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The bathroom is often the most overlooked room when it comes to bold design, frequently defaulting to clinical white or neutral grey. However, colour is arguably the most powerful tool we have when transforming this functional space into a vibrant, stylish, and restorative retreat.
Moving beyond basic paint swatches, this guide provides a wealth of inspiration for integrating colour that adds personality and depth. From high-impact feature walls and sophisticated two-tone designs to temporary colour splashes via accessories and the dramatic use of patterned tiles, we explore practical techniques used by top designers.
Here at The Bathroom Showroom, we show you how to use colour to manipulate light, play with perceived space, and note the calming, earthy trends currently dominating the market, all while ensuring your design choices stand up to the unique, humid environment of your bathroom.

Creative Ways to Use Colour in the Bathroom: Design Inspiration

Colour is a powerful design tool that can completely transform your bathroom's look and feel, adding personality and depth.
1. Feature Walls: Creating a Focal Point
Use colour or pattern on one wall to draw the eye and create immediate drama.
  • Painted Statement Wall:
Apply a deep, saturated colour (like navy or emerald green) to the wall behind a freestanding tub or the main vanity mirror. This creates a strong anchor in the room.
  • Tiled Feature Wall:
Use highly patterned or uniquely textured tiles within a shower enclosure or on the splashback. This allows you to introduce bold colour and a dynamic surface while keeping the rest of the room calm.
2. Two-Tone Bathrooms: Playing with Height and Proportion
Splitting the wall colour horizontally adds architectural interest and can alter the perceived size of the space.
  • Darker Lower Half, Lighter Upper:
Paint the bottom third or half of the wall in a darker shade (or use wainscoting/beadboard) and the upper section in a bright white or light neutral.
Effect: This grounds the room, makes the ceiling feel higher, and the darker colour offers practicality for resisting splashes.
  • Colour Blocking:
Use two distinct, complementary colours divided by a simple trim or rail to define zones, such as the vanity area.
3. Accent Colours Through Furniture and Accessories
The easiest and least permanent way to introduce colour is through items that can be swapped out in minutes.
  • Statement Vanity:
Use a brightly coloured or richly painted vanity unit (e.g., deep burgundy or sunshine yellow) against neutral walls. The vanity becomes the main colour anchor.
  • Soft Furnishings:
Introduce coordinating colours through textiles like fluffy towels, a patterned bath mat, or a decorative shower curtain.
  • Natural Accents:
Use live plants, wood tones, and metallic fixtures (like brass or copper) to add warmth and a natural pop of colour against cooler walls.
4. Mixing Colours and Patterns: Dynamic Surfaces
Combine different colours and textures, particularly on the floor or in the shower, to achieve a bespoke, energetic look.
  • Geometric and Patterned Tiles:
Install bold, patterned cement tiles on the floor in a geometric or floral design, using the colours within the tile to dictate the rest of the room's palette.
  • Mixing Layouts:
Use a simple subway tile in a rich colour (like deep blue) for the walls, but lay it in a dynamic herringbone or vertical stack pattern to add visual texture without introducing another colour.
  • Checkerboard Floors:
Create a striking, retro-modern look with contrasting coloured squares (like black and white, or pink and green) on the floor.
5. Colour and Lighting: Perception is Everything
Remember that the way a colour looks on a paint chip will change dramatically based on your bathroom's light sources.
  • Natural Light: Colours appear truest in natural daylight. Test samples on multiple walls to see how the colour changes throughout the day.
  • Reflective Surfaces (Sheen): The higher the sheen (gloss or semi-gloss), the more light the paint will reflect, making the colour appear brighter and lighter. Matte finishes absorb light, making colours appear richer and deeper.
  • Artificial Lighting: Warm-toned light bulbs (lower Kelvin) will enhance warm paint shades (reds, yellows, browns) and mute cool shades. Cool-toned light bulbs (higher Kelvin) will do the opposite, making blues and greens appear brighter.
6. Trends to Note: The Rise of Warmth
While trends evolve, contemporary design favours shades that feel grounding and restorative:
  • Earthy Tones and Warm Neutrals: Replacing stark grey and brilliant white, colours like soft taupe, creamy beige, terracotta, and mocha are popular for creating a sophisticated, spa-like warmth.
  • Muted Greens: Shades like sage green, dusty olive, and deep forest green connect the bathroom to nature, promoting a calm and tranquil atmosphere. These colours pair beautifully with natural wood and brass fixtures.
  • Matte Black Fixtures: While not a paint colour, matte black hardware (taps, shower frames) is a persistent trend that provides a sharp, modern contrast against any wall colour.

Master Bathroom Colour For A Fabulously Designed Space

The bathroom, often viewed as a purely functional space, offers incredible potential for creative colour use. By moving beyond plain white, you can transform it into a vibrant, stylish, and restorative retreat.
The key to successful colour integration is strategic application and thoughtful coordination:
  • For High Impact: Use Feature Walls (painted or tiled) to introduce bold, saturated colour without overwhelming the small space.
  • For Proportionality: Employ Two-Tone Walls to influence perceived height and provide practical durability for lower halves.
  • For Flexibility: Rely on Accent Colours in towels, plants, and the vanity unit for easy, cost-effective refreshes that align with current trends.
  • For Texture and Depth: Combine colours and patterns through Geometric and Herringbone Tiling to create dynamic, custom surfaces.
  • For Harmony: Always test shades under your specific Lighting to ensure the colour's perception aligns with your goal, remembering that high-sheen paints brighten and matte finishes deepen.
By making deliberate choices, whether committing to a bold, painted vanity or simply swapping out accent towels, you ensure your bathroom's colour scheme is not just beautiful, but perfectly tailored to its unique, humid environment.
For further help with choosing the best designs, book an appointment with The Bathroom Showroom. Experts in all things bathrooms, we can help turn your dream bathroom into a reality.