How do I choose a paint color for windowless bathroom?

Sue Kucinski
by Sue Kucinski

I have a small bathroom that only has three lights over the mirror and the current paint color is gray. The room is dark and doll. Can anyone provide ideas for brightening it up

  12 answers
  • 2dogal 2dogal on Feb 19, 2019

    Repaint! Everything! Ceiling included. Use light and bright colors - Like pristine white and a cheerful accent color in the towels, rug and accessories. Replace current light bulbs with brighter ones. Replace light switches from cream (in the picture) to white.

  • Heather McCord Heather McCord on Feb 19, 2019

    I have the same issue. I am doing lighter paint and possibly putting a small window in the outter wall. Also the fan had fans with lights.

  • Rymea Rymea on Feb 19, 2019

    Paint it. The lighter the better like a warm toned just barely off white. I would get at least a satin finish but a semi gloss would reflect the light better and is more water resistant. Make sure you have the brightest bulbs your light fixture allows in a neutral color, 3000K. You could put a collection of small mirrors on the wall facing the sink to bounce more light around. Even pictures framed with glass will reflect. Then get color with towels and shower curtain. But nothing dark.

  • I agree with all the above. Even try changing out your light fixtures with the kind that use only clear glass.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Feb 20, 2019

    Before choosing a paint color, change the bulbs in your light fixture to LED bulbs. Then take a look at your paint swatches under the new bathroom LED light to see how different they may appear, before making a final decision.


    I would suggest bright white, which is most clear, as opposed to warm light (yellow toned), daylight (green toned) or cool light (blue mauve toned).


    Add an additional large mirror, placed in position where it can reflect the most light will further contribute to making the room seem larger and brighter.

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  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Feb 20, 2019

    Ditto to all above. You could also use metallic Contact paper or paint to add shine and texture. Pick a wall and make it metallic. As you get used to your bathroom makeover, you may find this is your favorite wall. Your galvanizedand painted metal decor should go well with all the above suggestions, unless you go with copper or silver; in which case, you may want a copper bucket. Please post your makeover on Hometalk! This is what we like the most. Best wishes!

  • Pam LoCoco Pam LoCoco on Feb 20, 2019

    Paint the ceiling white. The walls could be painted a different shade of white with tint of yellow, blue, pinks, etc. White ceiling will always make a room appear brighter.


  • Bonnie Bonnie on Feb 20, 2019

    We painted the basement walls a french vanilla and it seems like the sun is shining

    in all the time when the light is on. In our new home our powder room is windowless and it is painted a pale blue, again bright with t he lights on. I agree

    about changing all your bulbs to led. They are amazing.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Feb 20, 2019

    I agree with the others about making sure you have the brightest light possible. You might consider changing out your light fixture to one that has 5 bulbs instead of just 3. (I did that in my windowless bath.) I'm not sure the wall color is your issue. I think your bath is lacking pops of color. I actually really like the color of your wall, but it seems like your fixtures and your decor (the bin holding toilet paper) are similar to your walls--gray walls & steel gray towels bars, etc. I think you just need (beside fixing the lighting issue) to jazz up the bath with color and pattern. Here are some suggestions: Consider wallpaper or a stencil on one wall. If you use a stencil, use bright white on top of your gray. I would switch out your electrical and light switches to white instead of beige. Even if you don't want to stencil or use wallpaper, find some bright beautiful framed prints to hang onto the wall next to the sink. Don't use 'bathroomy' prints, choose beautiful florals, geometrics, what ever art speaks to you. Use multiple prints, not just one unless it is a large poster size. It also looks like you have wall space on the wall next to your door. Add 3-5 prints there going from very low on the wall all the way up. From your prints, choose a vibrant color for towels and a bath mat. Really go for a bright color that you love. Add some greenery--artificial is OK because they make realistic looking plants now. Greenery can be hung on the wall. Go to Hobby Lobby and look at their wall hanging pots of greenery for ideas. Replace your wooden tissue holder (or spray paint the one you have) with a color from your prints. I really think if you will use some of these ideas, you will find that your wall color is just a backdrop for all the beautiful things you can put in your bath and it doesn't necessarily need to be changed.

    • I TOTALLY agree with your suggestions. There's no problem with the paint color unless she's already made up her mind that she hates it. Lighting and changing fixtures will make a big difference.

      Change the sink top to white.

      BE CAREFUL changing everything to very bright all at once. The last thing you want is to need sunglasses in there!!!

      Both of my bathrooms are windowless (townhome/condo) so I can definitely relate.

  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Feb 20, 2019

    I agree w/one light color for walls coordinated w/your tile, etc. There are lots of beautiful neutral colors available.You might also like to try a framed mirrored window. Make it light and bright w/recessed or vanity lights or both. If it is a shower bath spring for a glass shower door--those really open up a small bath. Don't be afraid to tile the shower from floor to ceiling and even the ceiling for a monochromatic look. Good luck!

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 20, 2019

    Install a fake window for extra light https://www.hometalk.com/diy/windows-doors/windows/my-long-dark-hallway-needed-some-lights-14056800?expand_all_questions=1


    Or a solar tube for natural light https://www.solatube.com/commercial


    Or add a sky light https://www.homedepot.com/b/Doors-Windows-Windows-Skylights/N-5yc1vZc5eo


    We got an EZ tubular skylight from Home Depot. Installed it in our spare bathroom that has no windows. Amazing how much light in there during the day. Have had guests look for the light switch to turn it off before exiting the room. They run under $100 and my hubby installed it himself in about 4 hours.