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Think your small bathroom is a design dead end? Think again. A tiny powder room is the perfect canvas for a dramatic transformation. The simplest tool for the job is also the most effective: a can of paint. A strategic splash of color on the walls, ceiling, or vanity can create the illusion of space, inject personality, and turn a cramped corner into a stunning statement. Forget the limitations and get inspired by these 10 designer-approved paint colors that prove even the smallest bathrooms can have a huge impact.
1. Go Bold with Sherwin-Williams’ Knockout Orange
Instead of shying away from brights, make a statement. A vibrant tangerine like Knockout Orange on a vanity transforms it into an energetic focal point. This gutsy choice injects pure joy and personality into a room that can often be overlooked.
2. Create Balance with Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace
If your small bathroom already has a dramatic feature, like a textured stone wall, create a perfect balance with a clean, warm white. Chantilly Lace provides a crisp contrast, making the space feel open and sophisticated without feeling sterile.
3. Embrace Drama with Farrow and Ball’s Hague Blue
Lean into the cozy, dramatic potential of a small, windowless bathroom. A deep, rich navy like Hague Blue on the walls, trim, and even the vanity creates a luxurious, jewel-box effect. Paired with bright lighting, it feels intentionally bold, not claustrophobic.
4. Find Serenity with Benjamin Moore’s Gray Wisp
For a serene and airy escape, you don’t need stark white. A soft, ethereal blue-gray like Gray Wisp offers a hint of color with subtle moody undertones. It creates a calm, sophisticated atmosphere that feels both timeless and tranquil.
5. Get Funky with Sherwin-Williams’ Persimmon
Turn traditional features into eclectic treasures. By painting wainscoting in a funky, retro-inspired shade like Persimmon, you can tie it directly to a bold wallpaper. This cohesive choice makes the entire space feel intentionally designed and joyfully unique.
6. Add Character with Sherwin-Williams’ Rosemary
Not ready to commit to all-over color? Simply paint the vanity. A rich, deep green like Rosemary can anchor the room and give the vanity a strong presence, especially when surrounded by lighter walls. It’s a simple update that adds a touch of nature.
7. Set a Mood with Benjamin Moore’s Boudoir
Set a specific mood with a color that tells a story. The soft, dusty pink of Boudoir instantly adds a sense of romance and timeless intimacy to a bathroom, creating a charming and personal sanctuary.
8. Add a Punch with Sherwin-Williams’ Great Green
Don’t be afraid of a little zest. A vibrant lime green like Great Green delivers a powerful punch of personality. Use it on a vanity to coordinate with a playful wallpaper for a look that’s energetic, fresh, and anything but boring.
9. Deepen the Space with Benjamin Moore’s Branchport Brown
Defy the old rule that dark colors shrink a room. A sophisticated, deep brown like Branchport Brown can actually enhance a small bathroom’s depth and elegance. When combined with glamorous finishes, it creates a powerful and dramatic statement.
10. Get Creative with Sherwin-Williams’ Revel Blue and Icelandic
Create architectural interest with a technique called “double drenching.” Paint the trim and ceiling a different, often bolder, color than the walls. Using Revel Blue on the ceiling and trim with Icelandic on the walls gives a bathroom a more mature, custom look.
From deep, dramatic hues to bright, airy shades, the right paint color is your most powerful ally in a small bathroom. Whether you go bold on all four walls or add a simple pop of color to the vanity, these designer strategies prove you don’t need more square footage to create more style.
