Francesco Lagnese
Don’t let its beautiful backsplash, trendy touches, or a luxurious tub fool you: At the core of a well-designed bathroom is a fabulous paint shade. After all, paint has the power to transform every space, so why would your bathroom be an exception? Though footprint and amount of natural sunlight come into play when making the big decision, the good news is that you have no shortage of options. Neutrals for a pared-back pad? Dark moody tones for a hint of drama? A bold pop of color to embrace your maximalism? The sky’s the limit. The hard part, however, is choosing the right pigment, which can be an incredibly daunting task. To help, we asked a handful of industry-favorite designers to share their go-to shades. Their responses fall on every end of the color spectrum—all you need to do is choose one.
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1
Newburyport Blue by Benjamin Moore
“I love using Newburyport Blue by Benjamin Moore in bathrooms, especially powder rooms with little or no natural light. It is a very strong color that immediately evokes a warm richness.”
—Kate Hunt, Kathryn Hunt Studios
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2
Mopboard Black by Benjamin Moore
“I often use Benjamin Moore’s Mopboard Black for bathrooms. I love a dark, moody powder room that feels both mysterious and elegant. Mopboard Black is a hue that feels warm and has a lot of depth of color—perfect for a bathroom.”
— David Frazier
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3
Simply White by Benjamin Moore
“It is a fresh, warm, and buttery white that works well with nearly any design palette. My recommendation is to go for a matte finish, which brightens the space while creating soft depth as the lighting changes throughout the day.”
—Jeremy Graef, Connate Design
“I love pattern and color, but sometimes a classic white is the way to go! Keeping some bathrooms clean and crisp in the perfect white like Benjamin Moore’s Simply White OC-117 allows the other elements to shine. Add in a high sheen finish for dramatic effect, and you have the blending of timelessness and luxury.”
—Robin Gannon, Robin Gannon Interiors
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4
Chartreuse by Benjamin Moore
“For an exciting pop of color in an unexpected place, we love to use something completely off the wall for a bathroom, like Benjamin Moore’s Chartreuse. Typically in primary baths, we like to take a softer approach, but a pool bath was the perfect place to bring in a color not typically used in bathrooms. We even used this as a catalyst for the outdoor color scheme.”
—Zandy Gammons, The Warehouse
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5
Dried Thyme by Sherwin-Williams
“This color, a warm blend of green and gray, is perfection for a powder room designed to make heads turn. It’s both sexy and soothing while creating an instant feast for the eyes—especially when paired with a bold wall covering.”
— John McClain, John McClain Design
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“My absolute favorite white of all time is Calm by Benjamin Moore. It has a soft, cozy feel with a drop of warm gray in the hue. It feels crisp, clean, and timeless and is particularly responsive to changes in lighting, whether natural or artificial. It is extremely versatile no matter what style, color scheme, or room you are working with.”
—Allison Babcock, Allison Babcock Design
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7
Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams
“My favorite color is Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams. I place the Iron Ore–painted walls in sequence with mirrors to balance out the tones and paint the ceilings a lighter color. I also place the sconces on the painted wall to give a gentle and subtle glow to the color.”
—Mauricio Lobeira, Ten Plus Three
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8
Crisp by Portola Paints
“Portola Paints’ Crisp is true to its name. It’s the perfect crisp, clean, bright white with a subtle hint of warmth that works equally well in a small powder room as it does in an airy primary bath.”
— Molly Torres Portnof, DATE Interiors
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9
Razzle Dazzle by Benjamin Moore
“It’s certainly not for everyone, but we painted our bathroom Benjamin Moore’s Razzle Dazzle—an homage to Elsa Schiaparelli’s trademark Shocking Pink—and there is not a more flattering color. The reverb of four walls of hot pink always keeps you looking like you just returned from a tropical vacation; healthy and tan no matter your actual condition.”
—William Cullum, Jayne Design Studio
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10
Organdy by Benjamin Moore
“I love a soft dusty blush pink in a bathroom for the way it warms up any complexion, especially on those early mornings when you could use a boost in the mirror. Organdy looks fantastic alongside neutral white tiles, Carrara marble, and even a multicolor tile medley.”
—Noz Nozawa, Noz Design
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11
Dark Purple by Benjamin Moore
“Dark Purple from Benjamin Moore is a rich aubergine that is equal parts regal and sexy. It’s ideal in a bathroom because it is dramatic, moody, and enveloping.”
