Table of Contents:
The bathroom. It's an essential part of the home that's often neglected when it comes to interior design; but having a bathroom with a relaxing atmosphere can be conducive to a good mood, helping to support your daily routines and make your home a cohesive unit.
If you're trying to create a calming bathroom feel, you might be wondering - what's the most relaxing colour for a bathroom?
Colour is a huge factor in interior design. It's believed by colour psychologists that different colours have different effects on our mood. While not universally deterministic due to individual and cultural differences, colour psychology can still be a valuable tool in the interior design industry, especially for helping to foster positive atmospheres.
In this article, we'll explore six of the top calming colours, as indicated by colour psychologists, to help you choose the perfect shade for your bathroom. We'll also discuss a few points to consider so your bathroom can really shine.
What is the Most Relaxing Colour for a Bathroom? 6 Colour Ideas
1: Off-White
In colour psychology, white is often associated with purity and cleanliness, making it a great choice for a calming bathroom.
Avoid using brilliant white shades in bathrooms as they can create a stark and overly bright appearance. Instead, opt for off-white shades, which provide a softer and simpler look.
For a fresh and calming atmosphere, consider using off-white shades with cool undertones of blue or green. For a softer, warmer look consider off-white shades with undertones of yellow or orange.
2: Grey
Grey is a sophisticated and elegant choice for bathrooms that is both timeless and versatile. In colour psychology, grey is believed to have a calming and unemotional effect, making it a great neutral tone for a soothing atmosphere.
Grey can effortlessly blend with various colours such as white, green or blue and complements a wide range of interior design styles, whether you're going for a minimalist or maximalist aesthetic.
For a sleek and modern look, consider a dark shade such as charcoal or stone grey. If you want to create a softer, more elegant aesthetic, consider paler or more silvery shades of grey.
3: Blue
In colour psychology, blue is considered to be the most soothing colour choice. The colour of the sky and the ocean - blue is an unbeatable choice for bathrooms.
Most shades of blue work in bathrooms, from soft baby blue to rich navy.
Lighter blues can evoke a sense of tranquillity and serenity, while darker blues can bring a more dramatic and sophisticated feel to the space.
If you want to get a touch of blue without overwhelming your bathroom, consider using patterned blue and white tiles or blue-themed wallpaper.
4: Green
A colour closely associated with nature, green is considered to have soothing, rejuvenating and harmonising effects. If you're looking to create an earthy or organic look in your bathroom, consider one of the many beautiful shades of green.
Like blue, most shades of green can work in a bathroom. If you want the space to feel bigger, brighter and more serene, consider pale greens such as mint or seafoam green. For a bold and sophisticated look, consider rich, cool greens such as emerald or forest green. If you're looking to create a natural and gentle aesthetic, consider tones such as sage or olive green.
5: Pink
Pink is a colour with connotations of love, romance and femininity. Colour psychologists say pink has a gentle and calming effect, making it a great choice for those aiming to foster a peaceful atmosphere in their bathrooms.
Pink has become a popular bathroom colour in recent years, as interior design enthusiasts aim to fill their homes with eclectic decor to create a positive atmosphere. Pink can bring warmth to your bathroom without overwhelming the room like yellow or orange might.
Mastering a pink bathroom aesthetic is all about choosing the right colour tone and distribution. For bright shades like bubblegum pink, use the colour conservatively, balancing with neutral tiles and white trim. For softer peach or blush pink, you can be more generous with wall coverage and even extend the colour to cabinets and fixtures.
6: Lavender
In colour psychology, lavender is associated with feelings of tranquillity, relaxation, and sophistication. According to the experts, the colour lavender has a gentle and soothing effect, making it another great option for an ultimately soothing bathroom.
A lavender bathroom can feel incredibly fresh and enlivening, and with it being a relatively mild colour, you can safely use it as your predominant wall colour. Just be sure to balance it with some neutrals to prevent the space from feeling monotonous.
If you just want a touch of lavender, consider using it as an accent colour through vases, plant pots, towels or ornaments.
Other Factors to Consider
Use Dark or Highly Saturated Colours Sparingly
When it comes to bathroom design, very bold or saturated colours should be used sparingly. Pairing bold colours, such as black wall paint, with light tiles or plumbing fixtures can create a balanced contrast of light and dark, adding visual interest without overpowering the space.
Consider Using Patterns
If the idea of singular or block colours in your bathroom feels lacklustre or you want to infuse some depth and visual interest into the space, consider incorporating patterns in the form of patterned tiles or wallpaper.
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
The 60-30-10 rule is a popular method used by interior designers to create the perfect colour scheme.
First, select three colours. The hues you choose will depend on how colourful you want your bathroom to be. To maintain ultimate simplicity, opt for 1-3 neutral colours for a base and choose 1-2 colours of your choice to add some vibrancy if you wish.
With your three colours chosen, allocate 60% to a dominant colour (typically your base/neutral shade), 30% to a secondary colour, and 10% to an accent colour. For example, you might opt for an off-white wall colour (60%), blue bathroom tiles (30%), and pink accents via accessories such as ornaments, bathmats or towels.
Avoid Overly Warm Shades
While you don't need to avoid all warm tones, be wary of colours that can make your bathroom feel stifling and heavy, such as highly saturated reds, oranges and yellows.
This is especially true if you have a small bathroom. Instead, consider muted colours with warm undertones such as blush pink, warm white or buttermilk yellow.
Consider the Room Position
Before deciding on a paint colour, assessing whether your bathroom faces north, south, west, or east can prove to be a useful exercise.
To make a room feel brighter and more spacious, it's crucial to choose colours that complement the amount of natural light the room receives and the colour and intensity of that light.
Check out our helpful guide on this topic to ensure you get your bathroom colour just right.
Related: Choosing Room Colour Based On Natural Light | A Guide for North, South, West & East-Facing Rooms
Don't Neglect Lighting
When selecting a colour for your bathroom, it's essential to consider the lighting as the design won't stand out if the lighting isn't optimal.
Regarding natural light, small or frosted glass windows can limit the amount of natural light. If your bathroom has these limitations, opting for lighter wall colours can help to distribute the light more effectively throughout the room.
For artificial lighting, pay attention to the colour temperature of the lightbulbs you use. Cool white lightbulbs can make the space feel colder, which is beneficial in bathrooms with warm colours to balance the warmth. On the other hand, in a bathroom with a cold paint colour, using cool white lightbulbs could make it feel clinical and dim. The same principle applies vice versa with warm colours and warm white lightbulbs - this combination can make the room feel overly warm and saturated. Finding the right balance is key.
If you want to create a calming atmosphere in the evening, such as for a romantic bath, consider using warm ambient lighting to enhance relaxation.
Choosing the Right Type of Paint
Some paints (and wallpaper if that's something you're considering) are specifically designed to cope with the humidity of bathrooms. Bear this in mind when choosing the paint type, consulting an expert if in doubt.
Related Articles:
Disclaimer: Your invaluable support through affiliate links allows us to sustain our mission of continuously inspiring and guiding you on your enriching home decor journey. It aids us in providing valuable insights, recommendations, and resources, ensuring that we can consistently offer quality content and advice to elevate your home's aesthetic and comfort.
Comments