The ultimate goal when designing a bathroom is to create your own personal sanctuary; a place where you can go to unwind and disconnect from the stress of your day. But it can be hard to nail down the components that help create a cosy bathroom - key elements might include warm bathroom colours, earthing materials and dark toned accessories, but how do all of these go together?
Cold colours can make a space feel clinical whilst an overload of different shades quickly gets overwhelming. Picking the most suitable materials is a fine art as these will play a key role in setting the tone. And creating a sanctuary you want to return to time and time again means finding the balance between these key elements.
In this guide, we explore everything you need to know about choosing the right colours and materials as well as how you can pair them together in a cohesive design.
Choosing warm bathroom colours
As Color Psychology describes, warm colours are those that are on the right side of the colour wheel “advancing toward the eye, while cool colours recede.” They are often reminiscent of natural elements like sunshine and fire which is why we associate them with a sense of safety and comfort.
At the same time, warm colours are empowering. Bathroom designers often opt for cool colours such as blues and greens to create a relaxing atmosphere, but a warm bathroom can be the opposite, truly energising and invigorating.
Popular warm colour palettes for bathrooms
To ensure cohesion and balance, it’s best to opt for warm colours of the same variety and to carefully choose the shades of your furniture. In this section, we look at how a few key colour palettes can look.
Earthy tones
https://pin.it/5qE3VhS
Colours like beige, taupe and terracotta make a space feel cosy and inviting. The best way to implement this scheme is to opt for deeper shades on areas (such as walls) to ground the space while adding accents through lighter shades.
Pastels
https://pin.it/5vMQYZl
If you’re looking for something more soft and comforting, colours like peach, coral and blush are highly effective. It’s best to balance these shades against white and neutral colours so as not to make the space appear overly gimmicky.
Rich hues
https://pin.it/31Pgzot
For those seeking a touch of opulence, rich hues such as deep red, warm burgundy, and burnt orange can be an excellent choice. The key is to consider them as accent colours and place them in decorative tiles or accessories.
Choosing the right materials
The bathroom fixtures you choose should contribute towards the aesthetic you have created through colour. And, in a warm bathroom, this means opting for natural materials such as these:
Wood. Wooden fixtures, such as vanity cabinets and shelves, add a sense of calm and complement colours like beige, taupe, and terracotta.
Stone. Luxurious yet grounded, stone makes a perfect flooring choice in bathrooms featuring deep red or warm burgundy shades.
Bamboo. Bamboo is an eco-friendly choice for bathroom fixtures with a light, natural hue that complements soft pastels.
Copper. Copper ensures that warmth is maintained across key fixtures, pairing well with rich hues like deep red and burnt orange to add a sense of sophistication.
Clay. Clay tiles can be used as accents, offering a rustic texture that aligns well with earthy tones.
Creating a Cohesive Design
To balance warm colours and natural materials, it’s important to create a sense of visual flow. This is, as Interior Designer Jelian Caligner describes, “a thoughtful orchestration of design elements that guides the observer’s eye through a balanced narrative that seamlessly marries form and function.”
Here are five main tips for doing so:
-
Repeat key warm colours at focal points such as the vanity area or bathtub. Then echo them through accessories and accents.
-
Balance textures by layering to add depth. For example, if you have smooth, glossy tiles, set them against textured elements like a woven basket for storage.
-
Select warm lighting. Opt for soft white bulbs to ensure your lighting fixtures align with your colour palette.
-
Add greenery. Create an even more welcoming space with elements of nature.
-
Choose the right furnishings. Look to St John for elevated pieces in your favourite earthy tones.
Summary
In the search for a warm and inviting bathroom, understanding the nuances of colour psychology and material selection is key.
By embracing the right shades from the colour wheel and pairing them with complementary materials, you can achieve a harmonious balance. Whether you're drawn to the grounding nature of earthy tones or the elegance of rich hues, the key lies in cohesion.
With the right blend of colours, materials, and design principles, your bathroom can become a true sanctuary, reflecting both comfort and sophistication.
