By Kerry Hale

How To Add Colour To Your Bathroom

 
  • Friday 6 December 2024
  • 6 minute read

Colour can evoke a certain mood or feeling, so it’s important to consider how you want your bathroom to feel before deciding on a colour scheme. Whether you're planning to add a bright accent wall or keep things neutral with a black-and-white bathroom, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you get started.

If you’re wondering how to choose bathroom colours and elevate the room with plants, soft furnishings and decorative accessories, our guide has all the answers.

The benefits of a colourful bathroom

Since your bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in the home, its colour scheme should make you feel good. For example, bright yellow may lift your spirits in the morning, while pastels bring a sense of calm. A colourful bathroom can make the space feel more luxurious and welcoming and boost its appeal.

Which colour is best for bathrooms?

Can’t decide what colour to paint the bathroom? A key consideration is room size. Larger bathrooms with plenty of natural light can accommodate darker shades like black, navy blue, dark grey or forest green. Meanwhile, small bathrooms may benefit from shades like white, cream, light blue or pastel green to help them feel brighter.

Discover more of the best colour ideas for small bathrooms to make your space look and feel bigger.

8 ideas to add colour to your bathroom

Whether you’re planning a complete bathroom renovation or want to add a few decorative accessories, here are eight ways to create a colourful bathroom.

1. Accent wall

Wondering how to add colour to a bathroom? Creating an accent wall (or feature wall) is a great way to brighten up the space. You can do this by hanging eye-catching wallpaper, installing vibrant shower panels, or using contrasting paint shades. Try painting one wall in a bright colour and leaving the rest white for an impactful look. You could also create an accent ceiling by painting it in a bold shade and leaving the walls neutral.

2. Wall art

If you have enough wall space in your bathroom, consider hanging prints or photographs to add a personal touch. A gallery wall with multiple frames looks striking in larger bathrooms, becoming a feature wall without requiring paint or wallpaper! 

 

Alternatively, you could choose one statement piece to create a focal point. Paintings that feature pastel colours can bring a calm, tranquil feeling to the space. 


Get inspired with more unique bathroom wall décor ideas.

3. Wallpaper

If you love prints, why not wallpaper your bathroom instead? Popular options include floral wallpaper for an elegant look, coastal-themed wallpaper for a calming feel, and tile-effect wallpaper to add depth. Wipeable or splash-proof wallpaper is ideal, as it will be more resistant to humidity.

Whatever pattern or colour scheme you decide on, you can match your towels, bath mats and decorative accessories to the shades in your wallpaper.

4. Fixtures and fittings

Fixtures like the toilet, sink, shower or bath often come in white or black, so you can choose a versatile design to suit your bathroom. These elements are more costly to replace, so we recommend choosing a timeless style, like the Mira Atom from our range of black showers


Handles on cabinets, doors, toilets and taps are available in various metals and finishes, from classic chrome to antique brass, so consider changing these up if you’d prefer a more colourful design.

5. Tiles

One of the most effective ways to add colour to your bathroom is with tiles. Tiles are a versatile choice and are available in a wide range of colours and designs. For a subtle look, you could choose tiles in soft pastel shades, or you could go bold with bright pops of colour. 

There are several ways you could incorporate tiles into your bathroom, such as tiling halfway up the wall or separating the room with different colours. Make sure to consider the rest of your bathroom colour scheme and decide which tiles would complement the rest of the space.

6. Plants

Add a touch of green to your bathroom with houseplants. Only certain houseplants will thrive in warm, humid conditions and the low natural lighting of most bathrooms. Some of the best options include:

  • Spider plants

  • Aloe vera

  • Ferns

  • Bamboo

  • Begonias

  • Ivy

  • Orchids

If you have pets, always do your research before buying plants, as some can be toxic for animals.

When styling your space with plants, always ensure they have sufficient light. Some greenery hanging from a high shelf adds texture to your bathroom, whilst potted plants look great on a windowsill, table or sink. Hanging eucalyptus in the shower can also offer a range of benefits.

7. Decorative accessories

Decorative accessories and ornaments can add personality and introduce plenty of bathroom colour. Candles, diffusers, vases, soap dishes and other trinkets look great on windowsills and sinks. If you have shelving in your bathroom – such as a ladder shelf – you could display your accessories in wooden baskets.


Our bathroom accessories buying guide will help you add the finishing touches to this space.

8. Soft furnishings

Soft furnishings like towels, bath mats, shower curtains, rugs and blinds are another way to incorporate colour into your bathroom. Select complementary or contrasting tones if you’ve chosen a bold shade for your walls. Alternatively, you could introduce pops of colour to a monochrome bathroom with soft furnishings.

FAQs

What colour is most flattering in a bathroom?

In bathrooms, soft colours like white, pale blue and pastel pink can be a flattering choice, helping the space feel brighter and creating a spa-like ambience.

What is the rule for bathroom colours?

While there are no real rules for bathroom colours, it’s recommended to use three different options: one accent colour, one neutral shade, and one rich colour. This will help you maintain an ideal balance of tones across the room.

What is the 60-30-10 colour rule for bathrooms?

The 60-30-10 interior rule can help you balance out the colours in your bathroom. It means that 60% of the room is dedicated to your dominant colour (through paint or wallpaper), 30% is dedicated to your secondary colour (through furnishings), and 10% is dedicated to your accent colours (through decorative accessories).

Looking for more design inspiration? Take our personality test to find your ideal bathroom colour scheme and explore our guide to the best bathroom paint ideas.

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