—Kristin Kong, K Kong Designs
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12
Alabaster by Benjamin Moore
“There is a timeless and universal purity to this classic shade of white. But it is the subtlest undertone of pink that lends this color its real magic in the bathroom. Combined with warm lighting from sconces, this wall color proves the perfect backdrop to see our best complexion reflected in the bathroom mirror.”
—Michael Cox, Foley&Cox
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13
Sweater Weather by Sherwin-Williams
“The paint color I’m totally grooving with these days would have to be Sherwin-Williams’s Sweater Weather. I love the balance of warm and cool tones all wrapped into a neutral that’s workable with so many concepts and color palettes.”
—Quintece Hill-Mattauszek, Studio Q
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14
Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball
“I love Cinder Rose in a traditional setting, painted above the dado with lots of white subway tile and a gorgeous basketweave marble floor. Please go ahead and paint the ceiling too! Every time you look in the mirror you will be rewarded with a gorgeous, healthy glow created by this beautiful, rich color.”
—Kimille Taylor, Kimille Taylor
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15
Adrift by Sherwin-Williams
“Adrift is a soothing shade to use in a seaside bungalow, or the perfect way to conjure those beach vibes wherever you reside!”
—Rayman Boozer, Apartment 48
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16
Teresa’s Green by Farrow & Ball
“Teresa’s Green is a light celadon that provides a soothing environment and complements a wide color palette of accessories. I often pair it with large-scale blue ginger jars to hold makeup remover wipes, and smaller blue-and-white accessories for other personal grooming items. Add in fluffy white towels and silver trays for linen-like cotton towels, as we are all washing our hands one thousand times a day.”
—Joy Moyler, Joy Moyler Interiors
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17
Fresh Kicks by Clare Paint
18
Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball
“This watery blue tone is perfect for a bathroom, a space that we typically want to feel bright and clean. It may be a bit bold for a master bath, or for all the walls of a bathroom, but it’s just the right intensity for cabinetry or for a smaller powder room.”
—Christine Markatos, Christine Markatos Design
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19
Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore
“My go-to paint color is always Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore. It's the perfect warm white without the yellow undertones. I love pairing that with high-gloss Super White for doors and trims in the bathroom to add a bit of contrast and pop—creating the perfect balance of neutral warmth with a touch of modern flair.”
—Marina Hanisch, Marina Hanisch Interiors
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20
Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore
“I always start with the stone when designing a bathroom, and that begins to inform the color palette. Pale Oak partners well with most marbles, enhancing the vein in the marble, but equally works to soften a dark tile. Be careful, it can go gray or beige depending on the light. Personally I love that about it, but depending on the space, it can be tricky.”
—Bradley Odom, Dixon Rye
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21
Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore
“I love bathroom stones that have clean whites and light grays in them. I like to pair that with a light gray paint color—like Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray—to pull that color onto the walls. It's a crisp way of keeping things neutral but tying it all together.”
—Lauren Behfarin, Lauren Behfarin Design
"Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray is a great paint color for the bathroom—whether on the walls or cabinets. It is a versatile warm neutral that looks wonderful with soft whites and grey, darker navy and even bright pink."
— Blair Burton, Blair Burton Interiors
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22
Softer Tan by Sherwin-Williams
“Sherwin-Williams’s Softer Tan is a beautiful color, especially in a Calcatta marble-covered bathroom. This warm neutral picks up on the veins in the marble, creating a gorgeous overall result. They pair well together, and the walls won't overwhelm the marble tile floors or countertops.”
—MA Allen, MA Allen Interiors
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23
Soft Chamois by Benjamin Moore
“I love clean white bathrooms, especially when they are en suite; it feels both classic and timeless. When it comes to a particular color, I love using Benjamin Moore’s Soft Chamois. For powder rooms with no baths and showers, I go all out with a great lacquered look or wallpaper for more drama.”
—Shelley Johnstone, Shelley Design
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24
Ashley Gray by Benjamin Moore
“I've been having a love affair with Benjamin Moore's Ashley Gray. It's got verve and reminds me of a Wendy's Frosty shake, and it offers the versatility of a neutral—but with some attitude!”
—Corey Damen Jenkins, Corey Damen Jenkins Associates
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25
Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
“I personally love clean (white) bathrooms, as it is good for the lighting, while creating a fresh feeling. Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful white that I use.”
