Avoid These 4 Paint Colors in Your Bathroom At All Costs

Ready to refresh your bathroom with a new paint color? To narrow down your choices, it helps to know which paint colors to stay away from.

Interior designer Sallie Lord, the founder of Greyhunt Interiors, shares her thoughts on paint colors you should never use in a bathroom. We'll give you options to consider instead, as well as ideas on the best paint finish for your bathroom.

1. Dingy Colors

Whether you want to transform your bathroom into a calm and serene oasis or you want to make a bold statement in a small powder room, Lord recommends staying away from drab colors. "Dingy colors that are drab and 'dirty' looking are not the right look or feel in a bathroom," she says.

Any muddy shade, whether a heavy beige, murky khaki, or an indistinct mauve, will visually weigh down the space and make it look dark and outdated. "It will bring your mood down and zap your energy," Lord says.

Instead, reach for a distinct shade and embrace a true color, whether that's a deep navy blue hue or a refreshing mint green tone. Despite their different levels of brightness and saturation, both are distinct paint colors that look clean and clearly embody a certain visual aesthetic.

In addition to using a distinct color on the walls, do the same with trim. Avoid creamy shades on baseboards, crown molding, and door and window trim to prevent a dirty and outdated look, and stick with a crisp white or true color that's pulled from the bathroom wallpaper.

2. Any Matte Finish

"As much as I love black, I recommend avoiding matte black in the bathroom," Lord says.

People often don't realize it's not just about picking the right paint color for a space, but about choosing the correct finish, too. The paint finish can completely alter the appearance of a color and dramatically affect the room's overall style and atmosphere. Whether it's matte black or charcoal, Lord recommends staying away from darker matte tones.

3. Neon Colors

Green is a popular paint color when it comes to bathrooms, but choosing the right shade is key. A bathroom is where most of us begin and end our days, which means an overwhelming paint color is not the best choice for getting ready or winding down.

"Shocking colors like neon green and chartreuse are not ideal," Lord says. Not only will these bright shades overpower the space with their intensity, but as Lord points out, "their shock value will wear on you quickly." An intense paint color can also make an often small space, such as a bathroom, feel even more cramped and humid.

Trade shocking shades like neon green and chartreuse for timeless shades of green that inspire a rejuvenating feel in the morning and a calming atmosphere in the evening. A dark shade such as forest green will infuse a bathroom with a grounded, nature-inspired energy, especially when paired with natural materials in the form of a wood vanity and stone floor tile.

On the other hand, a mint green wall color will set a soothing backdrop for white cabinetry and polished chrome accents if you're going for a light and airy bathroom design.

4. Yellow or Mustard

"Yellow or mustard tones, while fun and welcoming in other spaces, are not the best fit for a bathroom," Lord says. The warmth and heavy saturation of these paint colors can make an already humid environment like a bathroom feel extra muggy, especially with certain types of lighting. "They have a tendency to reflect on your skin, potentially making you look sickly," she adds.

To avoid the muggy look, swap mustard tones for light and refreshing pastels that infuse a bathroom with an optimistic softness. Whether it's light pink, pale blue, or a soothing lavender shade with a cool gray undertone, pastel paint colors have a lightness about them that's perfectly fitting for a bathroom. If you do want to use yellow, opt for a pale and champagne-toned hue.

Right Color, Right Tone

Your bathroom paint color sets the tone for your morning routine as you begin the day and provides a backdrop for your evening routine as you wind down. Besides having practical uses, bathrooms are also considered a place of retreat, comfort, and relaxation. One way to get this spa-like feel is to use soothing color palettes, such as warm neutrals, light blues, and botanical greens.

That means jarring colors are out, no matter how trendy they are. Experts warn against using avocado green paint in bathrooms, for instance, even if it complements your vintage tub or original tile. The color can be overwhelming, and you might get tired of it quickly. Similarly, a bold color like red or crimson may get your blood pressure up, so a calming, spa-like blue would be a better choice.

For inspiration, experts advise looking out your window. Nature-inspired bathrooms are trending, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2025 Kitchen Trends and Bath Trends Report. In the survey of industry professionals, the most popular bathroom colors include blue, green, and white.