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11 bathroom colour ideas

By Tom Drake | 18th December 2023 | 5 min read

Gone are the days when all bathrooms were painted white. Bathroom design has moved on to the point where you can now paint or tile your bathroom in almost any colour. Although this does give you the freedom to be much more creative with your bathroom design, the huge amount of choice available can sometimes be overwhelming. In this guide, we take you through some of our top bathroom colour ideas to help you find the perfect fit for your bathroom.

Close up of shelving in a dark green bathroom, with a glass toothbrush holder and soap dispenser.Close up of shelving in a dark green bathroom, with a glass toothbrush holder and soap dispenser.Close up of shelving in a dark green bathroom, with a glass toothbrush holder and soap dispenser.Close up of shelving in a dark green bathroom, with a glass toothbrush holder and soap dispenser.

1. Dark green

Dark green is an increasingly popular choice for bathrooms and it’s easy to see why. The earthy tones will help to create a calming atmosphere, bringing a subtle touch of warmth and colour to what can often be a cold and clinical space. Dark green walls can be paired with darker furniture units and fixtures to create a stunningly modern bathroom. Look towards a dark green, walnut or grey vanity unit paired with matt black taps.

Large light grey wall tiles in a bathroom.Large light grey wall tiles in a bathroom.Large light grey wall tiles in a bathroom.Large light grey wall tiles in a bathroom.

2. Light grey

The popularity of grey throughout the home has increased dramatically in the last few years and as people have started to move away from painting their bathrooms white, grey has emerged as a popular alternative. Light grey is a neutral colour which allows it to be compatible with a huge range of different furniture and tile colours. This gives you lots of flexibility when choosing how you want to design the rest of your bathroom. It can also help to bring a more modern, sophisticated look to a bathroom, with its darker edge compared to white.

A bold pink bathroom with pink wall panels and vibrant floral wallpaper.A bold pink bathroom with pink wall panels and vibrant floral wallpaper.A bold pink bathroom with pink wall panels and vibrant floral wallpaper.A bold pink bathroom with pink wall panels and vibrant floral wallpaper.

3. Pink

Pink is once again emerging as a popular choice for bathroom walls and tiles. Pink is a relaxing colour which will bring a calming, peaceful atmosphere to your bathroom. It will look great alongside the white of your basin and can be paired with rose gold or copper taps for a particularly classy aesthetic. Pink can sometimes be overwhelming when used across all the walls of a bathroom, so we recommend painting or tiling a pink feature wall or splashback.

A bathroom with terracotta walls, a navy vanity unit, tall storage unit and toilet.A bathroom with terracotta walls, a navy vanity unit, tall storage unit and toilet.A bathroom with terracotta walls, a navy vanity unit, tall storage unit and toilet.A bathroom with terracotta walls, a navy vanity unit, tall storage unit and toilet.

4. Terracotta

Terracotta is an ideal colour for anyone who's looking to create a cosy and warm bathroom space, but isn’t a fan of the popular dark blue or green looks. Terracotta will contrast beautifully with darker bathroom furniture finishes and can be paired with a lighter floor to prevent it being too overwhelming.

A charming blue bathroom with blue wall tiles, a white toilet, and a teal bird and flower wallpaper feature wall.A charming blue bathroom with blue wall tiles, a white toilet, and a teal bird and flower wallpaper feature wall.A charming blue bathroom with blue wall tiles, a white toilet, and a teal bird and flower wallpaper feature wall.A charming blue bathroom with blue wall tiles, a white toilet, and a teal bird and flower wallpaper feature wall.

5. Blue

A colour that evokes feelings of the ocean, blue is the perfect colour for anyone looking to create a calming bathroom space. If you have a smaller bathroom, a lighter shade of blue will help your bathroom feel larger and more open. If you have more space, darker shades of blue can give your bathroom a more sophisticated look.

When it comes to bathroom design, blue is a highly versatile colour. It looks great when used on walls, or when used sparingly with a blue vanity unit and accessories. It’s also a colour that can be paired with white, black and chrome fixtures, so however you want to style your bathroom, you can be confident you’ll be able to work in some blue.

Mint green bathroom wall tiles behind a white basin with a chrome tap.Mint green bathroom wall tiles behind a white basin with a chrome tap.Mint green bathroom wall tiles behind a white basin with a chrome tap.Mint green bathroom wall tiles behind a white basin with a chrome tap.

