10 Surprising Colour Combinations to Lift Any Bathroom
Banish neutrals and inject some personality into your bathroom with these vibrant colour mixes
Karen Wilson
31 July 2015
UK based Houzz contributor and freelance property and interiors journalist with experience in both the regional press and national magazines. I've picked up loads of tips from homeowners and experts alike, having visited hundreds of gorgeous real homes across the North of England.
UK based Houzz contributor and freelance property and interiors journalist with experience... More
Even the most innovative decorator can end up playing it safe when it comes to the bathroom. Perhaps it’s because we give so much attention to the main reception rooms, where we spend the vast majority of our time, that the bathroom becomes something of an afterthought.
A standard white three-piece suite and large taupe tiles are all very well in a property development, but do you really want your bathroom to look the same as everyone else’s? Instead, dare to be different with a mix of two strong colours, and give as much thought to decorating your bathroom as you would your living room.
A standard white three-piece suite and large taupe tiles are all very well in a property development, but do you really want your bathroom to look the same as everyone else’s? Instead, dare to be different with a mix of two strong colours, and give as much thought to decorating your bathroom as you would your living room.
Purple & green
These jewel-like colours have a shimmering opulence and are perfect for creating a sumptuously elegant bathing space. The flooring is the star of the show here, and makes a great starting point to inform the rest of the scheme.
Pick out your favourite gemstone colours and amplify them in another element of the room, whether it’s a vibrant vanity unit, a chandelier with coloured beading or perhaps an ornate painted picture frame.
These jewel-like colours have a shimmering opulence and are perfect for creating a sumptuously elegant bathing space. The flooring is the star of the show here, and makes a great starting point to inform the rest of the scheme.
Pick out your favourite gemstone colours and amplify them in another element of the room, whether it’s a vibrant vanity unit, a chandelier with coloured beading or perhaps an ornate painted picture frame.
Mustard & teal
As starting from scratch isn’t an option for everyone, just a couple of bold changes can give an existing bathroom a whole new lease of life. Here, mustard and teal give a subtle midcentury modern flavour, while a white backdrop keeps things looking clean and crisp.
Tiling just one wall and possibly one small feature – a splashback or, as seen here, the back of a wall niche – is enough to make an impact and saves on all-over redecorating. You could even achieve a similar effect with paint in a bathroom-friendly finish. The addition of the teal towels proves how easily you can create – and change – a striking colour combination.
Discover more ways to refresh your bathing space on a budget
As starting from scratch isn’t an option for everyone, just a couple of bold changes can give an existing bathroom a whole new lease of life. Here, mustard and teal give a subtle midcentury modern flavour, while a white backdrop keeps things looking clean and crisp.
Tiling just one wall and possibly one small feature – a splashback or, as seen here, the back of a wall niche – is enough to make an impact and saves on all-over redecorating. You could even achieve a similar effect with paint in a bathroom-friendly finish. The addition of the teal towels proves how easily you can create – and change – a striking colour combination.
Discover more ways to refresh your bathing space on a budget
Pink & grey
Grey is certainly the on-trend paint colour of the moment, so if you’ve used it judiciously in your living spaces and want continuity, carry it through to the bathroom as well. Two or three pink accents will add an element of fun and liven up the grey.
Opt for either deep charcoal teamed with light pink or pale grey combined with hot fuchsia. Use the accent shade in accessories and artwork or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a bigger feature – column radiators can be powder-coated in an array of different hues.
Check out these non-scary ways to add pink to your interior
Grey is certainly the on-trend paint colour of the moment, so if you’ve used it judiciously in your living spaces and want continuity, carry it through to the bathroom as well. Two or three pink accents will add an element of fun and liven up the grey.
Opt for either deep charcoal teamed with light pink or pale grey combined with hot fuchsia. Use the accent shade in accessories and artwork or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a bigger feature – column radiators can be powder-coated in an array of different hues.
Check out these non-scary ways to add pink to your interior
Salmon & blue
If bright pink is just not floating your boat, try a mix of salmon and blue instead. This colour combination works well in a period home with a heritage-style suite and roll-top bath. Many roll-top tub suppliers offer a vast choice of colours, along with a professional spray-paint finish, but you can also paint a reclaimed cast-iron bath yourself using a metal primer, oil-based undercoat and paint designed for metal.
If bright pink is just not floating your boat, try a mix of salmon and blue instead. This colour combination works well in a period home with a heritage-style suite and roll-top bath. Many roll-top tub suppliers offer a vast choice of colours, along with a professional spray-paint finish, but you can also paint a reclaimed cast-iron bath yourself using a metal primer, oil-based undercoat and paint designed for metal.
