Though bathrooms mostly fulfill a functional role, they can be aesthetically pleasing, relaxing, and even spa-like! They can boost you in the morning and calm you after a long day. To achieve this ambiance, you need to choose the right paint colour. The following are tips to help you find the paint colour that suits your bathroom. 

Factors that affect the colour choice for the bathroom:

There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when choosing a paint shade for the bathroom. 

• Lighting: Paint colour appears differently in natural light versus artificial illumination. Does your bathroom have a window? What type of lighting is in place (overhead, wall sconces, vanity lights, incandescent/fluorescent/LED bulbs)? Use paint swatches to determine the appearance of your favourite hue under your bathroom lighting. Check it at different times of the day. 
• Flooring: Choose a wall colour for your bathroom that complements the existing flooring. 
• Overall colour scheme: What colour is your vanity? Your cabinets? What material and hue are your faucets and towel racks? Keep the overall colour pallet of your room in mind when choosing a shade for your bathroom. Make sure it doesn’t clash with the focal points and features of your room. If your room has mostly white fixtures (cabinets, sink, doors, trim), consider painting the walls a bold colour. Some bathrooms can handle a feature or accent wall. 
• Room size: The size of your bathroom helps determine the colour choice. Bright shades work well in small powder rooms. Dark colours transform a small bathroom and make the walls feel like they disappear into the background. Classic colours (navy, charcoal) create a cozy feel in a small space. Roomy bathrooms are made cozy by painting the ceiling a darker shade than the walls. White makes them feel even more spacious. 

Great colours for a bathroom:

• All white: A crisp, white bathroom is the ultimate in classic spa style, exuding cleanliness, brightness and purity. Go for a warm off-white and coordinate it with tiles and cabinets of a similar hue. A creamy white with a buttery warm base is a good choice. Select paint with a washable finish. Make your towels white for a striking and sophisticated look. Warm things up with light wood accents or bright accessories. 
• Taupe is a perfect choice for those who want to go with a neutral but still give the bathroom some warmth. A brown heavy taupe provides an earthy touch while a gray version is moodier and modern. Both help to create that spa feeling.
• Soft gray brings in the cooling colours of granite and concrete while remaining soothing. To balance out the cool tones and warm things up, mix in dark wood elements through flooring or furniture. Accent with pops of colour in your accessories; bright towels or a patterned shower curtain.
• Charcoal: If you’d like a more dramatic spa look, try charcoal. It has warm elements and is quite versatile. It’ll give your bathroom a cozy feel and pairs well with natural wood tones and metallic accent for a chic, yet relaxing space. 
• Blue: Dreamy sky blue helps you feel relaxed and creates a spa-like feeling. Pair it with white tiles and white trim details for the feel of a blue sky on a sunny day. Or try cerulean blue, the colour of the sea. Its tranquil, calm feel makes it a perfect choice, reminding you of a relaxed day on the beach. Pair it with vintage-toned white and pops of tropical brights.
• Pink creates a flattering glow and a feeling of warmth in a bathroom. Pair it with white or black.
• Green gives the impression of bringing the outdoors inside. It’s a calming colour that brings a relaxing ambience to a room. This hue mixes well with other earthy, natural tones (brown, taupe, sand). 
• Brown creates a bathroom with a calm look and feel that promotes a relaxed, spa-like atmosphere. Dark chocolate brown creates a dramatic impression and looks sleek when paired with metallic gold accents. A medium tone is more soothing and pairs well with details in lighter tones. A light brown works well as a neutral backdrop to feature accent colours like cream, beige, or soft blue.
• Mixtures: Gray and tan are great bases for blending with brighter colours to create  cool, calming tones that are not overwhelming or distracting. Blend violet and gray to create a soothing lilac-gray hue or mix pink and tan to create a soft warm pink.

The colours to avoid!

Two colours not recommended for bathrooms are olive green and golden brown. They’re not bright or welcoming and they represent the colours of dirt, germs and mould. These shades make a room feel less optimistic, darkening the corners and leaving you feeling uninspired. They leave a space feeling small and enclosed, dampening the mood! They even have a negative effect on skin tone, making you appear dull and lifeless. 

When choosing a paint colour for your bathroom, find the shade that brings you peace and serenity! Make sure it complements the features of your bathroom, takes into account the size of the space, harmonizes with the lighting and enhances the flooring. Have fun finding the shade that’s right for you!

Thinking of painting your bathroom? Need help with colour choice? Looking for a company that will provide a quality paint job for your home? Call the Calgary residential painting experts, Cal Res Coatings at (403) 835-4817. We’re a residential painting contractor that strives for quality, has an eye for detail and colour, and will not rest until your job is done to your satisfaction. Request a free quote today.