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Bathroom colour schemes are essential for getting the look, feel and design just right your bath or shower room. Creating the right ambience is key for a bathroom especially, because while we use it every day it's the place that at times we need to feel completely indulgent – run a bath and shut the world out kind of vibes.
To inject a touch of personality break free of a staid, safe designs and add pops of colour. Adding a bright hue to your bathroom will really lift your whole home, bringing this functional space into line with the rest of your decor. Or, if you prefer a chic and modern take on interiors, you can choose muted greys to complement your otherwise neutral bathroom colour scheme. The ambience can be left entirely to the right lightning.
The right colour can completely transform a bathroom. Take a look at our bold and bright bathroom colour schemes for all your decorating inspiration..
Bathroom colour schemes
1. Add depth with a blue-green
Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Snook
Keep your bathroom simple with a white suite and chrome brassware, then ring the changes with a deep blue-green wall colour – enabling you to switch up your style by simply re-painting.
Building out a shallow shelf and tiling with plain white tiles not only hides waste pipes but also offers the perfect ledge for fresh foliage, bringing in pops of vibrant green to the scheme. The oval bath cuts corners to enhance a sense of space – a great small bathroom idea.
2. Work with all shades of grey
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
For a cosy, cocooning fee, grey bathroom ideas literally make the walls feel like they are closing in on you. Painting the bath in a paler grey and adding wooden accessories will give an added dimension and prevent the grey walls becoming overbearing.
Creating a panelled effect in the bathroom will not only add character it will also break up a flat area of painted grey wall – light will hit the panelling at different points and change its shade and tone, therefore adding interest.
3. Mix pebble and stone
Image credit: FuturePLC/Tim Young
Mix greys, off-whites and browns with touches of shell pink to create a neutral scheme with a pretty edge. Pair up opposites for a look thats inspired by nature but sophisticated, too. Team slate floor tiles with pretty polished-stone mosaics; tough concrete-grey walls with soft pink towels; smooth wood with rustic wicker.
Finish the look by adding a floating shelf painted in the same colour as the wall and use to display toiletries together with beachcombing treasures.
4. Choose nautical blues
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Evoke a summery image of bright skies and deep sea by teaming Azure blue walls with a fresh white bath. This simple nautical bathroom idea creates a relaxed yet confident scheme by boldly mixing a Mediterranean palette with touches of globally-inspired prints, such as mosaic and trellis designs, on blinds and towels.
Accessorise using texture with the addition of wooden and woven pieces.
5. Pick plaster pink
Image credit: FuturePLC/Tim Young
Give a downstairs cloakroom some pretty vintage touches. Start by choosing a soft pink for the walls, add lace embossed tiles and finish with a flourish of pretty pre-loved accessories to complete the look.
If it is a small cloakroom, paint all walls (including the ceiling) in the same colour for a super immersive feel and choose an off-cut of scalloped edged lace to dress the windows, too.
6. Be bold with black and gold
Image credit: FuturePLC/Colin Poole
Create drama in the bathroom by painting walls and ceiling jet black, painting the ceiling not only gives the room an immersive feel it also smooths out the lines of a sloping roof.
Add designer touches by choosing statement tiles and brass clad units for a real touch of luxe. The gold brassware echoes the glamorous feel of this bathroom whilst the addition of fauna & foliage keeps the look grounded.
7. Try lilac and primrose yellow
Image credit: FuturePLC/Tim Young
Blousy florals and pretty shades don't have to be kept solely in the bedroom, give your bathroom a touch of 'Designer-Downton' with a flower bouquet print in shades of yellow and lilac.
Team with a clever wall panelling idea – this design is painted in a complementary shade of purple. Finish with painting the bath in a matching lilac. Freshly cut flowers, or cologne filled glass bottles creates a summery mood.
8. Make a statement with neutrals
Image credit: Future Plc
You don't need bright colours to make a statement in a bathroom. This bathroom has stuck to a beautiful neutral palette of beige, white and putty. The striking tiled wall introduces pattern to transform these traditionally safe shades.
9. Pair yellow and grey
Image credit: Future Plc
Pantone has named Ultimate Gray and Illuminating their colours of 2021. The yellow and grey shade is a surprise match made in heaven. Make the duo work in your bathroom with a two tone wall.
Keep the grey to the bottom half and match with grey accessories to ground the room. The yellow shade is the cherry on top, brightening up the entire space.
