Best Bathroom Paint Colors For Small Bathrooms – For the past few months, I have been helping to decorate the second floor of my father’s house. Before I got my hands on it, it was an empty space in need of paint, furniture and personality.
My dad renovated this bathroom when he bought the house and the new touches are great – marble floors, white tile walls, a large white soaking tub and a modern vanity. This is not a small bathroom and it is very grand. However, the texture is a little soft.
Best Bathroom Paint Colors For Small Bathrooms
I knew right away that the white walls didn’t work with the other design elements of the space. So, a fresh coat of paint was my first order of business.
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Since this is a windowless bathroom, choosing the best paint colors can be a bit tricky. Natural light is very helpful when deciding on the right paint color.
Contrary to popular belief, bright white is not a good choice for a windowless space, as it can make the room feel cold and dirty.
In our basement bathroom I prefer a medium-toned or dark color to create warm vibes, like the dark green paint on the bathroom walls. I suggest avoiding colors that are too vivid or bright as they will look harsh with just artificial lighting.
In the adjacent guest room, I’m going with Benjamin Moore, “Boothbay Gray.” It is a medium-toned color that reads as grayish-light blue. I wanted the color of the guest bathroom to complement this and feel like a relaxing spa-like retreat.
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I am opting for a shade darker than “Boothbay Grade”. I have a dark color in a small room to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Right now, the space has only crisp whites with marble floors and walls. Let’s add some contrast and elegance!
In a windowless room, dark colors absorb light instead of reflecting it. It completely changes the feel of the room! It makes the space more inviting and envelops you in color. However, we need to increase the ambient light in the room (which I will discuss in a moment).
I knew I wanted a paint color that complemented “Boothbay Grey” when I first looked at the other colors on the paint swatch next to it.
I didn’t have a specific paint swatch, but I googled the paint code for “Boothbay Grey” and it is HC-165. Then you can search for colors close to it (HC-164 or HC-166) and see if that works for your design. This is a great trick and saves a trip to the paint store when looking for paint color inspiration.
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I suggest going to the paint manufacturer’s website and looking up the colors they suggest along with your specific color. I did it for “Boothbay Grey” and I immediately loved “Night Train” pictured above.
I know choosing the perfect paint color can be overwhelming, but hopefully, these little tricks will help. Then, read this post with even more ideas to get the perfect hue!
I rarely choose a paint color without painting patterns on the walls. Here are some tips for this critical step in the paint color selection process…
Here are the colors I tried. I painted Benjamin Moore’s “Boothbay Grey” over the top (the adjacent bedroom will be painted) to make sure the winning color complements it. I think all three of these colors could work with the blue-grey hue of “Boothbay Grey”.
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When I first painted these colors, I had no clue who would be the winner. They all looked great in space. But, once I painted them next to the vanity, I knew which one I liked better.
Since the vanity color is the same, I didn’t want to choose a color to match it. Instead, I wanted it to be a little darker. I liked the medium color (“Brewster Grey”) the best. The green paint on the top was a little too harsh next to the gray paint on the vanity, but the bottom looked too muddy and greasy next to the crispness of the vanity.
I think “Brewster Gray” is a good choice for wall color in this room. It has blue hues and looks great with the elements in the adjacent guest room. It will be the perfect background for other elements of the space.
Now that I’ve figured out a paint color, let’s dive into my design plan for the rest of this space. We keep all the important elements of the room (vanity, mirror and toilet). Here’s my plan to add warmth and sophistication.
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In the photo above, you can see a long blank wall on the right side of the room. That towel bar isn’t working (sorry, Dad!), so I suggest removing it.
Next, let’s add the wooden wall treatment. You know I’m a huge fan of these because I’ve made almost every style in my own home. We have shiplap, picture frame molding, board and batten, beadboard and more! I knew shiplap was too farmhouse for my dad’s style, so I went back and forth between picture frame molding and board and batten.
Since the attached guest bedroom has an art deco style, I think picture frame molding is the best choice for this bathroom. It’s a great way to add interest to a small space and it gives this room some life and personality!
I have considered doing chair rail and picture frame molding along the bottom of the walls with wallpaper. However, I decided molding to the ceiling would be a better option for this room because of the huge headboard on the bathtub wall and the nooks and crannies.
Help Us Pick Paint Colours For Our Small Bathroom.
For now, my dad’s bathroom only has overhead lighting with cool-toned light bulbs. This is not flattering and is one of the reasons why this bathroom is flat.
Every room needs at least 2-3 light sources, so I suggest adding this gold sconce above the mirror. You can read more about my lighting rules in this blog post. When in doubt, add more light fixtures to a space with less natural light.
I’m all about mixing metals and (as with lighting), I suggest having 2-3 metallic finishes in a room, and I’ll explain why in this blog post.
Right now, the fixtures are all silver chrome which looks very cool. Adding some gold touches to the bathroom can help warm up the space. We’ll leave the faucet and tub hardware intact, but do a new gold towel ring, gold knobs on the vanity, and various gold accessories. Those small exchanges make a big difference!
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You’ll notice in the source list below that I chose all of my gold hardware/accents from the same retailer – West Elm. Because brass and gold can come in different shades. I always suggest buying them from the same retailer so you know the colors and finishes will match.
Vanity Light // Cabinet Knobs // Towel Ring // Wood Towel Rack // Rug // Wood Wall Shelf // Art
The main elements are set and now it’s time for the fun stuff – decorations and accessories. Those cold marble floors are begging for a nice rug. I choose this because it fills the space and adds color and texture to the floors.
I am very excited about this wooden towel rack to fill the space on that long wall. Wood is always a great idea to add warmth to a cold space and it warms things up while adding some functionality!
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Let’s choose a wooden shelf above the toilet. I love the curved lines on this and the rattan is fabulous!
I ordered all the furniture for the guest bedroom and the loft. Professional painters have started working on these rooms too! I have a DIY project in mind for the loft area (a new wood wall treatment I’m excited to try!), so I’ll keep you posted as these spaces come together.
I’m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY and maintain your home yourself! Learn more about me right here. These versatile shades, from calming beiges to modern grays, create a timeless foundation that complements a variety of design elements.
Whether you’re going for a spacious feel with light neutrals or a sophisticated vibe with bold hues, there’s a perfect neutral to suit your bathroom’s size and lighting.
Best Paint Colors For Small Bathrooms
Neutral colors are hues that are not on the color wheel. They consist of varying shades of black, white, gray and brown.
These colors that have no undertones are called pure neutrals. Meanwhile, colors that fall under the “natural” category and are mixed with pure neutrals are considered near neutrals.
Neutral colors act as a foundational canvas in the space, subtly enhancing the aesthetic without overpowering it. These colors are often used to create a balanced and timeless look in your bathroom.
Warm neutrals are often red, orange or yellow, which bring a feeling of coziness.