Decorating with bright shades can feel tricky – but it’s one of the best tools for injecting personality into your space. Playing with colour has the ability to boost your mood and make your morning routine a fun and enjoyable experience.
If you’ve been looking for clever ways and bold design tricks to add colour to your bathroom, you’re in the right place.
While paint is usually the go-to solution, why not be bold and look at everything else in your space? For something subtle, elevate your basin area with a new tap or spice up your vanity with bright handles. Or opt for a statement light or add contrast to your tiles with colourful grout. But don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of ideas lined up.
Here, we look at 18 ways you can embrace colour, from big to small. Moodboards at the ready…
Add colour to your bathroom: the shower area
The showerhead
Solutions with chromotherapy are a great choice if you love a relaxing wash, but don’t enjoy – or have space for – a bath. Rainfall showers can take your bathroom experience to a luxurious spa-like level and stimulate all your senses. Plus, some of the latest designs come with incorporated customisable colour therapy and numerous jet settings that are set to boost your energy levels and interiors.
The shower tray
Elevate your wetroom or shower area with a bold tray. The latest designs come in a range of shades, shapes and sizes, fitted, flush or with upstands. Future proof it with a textured anti-slip finish with slightly raised edges that make it easy to get in and out while also efficiently directing the water to the waste.
The enclosure
Say goodbye to black or metallic shower enclosures and embrace colour. Look out for models that come in a range of styles and hues, from grid-look pivot doors to intricate patterns. Match your enclosure to the wall paint and opt for reeded glass for a modern scheme, or go the maximalist route with a contrasting colour.
Sanitaryware
Add colour to your bathroom with help from a statement bath
To make a statement in your room, choose a painted tub – be it fitted or freestanding, compact or grand. Ensure your favourite shade’s finish is resistant to splashes and humidity, and avoid abrasive cleaning solutions so you can enjoy the design for years to come.
The basin
Materials such as concrete and plaster are becoming more popular for enhancing your bathroom’s aesthetic. Dare to go bold with a textured basin in an alluring shade, whether it is wall mounted or installed on the countertop, to add a dash of colour. Deep shades of blue, for example, ooze a sense of calm and work well with polished metallic brassware.
The toilet
It can sometimes feel plain and boring, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you have always fancied having a colourful WC in your family bathroom or cloakroom, now is the time to tick it o your wishlist. Take your space up a notch with an elegant design. Think vibrant violet, rich green or dark navy – sure ways to take your loo out of the ordinary.
The vanity area
The units
You can never have enough storage and if it comes in an eye-catching colourway, it makes for an irresistible update. Pick a fluted finish for an on-trend look or sleek handleless fronts to achieve a clean and uncluttered scheme. Why not match your cabinetry to the tiles for a cocooning feeling?
The tap
Revive your vanity area with a colourful design such as a simple block solution in zesty hues or a tall and curved mixer. However, be sure your chosen model works with your future or existing basin – from water pressure to the number of tap holes that are available. If there’s one hole, you need a monobloc. Two requires a pair of pillar taps, and three means you need two taps and a central mixer. Does your basin have no tap hole at all? In that case, a wall or deck-mounted filler is the best option.
The worktop
A colourful bathroom is not complete without a pretty and practical worktop. It is worth investing in a high-quality, durable material for your bathroom surfaces, that is waterproof, and resistant to stains while also boasting style. Use a bright, monochromatic design to dress your vanity and embrace colour.
Lighting
Set the right atmosphere and add colour to your bathroom with lighting. Consider placing colourful wall fixtures that have an IP44 rating near your vanity to properly illuminate where you get ready each morning. Or why not go grand with a maximalist, multi- coloured glass chandelier in the centre of the room for a touch of drama?
The mirror
Another easy way to add colour to your bathroom is through smart mirrors. Featuring LED lighting, demisters, or Bluetooth functionality so you can stream you favourite songs at all times, you are bound to find your ideal design to boost your vanity area’s style and practicality factor.
Accessories
They are a great way to either pick up and enhance certain colours in tiles or wallpaper, or do the opposite and create a pop of contrast. For a cohesive look, match soap dishes, bins, trays, and other miscellaneous storage solutions. Accessories come in a variety of materials, from resin to glass, so you’re bound to find something that suits your space.
Let’s talk walls and floors
Add colour to your bathroom through wallpaper
Take your bathroom design one step further with patterned, waterproof wallpaper. Coverings like this are an easy decorating technique for a bold all-over look or a feature wall. The options are numerous, so you can truly personalise your space. Nature-inspired motifs in soft shades are set to bring a sense of tranquillity in your bathroom, for instance, while geometric patterns add a layer of interest.
Paint
How could we not mention paint? Just make sure your chosen shade is suitable. Due to high humidity levels and water exposure, it has to be mould and mildew resistant and withstand splashes. A good primer with mildewcide additives will also help. As for the tone, blues and greens provide a sense of serenity, while rich shades of red and orange are more stimulating. Do you want to set a calming and nurturing mood? Then pink is ideal to wrap yourself in a tranquil feeling.
Tiles
One of the key features in a bathroom – tiles protect your walls and floors from splashes and moisture while also adding style. The best bit is that you are not restricted to one shape or a single tone. You could lay colourful metro tiles on half the walls, hexagonal shapes on the floor, and add a dash of luxury with marble-inspired large-format designs in the shower area. The key is to have fun and be daring when designing your bathroom to create a truly unique and multi-coloured scheme. If you’re choosing tiles for the floor, remember to look at their slip rating. Also keep in mind that larger-format tiles mean less grout, which equals less maintenance.
The flooring
Tired of your flooring? Instead of tiles, why not install an alternative such as vinyl or laminate, which are cost-effective, moisture resistant, durable, and easy to clean. These materials come in an extensive palette of vibrant colours, patterns, and finishes, too. So you’re bound to find something for your dream design.
Add colour to your bathroom through small details
Handles
For a pared-back scheme, a subtle way to embrace colour is through hardware. From calming greens to striking pinks, swap your old handles for a bolder option. There is plenty to choose from – think pull and twist designs, bars, and knobs, which all make for an easy upgrade for your furniture and to personalise your space.
Grout
Often overlooked when designing a bathroom, but it’s the one small but key details that can really add interest to your space. Test different colours until you discover the hue that complements your tile choice and take your walls and floors to the next level.
In conclusion, whether you just want to add a subtle pop of colour to your bathroom through small features or completely drench your space in vibrant hues, remember to have fun and dare to go bold.