The Unexpected Colour That’s Cropping Up in Bathrooms Everywhere
The moodiest of dark blues may not be an obvious choice for a bathroom, but here’s why it works
Kate Burt
11 October 2019
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
First we fell for deep blue sofas, then we got excited about inky blue kitchens – and now our bathrooms are getting the indigo treatment. This move away from pale or neutral wash spaces has been happening for a while, and now, with this fashionable hue moving in, our commitment to non-bathroomy bathrooms takes another step.
Dark blue is a strong statement and perhaps signals newly emerging feelings about our bathrooms as spaces – just like our living rooms and kitchens – that we want to show off. What do you think? Let us know in the Comments section at the end.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Dark blue is a strong statement and perhaps signals newly emerging feelings about our bathrooms as spaces – just like our living rooms and kitchens – that we want to show off. What do you think? Let us know in the Comments section at the end.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Commit to a colour
If you really like your chosen dark blue, don’t hold back. Here, floor, bath panel, vanity unit and niches are all the same colour as the walls. The designers at Knott Architects have used a combination of sheet rubber and matt-painted MDF to clad this smart, contemporary bathing space.
Note that the window, ceiling and a facing wall (seen in the mirror) are white, for some relief from the otherwise moody scheme, and have white accessories (blind, radiator), so as to keep the effect uncluttered.
If you really like your chosen dark blue, don’t hold back. Here, floor, bath panel, vanity unit and niches are all the same colour as the walls. The designers at Knott Architects have used a combination of sheet rubber and matt-painted MDF to clad this smart, contemporary bathing space.
Note that the window, ceiling and a facing wall (seen in the mirror) are white, for some relief from the otherwise moody scheme, and have white accessories (blind, radiator), so as to keep the effect uncluttered.
Contain it
A feature wall – or, in this instance, a feature zone – is a less intense way to embrace the inky blue trend. The neutral, wood-effect wall in this scheme by Day True is a harmonious match for the colour and could be achieved with either ceramic or luxury vinyl tiles.
The two tones you choose do need to be perfectly complementary to produce the calming overall effect seen here, and booking a colour consultation with an interior designer could really help to elevate the end result.
A feature wall – or, in this instance, a feature zone – is a less intense way to embrace the inky blue trend. The neutral, wood-effect wall in this scheme by Day True is a harmonious match for the colour and could be achieved with either ceramic or luxury vinyl tiles.
The two tones you choose do need to be perfectly complementary to produce the calming overall effect seen here, and booking a colour consultation with an interior designer could really help to elevate the end result.
Reverse the obvious order
Ceilings are often painted white as a default. That’s not to say they can’t look stylish, as seen in many of the other bathrooms here. But the effect the designer, Emilie Fournet, has created in this room by tiling in a dark sapphire shade almost to the ceiling, then continuing in blue up and over, is quite pleasingly dramatic, don’t you think?
See more of this Victorian flat that gained light and character.
Ceilings are often painted white as a default. That’s not to say they can’t look stylish, as seen in many of the other bathrooms here. But the effect the designer, Emilie Fournet, has created in this room by tiling in a dark sapphire shade almost to the ceiling, then continuing in blue up and over, is quite pleasingly dramatic, don’t you think?
See more of this Victorian flat that gained light and character.
Venture beyond walls and flooring
This shower room has a good dose of deep blue in the tiles that sweep from the wall down across the floor. But what makes for a really unusual touch is the colour of the internal window frames.
Painting the usually black, Crittall-style frames in blue softens the space and gives it an individual twist.
This shower room has a good dose of deep blue in the tiles that sweep from the wall down across the floor. But what makes for a really unusual touch is the colour of the internal window frames.
Painting the usually black, Crittall-style frames in blue softens the space and gives it an individual twist.
Add an unexpected flash of brightness
On the whole, dark colours tend to be enhanced by brights being dotted around, and a little will go a long way. In this scheme by Poulsom Middlehurst, deep blue and egg yolk yellow make a happy match in the combination of wall and mirror.
To avoid distracting from the simplicity of this pairing, tiles blend with the wall paint, and chrome rather than potentially clashing brass has been chosen for the tap.
On the whole, dark colours tend to be enhanced by brights being dotted around, and a little will go a long way. In this scheme by Poulsom Middlehurst, deep blue and egg yolk yellow make a happy match in the combination of wall and mirror.
