Most designers choose black, neutral, monochromatic, or analogous color schemes and advise against other wheel combinations that have the potential to get too busy for a clean look.


Picture the potential color-onslaught created by square, rectangle, or triadic color schemes – regardless of how they pivot on the color wheel – for instance. Here you begin to understand that less is generally more when it comes to bathroom color schemes.


Yet, of course, with a creative mind and the right eye, there are exceptions to every rule. So try not to let our recommendations box you in, but rather, give you a starting point for building on the ideas offered here.

There’s much to love about neutrals — you can go cool or warm, modern or classic, and you don’t have to worry too much about your pieces going out of style or falling off the trend list. Neutrals allow you to explore subtle textures and tones and create a space that speaks to the holistic look you often see in magazine photos. Look for a vanity in beige, ivory, taupe, black, or shades of gray or white. Because these tones are so popular, you’ll have options in all shapes and sizes.


The finish is another important consideration. (See our Insider’s Guide to Shopping for Bathroom Vanity for more ideas down this road.) A smoky-gray vanity finished with a white pickling stain has a different style than a smoky-gray vanity finished with clear gloss. A matte finish on deeply saturated tones such as slate blue, sea green, plum, or beige allows a hint of color without overpowering other elements at work in the room. You might try a dark-brown floating vanity with a wood-panel finish and frosted glass doors. Once combined with a white quartz countertop, platinum sink fixtures, and a deep porcelain bowl, the vanity moves up a level on the luxury meter, so bring in the fluffiest towels you own. If you like neutrals but don’t want to lose your cottage or country style, look for beveled doors, rustic finishes, and decorative elements that capture romantic charm.

As negative space, a black vanity can step back from other elements and let you showcase a tub, window, or light fixture. On the flip side, a black vanity can claim attention, especially if it’s an interesting oval or oblong shape. To make the most of the dark drama, contrast the vanity against metallic wallpaper, a floral rug, or shower curtain. The classic pairing of black and white might be the yin and yang that opens you up to new design possibilities and helps you find your style. A black vanity with gold cabinet hardware or sink fixtures, for example, is a contemporary combination that reflects the very best about your taste.

Bring in a fern, lantern, and a bowl of pure white soaps and let the light and shadows wander. Remember to work the floor into your design plan. As one of the largest planes in the room, it should be part of your scheme: A vanity that closely matches the floor in color creates a fluidity in the space, whereas a vanity that contrasts the floor can bring the eyes upward to land on the wall mirrors or windows.

An analogous scheme of lavender, rose, and baby pink can play off gold fixtures, a vintage mirror, and other shabby chic elements. If you’re working with a black or dark vanity, bring in grays and light blue to make the room more exciting. Your vanity might be the richest color in the room, drawing the eye its way, or it might subtly blend into a wall painted with metallic stripes or florals. Experiment with wall tiles printed with monotone designs and decor pieces like textured vases and storage baskets. Position your light over the vanity to wash it with brightness and show off the sparkle of a quartz or marble countertop and the high shine of chrome fixtures.

In the picture provided, you do get one view into a color combination that worked with orange and blue fusion. Note how darker blue occupies the majority of visual space, while the brighter and lighter orange is used for an accent sparingly. This is a good rule to go by when working with complementary colors in the bathroom.