Color Ideas For Renovating a Small Bathroom
Is your small bathroom crying out for a makeover? Do you dream of a modern guest bathroom without the hassle of long (or expensive) renovations? You’ve come to the right place. Today we bring you ideas, inspiration, and real-world solutions for renovating a small bathroom in that little corner with style and functionality.
And yes, we’ll talk about how to paint tiles, play with color, improve lighting, and achieve a radical change with very little. You already know that we’re giving one of our bathrooms a facelift: we started by painting the ceiling and now we’re moving on to the tiles.
Renovating a small bathroom without any work: mission impossible?
Not at all. In fact, with the right products and a little creativity, you can renovate a small bathroom and transform it into a true urban mini-spa, a designer corner, or a talking point when guests come over.
The secret? Investing in solutions like:
- Use a special paint for bathrooms (special for humidity).
- Paint tiles instead of removing them.
- Change faucets or mirrors.
- Playing with artificial lighting.
- Incorporate color intelligently.
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How to choose colors for a small bathroom
Color is everything in a small space. It can make it feel larger, warmer, or just the opposite. Here are some ideas for getting it right when renovating a small bathroom:
1. Warm or off-white
White is still king if you’re looking for light, spaciousness, and visual cleanliness. But choose whites with a touch of beige or gray to keep it from looking too cold.
Like the Pearl White we chose. A beautiful white with a subtle but very elegant tone.
2. Soft greens or sage
They convey calm, elegance, and freshness. Perfect if you’re looking for a natural and welcoming feel. Combine them with wood or gold details.
3. Warm blues
Small bathrooms with dark colors? Yes! If you have good artificial lighting, they can create a very modern and sophisticated, enveloping effect.
4. Beige, sand and earth tones
They provide warmth and work well with materials like rattan, ceramic, or wood. They are widely used in Mediterranean or warm minimalist-style bathrooms.
5. Pink or soft terracotta
If you want to give it a modern and cozy touch, these shades are a safe bet. Why did we choose this combination of Olive and Pearl for the ceiling and walls? Well, it’s very easy, chalk addicts: because there’s contrast and harmony at the same time, and that’s the key to renovating a small bathroom.
The olive green “weighs” upward, creating a sense of shelter, while the pearl white visually opens the space. The combination is timeless and organic, very much in line with current trends seeking warmth, sustainability, and functional design.
Both colors have warm undertones, so they don’t compete with each other. It’s an ideal combination for a modern guest bathroom (our chalk addicts) that wants to break away from the typical white and gray without going too eccentric.
Painting for a small bathroom renovation: what to consider?
It’s always very important to choose a good, high-quality paint; but when it comes to painting the bathroom, it’s even more important because it’s a heavily used area and exposed to water.
I would give you 3 key points:
- It should be resistant to moisture and mold : essential!
- Washable finish : because water is going to splash around no matter what, even if you don’t have a shower.
- Colors that enlarge or give depth according to your objective.
In our small bathroom renovation, we used Matte Wall Resist paint for the ceiling. Besides being suitable for both ceilings and walls, it has an elegant, ultra-matte finish and excellent resistance to wet areas. And now we use Ceramic for painting the tiles. We also have Strong Tiles , which is the best option if it is a bathroom with a shower or bathtub and with water condensation. Here is an article where I explain in more detail which paint to choose for painting tiles.
We paint the tiles in our bathroom step by step
As you saw in the first chapter of this transformation we’re undertaking, it’s very important to prepare the tiles before starting to paint.
Step 1: Deep Cleaning
The tiles need to be spotless. We use degreaser and a stiff sponge or sandpaper to remove soap scum, limescale, and grease. Be careful with the dreaded “craters” in the paint. Sometimes we don’t properly clean off any remaining grease or silicone, and when we apply the paint, it pops off; it splits open. In that case, we would sand, clean it thoroughly, and repaint.
Step 2: We protect the surface
In our case, this step wasn’t necessary because the bathroom was completely disassembled, but if you have faucets, light switches on the wall, or anything else you don’t want to get dirty, just tape them up with masking tape and you’re done. Precision here saves you trouble later.
Step 3: Specific primer for tiles
You can apply a coat of primer before applying the paint to ensure extra adhesion. We applied Ceramic paint directly because it’s a bathroom.
Step 4: Applying Tile Paint
The chosen color is Pearl White from the Ceramic line in a satin finish. It’s easy to apply and easy to clean. As tools, we will use a brush to trim the corners and two rollers: the white nap brush for the primer and first coats, and the blue foam brush for the final coat.
A common question we get is whether you paint the joints first. I usually do it in sections, dividing the wall into sections and trimming and painting the joints while rolling them at the same time. It’s true that the joint is the most complicated part of the tile, but you just have to emphasize it with each layer you apply, and that’s it.
We’ll apply two coats, letting them dry for at least 12 hours between each coat . If you wait a day, that’s even better. We’ll also lightly sand between coats to remove any remaining bubbles. The foam roller helps leave a silky finish on the final coat of paint. Here’s more information on painting bathroom tiles, in this case if you’re painting with Strong Azulejos.
Conclusion
Renovating a small bathroom doesn’t require major renovations or an exorbitant budget. With a good paint job, a good color palette, and a little creativity, you can achieve a spectacular change. You’re already seeing that it’s quite easy to give it a facelift, a little bit of color on the walls and ceilings makes even the bathroom become a top place.
Frequently asked questions about renovating a small bathroom
Can I paint all types of tiles?
Yes! As long as you use a specific tile primer and paint and follow the drying times carefully.
What colors visually enlarge a small bathroom?
Light tones, such as off-white, beige, pearl gray, or sage. You can also play with the contrast between the tiles and the ceiling to visually expand the room.
Can I use matte paint in a bathroom?
Yes, but make sure it’s moisture-resistant, like the Matte Wall Resist range. This way, you’ll avoid problems with steam.
How long does it take for tile paint to dry?
It depends on the product, but generally takes between 12 and 24 hours for complete drying. We recommend not using the toilet during this time if possible.
How to improve the lighting in a windowless bathroom?
Add warm indirect LED lighting, paint walls in light or reflective colors, and choose large or backlit mirrors.
