I need help figuring what color to paint in my bathroom!

Erica Lea
by Erica Lea
I can not figure out what paint color to use. I was going to go with a teal.... This is the last project so I wont change the tile until later on... Help pleasssseee
  58 answers
  • Patty Patty on Jan 06, 2017

    I'd stay with your basic colors, cream, black & red. Eliminate the pink paisley and grey frames on the shutters. Everything would tie in nicely with a cream shower curtain, cream frames and a splash of red towels throughout.

  • Arianna Elizabeth Mears Arianna Elizabeth Mears on Jan 06, 2017

    I agree that the paisley and black/white tiles clash horribly. But if your goal is to keep the paisley curtain and the floor tiles, I would pick a color from within the paisley to do the walls. Either coral, green, or I think there is some shade of blue in there? It's hard to tell from your pictures. Good luck!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 06, 2017

    I agree stay with neutral colors.

  • Mbe13118622 Mbe13118622 on Jan 06, 2017

    I have basically the same bathroom. I painted the walls and ceiling white. Brought the color in with the window, rug and shower curtain treatment. Hot Pink, or Yellow, or Turquoise. Looks great.

  • Cat Cat on Jan 06, 2017

    I'd go with a light grey

  • Cheryl Markus Reynolds Cheryl Markus Reynolds on Jan 06, 2017

    Since you're going to be leaving the tile I would lean towards blues or greens, but not true blue or green. Find a nice shade of teal or turquoise for your accessories and paint the wall and the shutters a cream color to match the tile. You also might want to swap out the toilet seat for a cream-colored one as well.

  • Tammy Ingrum Tammy Ingrum on Jan 06, 2017

    I would remove floor tile...leave black and white tile(i like that)! Use a nice bright yellow like a lemon...Change the shower curtain in the same shade of yellow. I'd pic out towels and curtains before the paint! There are so many nice shades of yellow out there! It makes you feel good all over!

  • Laura Laura on Jan 06, 2017

    I'm nuts about checkered fabrics/tiles, send them to me they are awesome!! I'd do gum ball red or bright yellow on the walls, even silver would be fun. Remove floor tiles, sand subfloor, lay old scratched vinyl records and seal with polyurethane. Do re-tro music theme shower curtain, install shower radio or karaoke system and sing away!!!

    • Jan Jan on Jan 07, 2017

      Love your floor idea ! I'd do the walls in the same cream as the tiles, use red towels, bath rug, & shutter curtains the same shade of blue-red as a Coca Cola sign. Cream shower curtain same color as tiles, only because the room is small. If it were bigger I'd use a red shower curtain, with cream & red towels. Enough to pop, but not enough to overwhelm. And if she doesn't want to go with the vinyl records, either black or cream tiles to replace those brown ones. Love the red!

  • Kathy Korson Kathy Korson on Jan 06, 2017

    Red!!!

  • Teresa Teresa on Jan 06, 2017

      I tend to like a flattering colors blue and green here are some of those with a black and white tiles. Hope this helps Teresa

  • Mbe13118622 Mbe13118622 on Jan 06, 2017

    what do you think?

    • LeaC LeaC on Jan 07, 2017

      That's really nice and I love the floor tile.

  • W.g14683300 W.g14683300 on Jan 07, 2017

    The black and white tile are the focal point, so I would not use any bold colors that would try to take over the tile -- way too overwhelming, especially for a small room. I would use pastels to help soften the look of the tile, until you decide to change it. And no patterns -- the paisley clashes with the tiles.

  • Rebecca Balent Rebecca Balent on Jan 07, 2017

    I love the tile! I would go bold! Red, cobalt, etc

  • Nancy Riecke Nancy Riecke on Jan 07, 2017

    We paintrd ours a cheery yellow with lavender towels and rugs. Love it.


  • Paddywagon Paddywagon on Jan 07, 2017

    White!

  • Dee B Dee B on Jan 07, 2017

    If you're looking for a fun retro idea you could use old Coca-Cola signs to add a splash of red to match the window shutters and maybe other red accents - rug, soap dish, etc. Leave the walls white. Maybe even just a plain white shower curtain with red or black hooks.

