Blue bathroom ideas

Is blue a good colour for a bathroom? Yes, blue is the best way to create a calm and serene bathroom space. Whether you’re aiming for something dark and moody using navy or light and airy with pale blue, there’s a shade of blue to suit every preference and size of space.

For inspiration on creating a cool-toned bathroom using blues, we’ve put together this helpful guide that focuses on shades, themes and decorating tips.

The right blue colour palette

The first step in designing a blue bathroom is to choose a shade that brings your vision to life. If you’re unsure as to what shade will suit your décor choices, we have given our top tips below.

Light shades

A lighter shade of blue is the ideal choice for creating a clean and refreshed look, perfect for a bathroom space where you undergo self-care and relaxation.

Brighter shades are also a tactful choice for a bathroom as they reflect light well and make the room look bigger.

Dark shades

Darker shades can also be used to your advantage by instantly creating an intimate and cosy space.

If opting for dark blues, make sure to introduce light or reflective accents so the room doesn’t feel small and cramped. You can do this with simple touches like gloss tiles, metallic hardware, or white fittings. A large mirror will also help to reflect more light around the room, making it seem bigger.

Darker shades like navy work well with different textures, adding depth to your space. For example, why not try wainscoting panelling painted in a dark blue to add some grandeur to your bathroom?

Coastal style bathrooms

One of the most popular and easy-to-achieve themes for a blue bathroom is coastal. By introducing natural elements to mimic the beach, you’ll automatically add a sense of tranquillity and calmness to your space, which is very fitting for this type of room. If you’re unsure how to achieve a seaside aesthetic in your bathroom, try these simple changes:

Accessorise the space with shells and beachy artwork, or go for something a little more subtle like a round mirror and rattan storage baskets.
Rustic wood elements also help achieve a coastal feel, especially in lighter shades. Panelling is a great example of this, with styles like shiplap (named after the wooden plank effect on ships) which creates a raw look that fits in with classic nautical style.

Tiles & wallpaper

Tiles and wallpaper are great for adding texture and interest to a bathroom, and this can beautifully compliment blues, especially darker shades. Whether you’re sticking with a nautical theme or a natural and floral aesthetic, you can either strengthen your blue palette or create a wider colour palette that complements the blue features in your bathroom.

For something more standout, many modern bathrooms incorporate geometric patterns through wallpapering or tiling, adding a contemporary finish to your walls or floor.

What colour goes with blue in a bathroom?

It’s important to remember that different hues of blue will work with different coloured features and fixtures. For a dark, impactful bathroom, warm gold or brass taps and accents will help to bring that luxurious, elegant feel to the space. On the other hand, light blue and white features help create a bright and fresh look Natural wood tones are great for adding character to a bright space like this too.

If you’d like to venture beyond just blue and white with something bolder, warmer colours like mustard work beautifully with turquoise and navy, and pastel shades like sage green compliment pale blue.

If you’d like even more bathroom inspiration, discover our entire collection of bathroom ideas and advice.