12 Small Bathroom Paint Colors for an Elevated Look

If you’re looking for a way to update and revitalize your bathroom, a new paint color is one of the simplest and quickest ways. From warm neutrals to bright colors sure to stand out, the options are almost endless.

Whether you’re redesigning the entire room from scratch or simply planning an easy update to the color palette, finding the right small bathroom colors can be a challenge. After all, you don't want the space to feel too overwhelming, but you still want to show off your design sensibilities and maybe even have a little fun at the same time.  

Our guide to paint colors for small bathrooms explores everything from striking to calming. After getting inspiration from the photos below, it’s time to start collecting those paint swatches and finding inspiration for your next small bathroom update.

Pair Warm Woods With Cozy Gray

Create a cozy feeling in your bathroom by pairing wood floors and cabinets with a cool gray paint color. Neutral gray provides a suitable canvas for wood details, as well as other accents, such as metal fixtures or a woven chair. Light gray tones can also create a sense of airiness in otherwise compact spaces.

In addition, consider bathroom mirror ideas for ample reflecton, which can enhance the illusion of more space.  

Light Neutrals Create a Sense of Openness in Small Bathrooms

Lighter paint colors can make a small space seem bigger, so consider choosing a light neutral tone for your small bathroom. Paired with modern cabinets and metal details, the result is a refreshing design that feels at once familiar and unique. Install pendant lighting and a pill-shaped mirror for an artistic touch.  

Let Shiny Accents Stand Out Against Darker Hues

Bright details, like white vessel sinks, lighted mirrors, or chrome gooseneck faucets, stand out more clearly against matte dark walls. Whether dark brown or gray, a darker color can provide a stunning contrast to lighter bathroom vanity designs and other fixtures. Paired with warm wood flooring and highlighted with natural light, a darker color can still make a smaller space feel appropriately inviting and spacious, making this one of our favorite color ideas for a small bathroom.  

Exude Calm With Pale Lavender  

Where dark paint colors can create contrast, lighter wall colors for a small bathroom establish a sense of calm, turning your simple space into a welcoming oasis. A subtle pale lavender that’s just a few shades away from gray can serve as a neutral backdrop to almost any design, providing a clean palette for subtle décor changes and updates.  

Add Elegance With Dark Green Walls

Jewel tones like deep emerald green exude a feeling of grace and elegance in any space. Add warmth and glamor to your small bathroom with green walls that blend well with almost any color of vanity cabinet or lighting fixture. If your small bathroom has a window, natural light will bring out additional depth in this paint color.  

Go Minimalist With White

For a clean look, you can’t go wrong with white bathroom designs. This minimalist paint color makes it easy to adjust your décor for the seasons, choosing pops of color to stand out against the blank canvas of your walls. Pairing equally well with modern and traditional designs, white is a timeless classic choice for a reason and one of the best small bathroom color ideas.  

Highlight Gold Details With Beige

Embrace elegance with gold accents like light brass fixtures and faucets against a beige wall backdrop. The subtle brown in the paint color helps shining gold details stand out, creating a cohesive design that feels perfectly planned from start to finish.

Partner a Gray Half Wall With Tile  

Instead of painting every wall in your bathroom, consider painting half the wall a light gray and installing tile on the lower half. The resulting design adds visual interest to a small bathroom, creating a sophisticated look that serves as the ideal backdrop for any number of design choices. Choose stone, ceramic, or marble bathroom tile for a visual and tactile result.

Create Contrast With Classic Black and White

Contrasting colors can help your small bathroom design stand out. Black cabinets and details against white walls allow the room to feel larger and more open, especially if you have a window that provides some natural light. The sharp contrast of black and white is a timeless design choice regardless of space.  

Establish a Blank Canvas With Off-White

If you like to redecorate often, a subtle off-white can provide you with a blank canvas for adjusting your décor to fit the seasons—or your own design whims—allowing you to transform the space whenever you wish. Add the best bathroom plants or pops of color to give the room a personal touch.  

Find Your Color in the Bathroom Tiles

Not sure what small bathroom paint colors to choose? Look to your bathroom tiles for inspiration. If you have a tile pattern you love, pull a color from the design to paint the walls. This subtle coordination can make your entire small bathroom style feel more cohesive and flow beautifully.  

Exude Warmth With a Neutral Palette

Turn your small bathroom into a cozy oasis with warm neutral colors like tan and beige. These lighter hues can help the room feel more open and pair well with metal accents and soft décor colors.  

Small Bathroom Paint Color FAQs

How do I choose a paint color for my small bathroom?

As with any room, the paint color you choose for your small bathroom depends entirely on your design preferences. However, it may help to consider the dimensions of the bathroom and available lighting. Do you have a window that can provide natural light? Or are there only overhead or accent lighting options available? One of the best tips for small colorful bathrooms is to choose a color that takes advantage of the light in the room and look for ways to reflect light for added brightness.  

Can I use dark paint colors for small bathrooms?

While lighter wall colors can help a room seem larger, you don’t necessarily need to avoid darker shades altogether. A darker color for an accent wall or half wall can provide visual interest and contribute to a standout design.  

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