In a tiny bathroom, Sarah Ingle painted every surface—walls, trim, and ceiling—in a deep Sherwin-Williams Waterloo blue. This bold move defied the common belief that dark colors shrink small spaces. While conventional wisdom suggests light colors make small rooms feel larger, Ingle's project, detailed by Apartment Therapy, proves a deep, immersive blue achieves the same expansive effect. Her bathroom also features a blue and cream checkerboard tile pattern on the shower wall, according to TheCoolist, enhancing its unique, curated feel. Homeowners are now increasingly embracing such bold, dark colors in small spaces, challenging long-held design principles and prioritizing personal aesthetic over traditional rules.
How to use paint to visually expand a small bathroom
Traditional advice often steers homeowners toward light colors for windowless bathrooms, with Defector even suggesting peach or light blue. However, Ingle's project demonstrates a powerful alternative: deep, immersive colors, applied universally, create an expansive effect. This approach forms a cohesive envelope, tricking the eye into perceiving depth. Designers who cling to the 'light colors for small spaces' mantra overlook a transformative tool. Monochromatic dark hues turn cramped rooms into luxurious retreats, prioritizing uniform color application over specific hue brightness. This strategy offers a bold new playbook for small-space design. By painting walls, trim, and ceiling the same deep shade, visual breaks disappear, making rooms feel intentionally grand. Homeowners adopting this approach will unlock new potential in their compact spaces.
What paint colors make a small bathroom look bigger?
Deep, immersive dark colors, such as Sherwin-Williams Waterloo blue, can make a small bathroom feel larger by blurring boundaries. Always order large stick-on paint samples to accurately assess colors in your space.
Are light or dark colors better for small bathrooms?
While light colors are traditional, dark colors applied monochromatically create an illusion of expansive luxury. This strategy eliminates visual breaks, making the room feel cohesive and larger. Consider a design collage for renovation direction.
How to use paint to visually expand a small bathroom?
Paint all surfaces—walls, trim, and ceiling—in a single deep, immersive color to eliminate visual breaks. This monochromatic application creates a boundary-blurring effect, making the room feel larger. Integrating bespoke DIY elements further enhances this curated feel.
