When it comes to bathroom design, color is one of the basic foundational elements. Different colors can radiate different moods and feelings, but they can also do a bit more than that. In many situations, color can impact how big or small a bathroom looks. This may seem impossible, but it is quite surprising when put into practice. This guide will go over how some colors can affect how big or small a bathroom can look and feel.
Why Color is So Important to a Bathroom Design
It might seem odd that color can actually impact a room this much. However, there are a few things to note that can explain it a bit more. First of all, the main factor in play besides color is light. The way light impacts a bathroom design can be broken down into a few key points. Firstly, the way light hits a color matters. For example, lighter colors will reflect more light. Darker colors will absorb more light. Due to this, the lighter colors will make it seem as though the bathroom is bigger, and vice versa.
Secondly, color is one of the main foundational pieces of a bathroom design. The ways in which colors can be used are vast and abundant. It will set the tone for the overall design, especially in a bathroom. Because many bathrooms can be similar in terms of physical layout, color can be the outstanding factor to a unique bathroom design. Whether it is your bathroom sink or overall color scheme, color is an important element of a complete bathroom design.
Which Colors Will Work Best?
Creating space with color is highly dependent on a few key factors. One of these factors is the brightness of the color being used. The shade of the color is definitely the most important aspect of this process. The first thing to note is that the brighter the color, the more light it will reflect. This doesn’t mean that you should just use any bright color however. The best colors to use will generally be colors that are close to white. Light blues, yellows and other soft colors will be incredibly useful in this case.
If you plan on using darker colors or tones in your bathroom, you could run into some issues. Dark colors will not reflect the same amount of light that brighter colors will. However, there are some cases in which darker colors can work well. For example, if darker colors are used as accents, they can complement lighter colors beautifully. In some cases, this will create the illusion of more depth if used correctly.
The Best Bright Bathroom Colors to Consider
White is a Great Place to Start
If you are struggling to choose a color for your bathroom, white is always a safe option. White matches with essentially every color due to the blank canvas nature of the tone. In addition, white is one of the most versatile colors. It can be used essentially anywhere in a bathroom and it is commonly used in mainstay bathroom fixtures. In addition, white is used in fixtures such as toilets and bathtubs commonly. To make a bathroom appear bigger, white will be one of the best colors because it will reflect the most amount of light. To go along with that, white is often used as a base for walls and floors. The more white you use the bigger the bathroom might feel. However, it is important not to overdo it.
Yellow is Warm Option to Consider
If you are looking for a more fun color than white, yellow could be the best way to go. It has a bit more warmth than white, but it isn’t too different in the grand scheme of things. However, there are a few key differences to note. First of all, yellow won’t match with certain colors as well as white will. Because white is a neutral color, it can match with almost anything. Yellow, on the other hand, will have free options. This isn't to say it is a bad choice, because yellow is an incredibly welcoming color in a bathroom. It is basically second to white in terms of light reflection.
Light Blue Offers a Cooler Feel
Although it may not be as effective as the lighter white or yellow, a light blue can be an incredibly beautiful option. Light blue, baby blue, sky blue and other similar tones are great for making a bathroom look bigger. In addition, blue is great for various themes that can make a bathroom feel much more comfortable. Blue matches well with many different colors as well. Blue and white, for example, will be an incredibly effective and beautiful color combination.
Colors You Might Want to Avoid
Black is a Bit Too Dark
As previously mentioned, lighter colors will be the best options for you to go with. Knowing this, of course black will be an option to avoid. This is not to say black can’t be used in a bathroom, because it can be one of the absolute best colors for various different areas in the space. When you are trying to make your bathroom look bigger, black should not be a color you use as a base. However, you can definitely use black as an accent. If used in this way, it can add the perception of depth to the area.
Darker Greens Won’t Work Too Well
Although lighter greens can do the job fairly well, dark green will be too dark for this scenario. For example, darker greens such as forest greens can cause a small bathroom to appear even smaller. Dark green can often give off a gloomy feeling. Of course, a gloomy feeling combined with a smaller perceived space is not a great combination for any room, let alone a bathroom. If you are set on using green, try a green and white color combination. White walls with subtle green accents can be a great starting point.
Red Just Doesn’t Seem to Fit
Red is a color that is not used in bathrooms very often. In many cases, red can be a bit too overwhelming for the average bathroom design. The brightness of the color will work in some scenarios, such as accessories or small fixtures. However, when used as the main color in your design, it can be hard on the eyes. In general, it is probably a good idea to avoid most shades of red. Pink, on the other hand, could work well if used properly and sparingly. Pink is starting to fade out of popularity, so it may not be the best option for you anyway.
In Conclusion
To wrap things up, some colors will definitely work better than others. If you are trying to make your bathroom look bigger, stick with the lighter colors. It is all about light reflection. The amount of light that a color can reflect will dictate how effective the illusion of space creation will be. In general, it is best to stay away from dark tones and give your bathroom some brighter colors to make the space look a bit more spacious.