Bathrooms are a sanctuary, and their design should reflect that tranquil, luxe vibe – and color is key. The right hues can bring about a calming, elevated atmosphere that instantly makes you want to linger.
And certain bathroom color ideas will not only lift your space, but make your bathroom look expensive, too. As the room we spend a lot of time in and often complete morning and evening rituals, it pays to spend a little more care and attention when it comes to decor.
But which color schemes can make a bathroom look more expensive? We posed that very question to designers and color experts to discover their go-to hues for a luxurious bathroom design – and there’s plenty of variety for every style.
Colors that make a bathroom look more expensive
While your color palette will depend on your bathroom style and personal taste, there are a few palettes that stand out to designers as the most elevated. From choosing the right neutrals and pairing them with chic materials to the bolder tones that give expensive vibes, there’s something here for every space.
1. Richy earthy colors
(Image credit: Pure Design Inc./Janis Nicolay. Photography)
When you’re looking for colors that will elevate your bathroom and result in a more expensive-looking scheme, look to hues that feel timeless and luxe. Shades that transcend color trends yet feel considered will always feel more luxe.
‘Rich, nature-inspired tones tend to give bathrooms a more luxurious feel. Think mossy greens, earthy terracottas, creamy taupes, and soft sandy tans. These hues are not trend-driven but rather are grounded in the natural world, making them feel timeless and inspired,’ says interior designer Ami McKay.
(Image credit: Pure Design Inc./Janis Nicolay. Photography)
Their appeal lies in their ability to create a more layered look, and when styled with rich, natural materials, they instantly feel curated. It’s as much about the color itself as it is the materials you pair it with, something Ami has done brilliantly in a couple of projects.
‘In our Cloudview Project’s primary ensuite, natural clay-toned zellige tiles were used along the full vanity and tub walls. The color variation in the glazed tile creates a beautiful texture and pattern. We balanced the zellige tile with smooth Taj Mahal quartzite stone and sandy-beige limewash on the remaining walls and ceiling for added depth,’ she explains.
‘In the guest bathroom, we embraced a green-on-green palette inspired by matcha tea. Rich green shower tiles were paired with a sage green limewash to create a tonal effect. Neither room relies on stark white finishes, yet both feel bright, fresh, and timeless thanks to the soft layering of organic tones.’
Blomus SONO Bath Accessories
Bathroom accessories are a great way to elevate your scheme. A set like this one, in rich sand tones, will instantly give your space a more expensive, luxurious feel without the luxury price tag.
Standard bath mats can be uninspiring, but this curved design offers a chic alternative. Available in sage and copper, it’s the perfect way to bring earth tones into your scheme.
A pretty trinket dish is a must-have in a bathroom for storing jewelry while you shower. This terracotta splatterware design is so on trend at the moment, and perfect for an earthy color palette.
2. Dark jewel tones
(Image credit: Future)
Of course, when asked what colors can make a bathroom look more expensive, many experts responded with a variation on a neutral. And while this is timeless choice, you can create a truly elevated bathroom by decorating with moody colors, too.
‘Darker paint colors can bring an unexpected but expensive touch to a space. Colors like Carter Plum CW-355 are full of character,’ says Arianna Barone, color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore.
‘Bringing the luxe feelings of the violet color family, blended with the boldness of the red color family, it creates a dramatic shade that can upgrade any space. For added glam, use a higher sheen.’
(Image credit: Future)
And it’s not just plum tones that work beautifully here. Think dark greens, rich browns, and even moody blues that feel subtly regal. And once you’ve selected your shade, consider how you will apply it in a way that looks and feels more expensive. You can bring them in as accents, as seen in the bathroom above with the beautiful plum colored tub, But if your bathroom is on the smaller side, it can look really expensive to color-drench the space – take those jewel hues over every surface.
As Arianna explains, ‘When selecting darker colors for bathrooms, use them on the walls, trim, and ceiling to maximize that expensive, luxe feeling and create a jewel box effect. This helps to blur the lines and create an enveloping room of color.’
Maeve by Anthropologie Embroidered Scalloped Cotton Shower Curtain
If you’re new to decorating with these deeper, richer hues, why not test the waters with accessories first? This shower curtain features a deep green wavy border, perfect for trialling a moodier palette.
Scalamandre Linnea Wallpaper
by Sandberg
Paint colors aren’t the only way to bring moody hues into the bathroom. This timeless bathroom wallpaper by Sandberg features dark green leaves and a deep blue background. It adds that rich palette in a more interesting way.