—Liana Reid, REIDesign
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26
Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball
“I love a bathroom that feels clean and calm. Farrow & Ball's Cornforth White is my favorite versatile color that creates the perfect palette for adding texture through stone, tile, and small accessories. It is almost like the chameleon of paint colors taking on endless shades of gray.”
—Margaret Naeve, M Naeve
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27
Tranquility by Benjamin Moore
“It’s a soft blue-green shade, with enough gray to give it some nice depth and keep it from going too pastel. It looks lovely when paired with a black accent tile.”
—Karen Vidal, Design Vidal
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28
Gray Cloud by Benjamin Moore
“I recently used this Benjamin Moore color to go with a beautiful light gray blue Argent marble. The color kept the wall neutral but nicely went with the marble and complemented the color of blue gray tiles.”
—Mia Jung, Ike Kligerman Barkley
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29
Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore
“A dark bathroom balanced with white is a great way to go. Hale Navy is one of my all-time favorite colors. It works perfectly with marble or white cabinetry. White is such a crucial color to consider in a bathroom because it always feels fresh and clean. The darker navy tone also works perfectly with the warmer metal trends like brass and copper.”
—Hannah Collins, Hannah Collins Designs
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30
Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball
“Borrowed Light is the most exquisite and calming color in a bathroom when combined with gray marble finishes. It's an effortless light blue that doesn't try too hard and feels like a breath of fresh air.”
—Erin Gates, Erin Gates Design
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31
Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball
“Farrow & Ball is always my go-to as far as paint brands go, but this particular blue has been speaking to me for the last few months now. I'm currently using it in a New York penthouse library built-in, but this rich navy would also work seamlessly in a bathroom, kitchen, or on a front door.”
—Shana Wardle, Homepolish
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32
Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore
“I love this gray because it works with both warm and cool color palettes. It’s a rich enough color to be used as an accent wall, but is still neutral enough if you wanted to paint more than one wall. This color also pairs really well with your most commonly used bathroom marbles, such as Carrara and Statuary.”
—Karen Asprea, Karen Asprea Studio
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“I tend to like colors that are hard to read, and Sable Calm definitely falls under that category. The color changes depending on the time of day. It's like a mood ring: Soothing and dark at night and refreshing during the day. Watch out navy! Dark green is moving in!”
—Joann Neenan, Homepolish
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34
Passive by Sherwin-Williams
“This pale gray has beautiful light-reflective qualities that accentuate the architecture through subtle shadows without distortion. It's sophisticated and subtle, yet warm. It's a color I keep returning to for bathrooms without hesitation.”
—Jeff Andrews, Jeff Andrews – Design
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35
Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore
“My favorite bathroom color is a warm dark gray and I find it to be a really good color to get dressed by in the mornings. It’s always easier to see how you look against a dark background, with good lighting of course, and this gray is very complementary to every skin tone.”
—Tim Campbell, Studio Tim Campbell
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36
Elephant's Breath by Farrow & Ball
37
Newton's Indigo by Portola Paints
“For the guest bath? Go crazy. Try Newton’s Indigo with brass hardware.”
—Jamie Davis, Portola Paints
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38
Super White by Benjamin Moore
“It’s a beautiful, cheery and clean, warm white that doesn’t lean yellow or blue or gray. It also isn’t blinding. It works well in most lighting, so it’s a go-to for me, especially with the by-video clients I help since I can’t be there to see the light with my own eyes.”
—Mandy Cheng, Homepolish
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39
Ballet White by Benjamin Moore
“Usually I like my bathroom tiles to be the main event and I let the walls relax into a pale shade of one of the colors in the tiles. The Benjamin Moore color #OC-9, Ballet White, is warm and soft and it doesn’t steal the attention away from the tile design. It accomplishes a sophisticated and overall finished appearance for the bathroom.”
—Hilary Unger, Perianth Interior Design
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40
Temptation by Benjamin Moore
“San Francisco is full of bathrooms and split baths with traditional Edwardian detailing: White hex mosaic floors, white subway tile showers and wainscots and thick window and door moldings. A great way to add unexpected contrast and class to these spaces is by painting the walls and ceiling deep charcoal gray.”
—Emilie Munroe, Studio Munroe
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Kelsey Mulvey
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Marie Claire, Women's Health, and Men's Health, among others.
Kate McGregor
Kate McGregor is the Market Assistant for ELLE Decor covering all things home decor, design, and style.
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