Green & orange
These two secondary colours may not be an obvious choice for the bathroom, but their success here lies in the proportions used and the boldness of colour. Rather than following the herd and veering towards pale hues because it’s a small room, this homeowner has been adventurous with a choice of verdant green and tangerine orange, but teamed them with plenty of white to avoid overkill.
These two secondary colours may not be an obvious choice for the bathroom, but their success here lies in the proportions used and the boldness of colour. Rather than following the herd and veering towards pale hues because it’s a small room, this homeowner has been adventurous with a choice of verdant green and tangerine orange, but teamed them with plenty of white to avoid overkill.
Pink & blue
It’s easy to dismiss pink as a girlie, Barbie shade best left to little girls’ bedrooms, but you could be missing a trick. The wonderful shot of azure blue on this washstand contrasts beautifully with the bubblegum pink cupboard doors opposite. Swathes of white help the luscious colours to pop, while the on-trend honeycomb tiles mark this out as a grown-up yet funky space.
Explore ideas for picking a vanity unit
It’s easy to dismiss pink as a girlie, Barbie shade best left to little girls’ bedrooms, but you could be missing a trick. The wonderful shot of azure blue on this washstand contrasts beautifully with the bubblegum pink cupboard doors opposite. Swathes of white help the luscious colours to pop, while the on-trend honeycomb tiles mark this out as a grown-up yet funky space.
Explore ideas for picking a vanity unit
Red & black
When we think of colour in the bathroom, it tends to be in terms of wall paint, tiles or accessories rather than sanitaryware. And while a red bath is not to everyone’s taste, if you dare to be different, it certainly packs a punch.
Contrasting with limited elements of black, such as the lacquered side table, pendant lighting and picture frame, the red gives this bathroom an edgy 1980s look. Tie it all together with abstract modern art, covering an entire wall for extra wow.
When we think of colour in the bathroom, it tends to be in terms of wall paint, tiles or accessories rather than sanitaryware. And while a red bath is not to everyone’s taste, if you dare to be different, it certainly packs a punch.
Contrasting with limited elements of black, such as the lacquered side table, pendant lighting and picture frame, the red gives this bathroom an edgy 1980s look. Tie it all together with abstract modern art, covering an entire wall for extra wow.
Turquoise & gold
If all-out glam is your goal, a combination of turquoise and gold is sure to have the desired impact. Here, amazing mosaic tiles create a luxurious sense of opulence, but for a more budget-friendly version, try a damask or tile-effect wallpaper instead. Finish with a decorator’s varnish so the steamy atmosphere doesn’t make the wallpaper peel at the edges.
See more gorgeously glamorous bathrooms
If all-out glam is your goal, a combination of turquoise and gold is sure to have the desired impact. Here, amazing mosaic tiles create a luxurious sense of opulence, but for a more budget-friendly version, try a damask or tile-effect wallpaper instead. Finish with a decorator’s varnish so the steamy atmosphere doesn’t make the wallpaper peel at the edges.
See more gorgeously glamorous bathrooms
Grey & red
Grey is so versatile and marries well with an array of bold colours, including red. Keeping things simple is the key with colour blocking rather than introducing any pattern. Make grey the dominant colour and red the accent, whether it’s one wall of red, a painted red door or, as here, red flooring. A smaller section, such as a tiled splashback or stripe behind the basin, could also work well.
Grey is so versatile and marries well with an array of bold colours, including red. Keeping things simple is the key with colour blocking rather than introducing any pattern. Make grey the dominant colour and red the accent, whether it’s one wall of red, a painted red door or, as here, red flooring. A smaller section, such as a tiled splashback or stripe behind the basin, could also work well.
White & kaleidoscope
With so many wonderful colour combos to choose from, it’s difficult to pick a favourite. So why not opt for multi-coloured patchwork-style tiles and think about how you can use them in innovative ways?
Try a stripe up the wall, like this homeowner has done, or horizontal bands around the room. Alternatively, go for one feature wall or use them to create a border around the edge of the floor, with plainer tiles in the middle.
TELL US…
Have you decorated your bathroom with bold colour? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
With so many wonderful colour combos to choose from, it’s difficult to pick a favourite. So why not opt for multi-coloured patchwork-style tiles and think about how you can use them in innovative ways?
Try a stripe up the wall, like this homeowner has done, or horizontal bands around the room. Alternatively, go for one feature wall or use them to create a border around the edge of the floor, with plainer tiles in the middle.
TELL US…
Have you decorated your bathroom with bold colour? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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They were a great company to deal with and good value. Worth getting them to send you samples first.
Thank you, I'll have a look. Hilary.
One of our clients gave us the brief of just 'splish splash' and we created this very bold bespoke printed glass splashback for them in St Johns Wood, London to add a blast of colour into thier white and mirrored master bathroom http://www.glartique.com/portfolio/bathroom-splashbacks