  • Katy Katy on Jan 07, 2017

    I'd go with yellow!

    • Desertcat lady Desertcat lady on Jan 08, 2017

      Hi, i just did these colors in my kitchen, paint it a rich color cream, tile on the floor marble look with cream and black in it, then i used red, you could have red curtains, shower curtain, towels or black, around yourframe with red in side, my Dr, office was done like it, looked so neat, good luck, you can go with more black and a pop of red!!🐰

  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Jan 07, 2017

    While I love yellow, they say you should not use yellow in a bathroom, due to the hue it puts on your skin and not good for putting on makeup.

    Is there a little teal, green or blue in the floor tile, if so choose one of those and paint your walls even your cabinet and/or cabinet doors. Change out your paisley shower curtain it clashes.

  • Jlr5751221 Jlr5751221 on Jan 07, 2017

    I did mine in a silvery gray with red curtain and rug.

  • Robin Burnham-Moynihan Robin Burnham-Moynihan on Jan 07, 2017

    Paint the black tiles and vanity the gray of the shutters, then everything else works okay together. Rust-oleum sells tub and tile paint...just make sure to sand well.

  • Erica Lea Erica Lea on Jan 07, 2017
    I like it!
  • Millie Millie on Jan 07, 2017

    I think I'd paint the walls white (or cream, as the tiles look cream on my monitor), & the shutter frames white/cream if you are keeping them. I think the teal will close you in and make it feel smaller and cave-like. I'd put up a black and white stripe shower curtain, not large stripes, maybe ticking stripes. I'd also put the same stripe in the shutters, or make a pull-up balloon shade from the same fabric to soften the harder lines of the tiles and the stripes. Target online has a great variety of shower curtains. Order two so you can have fabric for the shutters or balloon curtain. I'd also put up a blind so you can pull the balloon shade up for light but still control the privacy if needed. If privacy isn't an issue, skip the blind. You could then do pops of color with pictures/frames, tissue holder, water glass, or DIY art. I'd keep the floor rugs black for continuity, and as large as you can find and afford.

  • Cwilson Cwilson on Jan 07, 2017

    hot pink and teal would do a cool 1980s theme. Or you could do a bubble gum pink and do a 1950s theme. I would do pink poodles on the shower curtain and a pink poodle type toilet paper cover that is crocheted etc. if you go with a 1950s theme the vanity will be fine. Just add some throw rugs for the floor.

  • Reblcant Reblcant on Jan 07, 2017

    tOption 1: you can spray paint the black and white tiles all one color, I wouldn't waste time doing just the black ones. Choose the middle color range in the floor tile then do the lightest color on the walls. Darkre color is on bottom to anchor the wall. Then you can accessorize with shower,towels, and window treatment In the same color with a print shower curtain. Blinds with balloon valance?


    option 2: keep tile, paint warm creamy white or cream color to match the tile. Doesn't look white to me. accessorize with red and cream print or stripe shower and balloon valance. If keeping the shutter, that should be the same color as The wall color. but I would remove it.


    Option 3: if bold is what you are looking for then red would look awesome. Then a pinstripe red and white or black and white using red towels that match the walls. Use a red or black rug runner on the floor to conceal floor color.

    The floor color and wall tiles are clashing.

  • LeaC LeaC on Jan 07, 2017

    Just me but I would paint it red. Take out the shutters and refresh them and paint them black with white curtains. Paint the trim around the door and shower white. I would also replace the tile with larger tiles of black and white tiles and use white edging instead of black. And just because, replace the flooring with white tile with some sparkle! Good luck!

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Jan 07, 2017

    I would stay white with the walls, add color with the shower curtain - like yellow.


  • Linda Keser Linda Keser on Jan 08, 2017

    I would paint the tiles soft peach and change the curtains to cream in order to match the sink and counter. These colors will make the bathroom look more balanced visually.

