Bathroom Design
Decorating Guides
Bathed in Color: When to Use Red in the Bath
Rev up your space and flatter all skin tones with bold, beautiful red on bathroom walls, floors and fixtures
There's a reason so many bathrooms in high-end restaurants have red walls — it's a flattering color for all skin tones. The owner might be hoping that looking good in the bathroom mirror means you'll feel good about frequenting the establishment. But red can be a tricky color to pull off in a small space that gets little light, as is the case in many residential bathrooms. Warm colors tend to advance, so a red bathroom will feel smaller and more closed in than a neutral- or cooler-hued space. But it will also have a warm, cozy and protective feel. For those who favor contemporary minimalist spaces, an injection of bold red is a good way to prevent a room from feeling cold and sterile.
Here are a handful of my favorite vibrant red paint colors and a selection of ravishing and inspiring red bathrooms.
Here are a handful of my favorite vibrant red paint colors and a selection of ravishing and inspiring red bathrooms.
The stunning glass mosaic tiles really dress up this bathroom. The tiled wall appears to be lit from within, thanks to the clever recessed lighting in the back of the medicine cabinet. If you want a dash of red in your bathroom but still want the space to feel full of light and open, make sure you have plenty of good lighting.
Reddish-orange walls look crisp and modern when paired with shades of white, black and gray.
I am a big fan of tile but always look for alternatives to it — for clients who don't like the look of grout lines nor the maintenance required to keep them clean and pristine. This bold red bathroom is clad in a commercial-grade epoxy paint, for waterproof surfaces that are easy to clean.
I love this elegant bathroom's shimmering red glass tiled walls and ceiling. Think about your grout color when selecting tile for a room. I often try to match the grout color to the tile to minimize the appearance of grout lines. This is a smart grout color selection — the striking wall sconces would get lost against of a grid of white grout lines.
If you are a fan of red but don't want to completely cover your bathroom in it, add a few red accents instead. This is a low-cost and low-commitment way to inject bold color into your home.
I've fallen hard for vintage claw-foot tubs in fun hues. This charming red toile wall covering is another great way to bring color into the room.
This dazzling bathroom features a dramatic accent wall of red and orange mosaic tiles. I like the contrast of the warm wall color and wood lavatory cabinet against the cool stainless steel sink and bathroom accessories.
Tell us: Are you hot for red? How have you used it in your bathroom?
Tell us: Are you hot for red? How have you used it in your bathroom?
Be prepared to apply several coats of red paint to get full coverage. Consider using a tinted primer first to maximize coverage.
Red paint picks for bathrooms (clockwise from top left):
1. Cherries Jubilee SW6862, Sherwin-Williams
2. Blazer 212, Farrow & Ball
3. Oh So Red 1009-1, Valspar
4. Rum Runner 232-7, Pittsburgh Paints
5. California Poppy S-G-160, Behr
6. Painter's Red KM3688-5, Kelly-Moore Paints
7. Portia 123-6, Mythic Paint
8. Burnt Peanut Red 2081-10, Benjamin Moore