White tiles are still the most popular tile color choice, especially for small bathrooms. 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. What is this?
In a small bathroom, light colors are your best friend. Lighter flooring can make a space feel larger and more open by reflecting natural light and reducing the appearance of shadows. Consider choosing a light-colored tile or LVT to brighten up your bathroom and create an airy, spacious feel.
According to basic design principles, light colors such as white, crème, pastel blue, gray or yellow are all recommended colors to paint a small bathroom in order to visually expand a room, while dark colors such as a deep red, green or brown, will make a room feel smaller.
Neutral coloured tiles
If you are unsure what colours other features of the room will be, such as bathroom surfaces, cabinets, or fixtures, neutral colours are a good option. Neutral coloured such as beige, sand, and grey are all colours that harmonise well with a variety of different interiors.
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.
Lighter wood look tiles give a space a rustic, natural charm and can make a small bathroom feel bigger. Darker wood tones, on the other hand, evoke warmth and richness, giving the bathroom a cozy, cabin-like feel.
Our Favorite Paint Colors for Bathrooms
Muted colors like gray, sage green and blush pink will create a soothing, spa-like retreat, while vibrant hues like turquoise and fuchsia will energize the space and boost your mood.
Apply the 60-30-10 rule for distribution: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, and 10% accent.
Cool blues and greens - Cool blues and greens can evoke a sense of calmness and relaxation, making them ideal for a bathroom space. Shades of turquoise, aqua, and seafoam can add a touch of coastal charm to a bathroom, while deeper shades of green such as olive or moss, can create a sense of tranquility.
Tiles that look good in a small bathroom often include light-colored options like white, beige, pale gray, or soft pastels. These hues reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness. Additionally, consider tiles with glossy or polished finishes as they further enhance the room's brightness.
Neutral colors are a classic choice for small bathrooms with no natural light, especially if you're looking for a soft, relaxing feel. Light neutral tones like soft grays, creams, and beiges work well because they reflect light, making the bathroom appear larger and brighter.
In terms of withstanding moisture and humidity, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), vinyl roll, and porcelain or ceramic tile are the best bathroom flooring options. Each of these flooring options is water-resistant and able to withstand humidity and temperature changes in a bathroom.
Dark colors don't necessarily make rooms look smaller; they just make them look darker. If you don't want to try a bold or dark color in your main bathroom, a guest powder room is an excellent place to experiment. Since there is less wall space, a deep tone won't overwhelm the senses as it could in a larger bathroom.
Honey oak and walnut are making a comeback. “Strong, confident, warm browns will be trending throughout 2025," says Skutelsky. “It's a resurgence for traditional wood colors." When paired with soft furnishings and muted colors, these tones create an inviting ambiance, he says: “Think warm, cozy cashmere."
According to Apartment Therapy and others, greige (gray-beige) is among the worst choices for a bathroom. Greige is an example of a shade that can be a winner in other rooms but tends to feel dingy in a bathroom. In a similar vein, overly earthy colors should also be avoided.
It adds a touch of femininity and sweetness, creating a gentle and inviting feel. This color can also evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, making the bathroom feel cozy and charming. The Pantone Color Institute even named Peach Fuzz, an orangey-pink hue, its Color of the Year for 2024.
“The key to decorating small bathrooms is to make the space look and feel bigger, so consider using light neutrals or pastel shades on the walls for a brightening effect.
Use Light Coloured Tiles Throughout
Utilising light shades of bathroom wall tiles and bathroom floor tiles will reflect light and will visually open up space. The opposite can be said of darker tones, which will absorb the light and make your bathroom feel considerably smaller.
When it comes to choosing the appropriate colour for your bathroom, consider the regularity of use and the size of the units of flooring you're using (i.e. the planks or tiles). “Dark floors will show up dirt and marks more easily,” explains Emma. “If it's a high-traffic area, consider a lighter or patterned floor.
'White bathrooms will always be a timeless choice, offering a fresh and serene foundation that feels both classic and versatile,' says interior designer Marie Flanigan. 'However, infusing subtle touches of color can add depth and personality without overpowering the space,' she says.
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.
Tranquil Blue Bathrooms
Whether you opt for a powdery pastel or an inky navy, blues promote a sense of rest and relaxation.
Polished Chrome: The Classic and Timeless Favorite
Polished chrome has been a staple in bathrooms for decades, thanks to its bright, reflective surface that adds a touch of elegance and cleanliness to any space. It's like the little black dress of bathroom fixtures: simple, timeless, and always appropriate.