color schemes, which utilize two or more colors that are next to each other on the color wheel — such as green, blue and purple.
- Complementary color schemes, which feature opposites on the color wheel, such as green and red or yellow and purple.
Timeless Shades or Trending?
Trendy shades can be a lot of fun. However, if you’re putting your home up for sale or if you’d rather not repaint in a few years when the color goes out of style, then you might want to go with timeless colors for the walls.
These include:
- White and various shades of off-white
- Beige
- Gray
- Navy with contrasting accents
- Light blues and greens
Really, there are no wall colors that you should absolutely avoid. It’s all a matter of taste and your comfort level with repainting if you get tired of the shade. However, if you plan on selling soon, consider that colors on the “unusual” side could be a turnoff for some buyers.
Are Some Colors More Problematic Than Others?
When you’re learning how to choose bathroom colors, you should also consider the paint’s durability and longevity. What will it be like to clean the wall? Will this color fade with time?
In general, the darker and more saturated the color, the more likely it is to fade if your bathroom sees natural sunlight. Reds, greens, blues and yellows are among the most likely to fade, which means you may need to repaint more often.
Consider color and texture when it comes to cleaning. Very light colors and very dark colors show more dirt than shades in the middle of the range — to the point that white bathrooms can be downright difficult to keep looking bright and fresh. This is why off-whites are so popular.
As far as textures go, the glossier the paint, the easier it will be to wipe away grime. Matte surfaces are “grippier” and, thus, harder to clean. Satin finishes are often recommended for bathroom walls as the best balance between ease of cleaning and a brighter, more reflective finish.
Ready to get started on your bathroom upgrade? Be sure to check out our recommendations for the 10 perfect paint colors for your bathroom. While you’re at it, browse the selection at Modern Bathroom to find a great vanity, the perfect fixtures and modern hardware to elevate your space to the next level.