Bathrooms can serve as a relaxing retreat where you can soothe away stress, an energizing space that expresses your personality, or a bright, clean spot to start and end your day. Whichever mood you prefer, the colors you choose play a huge role in achieving your desired effect, and this year's bathroom color trends provide plenty of inspiration.
Some of this year’s top shades include warm earth tones and soothing, nature-inspired colors perfect for those seeking a comforting and rejuvenating space. For a more dramatic look, deep, saturated shades are also becoming more popular in bathrooms, where bold choices aren't likely to overwhelm. Whether you’re looking to refresh an existing space or design an entirely new one, take your cue from these bathroom color trends for 2022 to help bring your vision to life.
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1. Soft Blues
Blue has long been a favorite bathroom paint color, and its appeal has only increased as people seek to create calm, wellness-boosting spaces throughout the home. In fact, a recent study commissioned by Zillow and Behr suggested having a light-blue bathroom could increase your home’s value. To fully capitalize on this bathroom color trend, paint walls in a soft, wispy shade reminiscent of the sky, and continue the color onto the ceiling.
Suggested paint color: Ethereal Mood MQ3-52, Behr
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2. Warm Earth Tones
Paint color preferences are experiencing a warming effect, and bathroom color trends are no exception. Cozier, earthier shades such as beige, cream, taupe, and terra-cotta are taking the place of default grays and whites. Pair these organic hues with natural stone tile or countertops and rich wood finishes for a warm, grounding impression.
Suggested paint color: Rich Cream 2153-60, Benjamin Moore
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3. Bold Black and Charcoal
Using dark paint colors in a small space was previously considered taboo, but intense hues such as black and charcoal gray are increasingly making their way into the bathroom. Instead of feeling gloomy and oppressing, this bathroom color trend can help achieve a sophisticated, modern feel or envelop the space in a cozy feel. For a classic look, opt for the tuxedo-inspired combination of jet-black and bright white. Or tone down the contrast with a softer shade that verges on dark gray.
Suggested paint color: Tricorn Black SW 6258, Sherwin-Williams
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4. Soothing Greens
Green is currently a top color trend throughout the entire home, but it works especially well in bathrooms, where it delivers a soothing, restorative ambience. Pulled directly from nature, green paint colors such as olive, moss, and eucalyptus help establish an outdoor connection and a tranquil mood. Pair a muted green vanity with warm white walls for a simple nod to nature, or wrap the entire room in green for a lush look.
Suggested paint color: OMGreen, Clare
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5. Luxurious Jewel Tones
The bathroom is a great spot to experiment with dramatic jewel-tone colors you might not dare to attempt in larger rooms. While sapphire-blue walls might overpower a large living room, for example, the color can shine in the smaller confines of a bathroom. Consider rich, saturated shades of blue, green, purple, and even yellow for the walls, vanity, or ceiling. This bold bathroom color trend works especially well in small powder rooms or guest bathrooms where it creates a jewel box-like effect.
Suggested paint color: Blue Lava PPG1155-7, PPG
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular bathroom paint colors?
For bathrooms, the most popular colors are those that give the space a soothing, spa-like vibe—such as soft blues, cloudy greens, and warm neutrals. However, if you are looking to increase the value of your home, many
homebuyers report that they prefer blue bathrooms over other colors.What are the best paint colors for small bathrooms?
Many designers recommend white or light colors to create the illusion of a larger space, but coziness can be nice, too. In fact, current trends involve going a bit bolder with small bathrooms—especially powder rooms—and using vibrant jewel tones or moody colors like charcoal, eggplant, pewter green, or even black.
As an enthusiast and expert in interior design trends, particularly in the realm of color psychology and its impact on living spaces, I have closely followed the evolution of color choices in home decor. My knowledge is not just theoretical but stems from practical experience and a keen interest in staying abreast of the latest developments in the field.
Now, diving into the article on bathroom color trends for 2022, it resonates with the ongoing shift in preferences for creating harmonious, wellness-centric spaces within the home. Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:
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Soft Blues:
- Soft blues have long been favored in bathrooms for their calming and wellness-boosting effects.
- A recent study commissioned by Zillow and Behr suggests that having a light-blue bathroom could increase a home's value.
- The recommended paint color is Ethereal Mood MQ3-52 from Behr, a soft, wispy shade reminiscent of the sky.
-
Warm Earth Tones:
- The overall trend in paint color preferences is moving towards warmer tones.
- Cozier, earthier shades such as beige, cream, taupe, and terra-cotta are replacing default grays and whites in bathrooms.
- The suggested paint color is Rich Cream 2153-60 from Benjamin Moore.
-
Bold Black and Charcoal:
- Dark paint colors, including black and charcoal gray, are gaining acceptance in bathrooms.
- This trend can create a sophisticated, modern feel or a cozy ambiance.
- The article recommends using Tricorn Black SW 6258 from Sherwin-Williams for a classic look or a softer shade verging on dark gray.
-
Soothing Greens:
- Green is a top color trend throughout the home, delivering a soothing, restorative ambiance.
- Green paint colors such as olive, moss, and eucalyptus establish an outdoor connection and tranquil mood.
- The suggested paint color is OMGreen from Clare.
-
Luxurious Jewel Tones:
- Bathrooms are seen as ideal spaces to experiment with dramatic jewel-tone colors.
- Rich, saturated shades of blue, green, purple, and yellow are recommended for walls, vanity, or ceiling.
- The bold bathroom color trend is particularly suitable for small powder rooms or guest bathrooms, creating a jewel box-like effect.
- A suggested paint color is Blue Lava PPG1155-7 from PPG.
The article also addresses frequently asked questions about bathroom paint colors, emphasizing the popularity of soothing spa-like colors and the preference for blue bathrooms among homebuyers. It mentions that, contrary to traditional advice, current trends involve going bolder with small bathrooms, using vibrant jewel tones or moody colors like charcoal, eggplant, pewter green, or black.
