10 Unexpected Bathroom Colour Combos
Banish cookie-cutter colour schemes and inject some personality into your bathroom with these surprisingly confident colour combinations
Even the most innovative decorator can end up playing it safe when it comes to the bathroom. Perhaps it’s because we give so much attention to the main reception rooms, where we spend the vast majority of our time, that the bathroom becomes something of an afterthought.
A standard white three-piece suite and large taupe tiles are all very well in a property development, but do you really want your bathroom to look the same as everyone else’s? Instead, dare to be different with a mix of two strong colours, and give as much thought to decorating your bathroom as you would your living room.
A standard white three-piece suite and large taupe tiles are all very well in a property development, but do you really want your bathroom to look the same as everyone else’s? Instead, dare to be different with a mix of two strong colours, and give as much thought to decorating your bathroom as you would your living room.
2. Mustard and teal
As starting from scratch isn’t an option for everyone, just a couple of bold changes can give an existing bathroom a whole new lease of life. Here, mustard and teal give a subtle mid-century modern flavour, while a white backdrop keeps things looking clean and crisp.
Tiling just one wall and possibly one small feature – a splashback or, as seen here, the back of a wall niche – is enough to make an impact and saves on all-over redecorating. You could even achieve a similar effect with paint in a bathroom-friendly finish. The addition of the teal towels proves how easily you can create – and change – a striking colour combination.
As starting from scratch isn’t an option for everyone, just a couple of bold changes can give an existing bathroom a whole new lease of life. Here, mustard and teal give a subtle mid-century modern flavour, while a white backdrop keeps things looking clean and crisp.
Tiling just one wall and possibly one small feature – a splashback or, as seen here, the back of a wall niche – is enough to make an impact and saves on all-over redecorating. You could even achieve a similar effect with paint in a bathroom-friendly finish. The addition of the teal towels proves how easily you can create – and change – a striking colour combination.
3. Pink and grey
Grey is certainly the on-trend paint colour of the moment, so if you’ve used it judiciously in your living spaces and want continuity, carry it through to the bathroom as well. Two or three pink accents will add an element of fun and liven up the grey.
Opt for either deep charcoal teamed with light pink or pale grey combined with hot fuchsia. Use the accent shade in accessories and artwork or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a bigger feature – towel rails or radiators, for instance, can be powder-coated in an array of different hues.
More: Are the Pastel Tides Turning on the Pink Sink?
Grey is certainly the on-trend paint colour of the moment, so if you’ve used it judiciously in your living spaces and want continuity, carry it through to the bathroom as well. Two or three pink accents will add an element of fun and liven up the grey.
Opt for either deep charcoal teamed with light pink or pale grey combined with hot fuchsia. Use the accent shade in accessories and artwork or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a bigger feature – towel rails or radiators, for instance, can be powder-coated in an array of different hues.
More: Are the Pastel Tides Turning on the Pink Sink?
4. Salmon and blue
If bright pink is just not floating your boat, try a mix of salmon and blue instead. This colour combination works well in a period home with a heritage-style suite and roll-top bath. Many roll-top tub suppliers offer a vast choice of colours, along with a professional spray-paint finish, but you can also paint a reclaimed cast-iron bath yourself using a metal primer, oil-based undercoat and paint designed for metal.
If bright pink is just not floating your boat, try a mix of salmon and blue instead. This colour combination works well in a period home with a heritage-style suite and roll-top bath. Many roll-top tub suppliers offer a vast choice of colours, along with a professional spray-paint finish, but you can also paint a reclaimed cast-iron bath yourself using a metal primer, oil-based undercoat and paint designed for metal.
5. Green and orange
These two secondary colours may not be an obvious choice for the bathroom, but their success here lies in the proportions used and the boldness of colour. Rather than following the herd and veering towards pale hues because it’s a small room, this homeowner has been adventurous with a choice of verdant green and tangerine orange, but teamed them with plenty of white to avoid overkill.
These two secondary colours may not be an obvious choice for the bathroom, but their success here lies in the proportions used and the boldness of colour. Rather than following the herd and veering towards pale hues because it’s a small room, this homeowner has been adventurous with a choice of verdant green and tangerine orange, but teamed them with plenty of white to avoid overkill.
6. Pink and blue
It’s easy to dismiss pink as a girlie, Barbie shade best left to little girls’ bedrooms, but you could be missing a trick. The wonderful shot of azure blue on this washstand contrasts beautifully with the bubblegum pink cupboard doors opposite. Swathes of white help the luscious colours to pop, while the on-trend honeycomb tiles mark this out as a grown-up yet funky space.
