The Best (And Worst) Paint Colors To Use For Small Bathrooms

Most of us know there are rules for interior decorating, and your color scheme is without a doubt the easiest, most cost-effective way to create visual illusions. Depending on the color of walls and focal features, you can make rooms appear much smaller or larger than they are.

Unlike most other rooms in the house, the essential elements of a bathroom suite are big items, which means with just the minimum in your bathroom, it can feel like a very enclosed space.

Obviously, pulling out your bathtub or toilet is not an option, so how do you make more room… or how do you make it feel like there’s more room?

Painting your bathroom to complement its space and making it larger is by far the easiest way to create an optical illusion. But what colors should you be using, and what should you avoid?

The Best Paint Colors for a Smaller Bathroom

1. Neutral tones

The likelihood is, you’re familiar with using neutral tones on walls to help bring light into the space. However, finding the right color is an art form. Opt for colors which play to both the natural light and the square footing of the bathroom. Different undertones will have different effects on the room, so make sure you choose a warm neutral if you’ve decided to go down this route. The less natural light a room has, the lighter tone you should look for, Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Year Alabaster, is ideal for light reflectance, complement it with a white trim.

2. Balance a bolder paint color

Neutrals are a good way to create the illusion of space in a bathroom, however, for some people it may not allow them to inject the personality they want into their bathroom. For those people, Anne Miller of Miller House Interiors told Trulia, “I love a saturated paint color and encourage clients not to be scared of using one… The key is to remember to balance out that color with softer neutrals so that the room is not overwhelming.” If you are edging towards a bolder bathroom, you can evade the space feeling cramped by using a lighter bathroom suite and furnishings.

3. Use brown undertones on wall panels

If you have exposed wood panels, many people will reach for the white paint to create a ‘shabby chic’ look. However, this is often not optimum of the space and is usually more difficult to pull off than first anticipated. Utilize the undertones of the panelling and bring them out by using a purple color. Not only does it look effective and stylish, it will also draw attention away from the size of your bathroom, instead, bringing the room together.

The Worst Paint Colors for a Smaller Bathroom

1. White Paint

After all of the mentions of lighter colors complementing a smaller space, it may come as a shock to hear that white is not optimal for your bathroom. White painted bathrooms are at extra risk of looking bland, due to how most bathroom suites are also white. Opt for white as a trim color, and put the focal point on a lighter color with a grey or blues hue.

2. Dull Neutrals

The opposite to warm neutrals, which you should be using, is dull neutrals. Muted tones create flat, uninspired interiors and can do the opposite of opening up your space. Muted neutrals will not reflect the light to create the desired effect, but they are also not bold enough to bring your bathroom together and own the space. Avoid muted neutrals and aim instead for the aforementioned warmer tones.

3. Avoid Red

Red may be a beautiful paint choice when used in the right room, but the bathroom isn’t it. Red is an overwhelming color and should almost never be used in a small space. The best way to use red is to choose it as one of the accents to compliment neutral tones, as Anne Miller suggested above.

With intricate detailing and tiling, bathrooms are easy to get wrong, which is why it’s always advisable to hire a paint crew that knows what they’re doing. Texas Painting and Gutters are industry experts, and will use their knowledge and experience to ensure your bathroom makes the most of its potential.