Choosing the Right Color for Your Bathroom: Everything you need to know

What paint finish works best in a bathroom?

Paint finishes are especially important in a bathroom renovation. Unlike the rest of your home, bathrooms are heavily used rooms subjected to lots of moisture. This means that the paint finish you select goes beyond aesthetic considerations: it needs to be able to resist humid conditions.

If you have a bathroom with limited air circulation, the best option is choosing a satin finish. Generally speaking, a higher sheen also means the paint creates a stronger layer on top of your surfaces which naturally repels moisture.

High-gloss and semi-gloss are also good options if you’re after more sheen, and in our experience, are slightly more durable than satin.

PRO TIP: Stay away from matte or flat paint finishes. It tends to be less durable than other types and also easily absorbs moisture in the air. You’ll have to retouch frequently with these types.

Regardless of the color and finish you choose, always select mildew-resistant paint. These keep mold away by forming a water-resistant layer on your surfaces and many also have added fungicides to control mildew spores. If available in your selected color, bathroom-specific paints are a great option to cover your bases.

3 Elements to help you choose bathroom paint colors

1.Lighting Makes a Difference

It’s tempting to go to the store and get the first color that catches your eye, but try a small sample first. Remember that colors can look very different under different lighting: not only from the store to your home, but also at different times of the day.

We recommend picking 1-3 shades and trying it out in at least 2 small sections of your bathroom. It’s important to play with the light: if possible, do a swatch in front of the bathroom window and another somewhere that gets little to no light. Once you’ve done this, live with it for a couple days and go into the bathroom at your usual times.

You would be surprised how different colors can look when you turn on your lights at night, versus early in the morning. Doing this will give you a better idea of the final look, without committing too fast.

2. Start with your flooring

Overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? A simple way to choose colors for your bathroom is starting with the tones already in it. The floor is usually difficult to change, so choosing a paint shade that will compliment it is a safe option.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to stick to either warm or cool tones for your bathroom depending on the undertones in your floor. This is an easy way to ensure your palette doesn’t clash and help pull the room together.

As a rule of thumb, if your floor has more yellows and reds it falls under the warm spectrum. If it has navy or deep green undertones, it’s probably on the cool side.

3.Think about your furniture and fittings



Similar to looking at the bathroom floor for color coordination, consider the other elements inside your bathroom that won’t change: the vanity, the bathroom fittings, and maybe some accessories like a framed mirror you want to keep in the room. Choose colors that will work with the shades already in the room to keep your décor cohesive.

Popular Bathroom Paint Color Schemes and Combinations

Now that you know the basics, it’s time for some inspiration! These are some tried-and-true color combinations that could work in your space:

• All-white bathroom: Clean, minimalist bathrooms are always a classic. Using only white on the walls, trim, floor and fittings are an easy way to make the room feel larger. If you go for this option, remember to try shades beyond the classic “true white”: there’s a variety of off-white options to tailor the color to your room.



• Adding an accent wall: Even though this isn’t a color scheme by itself, choosing an accent wall to apply a bold pop of color is a popular choice to spruce up any bathroom or powder room. Depending on your style, accent walls can also have a bright patterned wallpaper.

PRO TIP: When choosing the color or pattern for an accent wall, remember the rule of threes: one neutral, one color, and one accent. Stick to only 3 colors and you’re almost guaranteed to have a cohesive space.

• Coastal: This is a broad category, but it generally entails a mostly-white bathroom with pops of blue or green throughout. Depending on your personal liking, wood elements can also be included (on the floor or in the vanity). This easy bathroom color scheme has the benefit of instantly creating a calm space that feels like an actual retreat.

• Black-and-white: If you like contemporary décor, a bold black-and-white bathroom could be a good choice. The high contrast adds lots of personality and modernizes any space.

• Moody tones: Plum, charcoal, teal… these dark tones aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when considering bathroom colors. But give them a chance: a dark paint in the bathroom gives depth, enhances ambience lighting and is just the right amount of drama to add personality to your home. These are a good option if your bathroom doesn’t have any windows or it’s very small.

Conuslt a professional

Choosing the perfect bathroom paint colors doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, take it as an opportunity to express yourself. If you still have questions, give us a call to set up a consultation. Our experts have years of experience and can give you personalized options based on your needs. Call Island Accents Painting today at 352-610-3869.