Choosing colors for painting Powder Bathrooms
11/14/2008 11:22 AM by Gretchen Schauffler
There are bathrooms and then there are bathrooms. Bathrooms seem to be divided into two categories; for personal use or for guest use. They have one thing in common, nature’s call. This means that everyone goes into the bathroom when nature calls.
So whether it’s for 3 minutes or 3 hours—depending on the nature of your call—you can choose paint colors for your bathroom that are a total treat to you and to others. Lets flesh this out:
Choosing paint colors for powder bathrooms, otherwise known as guest bathrooms:
These bathrooms are a one toilet-sink-mirror-vanity show, window optional. Powder rooms are conveniently tucked somewhere between the entry, living, and dining room. They are usually designated and decorated for “guests”. However, there is a time limit. Any longer than a five minute stay and the home owners start to worry about you.
Why are they called Powder Rooms? Maybe it’s a polite way to avoid the subject, or maybe because that is where women “powder” their noses. Nature’s call is second only to the primping and scrupulous facial examination that takes place in a powder room. Go crazy with color in these powder rooms. Look at your color palette and choose richer paint colors for your guest bathroom. Remember the highlight of the room is the face in the mirror! Give faces a great color behind it. Stay away drab! Make it a portrait. Make me look good while I powder my nose! Don’t worry, Devine Color makes the color of wood look radiant—the same warm qualities will compliment most skin colors.
Paint the ceiling the same color. The ceilings are small. Unless you have crown molding to separate the colors (you can then accent the crown as a feature with a different color) no need to accent a little “square” shape above. No one looks up anyway…they are not in there long enough!
COMING SOON:
Choosing paint colors for master bathrooms:
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Wall colors for a "Great Room"
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Hello! Thank you for your wonderful advice! Now, since people have different colors of skin, wouldn’t different background colors make their faces either look better or worse? Do dark colors make faces look better? What color is the green pictured above? Does the whole small powder room get painted such a dark color, or just the walls that reflect in the mirror? Thank you!
— Mrs. Duane Smith 11/20/2008 08:52 AM #
Mrs. Duane Smith:
You are right about different colors looking good on different types of skin and this will be a BIG thing to discuss in Choosing Paint for Master Bathrooms. In a powder room, people are there for a short time, so seeing a striking color behind them is fun. I would certainly stay away from colors that make people look bad, but most of our Devine colors make skin look good because they are continually created to make natural wood look good. Their warmth is perfect for “us” too. Most powder rooms lack windows so if with little lighting—you know our advice—use a darker color. Read Using light colors to lighten a dark room. For the green look see devinegreen: Trillium, Devine Green Tea, Devine Juniper. Remember computer screens distort colors so the best way to make a decision is with our color tools.
— gretchen Schauffler 11/20/2008 10:12 AM #
Can you tell me what color is on the powder room wall above? It is a beautiful grape/wine color and I can’t seem to spot it on the color schemes. Thank you!
— Tara Jones 03/04/2009 09:01 PM #
Tara:
We have several awesome grape/wine colors! Using our Color Finder try Devine Bordeaux, Clover, Gosling,Shantung, or Sarsaparilla. Remember that computer screens are “pixel” limited and therefore distort how colors look. The best way to make a confident decision is to order the color tools and view at home.
— gretchen Schauffler 03/05/2009 08:59 AM #
Need ceiling advice: Dining Rm = poppy, kitchen = Toucan,
Living Room = Cafe’
Entry = Poppy
The ceiling is continous through all rooms. I look forward to your color recommendations for the ceiling.
Thanks!
— Karen Hanenburg 04/22/2009 12:29 PM #
Thank you so much for your previous advice. I love my bathroom with the Toucan walls and the Persian ceiling. I am now ready to tackle my bedroom in my 900 sq ft condo. The Living/Dining/Kitchen has two walls painted Medallion and the other two walls painted Roast. The Laundry room is Medallion. All trim/doors are an off white. I would love to make a statement with my master bedroom (both ceiling and walls). The carpet is a dk brown (someday it will be hardwood) and I have a large window that is facing East. It doesn’t have the best of light but I will take care of that with great lighting. The style I have in my condo is Contemporary Asian. What can I do with my bedroom to make a statement. (My apologies if I have submitted this twice). Thank you.
DJ
— DJ Burgh 04/22/2009 01:15 PM #
Karen:
If you want to have a transitional color on the ceiling you can stay in your rich palette and either use the Poppy or Cafe. I know, dramatic but stunning and strong (specially if you have lots of white trim). If you have lots of wood trim, then you may want to a contrast color, consider Devine Custard, Maple, or Butter. Think of how the box would look best “finished”!
Depending on the paint finish (Delicate, Breathable, or Powder) do the same on the ceiling unless it is brocade (like stiff frosting) then use Powder.Have fun imagining the possibilities…
— gretchen Schauffler 04/23/2009 05:32 PM #
We love Devine paint and have recently painted our kitchen/family room in Muslin. The powder room off this area has a white vanity with dark green granite. The floor is a warm tile with some white. Almond and Steamer look great in this room, but we’re not sure we want a green bathroom (We are updating a different bathroom currently with Reef). Spice looks great with the floor, but we’re not sure if the white and green in this small room look good with it. I’ve contemplated some form of red, but it’s hard to pick the right color with the “butterscotchy” tile. Are there any colors you would suggest? What do you think about Spice? Your advice is greatly appreciated. Rebecca L.
— Rebecca L. 05/10/2009 11:01 PM #
Rebecca:
Spice sounds fabulous and you can look at colors like Sarsaparilla, Elephant, Orangutan, or Dust. These warm colors would look beautiful and dramatic! Don’t forget to paint the ceiling! Thanks for trusting our wisdom, color, and paint!
— gretchen Schauffler 05/11/2009 03:19 PM #
I have a windowless powder roon (no natural light) I would like to use fescue color paint, but add a stripe of a coordinating color. Any Suggestions?
— Mary Madsen 09/01/2009 12:10 PM #
Mary:
See Fescue with Hazelnut or Cocoa, besides the wonderful greens such as Cactus. See if colors like Skyline or Fog do anything for you…Add a third strip, vary the sizes-more work but amazing look. Try wide horizontal stripes with Fescue in different sheens (Powder & Luscious)...Ahhh
— Gretchen Schauffler 09/04/2009 12:37 AM #
I have purchased a lovely mirror for my powder room, It has green and yellow gold stained glass with a metal border of black around it.
I want to paint to show it off. But i am confused, if i paint it green or gold will it blend to much with it. Looking at the color wheel I am thinking something in the red ctegory.
the toilet is white, the floor a Oak. I like warm colors, I love the Toile, or should it just be green like the green tea, CONFUSED. Thank You Kris
— Kris 11/03/2009 09:41 PM #
Kris:
You can create sweet harmony by doing Devine Green Tea (also check out Devine Jacquard) or striking contrast with Devine Toile, Cayenne, or Cheetah. Now that we got the obvious (more common choices) out of the way, explore others. See if colors like Devine Cocoa, Bison, Cafe, or Spice do anything for you!
— Gretchen Schauffler 11/04/2009 10:06 PM #