Should bathroom cabinets be lighter or darker than floors?

Author: Chadrick Kulas  |  Last update: Thursday, November 9, 2023

There are no hard or fast rules when it comes to whether your floor should be lighter or darker than your cabinets, but as a general rule of thumb, use darker floors with light cabinetry and vice versa. When it comes to striking the right balance between your kitchen cabinets and your floor, contrast is a useful tool.

Should bathroom cabinets be light or dark?

Rules of thumb. Lighter-colored cabinets will reflect the light. They'll generally help to make the space look bigger — a huge help for small, dark bathrooms — and airy. On the other hand, a dark-colored cabinet will absorb the light, creating a smaller-looking space.

What is the most popular color for bathroom cabinets?

White Bathroom Vanities

White has been the most popular bathroom vanity color for years. It never really goes out of style, and there are many different kinds of white. Because it's been so popular for so long, there is always the danger of overusing it.

How do I choose a bathroom cabinet color?

The layout, size, and amount of light in your bathroom will have a big impact on your cabinet color selection. Keep in mind that dark cabinets make tight spaces feel even smaller. On the other hand, a light cabinet color can help open up the space and make it feel larger.

Should a vanity match the flooring?

Your bathroom countertops don't have to match your floor. However, you do want them to relate to one another. That might be material or color, but they must look good together.

SMALL SPACE SERIES: 8 Designer Tips to Make Your Small Bathroom Look Larger | Julie Khuu

How do you match a floor to a vanity?

Contrast Dark To The Light

Or, if you want to bring out your tiles, you go for a black vanity and lighter tiles. Either way, contrasting the dark against the light or vice versa, is the perfect way to match your tiles with your vanity.

How do you match floor and cabinet color?

Make the floor color a contrasting color. For example, a kitchen with white cabinets, black countertops and dark flooring looks classic, clean, and elegant. Black and white are the two dominant colors in this design, while the dark wood flooring acts as a contrasting element.

What is a timeless color for bathroom vanity?

Bright White

White is a classic for bathroom cabinets. From there, the decision is what kind of hardware to use. Unlacquered brass, nickel, and matte black are all popular choices.

What color vanity to make a bathroom look bigger?

Neutrals for Every Surface

Pale and cool colors reflect light, so soft whites, pastels, and neutrals can make a bath feel bigger. Woodwork, trim, and doors will "disappear" if they're painted the same hue as the walls, and the effect is enhanced if cabinets and counters are also the same color as the walls.

What color vanity makes a small bathroom look bigger?

One of the easiest ways to give your room a spacious look is to use lots of white — white tile, white paint, a white vanity and so on. This noncolor-color naturally recedes, making the space look bigger. It also reflects any available light, rather than absorbing it.

What is the most timeless cabinet color?

Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles. Brilliant whites work to give kitchens a light and airy feel, and off-white options, like the White Dove shade, provides warmth.

Should bathroom cabinets be matte or glossy?

This is a great question and one that many people have when faced with so many choices of paint finishes. Overall, the best finish for painting cabinets is semi-gloss. It ensures maximum durability and is ideal for high moisture areas like bathrooms and basements.

What is a pretty color for a bathroom?

Soothing neutrals in blue, green, and gray will help create a relaxing, spa-like vibe for your bathroom. Look for colors inspired by nature like soft sage, sky blue, and ash gray.

What is the best light appearance for bathrooms?

For a welcoming feel, try using warm color temperatures between 2700K and 3000K. This way, you'll give your bathroom a soft, yellowish glow that evokes comfort. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more modern, sleek look, go for a color temperature between 3500K and 4000K.

Should cabinets be lighter than floors?

'Typically, darker cabinets are coupled with a lighter floor color to break up the space and to prevent the kitchen from feeling too enclosed,' says Chris Dance, head designer and director at InHouse Inspired Room Design. 'With lighter cabinets, there's often a greater diversity of flooring choices. '

How do I choose the right light for my bathroom vanity?

While you want to ensure you have plenty of light, be sure to choose one that is no wider than your vanity or cabinet width, which may be wider than your mirror. Most people choose vanity bar lights that are about 75 percent of the mirror's total width.

How can I make my vanity look more expensive?

Painted Furniture Creates a High-End Custom Bathroom Style

Choose a paint color for your vanity project that you can repeat around the room in linens and accessories. A rich gray or greige paint color will give your bathroom vanity an expensive look while keeping it neutral.

What flooring makes a bathroom look bigger?

Use large plain-coloured floor tiles

It's a common mistake to use smaller floor tiles in a small bathroom. This actually makes the room look smaller as it creates more dividing lines between the tiles. Choosing a large, plain-coloured tile will give the impression of more floor space and a cleaner, less cluttered look.

What bathroom colors increase home value?

Most notably, light-blue bathrooms are a strong favorite that can result in a big return on investment for your home. Survey participants noted they'd be more interested in touring and buying a house with colors in home design that include a light blue bathroom—and willing to pay 1.6% more than expected.

What color vanity never goes out of style?

Whether you prefer a classic-looking bathroom or a spalike retreat, Winn says, “white doesn't go out of style.” Think white paint, tile, countertops, vanities and textiles. If you find yourself craving color, you can add it with window treatments and towels, Gates suggests, or wallpaper and art.

What is the latest color trend for bathrooms?

Many designers recommend white or light colors to create the illusion of a larger space, but coziness can be nice, too. In fact, current trends involve going a bit bolder with small bathrooms—especially powder rooms—and using vibrant jewel tones or moody colors like charcoal, eggplant, pewter green, or even black.

What color is most popular for bathroom fixtures?

Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.

Do light floors go with dark cabinets?

A paler floor color for dark cabinets can create a wider, more open space and make your kitchen look lighter. While you may be tempted to choose a matching dark color for your floor, it can create a smaller feeling and give the illusion of an enclosed space.

What floor color goes with dark cabinets?

If you're going with dark cabinets, you'll want to install hardwood flooring that's 1 to 2 shades lighter than the cabinetry. This will bring some light into the room without totally overwhelming the space. Typically, gray and white hardwood goes best with dark blue, green, and black cabinets.

Do dark or light floors go with white cabinets?

Hardwood flooring is a timeless choice that can bring warmth and character to your space. Lighter-colored wood is the best floor color for white cabinets as it brightens up the space, making your kitchen feel airer and spacious.

Previous article
How do I match my kitchen and living room?
Next article
Is it OK to prune in October?