  • Tracy Floer Tracy Floer on Jan 08, 2017

    I would just change out all the colours going on in there.Simple black and white .White shower curtain neutral fabric in the cabinet. modern or vintage depending on your taste. keep it simple. looks pretty small,. when you to many colours it makes it seem cluttered and small

    • 861650 861650 on Jan 09, 2017

      Great idea! I decorated my mother's bathroom the same way. She had "pink" café curtains, a pink trash can and fluffy pink rugs. UGH! However, in a small bathroom I chose a white shower curtain with black trees (just a few) on them with no leaves, otherwise it would be too busy.

  • Banjojane66 Banjojane66 on Jan 08, 2017

    Ok, here I go, Just my image of a retro bathroom.

    - Replace the shower curtain with one that's a solid true red color. (not enough red or chrome in your picture) A silver curtain would be exciting!

    -Paint shutters black, just the wooden frames, or remove them for shelves ( in the corners) for bath items, leaving some space to enjoy the window too (you might want to hang white draw curtains to fit the inside of your shutters, instead of the red ones you have now).

    -Remove the towel rod with the white tile and switch the white tiles on the back wall ......(near your shower, so you can grab a towel when you come out of the shower) and save money on buying another white tile to replace the towel rod tiles, that you removed!! This way, you can move your towel rod away from the toilet!!

    -Find a nice fuzzy soft gray and black carpet, to cover your floor. (I prefer solid black), (fun for squishing clean feet and toes!!)

    I see the color of your vanity is the same color of the drawers below, so I suggest the drawers could be painted a medium gray, with a black trim.

    -Some wallpaper stores have nice borders,(red roses!!) to put around your wall to break up the bold black tile. You can replace the broken tiles for a new color corner tile in a different color, like gray or chrome! This will cover that hole in the wall, and separate the vanity from the toilet, making it look bigger..

    - Your back wall ,on right side of window could use a small wall lamp (with chrome) to lighten the colors and provide you a warm area to breakup the monotony of three bold colors. If you don't have a stud in that part of the back wall, then try to attach a shelf on your wall to brace your studs and then put up a wall lamp.

    -The mirror could be moved to the back or inside of your bathroom door, so it doesn't look too cluttered,.....(just from what see in your picture).

    Thank you for allowing me to be a 5-minute decorator for your lovely bathroom in retro style! I'm over 60 and I love retro, (if you have ever watched a movie called "Poirot, by Agatha Christie", you will understand my image of retro. I'm having fun giving ideas to others about their home improvements. I live in a small mobile home....not much I can change here.

    Happy New Year and happy decorating!!

  • Fay Fay on Jan 08, 2017

    Depending on your budget, there are different options. I love the black and white tiles, so I would leave them alone and accentuate them. Using a small dose of color (any bright color; aqua would be nice). If it was my bathroom I would use a shade of green and put a plant in the bathroom. I would paint the walls white. Then remove the shutters and make a roman shade using white and a small dash of your favorite color. I would paint the cabinet white or your color of choice. Purchasing a shower curtain in your favorite color with matching towels would pop. Using a black rug on the floor would look nice, but if you have a family it will show up dirt easily. I then would use a rug in a flat weave combining all the colors.

    Since the bathroom seems quite small, using white with pops of color will make it look less so.

    If you wanted to keep your shower curtain, purchase towels in a shade of purple to match it and make your roman shade in a tiny pin stripe of purple. Your rug would combine all of these colors. Charming.

  • CheRoc CheRoc on Jan 08, 2017

    I agree that teal may be too dark, but what about a pale aqua? But I also think you can't go wrong with a classic B&W or adding pink.

  • Elnora Lowery Elnora Lowery on Jan 09, 2017

    What really throws off this room is the color of the floor tile. If the floor tile was a marble look of white and cream with hints of gray to black it could work. The black and white tile is probably still available to patch the wall tile. White or white with black border rug for in front of vanity. If shower surround is black and white like the wall pictured then do a white shower curtain with a black border or monnagram. Paint the walls a pale shade of gray that is not at all blue but more taupe and paint all the trim, shutters, cabinet, and door a white that corasponds to the white tile. The room itself would then be quite neutral so grey towels could look great but any perky or strong color towels would work equally well.