To avoid distracting from the simplicity of this pairing, tiles blend with the wall paint, and chrome rather than potentially clashing brass has been chosen for the tap.
Nod to the nautical
A navy blue and white combo rarely fails to conjure up a bit of a crisp, coastal look – perfect for a bathroom.
If you’re going for a half and half scheme, consider what each section will have within it. In this design by JLArchitecture, since the wood-panelled lower half of the room is white, it nicely absorbs the matching sanitaryware, meaning fewer broken lines cluttering up the view.
A navy blue and white combo rarely fails to conjure up a bit of a crisp, coastal look – perfect for a bathroom.
If you’re going for a half and half scheme, consider what each section will have within it. In this design by JLArchitecture, since the wood-panelled lower half of the room is white, it nicely absorbs the matching sanitaryware, meaning fewer broken lines cluttering up the view.
Here in a scheme by MAC Building Solutions, the idea is reversed: blue beneath, white up top. Of course, the room is bigger, but see how different the space feels with this switch.
Search the Houzz Professionals Directory for bathroom designers and fitters in your area.
Search the Houzz Professionals Directory for bathroom designers and fitters in your area.
Sharpen a classic combination
There’s a gentle 1950s Hollywood glamour about the mix of pink, white and brass. Picking indigo blue as an accent colour removes any risk of sugary connotations and lends a sharp, serious touch to this space by Emma Merry Styling.
The towels and floor tie things together nicely – the blue works with the vanity unit, but the shade of it matches the pink tonally, and creates a formal, pulled-together look.
There’s a gentle 1950s Hollywood glamour about the mix of pink, white and brass. Picking indigo blue as an accent colour removes any risk of sugary connotations and lends a sharp, serious touch to this space by Emma Merry Styling.
The towels and floor tie things together nicely – the blue works with the vanity unit, but the shade of it matches the pink tonally, and creates a formal, pulled-together look.
Look down
The neighbourhood studio designer’s choice in this predominantly white bathroom to go for a dark blue floor is a surprising yet brilliant choice. The black and white are crisp and clinical, and this shows how unexpectedly warming blue can be.
Focusing a dark shade on the floor visually expands the paler areas of the room; it’s a way to add interest without reducing the sense of space here. It’s also a really striking idea that gives the room a designer edge.
The neighbourhood studio designer’s choice in this predominantly white bathroom to go for a dark blue floor is a surprising yet brilliant choice. The black and white are crisp and clinical, and this shows how unexpectedly warming blue can be.
Focusing a dark shade on the floor visually expands the paler areas of the room; it’s a way to add interest without reducing the sense of space here. It’s also a really striking idea that gives the room a designer edge.
Work in warm shades
Various shades of deep, dark blue will beautifully complement and tone down warm, rich colours where other partner hues might highlight their orange tones.
As such, inky blues are excellent companions for metals such as copper, seen in this en suite by Studio 152 in that decadent bath, or warm-toned woods, including walnut.
Various shades of deep, dark blue will beautifully complement and tone down warm, rich colours where other partner hues might highlight their orange tones.
As such, inky blues are excellent companions for metals such as copper, seen in this en suite by Studio 152 in that decadent bath, or warm-toned woods, including walnut.
Go for cosy
Making a room feel bigger isn’t always necessary. In this bathroom by Premium Design Construction, the dark walls and mood lighting play up the intimacy of the space. This works especially well in bathrooms with prominent tubs, where sanctuary is a good concept to expand upon.
Tell us…
Does dark blue do it for you in a bathroom environment? Share your thoughts on this emerging trend in the Comments section.
Making a room feel bigger isn’t always necessary. In this bathroom by Premium Design Construction, the dark walls and mood lighting play up the intimacy of the space. This works especially well in bathrooms with prominent tubs, where sanctuary is a good concept to expand upon.
Tell us…
Does dark blue do it for you in a bathroom environment? Share your thoughts on this emerging trend in the Comments section.
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Every single bathroom featured in this article is exceptional. I love seeing designers pick a color and put it on every surface of a small space. Beautiful!!
Someone else has probably already asked this question but is there a reason why you haven't stated the brand and name of the colours in each photo? You usually do....
I'm in love with the contrast between the blue tile and white! I find it makes it look modern but still very classic. And don't get me started on the shower's blue window frames - I never knew I needed that until now. It really changes the entire room and it's a great attention grabber. Lovely!!