Are you looking to transform your bathroom without spending a lot of money? Paint may be just the thing.
Updating the bathroom paint color is much cheaper than a costly renovation, and it can make a surprisingly big impact.
We don’t give enough credit to the power of color. Something as simple as choosing the right paint color for a bathroom can dramatically change the entire look and feel of the space.
If you’re ready to transform YOUR boring or dated bathroom, take a look at the best paint colors for bathrooms below.
Paint Color Ideas for a Master Bathroom
The great thing about a master bathroom is that it isn’t for everyone. It’s usually reserved for just the people who live in the master bedroom. You won’t have random guests or family members using it, so you can choose a color just for you.
Feel free to pick a bathroom paint color just because you like it. Or pick one that makes you feel the way you want to when you’re using the space.
Maybe you want a bright color to energize you while you’re getting ready for work. Maybe a soothing place to relax and unwind after a long day is more your style. Here are some bathroom paint color ideas for a master bath.
1. Palladian Blue
This medium shade is the perfect place to start! Palladian Blue is a grayish blue with a lot of versatility. The color appears soft and airy, like looking at the sky through a light fog or a bit of mist.
It’s bright enough to add some light and vibrancy to your master bath, but subtle enough to blend in with your existing decor.
With this calming blue, your bathroom can easily become a restful place to unwind. The Spa-like color gives a soothing, relaxing feel. Perfect for lounging in a bath or taking a long, luxurious shower.
Palladian Blue pairs well with neutrals like white, gray, or tan. For a bolder look, pair it with darker blues or vibrant shades of maroon or orange.
2. Edgecomb Gray
Greige is a color trend that’s here to stay. People love it because it’s a classic neutral that goes well with everything.
Edgecomb Gray is a light beige-gray. It’s a blend of beige, tan, and gray that leaves you with a perfect greige.
Sometimes greige colors can look muddy or dirty, but not this one. Edgecomb Gray looks clean and warm. The color is light and fresh, with very subtle green undertones.
If you like classic neutrals, definitely consider Edgecomb Gray. It’s the perfect backdrop for pops of color. You can also keep the whole look neutral with white and gray accessories.
3. Soft Fern
Next up on the list of best bathroom paint colors is one of Benjamin Moore’s best-selling shades, Soft Fern.
This beautiful shade is a light sage green with a bit of gray. As the name implies, the green is soft and subtle. Strong undertones of gray, yellow, and beige mingle with the green, keeping it from being too overpowering.
Soft Fern is one of those paint colors that can look different depending on where you put it. Against vibrant colors, the shade looks more gray or greige. With neutrals, the green stands out more.
Even so, the green never completely disappears. This is definitely a green shade and not a gray paint color.
Bold Bathroom Paint Colors
Bold paint colors are less common for a bathroom, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them. When used strategically, bold hues look rich and extravagant. They add a ton of personality and are perfect for making a statement.
If using a bold paint color for a bathroom seems intimidating, you could try it as an accent wall first. Or use shiplap on one half of the bathroom, and use paint for the rest.
If you love bold colors, there’s no reason not to go for it and use the paint however you like. In a bathroom, you can take more style risks than you would in, say, a living room or a kitchen.
The bathroom paint color doesn’t have to match the color or style in the rest of the house, either. That makes bathrooms a great place to experiment or try something unexpected, like a bold paint color.
4. Cushing Green
Cushing Green is a deep sage green that’s almost evergreen. It has a fair amount of gray in it that keeps the green from being too bright.
The result is a sophisticated color that looks luxurious and not at all cheap. Blue undertones keep this shade firmly in the cool color category.
It pairs well with Edgecomb Gray, the number two pick on this list. Other neutral shades of gray, greige, ivory, or tan also look great with Cushing Green. To take the bold look further, try pink, orange, or bright yellow accessories and towels.
5. Caribbean Blue Water
The tropical shade of Caribbean Blue Water makes you feel like you’re on a boat in the ocean. Blue is well-known as a calming color, and this shade definitely gives off that vibe. The color is cool and soothing without being boring.
