Preparation
You don’t need to be an interior designer to experiment with paint color in your home—you just need to follow along with Fresh Coat. We’ll help you tackle all of your home’s painting projects, from choosing the ultimate color palette to perfecting your method. You’ll be prepped, primed, and ready to roll (literally) in no time.
Here’s a secret only the pros know: A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in a tiny powder room or guest bathroom. “Paint can make a large impact in a small bathroom and really help to create a mood,” explains Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of Clare. “You can opt for soft colors and neutrals to create a relaxing spa-like environment or choose a bold color to make a bigger statement.”
Along with enhancing the ambience, wall paint can trick the eye into making a small space seem larger. “A light, cool paint color has the power to enlarge a small bathroom,” says Nivara Xaykao, Color Marketing & Development Expert at Benjamin Moore, “while something dark or more saturated can give it a more intimate, cozy feeling.” Not sure which paint color is best for your powder room? We asked our experts what hues work best in a small bathroom—ahead, their favorite picks.
If you’re looking for an eye-catching powder room paint color that is also soothing, our experts recommend going with a soft shade of blue. “A soft and airy blue, like Headspace, brings a sense of calm to any space and creates a serene, spa-like vibe in a small bathroom,” Gibbons says.
Searching for a versatile powder room paint color with a little bit of oomph? Consider a dark earth tone, such as deep brown or charcoal gray. “Dark neutrals, like Dark Truffle PPU5-19 or Graphic Charcoal N500-6 add drama to a bathroom while serving as reliable tones that pair well with décor and furnishings,” says Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr.
Nothing dramatizes a powder room like a dark, rich color. “Moody green and blue hues, like Current Mood and Deep Dive, are a sophisticated way to bring a bold pop of color into a small space,” Gibbons says. “They can be calming and energizing at the same time.”
It may seem counterintuitive, but Woelfel says painting a small, dark room a vibrant color can provide a mesmerizing wow factor. “Bold, jewel-toned hues like plum, navy, or forest green can give the space a sophisticated finish while creating the illusion of an expansive space,” she says. “A few of my favorites are Black Sapphire PPU15-19, Dark Navy S530-7, and Black Evergreen MQ6-44.”
According to our experts, a little light pink paint goes a long way. “A pale, crisp pink like First Light 2102-70, our Color of the Year for 2020, can glamorize what is, essentially, a utilitarian space,” Xaykao says. “It also gives off an ultra-flattering cast that’s perfect for a powder room.”
Light and airy, Gibbons says soft neutral paint colors can make a small bathroom feel fresh, yet relaxing. “Non-white neutrals, like Classic or Chill, are a great way to create a calming vibe in a bathroom without committing to color,” she says. “They also play beautifully with light and bring a clean, modern feel to any size of space.”
