From Bold to Subtle: How to Choose a Bathroom Colour Scheme

Choosing a bathroom colour scheme can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. In this blog we look at what you should consider before deciding on a colour and a few tips on how to get started.

What to Consider When Choosing a Bathroom Colour

Whilst choosing a new colour for your bathroom is a completely personal choice, there are a few factors you may wish to consider.

Light

Consider your bathroom at different times of the day to see where natural light falls and which areas are darker. It may be that your whole bathroom needs help in creating light and therefore a lighter colour may be an option. However, it may be that only some areas of the room are in shade, so you can be a bit more creative with colour – choosing different tones of the same colour, or completely different colours to lift those darker areas and darken the brighter ones.

Size

If your bathroom is on the small side, you may wish to choose a lighter tone to create a more airy, spacious feeling. However, smaller rooms can take big bold colours, so do not be scared to experiment with stronger tones. It all depends on the feeling you want to inspire – lighter colours will create a sense of calm and tranquillity, whilst bold colours will evoke a feeling of energy and vibrancy.

Shape

The shape of your bathroom may help to inspire the colours you choose. For example, it may be a large square shaped room, which can take either subtle tones or big bold colours. Alternatively, it may have alcoves or separate areas which can be coloured differently to the rest of the space.

Age

The age of your home may have a bearing on the colours and style you choose for your bathroom. You may live in an ultra-modern home that cries out for monotone subtlety, a 70’s detached house that allows your creativity to run wild, or a heritage home that requires deep, dark tones to evoke a sense of history.

Search for Inspiration

If you’re unsure where to start, there is no shortage of inspiration available. Glossy interior design and lifestyle magazines, the internet, and social media channels such as Pinterest and Instagram, will all provide you with ideas for your next bathroom colour scheme.

You can then use this inspiration to create your own mood boards. This will allow you to compare different colour schemes and textures and get a sense of the ambience each colour will offer. Remember that colours will look different in different areas of your bathroom. This is why ordering samples – whether that is of paint, wallpaper or a PVC wall panel – is key in choosing the right colour for you and your bathroom.

Consider the Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is an interior design belief that three is the magic number. It recommends displaying ornaments and other interior design objects in groups of three to create a pleasing and coordinated finish. This rule can also be applied to colours.

When choosing colour for your bathroom, the rule is 60-30-10. The first colour is your main, overall colour and this should be 60% of the room. The second colour is still prominent but not as so as your primary colour, and this should make up 30%. Finally, the third colour is your accent colour and is 10% of the room. Whilst this rule should result in a complementary and balanced finish, do not let it limit your imagination!

Bold or Subtle?

This really is down to personal preference. Each style offers an opportunity to create a uniquely ‘you’ bathroom, which suits both your personality and the style of your home. And whilst there are rules out there that can help you create the bathroom of your dreams, some rules are made to be broken, so always go with your gut!

Find Our Range of Available Colours and Themes

Here at National Plastics, our PVC wall panels offer an array of colour and style choices. So whether you are looking to create a calming haven of subtlety or a dopamine inducing bathroom of boldness, we have the wall panel for you. Call our friendly team of experts today on 0800 22 77 77 to find out more.