  • Nancy landers Nancy landers on Jan 09, 2017

    How about the guilded age look? Paint the upper walls a rich cream color.. perhaps with just a hint of yellow. Accent shower and window curtains, and all accessories with gold. Then either change tile to a marbled look when you can afford it, or you might find selfstick tile in marble.

  • Dpf11414569 Dpf11414569 on Jan 09, 2017

    Keep it black and white! change accessories in monotones as whim . red, black, and white or blue black and white, or even yellow or teal. The trick is to be consistent with the accent color. Shower curtain in print that matches towels and other accessories. It can be a new bathroom in ten minutes thst way.

  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on Jan 09, 2017

    I would ditch the red & grey shutters and redo them in just white (frame & fabric) or I would do the curtains in the same fabric as the shower curtain. Paint the walls in the colour you are most attracted to in the shower curtain.

    • Diane Kirsch Diane Kirsch on Jan 09, 2017

      ....and paint the tiles...to match...or match it up with the sink....(cream)..

  • Irene Irene on Jan 09, 2017

    As soon as I caught sight of your pics, my first thought was yellow - an egg-yolk yellow (surprised even myself). Then I read some of the comments & I realized I wasn't alone. Go for it - yellow is my choice!

  • Annie Annie on Jan 09, 2017

    I've tried 3 times to respond and screen goes blank 3/4 of the way through! If you have any interest, email me at ahodie320@aol.com. You've gotten some good suggestion. Good luck. PS.

    DO NOT PAINT THE TILE!

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 09, 2017

    Hi, I would like to know what's the blue in the corner? Is it a reflection of towels? OK so here's my suggestion,paint walls the color of three tiles they don't appear to be a true white, then I would change shower curtain out for a white as well as the fabric on shuterrs. Since I font know if you need them for actual use or more for decorative look. I would buy white towels and some white cares one for sink other for shower. I would buy a beautiful orchid that loves humidity or a plant such as that and that's all. Very clean fresh look.

  • Linda Hyland Linda Hyland on Jan 09, 2017

    Paint walls same shade of what as tiles. Paint shutters bright white&use white. Fabric. Maybe white twin sheets, tied back on each side and a plastic liner under. Hang the sheets as high as possible, to make the room feel larger.Any color towels you want

  • Rosy Rosy on Jan 09, 2017

    I would keep this bath black, white and red, or cobalt blue, or aqua, or what ever color you choose and chrome pieces. Paint the sink so it's the same color white like in the tiles. Would put in pretty chrome glass type knobs for towels. For the broken tiles try going to Habitat for Humanity stores (they have stuff that people donate from projects) they might have tiles to match. My husband took pieces of wood and cut and sanded smooth and painted pieces to fit where our tile was missing. The shutters would probably remove and use a pretty shade if possible. A nice fluffy rug on the floor and fluffy towels.


  • Tracy Floer Tracy Floer on Jan 09, 2017

    Huge mirror also helps to make it seem brighter and larger.

  • Tracy Floer Tracy Floer on Jan 10, 2017

    Shutters need to dark grey our something more neutral. I agree about the floor, those peel and stick tiles are easy if you can find something you like.What is your style era of the rest of your house? Wish I could come and help yopu love doing this kind of stuff. We have completely restored a 1910 home into a victorian BB in Canada. cranberrymanor@shaw.ca if you want to check it out. I do all eras of decor for staging etc. good luck !

  • Carol Carol on Jan 10, 2017

    you can paint the tile or sink counter top with the same paint used to paint tubs. It is expensive so choose your color wisely. You might also look for color combinations on Pinterest, Right now your bathroom is too busy. everything is competing with everything else. Try to find a new solid color shower curtain and matching window curtain or buy two shower curtains the same and use the extra one to make the shutter panels. If you paint your walls teal than paint the shutters white /cream or black to match one of the tile colors. example black and white tile, teal wall, black shutter frame and white shower curtain and shutter curtain. If you want to add a wide teal border (same as the walls)to the bottom of the shower curtain That would be ok. Don't add too many different colors Or patterns...Black, white and yellow or black ,white and teal or black white and red. Whatever you decide use solid colors for window and matching solid color shower curtain. P.S. I love your current shower curtain just not with the tile. try using things on hand, like a white or yellow or red piece of cloth draped over the shower rod to see what color you want to use for the accent with the black and white tile. Or paint the tile white and start with a blank slate. I personally like white because it looks so clean.

