20 Bathroom Paint Colors Interior Designers Always Reach For

Bathroom with pale terracotta walls — Photo:
Trade Mark Interiors

Want to make an easy but impactful change in your bathroom? Paint color is the most effective way to do so. It's a lot more affordable than investing in new tile or a full renovation, but it can completely change the look of your space all the same.

Since the bathroom is where many people get ready for the day, you want it to be a space where you feel your best—and that can start with paint. When choosing a bathroom paint color, Jennifer Guerin, of San Diego-based JG Color Studios, says her first question is always the same. "Is this a paint color that works with your skin tone? Sounds crazy, but for me, yellow completely washes me out and pink tends to make my skin tone appear more red."

Then, she shifts to the style of the room. "Does that hue harmonize with the existing elements in the bathroom? Statement or no statement, it needs to coordinate with the countertop, tile, and any accessories," says Guerin.

Need help tracking down the perfect paint color for your bathroom? Here are some designer-approved colors that range from serene light blues to calming greens, bold reds, crisp whites, and everything in between.

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Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball

Light Blue Bathroom — Cohesively Curated/Carina Skrobecki Photo

The lightest kiss of pale blue gives this room from Cohesively Curated an ethereal feel. Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball has a soft, lit-from-within glow to it, making it the prettiest choice for an airy bathroom.

02 of 20

Simply White by Benjamin Moore

White paint in bathroom — Four Brothers Design + Build

Finding the right white can be difficult, but Sondra Zabroske, architect and team leader at Four Brothers Design + Build, looks to Simply White by Benjamin Moore for a classic, crisp shade. "For larger baths, I stick with Benjamin Moore Simply White," she says. "I think in primary bathrooms people want to feel clean, bright and relaxed. So this is a good go-to. Plus it allows for the more natural textures to stand out."

03 of 20

Green Grove by Benjamin Moore

To make your bathroom feel more welcoming and luxurious, opt for a darker paint color. "We love Green Grove by Benjamin Moore," says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director at BHDM. "We've used this on both walls and millwork, and in different sheens. I've found that the deep, earthy tone makes our rooms cozy and organic."

04 of 20

Ammonite by Farrow & Ball

For the perfect warm neutral, Ammonite by Farrow & Ball is a great choice. "Ammonite is named after the fossils found on the English coast," says Cyndy Cantley, co-owner of Cantley and Company. "It is understated and neither warm nor cool. It works beautifully with white marble and creates a nice, calming feeling. We all need that in our baths."

05 of 20

Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball

Gray-green bathroom — Shannon Eddings Interiors/Molly Culver Photography

This cozy bathroom from Shannon Eddings Interiors feels both moody and romantic, thanks to Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green. This shade of dark gray-green shifts with the light, appearing to lean more towards green or gray, depending on the time of day.

06 of 20

Great Falls by Sherwin-Williams

Turquoise bathroom wall — Interiors by LH/Angela Newton Roy Photography

Consider who will be using the bathroom when choosing a color to paint it. In this kids' bathroom, for example, Laura Hildebrandt, owner and principal at Interiors by LH chose Great Falls—a playful bright blue from Sherwin-Williams—to offset the white mirror and vanity.

07 of 20

Silver Satin by Benjamin Moore

Ornate bathroom with gray paint — Erika Bonnell Interiors/Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Silver Satin by Benjamin Moore blends seamlessly in cool and warm spaces, so you can use it in just about any bathroom in your home. "It's adaptable and creates a calming atmosphere without feeling harsh or jarring—it's a perfect alternative to stark white. It's easy on the eyes and perfect for any setting," says Erika Bonnell of Erika Bonnell Interiors.

08 of 20

Dressy Rose by Sherwin-Williams

For this little girls bathroom, Lisa Gilmore of Lisa Gilmore Design wanted a pink tone that wasn’t overwhelming. She opted for Dressy Rose by Sherwin-Williams, which paired with the gold hardware and golden tones in the floor tile.