6. Mint green

If you want to create a cool, refreshing bathroom space that helps you feel energised every morning, mint green is the colour you’re looking for. This is a colour which can overwhelm a space when used on all four walls, so it’s best used on one or two feature walls alongside a white wall that will continue the fresh aesthetic. Pair with lighter floor tiles and a light woodgrey or white vanity unit.

Cream bathroom tiles inside shower enclosure with a white vanity unit.Cream bathroom tiles inside shower enclosure with a white vanity unit.Cream bathroom tiles inside shower enclosure with a white vanity unit.Cream bathroom tiles inside shower enclosure with a white vanity unit.

7. Cream

If you're looking to create the feeling of a luxury spa in your home, don’t overlook cream bathroom tiles.

This colour exudes luxury and class, allowing you to enjoy the feel of a five star hotel every single day. This is also a colour which will give you a good balance between a space which is light, but also feels warm and inviting. To give your bathroom walls some extra depth, consider using patterned or textured cream tiles.

A white bathroom with a large shower enclosure with teal bathroom wall tiles.A white bathroom with a large shower enclosure with teal bathroom wall tiles.A white bathroom with a large shower enclosure with teal bathroom wall tiles.A white bathroom with a large shower enclosure with teal bathroom wall tiles.

8. Teal

The combination of blue and green hues found in teal promote a sense of relaxation and harmony, making it an ideal choice for creating a spa-like ambiance.

Teal isn't just a relaxing colour for your bathroom, it can also take the stress out of planning your bathroom fixtures and fittings. Teal is a colour that looks great when paired with a huge variety of different finishes including marble, wood and metallic finishes such as gold and chrome.

A black and light grey bathroom with a black shower enclosure and a black wall mounted cabinet.A black and light grey bathroom with a black shower enclosure and a black wall mounted cabinet.A black and light grey bathroom with a black shower enclosure and a black wall mounted cabinet.A black and light grey bathroom with a black shower enclosure and a black wall mounted cabinet.

9. Black

If you're looking to go bold, go for black. Black will add a touch of sophistication and modernity to your bathroom, helping to create a visually striking space. Black walls and floors will also be easier to maintain than lighter colours as they will hide minor imperfections and stains.

When used over a large area, black can be quite overwhelming and will make a space feel dark and gloomy. That's why we recommend using it for a smaller splashback or your bathroom floor, rather than all of the walls. 

A white bathroom with a gold effect mixer tap and a gold effect round wall-mounted mirror.A white bathroom with a gold effect mixer tap and a gold effect round wall-mounted mirror.A white bathroom with a gold effect mixer tap and a gold effect round wall-mounted mirror.A white bathroom with a gold effect mixer tap and a gold effect round wall-mounted mirror.

10. Gold

Gold is a colour that exudes quality and luxury, ideal for anyone looking to give their bathroom a high end feel. Although you might not want to paint your walls gold, with gold bathroom accessories, taps and shower kits, you can add small touches of gold throughout your bathroom.

Not only does gold give your bathroom a luxurious feel, it's also a colour which looks great when paired with a large number of other bathroom colours. From white, to grey, black, pink and more, whatever the colour of your bathroom, you can be confident gold fixtures will fit in beautifully.

A white bathroom with gloss white wall tiles and a small white basin mounted on a wooden worktop.A white bathroom with gloss white wall tiles and a small white basin mounted on a wooden worktop.A white bathroom with gloss white wall tiles and a small white basin mounted on a wooden worktop.A white bathroom with gloss white wall tiles and a small white basin mounted on a wooden worktop.

11. Stick with white

If you’re not sure which colour to go with in your bathroom, why not stick with white? White is a calming colour that reflects light, which will make your bathroom appear larger. This makes it an ideal choice for smaller bathrooms, or bathrooms which don’t receive a lot of natural light.

White will also give your bathroom a clean and fresh look, helping you create a space that makes you feel awake and refreshed every morning. Painting or tiling your bathroom walls white can also make it much easier to choose items for the rest of your bathroom, as almost any furniture and accessory colour is compatible with a white wall.

That concludes our guide to some of the best colours you can use in your bathroom. If you're looking for more inspiration, take a look at our range of bathroom tiles, furniture and accessories.

Digital Content Writer Tom Drake

Tom Drake

Digital Content Writer

A digital copywriter with over 5 years’ experience, Tom has written for several publications on a wide range of topics. He now crafts content for B&Q on subjects ranging from DIY and home improvement, to the latest industry trends...Read more