Should I use dark or light tile in a small bathroom?

Author: Prof. Petra Cruickshank I  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

A light tile color will make your tiny bathroom feel bigger and brighter. Especially when you have little to no natural light coming into your bathroom, then a white tile will be a classic and right choice.

Should small bathroom tiles be light or dark?

The dark bathroom tiles anchor the floor, making the space appear smaller. To avoid this feeling, we recommend using light-coloured tiles for the floor with dark-coloured tiles for the walls or vice-versa. This contrast will create a horizon that will make the room appear larger.

What color tile is best for a small bathroom?

Choose delicate colors and natural shades such as beige and grey to give an interior greater harmony and maintain a mood of serenity. If you wish to introduce color contrasts or patterns, you might use them for the shower area, visually distinguishing it from the rest of the bathroom.

Should small bathrooms be dark or light?

It is a common misconception that dark paint makes a small room feel even smaller. In fact, deep colors can actually make a small space appear even larger by adding depth to the space. A rich, bold navy is a cool tone that is perfect for a moody navy bathroom.

What color tile makes a small bathroom look bigger?

Use Light Coloured Tiles Throughout

Have you ever noticed that a bathroom which has lighter-coloured tiles throughout appears to be larger than one with darker coloured tiles? If not, you'd be surprised just how much larger a room can feel by simply opting for light-coloured tiles.

How to Choose Bathroom Tile

What size tile is best for a small bathroom?

Subsequent Areas and Recommended Sizes
  • Small Bathroom, Small Shower Floor Square Footage - 1-inch square.
  • Small Bathroom, Small Shower Walls - 1-inch to 4-inch square.
  • Medium to Large Bathroom and Shower Walls - 6-inch to 24 inch.

What color is best for a small bathroom?

Stay away from using dark colors for paint and instead use cool, light grays and blues or warm neutrals, like Elusive Blue or Stargazer. These colors are best because they are light and make the room look bigger. They also reflect light, making the room look brighter.

What colors are good for small bathrooms with no natural light?

Cool-toned colors can also work wonders in a small, windowless bathroom. Light blues, soft greens, and pale lavender hues reflect light and give the illusion of depth, helping to open up the space. For instance, pale blue can create a spa-like ambiance, making your bathroom feel fresh and inviting.

Should bathroom floor tiles be darker than walls?

There are no set rules as to what colour your bathroom floor and walls should be, but if you're working with small bathroom tile ideas, opt for a darker shade on the floor. This will help the walls feel more open and spacious.

Is it OK to have a dark bathroom?

'I would urge anyone going for darker bathroom colors, particularly those with little natural light, to invest in really excellent, layered bathroom lighting,' says Lucy Searle. 'It's fine to lay in a bath in a moodily lit space, but putting on makeup and shaving are activities that need to be well-lit.

Are glossy or matte tiles better for small bathrooms?

Matte Tiles:

They are known for their slip-resistant properties, making them a safer option, especially for wet areas like the bathroom floor. Matte tiles are less prone to showing water spots and fingerprints, making maintenance and cleaning easier.

What is a timeless color for a bathroom?

Keep it classic with an all-white palette

Nothing says timeless like an all-white bathroom colour scheme. It's a popular colour choice for bathrooms because of the clean, fresh look it creates and the fact that it works equally well in both modern and traditional bathrooms.

What color flooring should you put in a small bathroom?

These styles prioritize simplicity, clean lines, and functionality, all enhanced by light-colored flooring. White, cream, or pale grey floors contribute to a sense of openness, making a bathroom feel more spacious and uncluttered. This is particularly beneficial in smaller bathrooms or those with limited natural light.

What is the best color tile for a small bathroom?

White or cream. This is perhaps the most 'obvious' choice but white or cream tiles really do lend themselves well to small bathrooms. They create the illusion of more space through additional brightness. If you don't want an all-white look in your bathroom, you can opt for grey or black grout for your tiles.

Does dark or light tile make a room look bigger?

Choosing lighter coloured flooring to compliment your furniture can expand the perceived size of any room and can open the space right up.

Are grey floor tiles out of style?

Classic colors like white, beige, and gray are the most timeless tile options. These colors have been used in design for decades and have a clean, versatile look that pairs well with a wide range of decor styles. They're perfect if you want a look that will stand the test of time.

Should you use dark tiles in a small bathroom?

Whatever the size of your bathroom, a dark-coloured floor will always look good. Dark floors are practical and stylish and, if you're worried dark grey tiles might be a little too much in a smaller space, you can offset them with brighter wall tiles.

What color tile makes bathroom look bigger?

Light, subtle pastel colors in the spectrum of white-beige-yellow, light blue and gray. Moreover, if you want to go wild with tile, it can create a decorative accent wall on the bathroom or shower. A small shower, for example, with a colored-tile wall and clear-glass doors will create a sense of depth.

Should a small bathroom be light or dark color?

Lighter paint colors can make a small space seem bigger, so consider choosing a light neutral tone for your small bathroom. Paired with modern cabinets and metal details, the result is a refreshing design that feels at once familiar and unique.

What is the most popular bathroom color in 2024?

In any case, this list of 2024's most popular colors is designed to inspire ideas for your upcoming dream bathroom makeover. According to top interior designers, modern blue, light green, and warmer neutral bathroom color schemes are popular in 2024.

What color makes a small bathroom look bigger?

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 do you not want to see in a bathroom?

Don't Use: Drab Hues

Wolf recommends avoiding colors like beige, tan, and greige. "Drab, indecisive colors have no place in a bathroom and are unflattering to all," says the designer. "These shades can often make a room feel dark and dingy."

How do you make a small bathroom look classy?

Use White for Elegant Simplicity

Also, a huge mirror and shower door helps to create this illusion. Use a light neutral paint hue to make a small bathroom feel luxurious. Incorporating stone bathroom countertops can enhance this effect, adding elegance and a touch of nature.

What is the rule for bathroom colors?

Apply the 60-30-10 rule for distribution: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, and 10% accent.

What color bathroom sells the most?

Zillow and Behr Paint conducted a study in 2021 and found that having a light-blue palette can significantly increase a home's value. Make the most of this popular bathroom color, paint your bathroom walls a soft shade reminiscent of the sky, and extend the hue to the ceiling.

Previous article
What are 4 indicators of a healthy water system?
Next article
Is auxiliary heat more expensive than heat pump?