09 of 20

White Dove by Benjamin Moore

White Dove in a bathroom — Seasons 4 Design/Amanda Archibald Photography

White Dove by Benjamin Moore is a classic paint color that's beloved by designers and homeowners alike. Lauren Carranza of Seasons 4 Design uses it as a go-to for bathroom designs. "It is a warm and creamy white that is both inviting and comforting," says Carranza. "It works wonderfully in a bathroom because of its warm undertones and serves as a blank palette that allows tile and fixtures to shine. Paired with warm polished nickel fixtures, it generates a cozy warmth that works great for transitional and traditional spaces."

10 of 20

Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball

Gray blue in bathroom — Cerminara Design

Carolyn Cerminara, founder and principal designer at Cerminara Design, used Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball in this elegant bathroom. The cool blue-gray is a lovely complement to the soft tones of the marble countertop.

11 of 20

Lichen Green by Dunn-Edwards

Light green paint in a bathroom — Dunn-Edwards

Sage green is the perfect bathroom paint color when you want your space to feel more tranquil. "For moments when bathrooms call for more pigment, I lean towards a light and calming color, like a refreshing and natural light green, such as Dunn-Edwards Lichen Green," says Lauren Hoferkamp, head of color and design at Dunn-Edwards,

12 of 20

Lavender Mist by Benjamin Moore

Light lavender in a bathroom — Laure Nell Interiors/Anthony J Rayburn Photography

Lavender Mist by Benjamin Moore is a subtle but striking shade of purple that exudes a sense of femininity and refined charm, says Laetitia Laurent, principal at Laure Nell Interiors. It allows you to play with color while still creating a space that feels serene and inviting,

13 of 20

Lullaby by Sherwin-Williams

JuliAnne Carrier of Carrier Designs used this serene shade of powder blue to add a relaxing atmosphere to this bathroom. She paired Lullaby by Sherwin-Williams with a marble vanity and organic touches for a spa-like look.

14 of 20

Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore

Black bathroom — Four Brothers Design + Build

A rich charcoal gray like Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore adds major impact to a small bathroom. "We painted the walls and the ceiling the same charcoal gray, and it created so much drama and character in such a small space. This color also makes brass tones pop," says Zabroske.

15 of 20

Shoji White by Sherwin-Williams

Warm greige in a bathroom — Spectrum Design Group

Want a warm greige that brings a welcoming creamy tone to the bathroom? "Sherwin-Williams Shoji White is a great backdrop for a bathroom," says Dawn Bane, interior designer at Spectrum Design Group. "It works beautifully by contrasting with white or wood millwork, bringing warmth to the bathroom while keeping it light and fresh."

16 of 20

Drift of Mist by Sherwin-Williams

Black, white, and gray bathroom — Blueberry Jones Design

For the perfect airy gray that doesn't read too cool or warm, go for Drift of Mist by Sherwin-Williams, which maintains a lightness when the sun goes down, says Lindsie Davis of Blueberry Jones Design. It's an easy, neutral shade that feels both calming and like the perfect backdrop for bolder design choices.

17 of 20

Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams

To give this bathroom an unexpected yet earthy feel, Tracee Murphy of Trade Mark Interiors used Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams (it was the 2023 color of the year!). The clay red adds warmth to the timeless black-and-white checkerboard floor.

18 of 20

New Providence Navy by Benjamin Moore

If you're nervous about going dark in a bathroom, don't be! "There is no such thing as a bad color for a bathroom wall—you can make anything work," says Guerin. In this bathroom, she chose New Providence Navy by Benjamin Moore, a crisp navy blue that reads perfectly moody.

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Pure White by Sherwin-Williams

Pure white paint in a bathroom — Sallie Lord of GreyHunt Interiors/Christy Kosnic Photography

Another timeless white choice is Pure White by Sherwin-Williams, which has just a hint of warmth. "I love using Pure White in bathrooms with woodwork," says Sallie Lord of GreyHunt Interiors. "Its fresh, clean look beautifully highlights the ceiling or allows accessories to take center stage."

20 of 20

Fine Wine by Sherwin-Williams

Reds are currently experiencing a renaissance in interior design, and it's the perfect shade if you want a bit of drama in your bathroom. "We turned this bathroom into a little jewel box—rich and distinct," says Cerminara. A deep red that looks just like a glass of your favorite cabernet sauvignon, this color is appropriately called Sherwin-Williams Fine Wine.

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