Keep It Calm with Light Neutrals
COURTESY OF GLIDDEN
“While whites reflect light well and make a space feel open, light neutrals, like Hikers Paradise, offer a bit more warmth and depth while still maintaining a light, airy feel,” says Ashley McCollum, Glidden color expert. Pair this paint color with a dark wood vanity, warm-toned floor tile, and matte black hardware for contrast. Bring in a textural layer through a woven hamper and storage baskets, and brighten the space with plush white towels.
Paint Color: Hikers Paradise by Glidden
Relax with Warm Peach Tones
COURTESY OF LICK
Begin and end your day surrounded by Pink 02, a warm peachy shade that is both fresh and physically soothing. "Bathrooms suit being decorated with soft, spa-like tones that feel earthy and grounding," says Tash Bradley, Lick’s director of interior design and color psychologist. In a small bathroom, she recommends minimizing contrast as much as possible—for example, taking the color from the walls onto the doors, woodwork, and ceiling. "This is where color drenching comes into play, wrapping a whole room with your color of choice and, in this instance, a calming, neutral one."
If you don’t fancy pink, look to warm neutral shades, like Taupe 03 Soho Roc House, Beige 01, or Beige 03 instead. "The warm undertone of these paint colors looks amazing with a clean white tile and brass fittings," Bradley says.
Paint Color: Pink 02 by Lick
Deep Teal Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF VALSPAR
Restore your mind, body, and home with Everglade Deck by Valspar, a dark midnight blue that balances elegance and calm. "Even a small space needs a distinctive mood that starts and ends your day or becomes a delightful experience for your guests," says Sue Kim, Valspar's director of color marketing. Wrap the color around the room and add a lux look with brass fittings. Add personality to your small bathroom with a display of collected trinkets and treasures amongst your necessities. "The textures and design of small items enhance the everyday luxury in small bathroom spaces," Kim says.
Paint Color: Everglade Deck by Valspar
Stick with Crisp White
COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE
A tried and true favorite when it comes to white paint colors, Decorator’s White is the ultimate way to brighten a small bathroom. “It’s a crisp, cool white that instantly brightens the space, creating the illusion of spaciousness,” Yeo says. The popular white sets a neutral backdrop and offers endless versatility. “Combine this refreshing white with a sleek black accent for a chic, minimalist ambiance," she suggests.
Paint Color: Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore
Mauve Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF HGTV HOME BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Welcome a touch of romance to your small bathroom with a blush pink shade like Glamour HGSW6031. "Blush tones and modern mauves are beautiful bathroom shades, balancing a rosy hue with a neutral undertone," says Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. The beige undertone gives the pink hue a mature, sophisticated, and elegant edge, and its near-neutral quality means you can dress it up or down to suit a classic or modern aesthetic. Banbury suggests pairing it with warm whites and neutrals to embrace a sophisticated, polished space or adding surprise depth with a Poetry Plum HGSW6019 ceiling.
Paint Color: Glamour HGSW6031 by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Play It Safe with White
COURTESY OF BEHR
Are you looking for a reliable and versatile neutral? Try Behr’s 2023 Color of the Year Blank Canvas (DC-003), a warm white that freshens every bathroom."Blank Canvas is a great choice for a small bathroom as the warm undertones transform the space," says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Company. "The welcoming white creates an expansive and clean background for endless design possibilities."
Pair it with white tiles for a monochromatic look, or introduce a pop of color on the bathroom vanity or trim. According to Woelfel, Vine Leaf, from Behr’s Designer Collection palette, or Smokey Pink, from their 2023 Trends palette, pair exceptionally well with this shade of white.
Paint Color: Blank Canvas by Behr
Coastal Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Give a small bathroom a coastal-inspired makeover with a splash of Aleutian to feel like you’re on a perpetual beach vacation. “It leans into the natural aesthetic that is growing in popularity for small bathrooms, giving a resort-like feel of relaxation,” says Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams. Pair this cool denim shade with crisp white trim, rattan accents, and matte black hardware for a contemporary take on coastal style.
Paint Color: Aleutian by Sherwin-Williams
Earthy Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF VALSPAR
Start the day on a positive note with a fresh coat of Arizona Dust. “It’s a naturally bold and uplifting shade that creates positive energy, especially in a private space like a bathroom,” Kim says. She suggests pairing this earthy shade with terracotta and wood tones for a grounded, nature-inspired look.
Paint Color: Arizona Dust by Valspar
Gentle Green Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF BEHR
For a green paint color that’s as soothing as it is refreshing, opt for Brook Green. The soft hue works beautifully in a modern bathroom with charcoal gray tile, light wood shelves, and matte black hardware. It’s equally as lovely in a more traditional-style space when layered with polished chrome accents and a statement bathtub. “Brook Green promotes tranquility and relaxation and works well in small bathrooms to create a spa-like atmosphere," Woelfel says.