  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on Jan 10, 2017

    No, leave the tiles they are 'classic black and white'.

  • Lindy Lindy on Jan 10, 2017

    Many great ideas above but please, please do not pain tiles. They are classic! I had an outdated marble floor in my half bath and covered them with peel and stick. It is easy and cheap!! So do that! Yellow makes me smile but so does a teal blue. I am not to concerned about the tub or the sink. The vanity can be painted to match. Throw away the shower curtain and get something solid or even clear with a hint of whatever color you choose to paint and black. Ditch the shutters completely. I would put a faux wood blind. Last but not least get some funky towels and a new mirror that is larger with a black frame. Happy decorating!

  • Peggy Moore Peggy Moore on Jan 10, 2017

    I'm for painting the walls yellow and recovering the floor with white stick-on tiles. I like the shower curtain, but I like color and pattern in home decor.

  • Laura Kackman Laura Kackman on Jan 10, 2017

    When we re-did our bathroom, I couldn't wait to get rid of the yucky yellow (Sorry yellow people!)!! We did medium to dark blue and a light blue for the ceiling. You could paint stars or little clouds on the ceiling as well (haven't got to that yet).

  • Barb in Texas Barb in Texas on Jan 11, 2017

    It's black and white tiles, paint the counter white and do the walls whatever color you love. Teal happens to be one of my favs, so go with that!

  • Ruby Chase Ruby Chase on Jan 11, 2017

    I have black and white checker floors in my Dining room . I have 1 Large teal wall and the rest just a light shade of grayish whit . My booth is red . Looks great .

  • Tammy Ingrum Tammy Ingrum on Jan 12, 2017

    I was wondering if Tucker.ericalea has made any decisions or progress on this bathroom redo? I haven't seen any replies by her! I hope we will see the finished project photos for all who has taken the time to comment!

  • Shaley Shaley on Jan 14, 2017

    try toile. not paint


  • Erica Lea Erica Lea on Jan 14, 2017

    I apologize for the delay, we are actually talking about pulling the tile out. I will post photos and everything once we start! We have been given a house from my husbands grandmother & everything is out dated, broken or something is going on so we have alot on our hands. Thank you all so much!!

    • Nancy Riecke Nancy Riecke on Jan 16, 2017

      Taking the tile out would certainly open up the room to anything that you want to do with it! Good move.

  • Gail Gail on Jan 15, 2017

    I would leave the tile. I love it and think it's classic. I would do black and white only in the bathroom with one other solid color, so painting the walls teal would be great, but then keep everything else those colors. I agree with the previous comment about the bathroom being too busy. You can do a pattern in the shower curtain, but only if it's in the same colors as what you paint the walls with the black and white. The shutters I would do black, and perhaps the fabric in the shutters a lighter version of what is on the walls. Good luck!

  • Lori Kunze Lori Kunze on Jan 15, 2017

    It's not clear what degree of change you are looking for since you talk about painting -- but you also talk about changing the tile...:


    1) Retain black and white tile (I love it!) -- repair the broken tiles...and:

    Vanity: Since little has been said about the vanity, I will start here. You would have a big impact if you change out the vanity and sink (and the shower curtain) -- it is very dated. Painting the countertop will not change the shape of the sink! Use a darker base (black or gray) and lighter countertop -- simple shape and not too big (don't know your budget, but we are all always interested in prices...least expensive one i could find is $259 including countertop and mirror: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Windsor-Park-31-5-in-W-Vanity-in-Graphite-with-Stone-Effects-Vanity-Top-in-Carrera-with-White-Basin-and-Mirror-WP30P3-GP/300209130). A pedestal sink with metal legs would be in keeping with the style of the tile (depending on the use of the bathroom -- a pedestal sink is not very convenient for a bathroom used daily). You might be able to find one at the restore.

