Colors for a Small Bathroom

This question comes from reader, Katya, about the small bathroom they are doing. Specifically, can a bathroom be all white. See her question below.

Hi there,

I am wondering if you might be able to answer a question for me. I am putting cottage - style wainscotting in a new bathroom reno. It will have a clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, and small toilet. It is a small space (5x8). I am trying to figure out what colors to do it in and am leaning towards a white room. I am wondering if I do a white room should the wainscoting and drywall above be the same color? As well as the chair rail? Or should they be two tones of white? Thanks for your help!

Katya

Read my suggestions and add your ideas in the comments.

Comments

[Julie]

Katya,

Any colors will do. If you use all white, use plenty of colorful accents to prevent it from being too stark. Or go with a creamy, antiqued white. I have a very similar powder room (no clawfoot tub) with wainscoting and chair rail. All of the trim is bright white and the walls are a medium tone, almost "Wedgewood" blue. The contrast is great and it does look very cottagy.

As far as other colors, I personally like all my trim the same color, but some like to accent it. Maybe you have the wainscoting and the walls the same color but the chair rail and floor boards the same. Or maybe you have everything the same but paint the chair rail a color to really pop. That could be a bit funky and eclectic, but done right, could look great. Whatever color theme you decide on, try to accent or balance it with accents on the wall, lights, mirror, towels, etc.

Let me know what you decide and if I can use this as a dilemma on the site and in my newsletter. Some times other readers will offer good ideas too.

Julie

[Katya]

Thanks so much, and sure, feel free to use it on your question board!

[Barbara]

I recently bought a 110 year old home with two VERY small bathrooms. The main bath has a small toilet, pedestal sink and a built-in tub w/wall enclosure. I decided to decorate in all whites and creams. I think I ended up with literally four different creams and at least two shades of white, and a white shower curtain that has a small woven square design in it. I accented with all satin nickel fixtures and two small silver framed pieces of artwork (florals in muted shades of cream with a very slight purple/rose tint to them). It looks fantastic and although almost a single color palatte, it seems quite spacious and airy.