4 Bathroom Paint Colors Interior Designers Absolutely Hate

Heed our experts' advice and step away from these paint swatches.

Whether you are renovating your bathroom or giving it a quick refresh, you probably want to paint it. However, choosing the right paint color can be a challenge. After all, bathrooms should feel spa-like, and relaxing. However, painting this space the wrong color can have the opposite effect and make the bathroom feel like a less-than-desirable place for pampering and self-care—here are four bathroom paint colors that designers advise against using.

Related: 6 Ways to Refresh Your Bathroom if You're Unhappy With It

Brown

Brown paint is a risky color to begin with because it's usually dull or overly saturated. It can work for a home office, and you might even consider the right shade for your dining room. But most designers agree that it’s a hue best kept out of your bathroom. According to interior designer Kate Dawson, it’s a little too “on the nose.” This color is also a bit dark for most bathrooms and can make them feel closed in.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use any brown at all in your bathroom. If you really want to incorporate this hue, the designer recommends using accessories such as towels and decor, like classic brown apothecary jars. You could also get leather cabinet pulls for tiny touches of brown.

Gray

In addition to brown, interior designer Amy Switzer advises crossing earth tones like gray off your bathroom paint color shortlist. “Colors that are too muted or muddy, or dull grays, can make a bathroom feel dreary and uninviting,” she says.

Switzer adds, “While preferences can vary widely among designers, there are certain paint colors for bathrooms that I try to avoid due to their potential to clash with bathroom fixtures, create visual discomfort, or evoke undesirable emotions. It's important to choose colors that will brighten up the space and make it feel more welcoming.”

If you want a neutral color but want something a bit deeper than white, opt for a rich buttercream hue instead.

Related: 9 Popular Gray Paint Colors You'll Never Regret, According to Paint Pros

Pastel Colors

Pastel paints like pink or lavender can look gorgeous in a bedroom or even a living room, but Switzer suggests keeping them out of a bathroom. “I try to avoid pastel colors as those can appear washed out or dingy rather than refreshing. The pastel palette can sometimes clash with the bright white fixtures and it can create a mismatched or disjointed look.”

Keep in mind the one exception to this rule may be a child’s bathroom, where a hint of whimsy by way of pastel hues can add an exciting touch.

Anything Too Vibrant

Amy Wasserman, cofounder of The Unoriginal Bathroom Company, is not a fan of using vibrant paint colors in the bathroom, like neons, especially from floor to ceiling. “They can be visually overwhelming and creatively underwhelming in such a small footprint,” she says.

She advises, "Lean on accessories to bring in pops of color that can be swapped out seasonally, or when your mood changes.” Additionally, Wasserman recommends layering in texture and pattern to your walls with wallpaper and tiling.

So, while you might want to hop on board the color-drenching trend train, or get wild with neon green paint, it's best to keep these out of the bathroom.

Related: 14 Bathroom Design Trends That’ll Take Off in 2024, According to Industry Pros

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