8 Ways to Use White in the Bathroom to Beautiful Effect
See how best to decorate with this perennially popular colour while avoiding a clinical look
Jennifer Ott
4 March 2016
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's work has been featured in many print and online publications. Her recently-published book, "1000 Ideas for Color Schemes," is a beautifully illustrated and easy-to-navigate guide that takes the guesswork out of selecting the perfect color palette for your home or special event. For more information on Jennifer Ott Design, visit http://jenottdesign.com/.
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's... More
White has been a popular hue in interiors for many years now, but when it comes to bathrooms, you don’t want to make everything white and call it a day; that approach runs the risk of creating a space that’s too sterile-looking. Here’s how to embrace white in an inviting way in your bathroom.
Let architectural details sing
If your bathroom has nice bones, don’t detract from them – play them up instead, as here with the wooden beams. Take inspiration from your favourite art gallery or museum and use white on the walls to highlight the feature. White is a popular gallery choice as it helps make walls disappear, so that whatever is on or in front of them really stands out.
If your bathroom has nice bones, don’t detract from them – play them up instead, as here with the wooden beams. Take inspiration from your favourite art gallery or museum and use white on the walls to highlight the feature. White is a popular gallery choice as it helps make walls disappear, so that whatever is on or in front of them really stands out.
Put plumbing fixtures centre stage
Similar to the first tip, if you have an unusual and beautiful tub or basin, let them dazzle in the foreground by keeping the ceiling, walls and flooring white.
Read expert advice on what you need to know before designing a new bathroom
Similar to the first tip, if you have an unusual and beautiful tub or basin, let them dazzle in the foreground by keeping the ceiling, walls and flooring white.
Read expert advice on what you need to know before designing a new bathroom
Allow a fetching view to shine
As a city dweller, I’m extremely envious of those with bucolic scenes outside their windows. If you’re fortunate enough to have a pleasing view from your bathroom, give it your undivided attention by keeping the interior colour palette minimal, and therefore minimally distracting.
Take a five minute break and browse these baths with amazing views
As a city dweller, I’m extremely envious of those with bucolic scenes outside their windows. If you’re fortunate enough to have a pleasing view from your bathroom, give it your undivided attention by keeping the interior colour palette minimal, and therefore minimally distracting.
Take a five minute break and browse these baths with amazing views
Keep it bright to enlarge a space
If your bathroom is on the small side, go for an all-white palette to make it appear more expansive. An unbroken sweep of colour gives a space an open and spacious feeling. Keep in mind that cooler colours tend to recede, so if you choose a white that has a touch of grey or blue in it, you’ll get an even more pronounced expanding effect.
25 tricks to expand your space
If your bathroom is on the small side, go for an all-white palette to make it appear more expansive. An unbroken sweep of colour gives a space an open and spacious feeling. Keep in mind that cooler colours tend to recede, so if you choose a white that has a touch of grey or blue in it, you’ll get an even more pronounced expanding effect.
25 tricks to expand your space
Make it your counterpoint to natural elements
Character-rich woods are all the rage right now. Punch them up by pairing them with crisp white walls. This is a great way to warm a clean-lined modern and minimalist bathroom.
Character-rich woods are all the rage right now. Punch them up by pairing them with crisp white walls. This is a great way to warm a clean-lined modern and minimalist bathroom.
Add it as a contrast to rough and rustic materials
I love the contrast here between the bare brick wall and the expanses of clean, smooth and white materials. The exposed brick adds so much charm and character to the room, it shouldn’t have to fight with bold colours for our attention.
I love the contrast here between the bare brick wall and the expanses of clean, smooth and white materials. The exposed brick adds so much charm and character to the room, it shouldn’t have to fight with bold colours for our attention.
Employ it as a light reflector
If your bathroom is skimpy on natural light, you can fake an abundance of it with an all-white colour scheme. You still need ample lighting from ceiling or wall fixtures, but the large amount of white will bounce around the light and brighten the space.
White not right for you? Check out these bathrooms with a shot of colour
If your bathroom is skimpy on natural light, you can fake an abundance of it with an all-white colour scheme. You still need ample lighting from ceiling or wall fixtures, but the large amount of white will bounce around the light and brighten the space.
White not right for you? Check out these bathrooms with a shot of colour
Test out different textures
Too many colours and finishes in a space – especially a small space like the typical bathroom – can start to fight with one another and become visually noisy. But if you go with an all-white or mostly white scheme, you can really play up these elements in the room.
There are countless options available in wall coverings and tiles that can add interesting texture or pattern. You can vary the sheen through the use of matt or glossy finishes for the paint, tiles and decorative accessories.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of all-white bathrooms? Share photos of yours in the Comments below.
Too many colours and finishes in a space – especially a small space like the typical bathroom – can start to fight with one another and become visually noisy. But if you go with an all-white or mostly white scheme, you can really play up these elements in the room.
There are countless options available in wall coverings and tiles that can add interesting texture or pattern. You can vary the sheen through the use of matt or glossy finishes for the paint, tiles and decorative accessories.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of all-white bathrooms? Share photos of yours in the Comments below.
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I liked the points about how white can help be a vehicle for patterns and textures and adding contrast to rustic materials. Those are good things to think about; also the accompanying photos give great example of the tips.
A white floor and light blue walls always works in a bathroom with no windows.
A brown wood floor and white walls always works in a bathroom with no windows.
Having a white tile floor is my biggest regret in remodeling our bathroom. It looks clean for a day. As soon as someone brushes their hair or walks in with dog fur covered socks, the floor is a mess. Would love a floor the "hides" the small amounts of dirt and dust for more than 24 hours.