How do I choose a color for my bathroom?

Charl
by Charl

I have a rust colored tile on my bathroom floor which I’m stuck with! What colors could I use that would work with the tile...not green or yellow...something neutral. What color walls should I do and what color should I accent with? I have a white vanity. Thanks!

  14 answers
  • Sewstar Sewstar on Nov 15, 2018

    A pale blue/grey would look really pretty.

  • Jane Jane on Nov 15, 2018

    I don't have a pic at this time since I am working on it. But I painted mine a grey. It is my laundry room and I have a white washer and dryer and counters. It looks nice. You would have to find a warmer grey.

  • Kay Kay on Nov 15, 2018

    Hi mine is a brownish color, I put a slate blue on the walls. Looks nice. You could use Navy or what ever Colt you like.

  • Gk Gk on Nov 15, 2018

    A pale blue, a light gray, or a blue gray/gray blue!

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Nov 15, 2018

    Charl, it all depends on your use of the room. Is it a powder room - or one you use daily? Do you want it to 'pop'? Since you're basically working with white and a fairly neutral color - you could go any way you want. If it were me, I'd pick a 'theme' that I would like to use for decor and choose a wall color that would go with that. For example, Nautical. The floor is already the color of sand! A blue or gray would be great and you could use shells and other 'beachy' stuff as decor. Just stop telling yourself you are limited by the floor and run with that. Plus, you can always add a runner in front of the vanity and toilet to cover part of the tile. Have fun with your DIY!

  • Sarah Sarah on Nov 15, 2018

    Could you paint your tile? That's another great option that might get the tile closer to a style you actually like!

  • Within the Grove Within the Grove on Nov 15, 2018

    What about a creamy white? So it brings out the warmth in the tile but also brightens the space.

  • Karen Duer Karen Duer on Nov 16, 2018

    Maybe a light terra cotta color on the walls or just one accent wall (behind the shower or toilet).

    The others a smoky gray color, accented with a smoky gray rugs.

    Add some natural photos of sunsets or of the area you live in.


  • Deb C Deb C on Nov 16, 2018

    Paint the floor white/cream and then use a stencil. Then use your favorite color on the walls‼️

  • Christierei Christierei on Nov 17, 2018

    I would look for a floor mat that you like that has a bit of rust or terracotta in it. Then pick a wall color from the mat. I was in the store today and saw lots of patterns with blues, whites,rust .

  • Roberta Rhodes Roberta Rhodes on Nov 17, 2018

    I would not color coordinate walls with the current tile color which is an like Adobe Tan, ie., unless you love “theme SW.”. You could use some stenciling on the floor tiles to lighten the institutional quality, and put the color of the stenciling on the walls, if appropriate. Dark floor and light walls acceptable, so you could use a dark grey stencil color and light grey (Light Pewter) on the walls. Greys and tans do mix well together. Check out the DIY and You Tube treatments on tiles. i would go for a modern type look on the floor stencil to lift the mood of that color. On the other hand, I know a person with a bathroom that has deep brown walls, brown tiles and white woodwork and cabinets, and low lighting in the powder room.

  • CarlyTee CarlyTee on Nov 17, 2018

    If it’s a small room, you could find a lino off-cut and lay that over the tiles. Or, buy the lino that you lay in planks. Either way, I’d try to find a lino pattern along the lines of wood planks with a white/grey wash. Then use whites and greys on the walls.

  • Karen Daniels Karen Daniels on Nov 18, 2018

    You can lay vinyl wood planks right over tile now. The underlayment is attached right to the plank. That’s an affordable option if you want something different and more versatile. YouTube “vinyl over tile”. It’s fascinating! I’m getting ready to do my whole house.

    • See 1 previous
    • Karen Daniels Karen Daniels on Nov 18, 2018

      It’s AMAZING!!! I just happen to stumble upon it and I’m so glad I did. Several people have done “1 year later” videos and its held up fantastically. I can’t wait to get started on mine. I have a cream/tan colored tile throughout right now (see photo). Severely dated! It came with the house. I can’t stand it. If I put something tan or brown next to it I can see the red-ish tones in the tan color. Because of this It’s really difficult to color coordinate with.

      I’m not sure where you live but Home Depot carries the vinyl planks I told you about. I attached a screenshot of the specs.

      Anyhoo, I hope it works out for you.

  • Karen Daniels Karen Daniels on Nov 20, 2018

    These pics will give you some ideas.