Tova Cotton Velour Towel Collection
Towels are another great way to bring in moody hues to a bathroom. To create visual interest, opt for towels with a pattern, like this option with a classic botanical design. It’s simple, but ever so effective.
3. Timeless whites (with the right undertone)
(Image credit: Jkath Design Build + Reinvent)
Even as bathroom trends embrace brighter, bolder colors, there will always be a place for white bathroom ideas. It’s classic, pared-back, and with the right styling, can feel really luxurious.
‘A bright, white-painted bathroom can feel equally as luxe as darker and moodier hues. Winter Snow OC-63, an optic white paint color with a cool blue undertone, exemplifies that in this image,’ says Arianna.
‘Bright and sunny natural light and warm wood tones help prevent the space from feeling too stark. The crisp, clean walls feel modern and elevated when paired with a slightly darker trim in Moonshine OC-56. This brings just the right amount of contrast, so the space feels intentional and refined.’
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)
The finishes, colors, and materials you pair white paint with are key if you want to make a bathroom look more expensive. Undertones are really important here if you want your designs to feel cohesive and balanced.
‘When using off-white paint colors in a bathroom, it is important to choose one that works with all the existing finishes in the space. If you find your tile and accessories lean towards cooler colors (greens, blues, violets, and grays), choose a white paint color with similar undertones,’ Arianna explains.
‘If you have warmer design elements in the space, look to white paint colors with pink, yellow, orange, and beige undertones. If the space has any architectural details or large windows you want to highlight, consider using a slightly darker white paint color on them for a touch of refinement.’
If you’ve opted for a white bathroom scheme, a few marble accessories can add a chic look. These marble canisters not only look luxurious, but they are also great for keeping your surfaces clutter free.
JONATHAN Y White Wall Mirror
Why not elevate the functional pieces in your bathroom? This organic-shaped mirror features a slim white frame, perfect for bringing in that more minimal aesthetic with a playful twist.
Organic Stripe Shower Curtain
For a more textured look, this stripe stitch shower curtain is a more visually interesting take on a white shower curtain. And in a pared-back design, it will add softness and more tactile feature.
4. Playful accent colors with neutral backdrops
(Image credit: Bethany Adams)
A neutral scheme in a bathroom doesn’t mean boring, designer Bethany Adams recommends for an expensive bathroom color scheme to keep the backdrop neutral, but bring in pops of fun color with your accents and accessories.
‘With the exception of powder rooms – in which anything goes, and bolder is often better – the key to an expensive-looking bathroom color scheme is to stick to neutrals, with perhaps hints of colors within natural materials,’ Bethany explains.
‘Bold color choices in bathroom tile and stone slabs are a favorite of mine and many other designers, but unless you have total confidence in the longevity of your devotion to say, mustard yellow tile, I’d urge you to consider a palette of beiges, whites, or gray.’
(Image credit: Bethany Adams Interiors)
Is a bold, colorful bathroom tempting? Absolutely. But Bethany warns this is best done with your decor. ‘What looks easy to accomplish on Pinterest actually involves a lot of skill and careful consideration. You can always add personality to a neutral bath with styling: think brightly colored runners (I love an indoor-outdoor carpet in a bathroom), towels, shower curtains, or vanity accoutrements,’ she suggests.
Lucia Handcrafted Bath Mat
A bath mat is a great way to add a pop of color to a neutral bathroom. This playful design is available in five colors, ranging from neutrals to vibrant colors to moodier hues. It’s a stylish way to elevate something functional.
Fiona Printed Laundry Bag
Laundry baskets can be really rather boring, so switching a basic design out for something more decorative is a great way to invite color into your bathroom. This striped design is a playful take on a classic pattern.
Bathroom Wall Fixture with Green Block Printed Shade
Your bathroom lighting fixtures are a fun place to bring in color – lamp shades are a decorative addition that are easy and relatively low-cost to swap as your style changes. This fixture comes with a green block-printed shade that easily clips on and off.
As we mentioned, there are so many colors that can make a bathroom look more expensive, from pared-back neutrals to rich, moody hues. If you do like something more light and subtle, consider using neutral colors for bathrooms that aren’t just white or even pretty pastels.
Try to stay away from any palettes that are too trend-led, as you’ll often find them on lists of bathroom colors going out of style relatively quickly. But, above all, ensure that whatever color you choose to make your bathroom look more luxe, it’s one that you love and feels timeless. It’s a fool-proof approach to designing an enduring space.
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