10. Turn to the dark side with black fittings
Image credit: Future Plc
Black interiors are a trend that shows no signs of ebbing. However, black walls in a bathroom is a big risk as it can darken the space. Instead, dip your toe in the trend with black fittings such as a bath and wall panel. Keep the rest of the room bright and breezy with white tiles.
11. Stick to earthy terracotta and copper
Image credit: Future Plc
Pink is everywhere at the moment. If you think fluffy candy-floss shades when you hear pink, this strong earthy take on the shade will change on that.
Add the warmth of pink into a room with terracotta shades and copper fittings. The deep earthy colours perfectly compliment the exposed brick wall, softening the industrial look.
12. Keep it simple with white
Image credit: Lizzie Orme
White is a classic colour scheme in the bathroom for a reason. It is bright, airy and the perfect match for a porcelain sink and bath. Contrast the shine of the white marble tiles with matte monochrome accents.
13. Add height with a split colour scheme
Image credit: David Giles
It's an oldie but a goodie, using a stronger colour on the lower part of the wall to stretch the height – an optical illusion of course. This simple trick helps to create to break up the wall and create the feeling of space – ideal for use in smaller bathrooms.
In this stylish example a sophisticated shade of green is used on wood panelling to add definition to the colour break. A brilliant white above helps to elevate the colour contrast. Smart walnut cabinetry and touches of monochrome add a touch of characterful elegance to the look.
14. Keep it fresh in off-white and pastel
Image credit: David Giles
All tiled everything works a treat in this chic bathroom space. The simplicity of pairing neutral shades and diluted pastels in different tile choices helps to add interest, while allowing the scheme to remain fresh and unfussy.
The paired-back nature of the lime wood cabinetry helps to keep the feel light and airy. The fresh colour scheme welcomes metallic touches to stand out, just enough without looking too gaudy.
15. Go dark and dramatic with grey
Image credit: Paul Craig
Colour has a huge impact on mood, and bathrooms have a tendency to sidestep polarizing hues in favour of pale neutrals and whites, which are refreshing and easy to live with.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, darker shades of grey including slate, are also popular for creating a cocooning effect. Brooding dark shades provide the perfect backdrop for rich metallics, such as gold or brass.
16. Work a characterful two-tone contrast
Image credit: Brent Darby
If clean white is working in your space but you wish to add a hint of interest – perhaps it's a budget bathroom idea or update – why not go half and half? This bathroom boasts brilliant white walls above a line, that has been perfectly measured and taped to form the illusion of a dado rail.
The bottom half in complete contrast is a combination of a thing stripe in turquoise blue and a block of rich navy below.
17. Opt for blue in an on-trend ombre
Image credit: David Brittain
Embrace this season's ombre micro trend and incorporate the graduated paint effect into your bathroom. Often reserved for modern designs, it can look equally as stunning in a country scheme. If you have a south-facing room, it's a good idea to invest in a cooler palette. This pale, sea blue has a tranquil, peaceful aura ideal for a room that receives the sunlight all day.
18. Create ambience with rich purple tones
Image credit: Mark Scott
Bask in the glow of metallics and shiny surfaces. Add a heady, intoxicating note to a bathroom with a reflective copper bath to enhance rich bramble wall tones. Accessorise with comforting fluffy towels and a toe-warming mat. This season it is all about dark, heady colours and lush linens.
Work in a few nature-inspired accessories for good measure.
19. Go for invigorating green
Image credit: Sussie Bell
Pep up a white room with a vivid colour. Push the boundaries of your colour barometer and go for the brightest blast you can muster. If you love one colour, use it to the max. In this scheme mixed-pattern mosaic tiles in dark and light green adorn the walls and window, giving this modern scheme colourful style.
20. Accessorise with sunshine yellow
Image credit: Simon Whitmore
Give a block colour scheme a new lease of life with a burst of vibrant colour. If the thought of bright walls fills you with dread but you still want to incorporate colour without taking drastic action, then consider introducing a few zingy accessories and soft furnishings.
Easy to change and cost-effective, you won't need to strip your walls bare if you decide that this look isn't for you, or you just fancy a change. Sunshine is just the thing to make you feel happy every time you use the space.
21. Strike a balance with monochrome
Image credit: Colin Poole
Choosing a monochrome colour scheme always helps to create a striking finish, without overpowering with accent colours. In this sleek bathroom the walls and furniture choices are black while the free-standing bath and Metro tile surround is kept classic in white.
