11 Paint Colors That Instantly Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

Knockout Orange by Sherwin-Williams

In a petite space, it can be fun to experiment with bolder, gutsy shades that you wouldn’t normally want to commit to in a large room. Does tangerine make you smile? Opt for Knockout Orange by Sherwin-Williams, which the team at Oyster Creek Studios used to coat a campaign-style vanity.

“In this tiny bath next to the client’s playroom, we chose a vibrant, bold hue that is perfect for small spaces,” says Jenny Ureche, creative director at Oyster Creek Studios. “It creates a striking focal point that adds personality and energy to the room.”

Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

Designing a thoughtful space is all about balancing out your finishes—if you lean into drama in one spot, you should probably dial it back in another. Case in point? In this modest powder bath by Azali Kassum Design, a floor-to-ceiling stone wall is balanced by the perfect warm white—Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace—for the ideal juxtaposition.

“The powder room in this project anchors the end of the foyer, which used to lead out to the back garden,” says designer Azali Kassum. “There was an existing stone threshold which had this incredible organic texture to it—we wanted to play off this with a moody grey limestone for the floor and vanity wall. The surrounding walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace in semi-gloss to not feel too muted.”

Hague Blue by Farrow and Ball

Nothing screams drama quite like dark blue, making it a great option if you’re looking to embrace an already-moody room (like a bathroom without windows) or up the drama in a space. In this bathroom, designer Whitney McGregor chose a midnight tint—Hague Blue by Farrow and Ball—to coat everything from the walls and trim to the vanity.

“The clients had seen a dark blue kitchen and had saved the image for ages,” she says. “The room had no windows, so we tempered the dark color with light marble tile and countertops—and lots of good lighting!”

Gray Wisp by Benjamin Moore

If bright and bold isn’t your style, there’s no rule that says you have to amp up the drama in a small bathroom. For a more subtle effect, look to a wispy gray to add an airy, elevated feel.

“For this primary bath, our goal was to create a timeless design that also reflects our client’s personality,” says Sarah Snouffer of Third Street Architecture. “We chose a soft, airy blue wall painted with Gray Wisp by Benjamin Moore. It boasts subtle moody undertones, striking the perfect balance between calm and contrast.”

Persimmon by Sherwin-Williams

For a more is more vibe in your small bathroom, choose a color to echo throughout your design scheme, from your walls and vanity to your wallpaper. In this retro-inspired powder room, designer and TV host Natalie Papier—whose new book, Start With The Art, hit shelves in October—opted for an era-specific peach.

“The wainscoting in this powder room initially felt too traditional for the homeowner,” explains Papier. “By painting it Persimmon (by Sherwin-Williams) to harmonize with the wallpaper, this space goes from tradition to eclectic and funky.”

Rosemary by Sherwin-Williams

Find yourself a little paint adverse? Instead of coating color around the room, consider painting just the vanity, which often acts as the anchor to the space.

“A darker paint color can give presence to a vanity, especially in a light bathroom,” says designer Kelly Neely, who opted for a rich forest green (Sherwin-Williams’ Rosemary) in the elegant powder room above. “Don’t forget the power of textiles as well! They’re the perfect place to add color and character.”

Budoir by Benjamin Moore

Some colors have a certain connotation about them—like black being modern and pink feeling feminine—which can help you convey a certain mood in your bathroom. For a quaint and timeless space, the owners behind The Carter Cottage looked to Benjamin Moore’s aptly named shade Boudoir to add subtle romance and intimacy to the wet room. 

Great Green by Sherwin-Williams

Think lime green is only reserved for ‘90s fans and followers of the Brat movement? Think again. In this peppy space by Oyster Creek Studios, a citrus-inspired green (Sherwin-Williams’ Great Green) adds a punch of personality to a small powder room, coordinating with the Lulie Wallace wallpaper and breathing new life into an old vanity.

Branchport Brown by Benjamin Moore

There’s no reason to shy away from dark shades in a small space—in fact, the two features can work hand-in-hand beautifully, as evidenced by this glam powder room from Third Street Architecture coated in Benjamin Moore’s Branchport Brown.

“In this project, we aimed to create a striking impact with a small yet powerful powder room, says Snouffer. “Dark hues are often thought to shrink a space, but when paired with the right finishes, they actually enhance the room’s sense of depth and elegance.”

Revel Blue and Icelandic by Sherwin-Williams

Give a small space more visual interest by painting the trim and ceiling one color and the walls a different shade—a technique now being dubbed “double drenching.” Papier did just that for this little girl’s room, opting for Revel Blue and Icelandic (both by Sherwin-Williams). In doing so, the space doesn’t skew too juvenile. “By painting the ceiling and walls and customizing the vanity color, I gave this little girl’s bathroom a mature look that will grow with her,”