How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Primary Bathroom

A colorful bathroom with a round mirror.

When you want to change the look of your primary bathroom, paint is a powerful way to do it. A new coat of paint can transform the look of a bathroom, and it’s highly cost-effective. With this Angi, formerly Angie’s List, guide, you can choose the right paint for your bathroom as well as the finish of the paint. 

The Existing Colors

It can tie a room together to have colors that coordinate with each other. Before you change the color of your bathroom, take a look at the colors that are already there. Clashing with those colors will not create the harmonious room that so many people want from their bathrooms. The colors of the cabinets, the tile and the fixtures and hardware in the room should all be taken into account. If your primary bathroom is an en suite, you may also want to make sure it goes well with the paint color in the bedroom. 

A bathroom with a modern design featuring blue walls and a white tub.

Bright Colors

Because the bathroom is a small space, it can really pop with the introduction of bold colors. If you have a neutral bathroom and want to spice it up, look at the brightest colors for a way to energize the space. Before you choose a color, think about what you want from your space. Do you want it to boost your energy? If so, warm, bright colors like yellow can help to do just that. If you want it to be a more relaxing space, try soft, cool colors like blue. If you want the room to be a sanctuary that’s like a spa, purples, greens and blues are all good for relaxation. 

Related:
Popular Styles for Bathroom Design 

Choosing Neutrals

Neutrals never go out of style, and they look good with just about anything. If you have a space that is busy with tile motifs and other patterns, you might want to use white paint. White is also good for making a dark room look and feel brighter. Choose a cool white, one with undertones of gray, if your bathroom already uses cool colors. You can also choose a warmer white shade to go with a bathroom that has a lot of browns. You may want to consider other neutrals as well, including browns, grays and taupes for a serene look. 

A renovated bathroom with white walls and wooden floors.

Painting Cabinets

When it comes to painting, it doesn’t have to be all about the walls. If your bathroom cabinets are hard to coordinate with, or the cabinetry is old and doesn’t look great, consider painting them. A couple of coats of paint can transform your cabinets into something new. Neutrals are often chosen for cabinetry and vanity space in the bathroom, but don’t let that stop you from exploring other colors. A brightly colored vanity may give the room just the fun element you’ve been looking for. 

The Paint Finish

The paint that you use in the bathroom isn’t like the paint that you use in rooms like kitchens and bedrooms. Because the bathroom is such a humid area, the paint you choose has to be waterproof interior paint. This type of paint is mold and mildew-resistant, and it handles steam and mixture well. An eggshell or a flat paint would not handle the water and humidity as well and should be avoided in the bathroom. 

Related:
Eclectic Tile Designs

Using a satin finish or semi-gloss paint will stand up well in the humidity and will resist fungus growth. They are also simple to clean. A semi-gloss paint is easier to clean and more durable than satin-finish paints, but they make any flaws in the wall immediately obvious.

This Angi guide gives you more ideas for bathroom paint, and the sky’s the limit. You need to know what kind of feel you want from your bathroom remodel before you proceed. And, as long as the color goes well with the colors already in the room, the sky’s the limit when it comes to paint colors today. 

Scroll to Top