Classic Bathroom Color Palette Ideas

An all-white bathroom is often considered a “safe bet” when renovating, but there are other color schemes that are just as reliably beautiful. Similar to exterior paint colors, gray is gaining in popularity for tile choice, while neutrals, timber accents, and blue tones remain popular.

Renovating a bathroom can be costly, so it’s understandable to lean towards a timeless design scheme. But it’s also important to remember the impact your towel choices and vanity accessories can have (not to mention they’re more affordable to switch up than re-tiling). Here are six dependable color combinations to consider.

1. Monochrome Magic

A black-and-white bathroom is a great choice for so many reasons, so feel free to follow your monochrome-loving heart in this room. Consider using dark grout between white subway tiles for a modern yet timeless look, that will also make cleaning your bathroom’s grout a lot easier (well, better at disguising dirt anyway).

If you’re planning to use more black than white, just ensure your space has plenty of natural and overhead light, as it will need extra help to appear bright and inviting amongst the darkness. And the best part about this color scheme? You can go nuts with patterned and colorful towels!

2. Timber Touch

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Timber makes for an eye-catching feature in the bathroom and pairs particularly well with white, making it a popular combination. Whether you choose to use timber for your flooring, vanity, or shelving, it’s important to select a wood that can absorb and release moisture without it affecting its structure. Opt for types typically found in rainforest climates — like spotted gum — and ensure it’s sealed and oiled properly.

3. Grayscale

Gray was a sexy look for bathrooms way before E.L James penned her novel, and continues to be. It’s a very versatile color that can be adapted to the type of space you’re trying to create: silver-gray for a calming, neutral oasis, charcoal gray for a touch of luxe, or gray with earthy tones for something a bit more rustic. Pair it with natural stone finishes for something really special.

4. A Bit of Blue

Don’t worry lovers of color, there’s a scheme that falls into the classics for you too! How could we not include beloved blue? Nothing makes a bathroom pop like a feature wall of aqua tiles or a navy vanity. Try to keep other design elements simple and let the color do the talking. Blue looks brilliant with white and doesn’t need much else to show off.

5. Millennial Pink

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Millennial pink might not technically be a classic color, but given the number of bathrooms we’ve seen with pink in them, it’s definitely a new classic that’s not going anytime soon. Try using it in a recess as a small feature or as a dramatic floor or wall tile to create an instantly cozy aesthetic.

6. Nude

It’s probably not the first color you’d think of, but using natural tones like nude and latte makes for a clean and simple palette. Look for tiles with a textured pattern or use a variety of tones for a feature wall. Just like a real latte, the light brown shade goes well with a swirl of white. The only downside to this palette is it can leave you quite limited in towel color choice, but go nuts with candles and plants to liven things up.