9 Beautiful Blues for Bathrooms
From soft sky to bold tropical aqua, see why this hue is making waves in bathrooms
Jennifer Ott
19 February 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
I like using white in bathrooms just as much as the next person, but what I really like to see is a splash of color. Blue is a particularly good choice because it evokes the sea and the sky, and the positive associations many us have with them. But there are many fetching blue hues out there to choose from. Soft blues offer a stress-reducing ambience, as they’re purported to calm and soothe the senses. Bolder blues bring a fun and energetic vibe to a room, while the darkest ones lend drama and elegance. Among my favorites below, perhaps there’s a hue for you.
1. Tropical aqua. Although maybe a bit too intense for all four walls in your bedroom or living room, a bold tropical aqua is a fun color option in a bathroom. It has an uplifting and rejuvenating quality that calls to mind a vacation in a warm, exotic location. Like all bold colors, it looks best when hit with plenty of light. If your bathroom lacks ample light, you can fake it by providing lots of white surfaces to offset a few accents of the bold blue.
For a similar look, try Spa Day from Benjamin Moore.
Note: Due to differences in how interiors are lit and photographed, as well as how computer monitors are calibrated, the colors you see in these swatches and photographs may differ slightly from the actual colors. It’s always a good idea to view actual paint swatches from the manufacturer or, better yet, evaluate a large paint sample of the color you’re considering before finalizing your selection.
Note: Due to differences in how interiors are lit and photographed, as well as how computer monitors are calibrated, the colors you see in these swatches and photographs may differ slightly from the actual colors. It’s always a good idea to view actual paint swatches from the manufacturer or, better yet, evaluate a large paint sample of the color you’re considering before finalizing your selection.
2. Soft sky blue. If the previous color is way too intense for you and your bathroom, think about a soft sky blue instead. A color with a touch of gray will keep it from going too pastel.
For a similar look, try Water Mist from Kelly-Moore.
3. Watery turquoise. Turn your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary with your favorite watery blue on the wall. Go easy on the decorative accessories and instead think about using color, texture and sheen to dress up the space. Make sure you have plenty of concealed storage to keep clutter to a minimum.
For a similar look, try Reflecting Pool from Sherwin-Williams.
For a similar look, try Reflecting Pool from Sherwin-Williams.
4. Inky blue. A dark blue that’s just a click or two away from pure black is an elegant and dramatic choice for a bathroom. Bathrooms, especially powder rooms, are ideal spaces in which to experiment with unusual colors because we likely don’t spend large amounts of time in them. Don’t be afraid to put your favorite dark or bold hues here.
Get the look with Hague Blue from Farrow & Ball.
Get the look with Hague Blue from Farrow & Ball.
5 and 6. Deep teal and soft blue-gray. Teal is another elegant color choice for a bathroom, but without the intensity of dark navy and blue-black. It has an upscale quality without going too heavy or severe. I like the layering of similar colors here — the soft greenish blue-gray on the walls and the deeper teal on the cabinet. It’s colorful but in an understated way.
For a similar look, try Bermuda Turquoise and Blue Lace from Benjamin Moore.
For a similar look, try Bermuda Turquoise and Blue Lace from Benjamin Moore.
7. Moody blue. This blue also has a bit of green and gray in it, which makes it read as a muted, almost neutral, color. If you have concerns about blue feeling too cold in the bathroom, consider pairing it with warm colors and elements, such as the wallcovering and wood flooring here.
For a similar look, try Bon Voyage from Behr.
8. Medium sky blue. Think about putting sky-blue hues where we’re accustomed to seeing them the most — above our heads. This is a fairly saturated shade, but because it’s used on the ceiling only, and the room gets plenty of light, it provides a pleasing splash of color.
For a similar look, try Respite from Sherwin-Williams.
9. Medium blue-gray. If you prefer subdued paint colors but don’t necessarily want anything too light or pastel on the wall, pay attention to the value and chroma of your choices. Value refers to the lightness or darkness of the hue, and chroma is the level of purity of the color. A blue that is medium in value (not too light but not too dark) and low in chroma (toned down with plenty of gray) will have a nice neutral quality without getting too thin and wispy.
For a similar look, try Chambray from PPG Pittsburgh Paints.
Your turn: Love a blue bathroom? What’s your go-to hue?
More
8 Ways to Use White in the Bathroom
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For a similar look, try Chambray from PPG Pittsburgh Paints.
Your turn: Love a blue bathroom? What’s your go-to hue?
More
8 Ways to Use White in the Bathroom
7 Tips for a Sensational Yellow Bathroom
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#1 and #3 are my faves...
i have a small bathroom with no windows. painted it in himalayan mist http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-Plus-Ultra-8-oz-500C-1-Himalayan-Mist-Interior-Exterior-Paint-Sample-500C-1U/202182158 and had all fixtures and vanity made white. i love it. soothing and bright at the same time.