7 of the Most Popular Bathroom Colors in 2023 (2023)

The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the home. It’s where people start and end their daily routine, and where they go to retreat from the world. So it’s important that this room reflects a sense of peace, tranquility, or simply enjoyment that people come to find there. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to update a bathroom is to paint the walls. Homeowners spend an average of $250 for a full bathroom paint job, including labor and materials.

We took a look at emerging color trends for bathroom spaces and reached out to experts in the home design field to get their take on it as well. Below are the hues and colors that are predicted to be most popular for bathrooms in 2023.

1. Shades of Blue

From soft baby blues to deep, rich jewel tones, many shades of blue are predicted to be popular in bathrooms this forthcoming year. Blue is the color most commonly associated with water, which makes it a natural fit for many bathroom designs. From bright and bold to soft and sedate, this color helps enhance feelings of rest and rejuvenation, which are ideal for these spaces.

Interior Design Coordinator Tara Spaulding feels that blues, mixed with greens - another popular color - will have some staying power as well, “We see this trend continuing into 2023 because it feels calming and natural while still being bold enough that it won't feel dated next year or even five years from now”.

Besides, blue pairs well with not only green, but also classic white, cream, and even some grays and purples. This makes it a versatile color that can allow homeowners to change up accents over time, without making the space feel dated.

2. Soft Pinks

Soft shades of pink are also becoming a very popular trend for bathrooms. These colors include blush pink, light peach, mauve, and other shades that have a slight rosy hue to them. These colors are following on the heels of the brighter Millennial Pink that was so popular a few years ago. The difference is that these shades are softer, more sophisticated, and offer bathroom spaces a touch of classical elegance.

Additionally, these softer shades work very well with some of the popular metal colors this year, including copper, brass, and rose gold. They also pair beautifully with earthy tones for those that want to add just a hint of color to an otherwise earth-toned space. If the intention is to create a more daring, retro design choose bolder colors, such as burgundy, turquoise, or black to enhance the vintage look that pinks bring.

3. Warm Earthy Tones

Warm, earthy tones like cream, brown, tan, taupe, and muted, soft whites are also showing up everywhere for 2023. These colors are timeless, never going out of fashion, and work well with other shades including pinks, greens, and blues. Interior designer Villy Nelson of Nelson Cabinetry helps to explain some of their appeal, “Earthy tones are becoming increasingly popular, as people are looking for ways to bring nature into their homes.”

Many of these colors can also be layered and used together with one another for a tone-on-tone effect that can add richness to the design. Lindsay Joyce, Founder and Head of Interior Design at 3F Living explains, “Layering warm earth tones such as creams, tans, taupe, cocoa browns, and warm grays will be the primary colors used in 2023 Bathroom Design.”

Earth tones make any space feel rich, inviting, and homey, which can help create a more welcoming bathroom where people want to spend time in. With these colors as the base, it’s easy to incorporate pops of other complementary colors to help add dimension to the space.

4. Shades of Green

Green, along with other natural shades, was the number one color pick for bathrooms in 2022. It’s also poised to become equally popular in 2023. The shades that are being seen are getting softer, though, as well as blending darker shades with lighter hues, and mixing green with blue or with earthy tones. Some colors expected to be seen more frequently in the bathroom include olive, sage, and mint.

Interior Designer Stacey Lewis of Eternity Modern agrees that blues and greens in particular will be popular this year, “These colors create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, making them perfect for use in a bathroom. They can also be used to add a pop of color to a neutral-toned bathroom.”

When incorporating green into the bathroom, consider how it will be used with these other shades. Green can range in tone from yellow to blue, which can mean mixing warmer colors like sage with natural hues for a more subtle look or combining brighter greens with blues for a more oceanic-inspired design.

5. Black and White

Black and white bathrooms are one classic design that never goes out of style. And this color combination is getting a lot of attention for 2023 as well. They are sophisticated and elegant in design, yet allow for pops of many different colors to be incorporated into the room as well. Colors like gray, blue, green, and even red can all play beautifully in a black and white bathroom.

Spaulding agrees, “Black and white is a classic combination that has been popular for years. It's a simple way to make a statement without adding too much color to your space. We expect to see more black-and-white bathrooms as people continue working to create more minimalist spaces in their homes.”

This combination can appear light and airy, or chic and moody, depending on how much black or white is used, and the amount of natural light that the space has. Popular bathroom designs for this classic duo include modern and retro, which lend a lot of versatility to opt for bolder tile choices such as patterned, geometric, or checkerboard tiles.

6. Dark Tones

Dark tones and shades are also becoming popular bathroom colors for 2023. This includes not only dark wall colors like slate gray and anthracite but also black countertops and fixtures. These dark colors can be used to create modern bathroom designs, or to help add depth and gravity to a space. These deep and sophisticated bathrooms can also include pops of color or hints of white to help lighten the space.

Lewis particularly likes the look of the black countertop trend, “Black countertops are a bold and modern choice for a bathroom. They can make a space feel more sophisticated and stylish, and they pair well with both light and dark-colored fixtures. Additionally, black countertops can be used to create a dramatic contrast in a bathroom.”

Just be sure not to go too dark in small bathrooms or bathrooms that don’t have a lot of natural light, as this can make the entire space appear cramped or overly dim.

Faucet and fixture colors shouldn’t be overlooked, and there are some hot trends in these areas as well in 2023. For fixtures, look for black toilets and sinks, along with some softer biscuit or almond hues to pair with an earthy-toned bathroom.

Regarding faucets, metal hues such as copper, brass, and other golden accents are very popular right now. These colors mix well with just about anything, from pinks and peaches to greens and blues. They also stand out on black countertops and add a touch of warmth to an otherwise cold or sterile space.

Spaulding agrees, “One trend we see emerging in bathrooms is the use of copper and brass accents, which add a touch of luxury to an otherwise simple space. Copper fixtures are especially popular for their ability to add a unique look to any bathroom design.” Consider mixing some of these finishes in with the rest of the bathroom to add a special touch and help dress up the space.

Lasting Colors for Bathroom Designs

Many of the colors expected to be popular in bathrooms this forthcoming year have a lot of staying power and lasting design elements. With the exception of darker tones and soft pinks, blues, greens, and black and white bathrooms have been popular for years with no indication that these will be going out of style any time soon. Likewise, warm earthy tones are also a popular trend that never fades. Consider creating a more timeless and lasting bathroom design by incorporating any of these color trends for 2023.