What Color Is on Trend for Bathrooms in 2024?

When you walk into a bathroom in 2024, the first thing you notice isn’t the towel rack or the faucet-it’s the color. It’s not about bold primaries or pastel fluff anymore. The trend has settled into something quieter, deeper, and more grounded. If you’re thinking about repainting your bathroom this year, you’re not just picking a shade-you’re choosing a mood. And right now, the mood is calm, natural, and quietly luxurious.

Earthy Neutrals Are the New White

White bathrooms used to be the default. Clean. Bright. Safe. But in 2024, pure white feels a little too sterile for most homes. Instead, designers and homeowners are turning to warm neutrals that mimic stone, clay, and sand. Think greige-a mix of gray and beige-with undertones of oatmeal, linen, or dried sage. These colors don’t scream for attention, but they hold space beautifully. They make small bathrooms feel larger and large ones feel cozier. Brands like Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster and Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter are seeing record sales, not because they’re trendy, but because they work.

Deep Greens and Forest Hues Are Everywhere

Green isn’t just for kitchens or living rooms anymore. In bathrooms, deep forest greens are becoming the go-to for creating a spa-like retreat. Shades like Green Smoke by Sherwin-Williams or Hunter Green by Farrow & Ball bring in a sense of calm, like being tucked into a mossy forest. These colors pair surprisingly well with brass fixtures, matte black taps, and natural wood vanities. Even in windowless bathrooms, a deep green wall can feel alive-not dark, but rich. One homeowner in Wellington told me she painted her tiny ensuite in Clary Sage by Behr and now uses it as her daily meditation spot. No plants needed.

Blues Are Still Around, But They’ve Changed

Blue bathrooms didn’t disappear-they evolved. The baby blues and sky tones of 2020 are out. In their place are muted, grayed-out blues that feel more like the ocean at dawn than a poolside umbrella. Think Grayish Blue by Sherwin-Williams or Sea Salt by Benjamin Moore. These aren’t bold blues. They’re quiet. They don’t energize; they soothe. They work best with white tile, natural stone, and minimal hardware. If you’re worried blue feels too cold, pair it with warm wood or a terracotta rug. The contrast makes the whole space feel intentional, not just decorative.

Black and Charcoal Are No Longer Just Accents

Black used to be reserved for faucets and towel bars. Now, entire walls are painted in charcoal or deep black. It’s not gothic. It’s dramatic. And it works because bathrooms are becoming personal sanctuaries-not just functional spaces. A black-walled bathroom with a freestanding tub and soft lighting feels like a luxury hotel suite. The trick? Balance. Use matte finishes to avoid a slick, industrial look. Add texture with woven baskets, linen curtains, or unglazed ceramic vessels. One design studio in Auckland reported a 60% increase in requests for black bathrooms in the last six months. Clients aren’t asking for “edgy.” They’re asking for “serene intensity.”

Why These Colors Work Now

There’s a reason these tones are everywhere. After years of pandemic living, people are tired of loud, high-contrast interiors. They want spaces that help them unwind, not stimulate. Bathrooms are no longer just for quick showers-they’re for baths, steam sessions, skincare routines, and quiet mornings. The colors that dominate 2024 all share one trait: they reduce visual noise. They don’t compete with natural light, marble countertops, or plants. They support them.

There’s also a growing connection to biophilic design-the idea that humans feel better surrounded by nature-inspired elements. Earth tones, forest greens, and muted blues all echo natural landscapes. Even in cities, people are craving a sense of place that feels rooted, not manufactured. That’s why terrazzo floors, raw wood vanities, and stone sinks are trending alongside these colors. It’s not a style. It’s a shift in how we think about home.

What Not to Do

Not every color is a good fit for a bathroom. Avoid bright yellows-they can feel jarring under fluorescent lights. Neon pinks and electric blues still look like they belong in a 90s nightclub. And while white is still a safe choice, using it alone can make a bathroom feel cold and impersonal. The key is layering. Use a neutral base, then add depth with texture, material, and subtle contrast. Don’t go all-in on one bold color unless you have a large, well-lit space. In small bathrooms, a single accent wall works better than four.

How to Test Colors Before You Paint

Paint samples are not optional. Buy at least three 1-quart cans in different shades you’re considering. Paint large swatches-2 feet by 2 feet-on multiple walls. Watch them at different times of day. Morning light changes everything. So does artificial lighting. A color that looks warm under LED might turn cold under halogen. Leave the samples up for at least three days. Live with them. See how they feel when you’re tired, when you’re rushing, when you’re just sitting in the tub with a book. The right color won’t shout. It will sigh.

Real Examples from Real Homes

A couple in Christchurch painted their small bathroom in Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams and added a reclaimed teak vanity. The result? A space that feels like a boutique hotel, not a rental. Another homeowner in Dunedin used Wisteria by Benjamin Moore-a soft, grayed lavender-for her master bath. It’s not what you’d expect, but with white fixtures and a skylight, it feels serene, not weird. One designer in Wellington told me she recently finished a project with walls in Smoke Gray by Farrow & Ball, paired with a copper tub and a single potted fern. The client cried when she saw it. Not because it was expensive. Because it finally felt like home.

What Comes Next?

Colors don’t change overnight. The shift toward earthy, natural tones in bathrooms started in 2022 and is still gaining momentum. By 2025, we’ll likely see even more focus on materials-unpolished stone, hand-thrown ceramics, woven textures. But the color palette? It’s sticking. People aren’t just chasing trends. They’re chasing peace. And right now, the most peaceful colors are the ones that remind us of the ground beneath our feet, the trees around us, and the quiet stillness of a morning mist.