Which vanity suits your bathroom style?
It’s easy to dismiss pink as a girlie, Barbie shade best left to little girls’ bedrooms, but you could be missing a trick. The wonderful shot of azure blue on this washstand contrasts beautifully with the bubblegum pink cupboard doors opposite. Swathes of white help the luscious colours to pop, while the on-trend honeycomb tiles mark this out as a grown-up yet funky space.
Which vanity suits your bathroom style?
7. Red and black
When we think of colour in the bathroom, it tends to be in terms of wall paint, tiles or accessories rather than sanitaryware. And while a red bath is not to everyone’s taste, if you dare to be different, it certainly packs a punch.
Contrasting with limited elements of black, such as the lacquered side table, pendant lighting and picture frame, the red gives this bathroom an edgy 1980s look. Tie it all together with abstract modern art, covering an entire wall for extra wow.
When we think of colour in the bathroom, it tends to be in terms of wall paint, tiles or accessories rather than sanitaryware. And while a red bath is not to everyone’s taste, if you dare to be different, it certainly packs a punch.
Contrasting with limited elements of black, such as the lacquered side table, pendant lighting and picture frame, the red gives this bathroom an edgy 1980s look. Tie it all together with abstract modern art, covering an entire wall for extra wow.
8. Turquoise and gold
If all-out glam is your goal, a combination of turquoise and gold is sure to have the desired impact. Here, amazing mosaic tiles create a luxurious sense of opulence, but for a more budget-friendly version, try a damask or tile-effect wallpaper instead. Finish with a decorator’s varnish so the steamy atmosphere doesn’t make the wallpaper peel at the edges.
Luxe bathroom additions
If all-out glam is your goal, a combination of turquoise and gold is sure to have the desired impact. Here, amazing mosaic tiles create a luxurious sense of opulence, but for a more budget-friendly version, try a damask or tile-effect wallpaper instead. Finish with a decorator’s varnish so the steamy atmosphere doesn’t make the wallpaper peel at the edges.
Luxe bathroom additions
9. Grey and red
Grey is so versatile and marries well with an array of bold colours, including red. Keeping things simple is the key with colour blocking rather than introducing any pattern. Make grey the dominant colour and red the accent, whether it’s one wall of red, a painted red door or, as here, red flooring. A smaller section, such as a tiled splashback or stripe behind the basin, could also work well.
Grey is so versatile and marries well with an array of bold colours, including red. Keeping things simple is the key with colour blocking rather than introducing any pattern. Make grey the dominant colour and red the accent, whether it’s one wall of red, a painted red door or, as here, red flooring. A smaller section, such as a tiled splashback or stripe behind the basin, could also work well.
10. White and kaleidoscope
With so many wonderful colour combos to choose from, it’s difficult to pick a favourite. So why not opt for multi-coloured patchwork-style tiles and think about how you can use them in innovative ways?
Try a stripe up the wall, like this homeowner has done, or horizontal bands around the room. Alternatively, go for one feature wall or use them to create a border around the edge of the floor, with plainer tiles in the middle.
TELL US
Have you decorated your bathroom with bold colour? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
10 Reasons to Make a Splash With Coloured Bathware
Bathroom Colour Guide: Go Green and Calm the Senses
Mosaic Magic: Take Your Bathroom From Ordinary to Extraordinary
With so many wonderful colour combos to choose from, it’s difficult to pick a favourite. So why not opt for multi-coloured patchwork-style tiles and think about how you can use them in innovative ways?
Try a stripe up the wall, like this homeowner has done, or horizontal bands around the room. Alternatively, go for one feature wall or use them to create a border around the edge of the floor, with plainer tiles in the middle.
TELL US
Have you decorated your bathroom with bold colour? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
10 Reasons to Make a Splash With Coloured Bathware
Bathroom Colour Guide: Go Green and Calm the Senses
Mosaic Magic: Take Your Bathroom From Ordinary to Extraordinary
These jewel-like colours have a shimmering opulence and are perfect for creating a sumptuously elegant bathing space. The flooring is the star of the show here, and makes a great starting point to inform the rest of the scheme.
Pick out your favourite gemstone colours and amplify them in another element of the room, whether it’s a vibrant vanity unit, a chandelier with coloured beading or perhaps an ornate painted picture frame.