Colors in the bathroom
Key points at a glance:
- Keep the color scheme simple: A few harmoniously coordinated colors create a sense of calm and a cohesive look in the bathroom.
- Use accents strategically: Faucets, accessories, or individual walls are ideal for incorporating pops of color in a stylish way.
- Choose the desired effect: Blue, green, or beige create different atmospheres—ranging from soothing and natural to modern and elegant.
What general considerations should be kept in mind when choosing colors for the bathroom?
While personal tastes vary, there are still a few general guidelines that can be established. After all, a bathroom is always a functional space, which is why the design and color scheme should be supportive. We therefore recommend the following guidelines:
Don't go overboard
As tempting as the range of options has become, it makes sense to stick to a minimalist color scheme in the bathroom rather than mixing all sorts of colors together. After all, the latter creates a chaotic atmosphere—and that’s something hardly anyone wants in their bathroom. All-white bathrooms are an easy way to commit to a single design.
Tip: These can be perfectly achieved with the Vitrium series, for example.
Make a statement
Not all colors are suitable for a completely monochromatic bathroom. For example, a particularly bright and bold shade of red can, under certain circumstances, feel very chaotic and oppressive in a bathroom. The same applies to other very vibrant colors. In this case, it’s better to stick to individual accents that you can pair with calmer pastel shades or neutral colors.
Where can color be used effectively in the bathroom?
Unless you want to design your bathroom entirely in a single color, the question arises as to where you can best use pops of color. There are several options to choose from.
Ceramics
While white remains the standard color for bathroom fixtures, black and gray fixtures are no longer a rarity. The neutral nature of these colors makes them particularly easy to coordinate.
Of course, you could also do the opposite: choose more striking colors for the tiles and keep the rest of the bathroom in neutral tones.
Faucets
Faucets are particularly well-suited for adding pops of color. Here, you can certainly opt for a more upscale look. For example, gold faucets paired with white ceramic fixtures in your bathroom create an elegant look.
Gold and bronze tones also pair perfectly with black. Since the faucets make up only a small part of the room, this helps avoid an overwhelming effect from the metallic tones.
Tiles
The color of bathroom tiles can be easily coordinated with the rest of the color scheme—since tiles usually look best when they complement the overall aesthetic rather than drawing attention to themselves.
The color doesn’t always have to be exactly the same as the rest of the bathroom. For example, a slightly darker shade for the tiles can often complement a lighter color for the fixtures or furniture, as long as the tones themselves are harmonious. Or you could opt for a more subdued color here as well.
Wall paint
While the same rules generally apply to wall color as to tile color in the bathroom, the ongoing trend of having one or two accent walls provides an opportunity to add visual interest. In this case, however, the wall color in the bathroom should never stand completely on its own but should be reflected in other elements as well.
Bathroom furniture
When it comes to bathroom furniture, harmony is key. In multi-colored bathrooms, it’s best to choose pieces that match the wall color or the color of the faucets. There is one major exception, however: the natural look of wood or stone complements any color scheme in the bathroom.
Bathroom accessories
Much like the faucets, accessories are the perfect way to experiment with bolder colors in the bathroom. They allow you to add attractive accents without making the bathroom look cluttered. Another advantage is that it’s relatively easy to make changes here.
If you ever don't like the color of a towel, you can simply swap it out for one that matches. This way, you can constantly add new accents and keep your bathroom looking fresh.
What impression do different colors create in the bathroom?
Choosing the right color for your bathroom is always a matter of style. What kind of atmosphere do you want to create in your bathroom? White bathrooms have a classic, clean look, while gray bathrooms exude a subtle, understated charm. Combining multiple colors also requires careful consideration. Particularly trendy options include black-and-white, green, blue, and beige bathrooms.
Of course, there are many other options, such as bathrooms in yellow or red, which, when used effectively, can create a very lively atmosphere. As with all bathroom colors, there is no “right” choice here, since everyone’s perception is different. So it’s best to choose whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Black and white
All-black bathrooms are undoubtedly stylish, but they always depend on having enough light sources. A black-and-white bathroom offers a solution even for darker rooms, allowing that elegance to shine through.
The combination of white ceramic and floor tiles with black faucets, furniture, and walls looks particularly striking.
Green
Not all greens are created equal. Bright, bold shades, in particular, can quickly look unnatural and rarely turn out well. In contrast, natural shades of green blend perfectly and harmoniously with stone- or wood-look furniture. You can also pair your green bathroom with gray or white to emphasize its natural feel.
If you're going with metallic finishes for the faucets, darker shades of gold or bronze make a particularly good impression.
Blue
Blue is the perfect color for a bathroom: whether it’s a soothing sky blue or a deep ocean blue, the connection to the bathroom is always clear. Not least because of its calming effect, blue is an excellent choice. Whether you choose blue walls, tiles, or bathroom furniture, if you’re looking to create a relaxing bathroom, you can’t go wrong with blue.
Just make sure the overall look doesn’t end up looking too cold if you’re leaning toward deeper shades of blue. If in doubt, warm accents in the faucets or accessories can help.
Beige
Choose beige for your bathroom to add a modern touch. After all, combining different light sandy tones is one of the current trends in bathroom design. A beige bathroom with white faucets also creates a calm atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxation. Beige bathroom furniture, just like wood-toned pieces, pairs beautifully with many other colors.
Discover Material and Color Trends for the Bathroom
Whether monochromatic or mixed, colors in the bathroom offer many options for personalization. The materials used also play a key role in determining which colors work particularly well together and what overall impression is created. Discover some of the most popular design options here.
Tip: You'll also find useful tips on painting your bathroom in our magazine.