It’s a punchy blue with green undertones that give it an almost teal hue.
In a dark bathroom without a lot of natural light, the color looks even deeper. In this type of space, you could balance the darkness with light accessories like bright white towels. To take the deep color even further, use black, chestnut brown, or scarlet red accessories.
6. Fan Coral
Our next shade is lighter in color but no less bold than the previous two. Fan Coral is a medium orangey pink. It’s rich and vibrant, with quite a bit of brightness.
When you think of the best bathroom paint colors, coral may not come to mind first, but it works surprisingly well. It adds a ton of warmth to what can often be a sterile space.
With coral, you can easily get a look that’s cheery, fresh, and inviting.
The bold color of Fan Coral won’t be the right choice for everybody, that’s for sure. But if you like the vibrant warmth of this interesting shade, it just might be the perfect color for you! If you’re intrigued by the idea of using Coral as a bathroom paint color, check out more Coral Paint Colors you can use in your home.
Best Paint Colors for Bathrooms with no Windows
Picking out the right paint color for a bathroom that doesn’t have windows can be extra challenging. Without natural light, spaces can appear dark and small, even if they’re a good size.
Dark colors create a cozy feeling, but they can also make you feel like you’re in a cave. Bright colors add light and vibrancy, but they can be overpowering in artificial light. So what should you do?
Light colors are the ideal option for a windowless bathroom because they can dramatically brighten the room without making it overwhelming. The right lighting can also help a windowless bathroom feel brighter. That’s something to keep in mind, but this is an article about bathroom paint colors, not lighting, so let’s get on to the colors!
7. Manchester Tan
Manchester Tan is the perfect neutral shade. It’s not too brown, not too gray, and it goes with absolutely everything.
This lovely color is a very light tan, almost beige. The undertones are mostly yellow, with a subtle hint of green that makes it look slightly gray.
The lightness of Manchester Tan makes a dark room brighter without being in your face bright. If you like neutrals, this classic color is sure to please. Because it’s so neutral, it pairs with a wide variety of colors and styles.
8. Silver Satin
Silver Satin is a crisp, clean gray with purple undertones. The purple is quite subtle. You can see it in the right light, but it’s not close to eggplant or anything like that. The purple tinge gives this gray a cool-toned color.
Cool colors are naturally soothing. They bring a sense of calm and serenity to any space. Think of flowing rivers or peaceful meadows. That’s what cool colors can do!
This color goes well with other shades of gray, especially darker ones. You could also pair it with other cool colors like blue, green, or purple.
9. Windham Cream
To really add some brightness to a dark bathroom, try Windham Cream. This shade is a bright, cheerful yellow. It’s very light and subtle, not like Big Bird Yellow, but more like the frosting on a lemon-flavored cupcake.
It’s buttery and pretty with a soft peach undertone. The undertones add richness and depth to the shade.
This creamy yellow brings a fresh clean feel to any dark bathroom. Bright white towels and accessories bring the brightness up even more. Or you could balance the light color with darker shades of gray or brown.
10. Violet Pearl
Purple is a color more people should consider when choosing paint for a bathroom. Like coral, it’s unexpected, but it works surprisingly well.
Violet Pearl is a very pale shade of lavender. It has strong gray undertones that keep the purple subtle. It’s a pretty color that doesn’t scream purple, but you can definitely tell it’s there.
To make it look even more purple, pair Violet Pearl with neutral accessories in shades of white, gray, or black. When paired with bolder colors like deep purple, the purple tinge fades into the background.
Wrapping up Best Paint Colors for Bathrooms
The best paint colors for bathrooms come in all different shades and styles. Looking for the right shade can be a lot of fun. Don’t be afraid to try out something new. If you don’t like it, you can always paint again.
Once you’ve decided on a color, check out the Best Paint for Bathrooms. You’ll find recommendations for paint products that are ideally suited for use in a bathroom. You can’t use just any paint for a bathroom because of all the water, so definitely check it out.
If you’re thinking about doing the painting yourself, head to the DIY section. The page contains helpful guides, how-tos, tips, and ideas for all your DIY projects.