Bathroom colors Tips for a balanced color concept
Choosing a color in the bathroom is a tough one for many. The range of different colors on offer is huge. Furthermore, technical aspects such as high levels of moisture and cleaning have to be considered. These ideas should help you choose the right color for your bathroom.
Is special paint needed in the bathroom?
It is recommended to use special paints in the bathroom that prevent mold growth. Because of the water vapor, the room climate in the bathroom is very humid.
Conventional emulsion paints are usually not compatible with the high level of moisture seen in the bathroom. Suitable paints are labelled accordingly. Silicate paint or latex paint are both ideal.
Silicate paint has many advantages. It is breathable and can absorb and then emit moisture in the air. This improves the indoor climate. Furthermore, silicate paints are also suitable for allergy sufferers, as they are usually free of solvents. Lastly, silicate paints are mainly alkaline, which ensures that mold has no place to grow.
Latex paints are made of resins (usually artificial resins). They are moisture-resistant, robust, and easy to clean. However, please note that latex paint can be difficult to paint over as the new paint does not always adhere reliably to the surface. The removal is also very demanding – latex paint must be sanded off or leached. If you rent your home, we recommend discussing this with your landlord.
What should you watch out for when buying paint for the bathroom?
As in all home improvement projects, the work should be carried out professionally. Get advice from your local DIY shop or leave the work to a professional.
In addition to choosing silicate or latex paint, cleaning is also an important point. In the shower area in particular, acidic cleaning agents are used for removing limescale. These can damage the wall paint. In this context, paint manufacturers classify and label their products in five wet abrasion classes:
- Wet abrasion class 1: Most durable and robust, can be cleaned with normal cleaning agents, sponges, or flowing water
- Wet abrasion class 2: Robust, can also be cleaned with an abrasive sponge or brush
- Wet abrasion class 3: Limited abrasion resistance, can cope with cleaning agents, sponges, or physical strength
- Wet abrasion class 4: Sensitive, but can be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth
- Wet abrasion class 5: Least robust, can be damaged with even a soft cloth
Bathroom colors – step by step to the right color concept
Choosing the right color for your bathroom is a key step in the design process. But before you get out the color charts, you should first consider whether to use tiles.
Laying the foundations – tiles or no tiles
If you choose tiles in the bathroom, then both the tile color and size are important aspects. The “grout-free” look has become increasingly popular for some very good reasons:
- 1. Design: Grouting can disrupt the look of a room. Large tile formats create a calmer, more harmonious atmosphere in the room.
- 2. Hygiene: Grouting has a tendency to accumulate dirt – and dirt is often wiped into the grout during cleaning. Additional, time-consuming cleaning is then required to bring the bathroom back up to scratch. If not cleaned properly, mold can even build up in the grout lines.
The rear shower wall is a special case as it is exposed to a lot of moisture. If you don’t want to use tiles, here are two alternatives:
- “Elephant skin” protection: The wall is sealed with a special transparent resin that makes conventional paints or wallpaper waterproof. Please note that the surface will have a gloss finish after application.
- Latex paint: This paint is moisture-resistant and requires a waterproof plaster render. While latex paint is resistant to water vapor, it is not 100% waterproof. Please note that imperfections should not be painted over as this can lead to water damage or mold formation.
Our tip: In showers in particular, flat wall cladding is recommended to prevent water damage. Wall panels are an inexpensive option and are available in numerous colors, or with patterns and photo images.
Large tiles dispense almost entirely with grouting. A touch of luxury can be created with Stucco Veneziano or Marmorino. These are lime plasters that can be polished to a high gloss and then look like natural stone. They improve the indoor climate and have natural protection against mold, but must not be cleaned with acidic bathroom cleaners.
In a bathroom renovation, the first question is whether the existing tiles are kept or the entire room is refurbished.
Always staying up to date
Choosing feel-good colors for the wall
Colors play a key role in how large a room appears. As a result, pay attention to the size of the room when choosing the color for the walls. Bright, powerful colors tend to make a room appear smaller, while pastel shades have the opposite effect.
Classic white – a safe bet
After the wild 1970s and 1980s, white again became the color of choice in the bathroom. White remains very popular as it is associated with purity and quality.
White toilets, washbasins, bathroom furniture, and shower surfaces are timeless and can be combined well with any color.
Pastel tones are inviting and give a feeling of space
Colors such as beige, light gray, or powder shades are often seen on bathroom walls. Neutral wall colors have a modern appearance and impress thanks to their timeless beauty. Moreover, they also give white bathroom furniture, washbasins, and toilets a particularly elegant look.
- Sand shades generally give a warm feeling. Sand and nude shades harmonize body and soul and create a visible sense of peace and calm.
- A wide variety of gray tones are available. By adding a little brown, a warm gray is created. In contrast, the gray appears cool when a little blue is added.
- Pastel colors like light blue, rose pink, or mint ensure a sense of lightness and well-being in the room. When combined with white, pastel colors make a friendly impression while also making small bathrooms appear larger.
Our tip: Whatever color you decide on, always test the color in the bathroom itself before painting the wall. An easy way of doing this is by sampling several colors next to each other directly on the wall, or by painting a test pattern on wood or cardboard. Make sure you look at the results at different times of the day, as the light and surroundings (for example, the color of the tiles, bathroom furniture, or ceiling) can have a significant impact on how the color appears.
Setting accents with bathroom equipment in color
It goes without saying that bathroom ceramics and furniture also don’t always have to be white. Washbasins and toilets are also available in different colors. If this is a little too much for some people, matte ceramic appliances can be an attractive option. Products in white matte or black matte in particular are understated yet still stand out from the crowd.
Painting the walls or replacing items is not absolutely necessary to add color to the bathroom. Instead, interior designers add colorful touches with bathroom accessories. The advantage of this compared to painting is that bathroom utensils can be replaced quickly and cheaply. The following offer a splash of color:
- Textiles such as towels, bath mats, carpets, or shower curtains
- Soap dispensers, toothbrush glasses, and towel bars
- Vases and plant pots
- Pictures and sculptures
- Decorative items such as lights, candles, and candlesticks
- Small pieces of bathroom furniture
- Tailored actuator plates
Plants can also bring color to the bathroom, together with a natural ambience. But watch out, not every plant is suitable for bathrooms.
FAQs on planning colors in the bathroom
Are there any emerging trends for materials and colors in the bathroom?
Black bathroom furniture and accessories are currently in vogue. When used sparingly and combined cleverly, black products make a powerful statement. Renowned architects are now increasingly using black in the bathroom.
Wood in the bathroom remains a popular choice. It has a connection to nature like no other material and ensures a feel-good atmosphere in the bathroom thanks to its look, feel, and smell.
Combining different materials is also popular. Exciting effects can be created in this way. The advantage: If different materials are combined with one another, the result is an individual style that is pleasing both to the eye and to the touch.
In a bathroom with white taps and grey ceramic tiles, what are the best colors for decoration?
Natural stone is a popular tile choice in the bathroom. This is increasingly combined with white taps. White, grey and black are classified as monochrome colors or “non-colours”. They go with all colors and can therefore be combined perfectly. The sky’s the limit when it comes to decoration.
- Accents in soft blue or green shades give a sense of freshness and calm.
- An understated range of pastel colors creates a relaxing environment.
- Brighter colors – such as accessories in red or yellow – draw attention to finer details.
- Wood accents bring a sense of warmth to the bathroom.
- Copper and gold accents give a touch of luxury.
- White decorative elements emphasize the elegance of the taps.
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