The patterned flooring helps to marry the shades and add further character to the scheme.
22. Add interest with contrasting coloured tiles
Image credit: Simon Brown
Decorate your space with coloured tiles. For a look that is highly contemporary and original, lay wall tiles in contrasting hues chevron-style to create a bespoke space, as per this bathroom tile idea. A mix of blush pink, teal green and black combines well to enhance the modernity of this bathroom.
Remember, less is more, so think petal pinks as an accent and include no more than three tonal shades in your palette. Use black as the base. Like white, it's the colour that sets off any pink to its best advantage.
23. Keep things natural
Image credit: Colin Poole
Look to the earth for inspiration. This taupe and limestone colour combination has a beautifully grounded feel to it, ideal for a space to relaxing and enjoy some timeout.
The neutral colour palette across all the tiled surfaces and the furniture helps to create a feeling of serenity, like that of a natural spa. The stone and putty colours are perfectly matched with mint green accessories to add a hint of uplifting colour in contrast.
24. Choose complementary colours
Image credit: David Giles
Bring a plain white bathroom to life with a feature wallpaper. A sweet coastal-inspired design is all that's needed to add charm and oodles of character. Using a statement bathroom wallpaper in a designated place – around the bath and above dado height only – will make it all the more special.
In this room, the blue and red of the wallpaper has been used on accessories as an easy way to co-ordinate the scheme. Off-white floor tiles, laid with a dark grout, introduce a touch of difference.
25. Make it multicoloured
Image credit: Lizzie Orme
Add interest to a white scheme with accent tiling. Line recessed shelves with colour-coded tiles to turn them into a design feature in their own right. To create recessed shelving, you'll need to build a false wall, which can also be used to keep plumbing out of sight. Finish of the look with a bold, yellow rubber floor, which is unashamedly loud and proud.
26. Light up in pink
Image credit: Paul Raeside
Give a white bathroom a hint of colour with clever bathroom lighting ideas. This walk-in shower has been illuminated with coloured LED lights, which have been embedded into the walls. Great for emphasising architectural features, highlighting wet areas and creating an intimate glow, clever bathroom lighting adds drama to any scheme.
The right lighting can soften a bathroom's hard surfaces, while mood lighting helps the room become a relaxing haven. Glass and high-gloss finishes help to bounce the light around the room. Install a dimmer switch for the best effect.
27. Contrast colours
Image credit: David Giles
Transform your shower into an elegant feature. For a truly contemporary look, consider tiling in an unusual contrasting colour. Get a cheerful look using nautical brights. Here, red wall tiles add a hit of vibrant colour inside the alcove shower cubicle. Strong, durable and easy to clean, porcelain tiles offer a floor covering that's ideal for a bathroom environment.
28. Add vitality to a grey scheme
Image credit: Jake Fitzjones
Team zesty yellow with classic fittings for a sophisticated mix. Primrose yellow walls warm the cool grey scheme up with uplifting vitality.A white basin set into a stone console creates an attractive Art Deco style, while its elegant mirrored legs match the display of chrome fittings set on the wall.
29. Think (pale) pink
Image credit: Simon Brown
Introduce a dash of blush pink to your scheme for a bold or barely there effect. If you think pink is best suited to country schemes, you'd be wrong. Used in a subtle way, pink can look equally good in a modern setting. A nod to the chevron trend is made with a contrasting zigzag on plain curtains, while sleek fittings ensure that the decoration remains the focus.
30. Dare to go dark and dramatic
Image credit: Paul Raeside
In a tiny cloakroom, be adventurous and try out a dream decorating scheme that would just be too overwhelming – or expensive – in a larger bathroom. This fabulous space has it all: a fantastically dark floor-to-ceiling trailing floral wallpaper, sculptural bronze wash basin, glistening vanity unit and gold-framed artwork. The black polished granite countertop and upstand is reflective, glamorous – and even practical, too.
31. Awaken the senses with red
Image credit: Simon Bevan
That's one way to ensure your wake with a spring in your step. Go dramatic in your bathroom with strong colour and geometric pattern. Claret-red walls are decorated with white hexagon tiles set with red grout for a striking effect. The stand-alone, designer basin and mixer tap give the room ultra-cool character, while quirky accessories, such as this wave hand hook and a Moorish mother-of-pearl mirror, take the look East.
Have you been inspired by these bathroom colour schemes?
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