I ended up going neutral with my tile and plan on adding color through accent objects, paint, linens etc. This way in a few years if I'm bored with the look I can change it without having to rip out tile and other expensive time consuming stuff. I just prefer not to limit myself by using certain colored tiles.

Besides going neutral, you could go multicolored so you have more than a couple colors to chose from to repaint down the road.

We are just starting the remodel of our daughters' hall bathroom, and I decided to try and incorporate a limited range of color along with a gray/white neutral scheme. We chose white cabinets, light gray floor tile, dark gray granite (probably blue pearl) and white subway tile for the tub surround. The tub surround will also have a narrow color accent of small glass tiles (Oceanside Glasstile) in light blues and greens. The tiles are iridescent also, so this introduces a little of a purple sheen to them. I told the girls they could paint whatever eye-popping color they wanted within green/blue/periwinkle family (I'm hoping for an icy aqua-blue myself.) That list encompasses their favorite colors, so I think we can safely change the paint a few times.

I think if you are questioning it you probably have your answer.

I am the complete opposite - I don't care for neutral background anything ;-) I have 3 bathrooms in my newly remodeled home and each one is different and I used a lot of color. I did use some traditional elements but my accent tile is not subtle.

However, I have liked the same essential color palette for years so I don't fear growing tired of it.

I think color can be used and still be somewhat neutral - if you have loved a color for as long as you remember you probably won't tire of it. I think I know the bathroom with blue you are talking about and I myself cannot imagine getting tired of it.

I worried about it but then decided I was tired of "playing it safe". I always do that. My bathroom is very neutral except for the blue/green "sea tones" glass tile on the walls. I've always liked blue. It was in my wedding 30 years ago and my kitchen counters and carpet were blue when we built this house in 1981 (different shades of course). I can take the color in different directions by adding additional colors in accessories or a different color paint.
Monica

I'm with you, I love color. You should see my son's bedroom the walls are done in ocean colors, but when it comes to tile I am going to go clean and contemporary and use my color punches in rugs and towels. I too fear getting tired of it. I have considered the vanity area for the crazy color and leave the shower area neutral. It would be easier to replace that area if ever the need. I fully support your fears!

i went with white tile in 2 different shapes (subway by tub & 4x4 in shower) and threw in navy glass tile here & there. i have loved navy since forever & i figured when i do sell, navy wouldn't be a wild enough color that would detract someone from buying. i found flexibility in the wall color & towels, that sort of thing, while still staying in the blue/green family, though navy is rather versatile.

I felt very tame in (eventually, after much flirtation with color) choosing white subway tile for the walls and a light taupe-ish colored floor tile. However, I know myself--I enjoy a change of color, and so the current dark blue walls are giving me the splash I need. I also did put blue-green river rocks in two niches, and while that may limit me to a minor extent, I felt like I could commit to that limited bit of permanent color as something I will love forever. (Or, if I'm wrong, I can just get tall shampoo bottles to hide them!)

And, as a surprise bonus, I ended up loving the tile I thought would simply act as a neutral, safe palette.

Don't you just love when that happens!

Pamelas I would love to see what you did with the river rocks. Do you have photo's?

Call me chicken, but I just love a classic white/marble/chrome bath. My concern isn't so much with using color but that colored tile/fixtures can instantly date a bath. Paint, fabric, towels, rugs are just too easy and cheap to change.

jjazzy--Here are a couple of pictures of the river rocks (usual disclaimer that bathroom is a work in progress, but it's pretty close to being done). Yes, lukkiirish, I am thrilled that I love it--I really did not expect to enjoy subway tile as anything but a background, but I really, really love them. These are two separate niches, one on the shower wall and one for the bath-takers.

Pamela {{gwi:1427861}}From Bathroom
{{gwi:1427862}}From Bathroom

All fixtures fixtures and tile should be white or neutral, not only because they make the room look bigger, but because they are not likely to become dated. Put your color and other decorating in towels, paint and accessories that are easy and cheap to update. Otherwise - remember pink bathrooms? - you are likely to duplicate that stupidity with a different color. The au courant gotta-have trendy color of today is the avocado green and harvest gold of tomorrow. Keep in mind that nearly everyone's second if not first choice of color for bath fixtures is WHITE. For more good information on designing a bath see the web site below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bath Design

But even a neutral bathroom can easily become dated. Neutral beige tiles from 10 or 20 years ago look dated now. My white bathroom bathtub tiles from 25 years ago are dated. My old "marble" countertops were neutral but dated.

The beige and brown tiles that are being used today will look somewhat dated in 20 years, too.

I would redo my bathroom in 12-20 years when the tile looked really dated, but in 4 years if I'm bored with my color choices I would like to be able to change things up for a fresh look without having to do expensive remodeling like changing out tile.

happilady I think your right, whatever you do it's going to look dated no matter how hard you try. I think my big fear is I may need to sell one day, the other is I really like the way an all white bath opens up the room and looks crisp and clean. If money were no object and I could change and strip it out when tired of it. I would put some crazy colored glass in the bath and let er rip! But it would probably still have a lot of white in it.

"All fixtures fixtures and tile should be white or neutral, not only because they make the room look bigger, but because they are not likely to become dated. Put your color and other decorating in towels, paint and accessories that are easy and cheap to update. Otherwise - remember pink bathrooms? - you are likely to duplicate that stupidity with a different color. The au courant gotta-have trendy color of today is the avocado green and harvest gold of tomorrow."

LOL - well THAT philosophy would certainly eliminate a good portion of the stunning bathrooms in this forum.

I really could care less that my sea blend glass tile wall in my otherwise all botticino bathroom may someday be someone elses avocado green and gold - I love it and get a little thrill every single time I look at it.

If you are more comfortable with neutral - by all means go with it - we all have different taste. I have seen plenty of beautiful neutral bathrooms. I just need to have my color ;-)

I'm re-doing my hall bath with vintage fixtures so I guess dated is relative.

I faced the same question recently and my philosophical side took over and I decided to live in the moment and chose white subway tile but with a blue mosaic strip around it. I've always loved blue and my last bathroom had blue in it, so I'm sticking with it! I did consider going with more "classic" colors, but wondered why I would want to live in something for 10 years that I didn't love, just because I was worried about what I loved becoming dated. If you love blues and greens, I say express yourself, instead of expressing what is safe! Just my 2 cents!