26 Paint Color Ideas for a Small Bathroom That Will Make It Feel Big

The best small bathroom paint colors can be neutral, bright, dark, or bold depending on the light in your bathroom and the look and feel you want to achieve. Check out these paint color ideas for small bathrooms in a range of styles that will help to make your space feel more spacious and inviting.

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Neutral White

It's no secret that white paint makes any room feel light, airy and open, which is why it's a top color choice. But the right shade of white really shines in spaces that lack square footage.

Choose a balanced and versatile shade of white that is understated and adds just enough warmth to make a room feel welcoming, but is cool enough to compensate if you're low on light.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Alabaster

Warm Beige

A warm beige with a slight green undertone adds more definition to a small space. It's an ideal choice for a guest bathroom that can be dressed up in a variety of ways, with natural and neutral or colorful accents depending on your preferences.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Ancient Marble SW 6162

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Forest Green

Forest green is a deeply relaxing and feel-good color for a small bathroom. Pair it with brass accents and rich wood tones for a timeless and balanced feel.

Paint used: Clare Current Mood

Blush Pink

Warm blush pink paint reads almost as a neutral in a space filled with abundant natural light, adding a romantic touch to a primary bathroom. Pair it with white and silver for a modern feel, or a classic black-and-white rosette tile mosaic floor for a nostalgic pink bathroom look.

Paint suggestion: Behr My Sweetheart

Dark Navy Blue

It is a common misconception that dark paint makes a small room feel even smaller. In fact, deep colors can actually make a small space appear even larger by adding depth to the space.

A rich, bold navy is a cool tone that is perfect for a moody navy bathroom. It isn't a shy color, but this dark blue is muted enough that it won't overpower your space, especially when paired with white trim.

Paint suggestion: The Spruce Cosmic Sapphire SPR-18

Dove Gray

A soothing gray is the neutral you'll look to whenever you feel stuck on a color choice in either a modern or traditional bathroom. Pale gray paint shines in a small bathroom full of light. Add complementary silver accents and contrasting pops of white.

Paint suggestion: Clare Seize the Gray

Matte Black

Don't be afraid of using black paint in a small bathroom. Paint walls and ceilings for an enveloping feel, or pair white wainscoting with a black accent wall. Mirrors, metal fixtures, and a mix of lighting will bounce around light.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Black Magic SW 6991

Wine Red

A small powder room is an ideal place to take a risk with a daring color that might feel overwhelming in a larger living space. Try an energizing shade of wine red that will look luminous or moody depending on the light.

Paint used: Clare Vintage

Sunny Yellow

Though yellow can be a little overpowering when used in small spaces, a sunny yellow paint with golden undertones will add warmth and cheer on an accent wall or throughout a whole bathroom. Yellow works in bathrooms with or without a lot of natural light and pairs well with light, warm hues like shades of orange for a retro-inspired feel.

Paint suggestion: The Spruce SPR-06 Wax Pepper

Lilac Purple

Lilac purple is a surprising paint color that will add a luminous dose of color to a smaller bathroom. Pair it with pink accents to create an uplifting Easter egg color palette.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Spring Lilac 1338

Pale Aqua

A pale aqua shade is a crowd-pleasing color to make small bathrooms look bigger. It's perfect for a small, sunny bathroom because it's colorful without feeling overpowering. Pair the blue-green shade with deep muted greens, bright whites, or green-and-white accent wallpaper for a modern bathroom with a hint of color.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Window Pane SW 6210

Light Taupe

A light taupe gray with a beige undertone is a versatile color that will work with nearly every style. Try it in a traditional gray bathroom with patterned tile flooring for something that's positively classic.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray

Teal

Deep blue-green teal paint is a bold choice for adding personality to a small bathroom. Pair it with black and white or with other vibrant color accents for a small bathroom that packs a big punch.

Paint used: Clare Deep Dive

Bright White

Bright white walls with a hint of creamy warmth work in bathrooms with low light or in well lit modern white bathrooms. Pair with colorful bathroom tile and natural accents for an easy modern feel.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Soft Periwinkle

Create a soothing ambiance in a traditional home with pale periwinkle wall paint with a touch of gray, like this New York City brownstone bathroom with original wood trim and interior window shutters.

Paint used: Clare Wink

Earthy Dark Green

A rich, earthy green will change in appearance depending on the light, looking brighter in the day and rich and moody at night. Pair dark green walls in small, modern bathroom with teak or bamboo accents and plush white towels. Or use it with a textured plaster finish to complement a rustic stone sink.

Paint suggestion: Valspar Sable Calm 5002-2C

Cool Pale Gray

When you want just a hint of gray, try a barely there gray with a light green undertone. This cool, fresh color looks airy and bright in bathrooms with natural light or abundant ambient lighting. Try it in classic space with traditional tile or a modern bathroom with all-white tile and chrome fixtures.

Paint used: Clare Chill

Dark Greige

Deep gray paint with brown undertones will add depth to a small bathroom. It's slightly warm and a little moody, and perfect if you want to add visual interest to your small space. Pair dark greige with khaki or olive greens for an earthy, natural feel.

Paint suggestion: Behr Burnished Pewter PPU24-04

Light Blue

Light blue paint is perfect for smaller bathrooms without a lot of natural light, such as a downstairs powder room. But it will work just as well in a romantic primary bath decorated with an Italian mirror, a skirted sink, and gathered window shades.

Paint suggestion: Magnolia Vibrant Horizon

Cool White

A shade of white with a hint of gray is a crisp, cool bathroom paint color choice for a well-lit space. It feels modern and sleek, and pairs well with gray marble floors or cool blue wall tile. Because of its cool undertones, it can brighten and freshen even the smallest space.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Decorator's White

Pale Sage Green

A sage green with a touch of blue will add interest to a shiplap bathroom. Pair it with a wood and marble vanity and brass accents for a modern farmhouse feel.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog

Orange Sherbet

Sherbet orange paint will glow in a small space. Paint just the cabinets to add a touch of creamsicle-inspired orange to a neutral room. Pair with crisp whites and brighter, deeper orange accents for a warm Palm Beach-inspired look.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Orange Sherbet

Light Gray

Gray is a classic wall color that is well suited to a small bathroom. A light, warm gray works best in bathrooms with a little natural light. The more light you have, the cooler the gray will appear. It pairs well with black, white, or green accents, or shades of pink, yellow, or orange for a more colorful look.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl OC-52

Mint Green

Light pastel mint green will lend a refreshing feel to a traditional or modern bathroom, adding a hint of color without dominating the room. Use it to make the ceilings of a narrow galley-style bathroom feel taller and airier.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore French Mint 2037-70

Pistachio Green

Pistachio green is a fresh and uplifting color that will energize a small bathroom. Pair it with colorful illustrated wallpaper to turn a powder room into a destination.

Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams 9033 Oh Pistachio

Royal Blue

Royal blue is a strong and confident color that will highlight the architecture details of a small bathroom in an older home. Balance it with crisp whites and patterned tiles in shades of blue for a timeless feel.

Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Dark Royal Blue 2065-20

Frequently Asked Questions

What paint colors make a small bathroom look bigger?

If your main goal is to make your small bathroom feel bigger, then focus on light colors. White is always a classic, but you can also try light blue, light pink, or yellow.

How do you brighten a small half bathroom?

In addition to choosing a light color to brighten a small half bathroom, also look at your lighting. Select bright lighting with transparent shades to bring as much light into the space as possible.

What are the best bathroom paint colors for resale?

While neutrals like white and gray are perennially popular, light blue also draws buyers in because of its serene, calming qualities.

Read the original article on The Spruce.