Quite a bit goes into designing a bathroom, from picking out high-end appliances to getting the lighting scheme down. But the overall look relies on color – and the palette you choose can change the feel of a space in a second.
Whether you're looking for a bit of bold contrast or a serene room for relaxation, the bathroom's final color scheme speaks volumes. And while you'll want to ensure your space is timeless, looking to the most popular colors designers are loving right now is always a good place to start.
To get some insight on the most popular bathroom color schemes that are in for 2024, we spoke to interior designers. They shared their favorite bathroom colors and offered some tips on using these increasingly popular shades to create a bathroom oasis of your own.
What are the most popular colors for bathrooms right now?
We asked interior designers to share the bathroom colors they consider to be the most popular for 2024, the results ranged from neutral and pared-back to all-out color. These are the top bathroom color schemes designers say to try this year.
1. Earthy hues
All across the home, decorating with neutrals has been popular for quite some time. But lately, the most popular of these shades are leaning warmer, and designers are seeing an uptake in earthy, organic hues like browns and greens.
Emma Beryl, interior designer and founder of her eponymous design firm, says that these nature-inspired shades leave a bathroom with a warm and welcoming feeling. For a bit of added interest in an all-natural space, she suggests sprinkling in pops of more impactful color. 'Experimenting with accent colors through accessories, tiles, and paint and wallpaper adds a fresh and personalized touch to the space,' suggests Emma.
These earthy interiors truly shine when complemented by bright, natural lighting. According to Trish Knight, interior designer and co-founder of Knight Varga Interiors, many people are looking for that atmosphere in primary bathroom redesigns this year.
'The neutral colors are going warmer, such as creamy whites, taupes and blush or peach tones. This color palette pairs beautifully with unlacquered brass fixtures, light oak cabinetry and bold natural stone slabs,' says Trish.
2. Soothing greens
Bathrooms benefit from a soothing color scheme, and hues of blue and green are known to deliver, hence their popularity. In this master bathroom, designed by Georgia-based Lauren Robbins Interiors, a light and foamy green shade illuminates an outdoor view and makes the space feel like a true oasis.
'A bathroom, especially a master bath, needs to feel serene and like an escape from the daily grind. Soft colors like Benjamin Moore's Glass Slipper or Benjamin Moore's Sea Haze are great options for walls that ease the senses,' says Lauren Robbins.
Trish Knight, whose firm is based in Vancouver, adds that blue and green tones pair quite easily with neutrals. If the all-in green look isn't for you, there's plenty of room to mix in some more rooted shades.
'In our part of the world, surrounded by trees and water, grayed out blues and greens, paired with natural toned wood cabinetry is a great connection to nature,' she says.
Marie Cloud, owner and principal designer of Charlotte-based Indigo Pruitt Design Studio, says that popular bathroom color schemes are striking a 'perfect' balance between 'calm and punch' as of late.
'I'm seeing soothing sage greens, gentle dusty blues, and warm whites and taupes. But then for a color moment – a dash of mustard yellow or various shades of coral or peach to wake things up. I'm all about this vibe right now. It's like having a mini-spa at home with a twist,' says Marie.
3. Dramatic blues and blacks
Powder rooms are a go-to space for dark and moody paint colors, and designers say these high-impact spaces are rising in popularity in 2024. Shaunn Lipsey, principal designer and creative director of Shaunn Lipsey + Co., says that deeper hues like charcoal gray and forest green 'are emerging as favorites for adding drama' to a space. She suggests bringing these shades through accent walls or cabinetry.
'In terms of plumbing fixtures, matte black, and brass are popular choices for faucets, shower fixtures, and hardware, adding a touch of elegance and modernity to the space,' says Shaunn.
Emily Frank, interior designer and founder of Frank & Co. says that 2024 bathroom designs will 'kick it up a notch!' She says that neutrals will always have a place in the bathroom, but says black accents and unconventional grout choices are great for adding visual interest to a space.
'Loving wide grout lines for extra impact, and making our own "tile trim" in bold black to maximize impact and practicality. We're also skipping the overhead pendant lights and trading them in for chic and modern-shaped sconces spaced throughout. Bringing in vintage charm with antique mismatched mirrors for the win,' Emily explains.
4. Bold reds
Removed from the remainder of the home, a bathroom offers the perfect, often quite small, space for experimentation. If you've ever wondered what a bold and bright color scheme would look like in your own space, the bathroom might just be the place to try it out. Krysten Ledet, owner and principal designer of Krysten Ledet Interiors, says she loves 'bold, vibrant hues and passionate reds' for the bathroom at the minute.
'Vibrant hues are fantastic to pair with statement-worthy wallcoverings or geometric patterns in furnishings to infuse creativity and personality, resulting in a contemporary flair. Passionate reds are a powerful selection, which I enjoy using as an accent of full wall color, as they add a sense of excitement and energy to any space, especially bathrooms,' says Krysten.
In terms of bold bathroom colors that are popular right now, of course, it's red. Red is being used more and more frequently in interiors, and that love for this bold rich color is going nowhere. Krysten adds that decorating with red hues allows you to experiment with bolder shades as well, contributing to a 'casual yet sophisticated feel.'
5. Rich wood tones
Natural wood tones are a popular scheme for 2024 across the board, and Joe McGuier and Megan Prime of Brooklyn-based studio JAM, say the bathroom is no exception. Joe says the firm has seen more integration of timeless design concepts within projects, with a wide array of materials making comebacks.
'A prime example is mixing a light marble with dark wood, which creates a striking contrast and a cohesive blend of textures. Rich woods, in general, are definitely having a moment, and we are into it,' he says.
Megan adds that shades of yellow, orange and green, along with 'heavy use of texture and pattern' pair beautifully with the natural wood look. 'These elements come together to transform the bathroom – typically a very ordinary space – into one that’s vibrant and uplifting,' she says.
6. Monochrome color schemes
Because bathrooms are typically self-contained, they're the perfect canvases for monochrome color schemes, and 2024 is seeing the concept resurge in popularity. Becky Shea, says she has her eye on all-Tadelakt bathrooms at the moment, 'where all the walls boast the same color and finish, and there are no grout lines.'
'The seamless and clean aesthetic it offers is simply irresistible to me. Pairing this with beam work or intricate trim details on the ceiling adds another layer of sophistication. There's a unique harmony that emerges when these two elements come together, creating a sense of balance and discipline that resonates perfectly with the principles of purist design,' says Becky.
She adds that the all-one-shade look elevates a small room's design style and leaves the owner with a calm and serene mindset. 'It's this meticulous attention to detail and the marriage of smooth, uniform surfaces with intricate ceiling features that elevate the overall aesthetic and bring a touch of refined elegance to the bathroom space.'
7. Pinks and peaches
In this bathroom, designed by Indigo Pruitt Design Studio, an eye-catching feature wall of peach tile brings a calm and peaceful energy to a contemporary bathroom.
Jill Steinberg, co-founder and COO of Fine & Dandy Co. says that bathrooms present the perfect opportunity to make choices you wouldn't make elsewhere in your home, adding that their often small areas can be made to feel much bigger with the right color combinations.
'Soft pink and peachy walls are really flattering when putting on makeup, and choosing something reflective like a high gloss paint finish or a metallic wallcovering can visually expand a room,' she says.
No matter your design style or color inclinations, these popular bathroom colors prove there's something for everyone in the bathroom design world for 2024. White and gray bathrooms are still timeless yes, but this year designers are seeing bolder and warmer shades rise in popularity, so whether you are doing a whole remodel or just painting a wall let these shades inspire a switch.
