These Are the All-Time Best Bathroom Paint Colors, According to 3 Designers

The bathroom is where many people begin their days. Sleepily, folks trudge from the bedroom to the bathroom, flick on the lights, and are greeted with a new day. When you’re going through the motions of your morning or nighttime routine, you’ll want to be enveloped in one of the best bathroom colors — a hue that makes you feel something, whether that’s calm, rejuvenated, or just plain cozy. 

“The bathroom is such a key space in your daily routine — it’s where you start and end your day,” interior designer Lauren Wills Grover of Wills Design Associates, explains. “The right color needs to be both energizing for morning routines and relaxing for evenings, while still being practical for tasks like applying makeup. Color makes all the difference here.”

It’s important to be intentional about your shade selection because what you choose will likely be the jumping-off point for the rest of the design decisions in your bathroom. Interior designer Haley Beckham-Shetty of Bex Interiors says the paint color you choose is “foundational,” regardless of what style you’re going for in the space. 

“The wall color becomes the backdrop that brings everything else — fixtures, tile, rugs, and even your towels — together,” Beckham-Shetty says. “It’s like the canvas for the masterpiece you’re creating. Plus, because bathrooms are smaller spaces, the color choice really stands out. So it’s an opportunity to make a big impact with a bold or thoughtful selection.”

A bathroom is a space you should feel good in — it should be your personal sanctuary, and choosing the right paint color can help achieve that. That’s why I tapped three designers to get their takes on the best bathroom colors. Spoiler alert: I expected some of their suggestions (hello, neutrals!), but was also surprised by a few of their runner-up colors. Hopefully, you’ll find your next dreamy bathroom paint color right here. 

A few common colors rose to the top of the designers’ best bathroom color lists. Similar to the best paint color for living rooms, warm neutrals were a designer favorite — particularly creams and whites (like the bathroom that Wills Grover worked on in the photo above).

“Neutrals are incredibly versatile and timeless — you won’t get sick of them over time as trends change,” she explains. “They make the space feel larger and brighter, which is crucial as many bathrooms don’t get great natural light. Neutral tones also provide the most flattering light for makeup application.” 

Wills Grover loves Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace (OC-65) for its ability to blend with any color or finish you pair it with. Alternatively, interior designer Beth Diana Smith of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design has used Sherwin-Williams’ Oat Milk (SW-9501) in bathroom projects because of its underlying warmth. If you’re looking for a cooler neutral, Wills Grover suggests Sherwin-Williams’ Agreeable Gray SW (7029). “It’s a perfect greige that adds just enough warmth without going too beige,” she says.

Beckham-Shetty’s partial to Farrow & Ball’s School House White (No. 291). “This is a gorgeous warmer white that feels soft and welcoming,” Beckham-Shetty explains. “It’s not a stark white, so it brings a subtle coziness to the space, while still feeling fresh and clean. School House White works beautifully with marble, natural wood tones, and almost any metal finish — brass, chrome, or even black. It’s ideal for creating a neutral, timeless bathroom that feels elevated but not too clinical.”

Shades of green were another favorite for a more saturated look. Smith loves Benjamin Moore’s Rospine (461), and she also recommends Backdrop’s Kismet, which is a deeper, punchier green that she can’t wait to use in a bathroom project. Beckham-Shetty loves an earthy take with Farrow & Ball’s Vert de Terre (No. 234). 

Ultimately, both Beckham-Shetty and Smith say finding an ideal color for your bathroom depends largely on the aesthetic or mood you’re trying to capture. If you want to go light, bright, and airy, consider a lighter neutral like cream or ivory. For a moodier pick, try starting your search in the green family. 

While neutrals and greens were the most favored among the three designers I surveyed, a few other curveball shades were recommended as runners-up. If you’re looking for something jazzier or want a bit more color while still keeping it relatively calm (like in the image Wills Grover shared above), maybe these other beloved shades will work for you.

Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and development for Benjamin Moore, thinks blush pinks, like the brand’s Tissue Pink (1163), are a favorite color for bathrooms. “[These shades] reflect beautifully on the skin, especially when paired with warm lighting,” she says. “This makes it a go-to color for a powder room, dressing room, or primary bathroom, where we want to look in the mirror and feel great.”

If you’re looking for bold bathroom inspo, Smith recommends Benjamin Moore’s Elderberry Wine (CSP-470). “This shade is great for a bold look when you want to embrace color,” she explains. You can see it at work here in Smith’s project just above. If you’re looking for an even moodier shade of purple, Beckham-Shetty appreciates Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal (No. 222). 

“Brinjal is a deep, dramatic aubergine that makes a serious statement,” says Beckham-Shetty. “It’s perfect for someone who wants their bathroom to feel bold and luxurious. This color is rich and moody, pairing beautifully with brass or gold finishes, white marble, or even lighter neutrals for contrast. It’s a stunning choice for a jewel-box bathroom that feels sophisticated and a little unexpected.”

Turning a bathroom into a tranquil sanctuary is doable with the right shade of blue — as best exemplified in the photo Wills Grover shared. “Two other solid options I often recommend are minty blue shades, like Benjamin Moore’s Sweet Dreams (847) and Whispering Spring (2136-70), that create an amazing spa-like feel,” Wills Grover shares. “They’re super calming and bring in a connection to nature that we all crave.” 

Looking for a blue with a hint of gray? One of Beckham-Shetty’s other favorite color picks is Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray (No. 27), a cool blue that’s relaxing and sophisticated. 

“I’ve recently been very drawn to terracottas and mochas — imagine Pantone’s Mocha Mousse — because it can be done with a fresh twist on a color that would lend itself to be more traditional,” Smith explains. Her two favorite shades in this family are Benjamin Moore’s Walnut (CW-240) and Backdrop’s 36 Hours in Marrakesh. 

Choosing the right bathroom paint is only the first step of cultivating the oasis of your dreams. It’s also important to know which textures, finishes, and accent colors work well with the wall paint. 

When it comes to purple bathrooms, it seems the more colors, the merrier. “For purples, I love to pair grays, blacks, pinks, and brasses to create a bold and fun space,” Smith says. 

Warm neutrals can feel even cozier (and more luxurious!) by incorporating certain materials. “For a foolproof palette with Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace (OC-65), I love incorporating warm wood tones (think: walnut or white oak vanities), gray veined marble, and metallic accents,” Wills Grover says. “Brass fixtures are my usual go-to, as they add such beautiful warmth.” 

Similar to purple bathrooms, Smith says that jewel-toned spaces (think: rich colors like sapphire, ruby, and emerald) have a more-is-more advantage. Specifically, she says “anything can work.” If you want to lean into a modern look, Smith recommends using matte black hardware. 

Looking for a modern bathroom? Try pairing white walls with dramatic, bold black features like in this home’s bathroom. It makes a statement without making the room feel small. 

It’s not just whites, creams, and beiges that pair wonderfully with warm woods — green does, too. Beckham-Shetty loves greens (and blues, for that matter) for this very reason. “They can lean traditional or trendy depending on how you style them, and they pair beautifully with a range of finishes and textures,” she says. “Plus, they’re not overly saturated or loud, so they have staying power — they won’t feel dated as trends come and go.”