Paint Color: Brook Green by Behr
Make a Small Bathroom Feel Bigger with Green
COURTESY OF GLIDDEN
Strategically use a cool and soft paint color such as Olive Sprig to make a small bathroom appear bigger. “Cool tones tend to recede, making walls feel farther away and thus making the room feel larger,” McCollum says. Its natural tone and soothing vibe is perfect for a bathroom and pairs well with a contemporary design featuring clean lines and matte finishes.
Paint Color: Olive Sprig by Glidden
Create Contrast with Majestic Blue
COURTESY OF SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Add drama to your bathroom with a deep azure hue, like Cascades SW 7623. Gray, yellow, and blue undertones give this dark, majestic blue shade a rich, complex, and unique character that instantly elevates a small bathroom. "Adding this pop of color to an accent wall will create a sophisticated mystique to any small-spaced bathroom," says Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams' director of color marketing. Create high contrast by pairing it with brilliant white subway tiles and compliment the paint’s yellow undertones with brass fittings. White wainscoting breaks up the dark shade in this bathroom to maintain the feeling of a bright and energizing space.
Paint Color: Cascades SW 7623 by Sherwin-Williams
Lavender Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE
Elevate a small bathroom with Angelica, a pale gray with a delicate hint of lavender that presents an alternative to traditional neutrals. “Its tranquil essence exudes luxury and serenity," Yeo says, adding that it harmonizes effortlessly with off-white and cream hues. To liven up the muted color palette, she recommends accenting it with touches of verdant greens.
Paint Color: Angelica by Benjamin Moore
Water-Inspired Colors for the Bathroom
COURTESY OF VALSPAR
“Renew Blue elicits a peaceful and tranquil mood that evokes feelings of wellness, calm, and reprieve when applied in a bathroom setting,” Kim says. This water-inspired blue-green paint color looks extra glamorous when layered with brass hardware, marble countertops, and plush white towels.
Paint Color: Renew Blue by Valspar
Achieve Calm with Warm Taupe
COURTESY OF SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Are you looking for a way to make your small bathroom both bright and cozy? Shoji White SW 7042 by Sherwin-Williams achieves just that. "Lining bathroom walls in this warm and creamy white that marries modern lines with soft touches creates the ultimate escape in a small bathroom space," Wadden says. She suggests creating a focal point in a warm contrasting hue, like this warm taupe accent wall, to create depth and interest. The neutral color palette, gold fittings, marble finishes, wooden vanity, and waffle cotton towels make this small bathroom a calming space.
Paint Color: Shoji White SW 7042 by Sherwin-Williams
Rich Green Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF LICK
Small bathrooms, particularly guest bathrooms and powder rooms, lend themselves to experimenting with bold colors and patterns. "Embrace that it is a smaller bathroom and celebrate brighter colors," suggests Bradley. She recommends going bold with a rich shade, like Green 02, and using the color-drenching approach for a fully immersive experience. "Candlelight looks amazing against a blue undertone, so strong greens are a fantastic option for someone who often takes long, candlelit baths," she says. She suggests contrasting the cool undertones with brass bathroom features to create a striking contrast and luxurious look.
Paint Color: Green 02 by Lick
Use a Bold Accent Vanity Color
COURTESY OF GLIDDEN
While a light and neutral wall color makes a small bathroom more open, McCollum suggests using a darker or bolder color for an accent and recommends a coat of Cajun Spice on the bathroom vanity. “A dark vanity in Cajun Spice, or accent wall in Transcend can add visual interest without overwhelming the space," she says.
Paint Color: Cajun Spice by Glidden
Unexpected Brown Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Brown has been trending in the design world and is an unexpected yet very sophisticated pick for a small bathroom. “Antiquarian Brown is a moody and dramatic choice for an accent wall in a small bathroom where a homeowner may not have a lot of space to work with,” Kantz says. She recommends elevating this rich hue with gold accents for a cozy yet chic feel.
Paint Color: Antiquarian Brown by Sherwin-Williams
Bring the Outdoors In with Fresh Green
COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE
Celebrate nature's soothing and restorative qualities in your small bathroom with Bassett Hall Green CW-480 by Benjamin Moore, a fresh mid-tone green infused with a soft gray undertone. "With a touch of warm gray, Bassett Hall Green feels fresh yet comforting and restorative," says Hannah Yeo, color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore. "It’s a great color to bring the outdoors in, especially when paired with a crisp off-white like Harwood Putty CW-5 and natural wood floors, like in this bathroom." She recommends mixing in brass or copper accents through bathroom fittings for a touch of luxe.