    Floor: change the floor to white/cream -- either with a proper tile job (maybe using small hexagonal tiles in white/cream with a black accent (expensive option to give you the idea: http://www.flooringkart.com/products/retro-hex-matte-white-with-black-dot-10-14-x-11-34-inch-porcelain-floor-wall-tile-10-pcs8-4-sq-ft-per-case-1-standard-shipping/) or using some stick and peel option to to cover as suggested by others. Use a gray or white/cream.

    Paint: I would not go with a really intense color. The space is small and I think it would be overwhelming. My preference would be for a light pink -- but light gray would also be nice. Light teal could also work.

    Shower curtain and windows: This small expense will make a big difference. Get a coordinating fabric that includes black and white as well as your accent color. Someone suggested ticking -- which I think would be very cute -- use red (with pink or gray walls) or black ticking with any color walls. Here's one for $50: https://www.countrycurtains.com/product/07015s737+ticking+stripes+shower+curtain.do

    I also like the idea suggested about toile -- again in red or black. Here's one with coordinating curtains: https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Toile-Bathroom-Shower-Curtain/dp/B003QCJX1G?th=1

    Do a roller shade on the window -- in the same fabric: http://thediymommy.com/make-a-no-sew-fabric-covered-roller-shade/)


    2) Change tiles: Now you can do anything! Find a picture of a small bathroom you like on the internet and recreate it!




  • Shaley Shaley on Jan 15, 2017

    just know this our neighbors pulled their PINK tiles and they were attached to some kind of chicken wire and their was no plaster just a big hole and the studs.

  • Bbunny42 Bbunny42 on Jan 15, 2017

    I love the black and white tile too! Don't hesitate to go with a bold color and I think teal would be terrific! My master bath is very small, but I painted it lime green (actually matches Pantone's 2017 color "Greenery" or "Fernery" -- can't remember what they call it) and it makes me feel good every time I walk in. I have a great shower curtain with brightly-colored birds from World Market and a brightly-colored floral picture from Goodwill. Love my bathroom!


  • Land Land on Jan 22, 2017

    You are so fortunate to get granny's home, lucky you and very generous of her!

    I LOVE the tile! Plus, I don't see that it is damaged. I've heard many home shows say not to tear out tile unless it's a MUST. B/W is classic, I'd give anything to have these tiles on my kitchen floor or bathroom walls. Also, who knows what is behind there. But if you are intent on tearing them out, or there is damage I can't see, I'd spend a year looking at small bathrooms online (there's 1000's!) and living in the space before you do anything. I've been looking for awhile myself as it is time to change out my bathroom. You can make a huge change with just a shower curtain while you look. The tile looks like the only thing I would keep in there.


    On second look, your bathroom is almost identical to my mine-minus the wall tile and I'm thinking of a white, large black monogrammed and back border shower curtain. In a bathroom this small, the shower curtain is 1/3 of the visual. Have fun with it for sure!

  • Bib8012398 Bib8012398 on Feb 04, 2017

    You have way too much going on in there right now. For gosh sakes save your paint money for anything else. You need to decide what style you want to go with and focus on changing the many different areas around it . The black and white is cool if you change your flooring. Your paper holder and towel bars look built in, but there is soooo much more to concentrate on. Flooring would be the priority. Do you tile? Its not rocket science and could make a huge difference. No matter what color you put on the floor make sure your tile is twice the size of the tile on the wall. Line up your tiles with the grout lines of your wall tiles. Start on that visual wall and work out toward your door. I know everyone says start in the middle but with such a busy tile wall you want to start there. or go smaller black and white mosaics sold in the 12 inch mesh backed pieces. Super easy and looks professional. Go with a very soft white or grey on the walls. Run a border atop the checkerboard tile as suggested in other comments. Keep it simple. Use your favorite colors to accent in decor but the main colors on the walls very pale. If you can't afford to replace the cabinet check out Rust-oleum or Gianni cabinet painting kits - the easiest most professional looking end results and very reasonably priced. Your checkerboard walls are not going to be an eyesore if your flooring is changed.