Paint Color: Bassett Hall Green CW-480 by Benjamin Moore
Bold Black Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF BEHR
A small bathroom is a great place to experiment with a bold paint color like Cracked Pepper. “It introduces a moody and sophisticated vibe to any small space, playing with the shadows as the light changes throughout the day,” Woelfel says. This soft black hue is a striking way to give your space a modern refresh and it looks especially striking when used in a monochrome color palette with crisp white accents to contrast its depth.
Paint Color: Cracked Pepper by Behr
Create a Calm Oasis with Green-Gray
COURTESY OF HGTV HOME BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
"Soft and comfortable, Sea Salt HGSW6204 is another perfect shade for a small bathroom," Banbury says. "Welcoming and inviting, the tranquility of this light green-gray crafts a space that helps quiet the mind to relax and unwind—perfect for a spa-like retreat."
Sage green is a nature-inspired shade with innately calming and therapeutic qualities. Its muted tone makes it a reliable base for endless style and color combinations. Banbury recommends pairing it with brass finishes and natural textures like wood, rattan, clay, and cotton to create a beautiful organic oasis of calm.
Paint Color: Sea Salt HGSW6204 by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Sunny Yellow Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF VALSPAR
Set a cheerful tone with a playful yellow hue such as Delightful Moon, which Kim describes as adding “a dose of joy and fun to one of our most frequented home spaces.” If you’re on the fence about using such a saturated tone on the walls, take Kim’s advice and use it as an accent on built-in cabinets, trim, or wainscoting for an eye-catching highlight.
Paint Color: Delightful Moon by Valspar
Add Height with Calming Pink
COURTESY OF FARROW and BALL
Turn your bathroom into a welcoming space that oozes comfort, warmth, and calm with Setting Plaster, Farrow and Ball’s infamous dusty plaster pink. "Softer pinks—those without too much blue through them—can be very flattering and a great color choice for a small bathroom," O’Donnell says. "Setting Plaster and Pink Ground both have an underlying warmth, and their gentle tones are impactful, but without overpowering the space." If your small bathroom has a low ceiling, O’Donnell suggests taking the color onto the ceiling to give the impression of height.
Paint Color: Setting Plaster by Farrow and Ball
Embrace Moody Charcoal Tones
COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE
Lean into the darkness of a small bathroom with a handsome, dark, cool gray, like Benjamin Moore’s Charcoal Slate HC-178. "This moody hue transforms the space into a timeless design that feels dramatic and sleek," Yeo says. "From wall to ceiling, Charcoal Slate can blur the edges of the walls, making a small powder room appear larger than it is."
If you’re not into dark bathrooms, Yeo recommends balancing the dark gray shade with lighter colors, like in this small bathroom design. "The white tiles, tub, and ceiling bring a neutral balance to this beautiful bathroom," she says.
Paint Color: Charcoal Slate HC-178 by Benjamin Moore
Freshen Up with Minty Green
COURTESY OF VALSPAR
Start each day feeling fresh and invigorated with Valspar’s Mint Whisper, a cool, light mint green. "This crisp hue brings a sense of peace—and nature’s positivity—indoors," says Kim, who recommends pairing it with a bright white. "The combination of mint and white keeps small spaces feeling light and airy," she explains. While mint green is frequently associated with refreshment and cleanliness, the hue also inspires creativity, heightening your shower thoughts and revelations.
Paint Color: Mint Whisper by Valspar
Pastel Purple Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
“Wallflower is a powdery pastel that would aid in brightening a small bathroom space, especially one with natural light or white tile,” Kantz says. Bring out the hue’s warmth with brass or copper lighting and hardware, or lean into its cool undertone by pairing it with light grays and creating contrast with black. It’s a versatile pastel paint color that works well with both a warm and cool color palette.
Paint Color: Wallflower by Sherwin-Williams
Light Taupe-Gray Bathroom Paint Color
COURTESY OF BEHR
“Offering ease and comfort, like that of a stone massage, Tranquil Gray is the perfect choice for a bathroom transformation to embrace the room’s natural stillness and harmony,” Woelfel says. It’s a light taupe-gray shade that creates a sense of balance and calm, and looks fresh and modern with light woods, crisp white, and matte black accents.
Paint Color: Tranquil Gray by Behr
Inject Energy with Turquoise
COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE
If you want to inject a big dose of color and bold energy into an all-white bathroom, there’s no better way to do it than with a splash of Blue Spa. Yeo describes the captivating shade as a mid-tone blue-green that offers a way to showcase your personal style and suggests carefully placing a small burst of the color on an accent wall or ceiling to create a focal point in a small bathroom.
Paint Color: Blue Spa by Benjamin Moore