Okay. So full disclosure: I was not always a fan of black bathrooms. I felt like it took a ton of effort to execute correctly, and people that did it well, were either super brave or slightly crazy.
Then I went into a friend’s ensuite last month and stared agape at the walls like a jerk. It was a full bathroom done completely in charcoal greys and black. The shower had matte black tiles on one wall and glossy charcoal ones on the floor.
There were gorgeous brushed brass fixtures. It was like being in a fancy hotel bathroom.
Warm.
Inviting. Invitingly luxe, even. “I just really love your bathroom,” I told her, “Can I stand here and stare at it for a few more minutes?” Um, guys. Let me tell you about the time I tried to have a black bathroom.
Three years ago I decided our powder room needed some sophistication. Swung by the hardware store and grabbed what I thought was a classy charcoal grey paint. I ignored Sarah’s suggestions to add something to contrast (which is a whole other mistake) and painted the entire room.
It was… cold. Phil walked in and asked me if something was wrong. My mother- in- law asked if we were having financial difficulties and couldn’t afford overhead lighting.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a calming, chic retreat. So what was my problem? How did Sarah create a beautiful black bathroom while mine looked like something out of a Kevin Spacey movie?
Here’s what I learned: Dark doesn’t equal black – Paint colour aside, just covering everything in dark colours is not enough to make it work. There needs to be some texture and contrast or else your space will feel flat and…. well, depressing. Sarah’s bathroom worked because there was contrast in the textures.
One wall was matte black tiles while the floor had glossy grey ones. There were shiny brass fixtures that reflected light and just enough white trim around the edges to give some “stop” to the space. Once I realized my mistake, I started studying bathrooms that worked and ones that didn’t.
Material matters SO much when working with dark colours. When I tried to fix my “greige” bathroom by adding in black hand towels and décor, I actually made it worse. Everything just melded together and looked muddy.
The space didn’t pop like Sarah’s did. It just felt smaller and depressing. It sort of goes back to that whole idea of building layers.
You need your large-surface colour (walls and floors), your accent colour (trim, bathmat etc.) and then you play with finishes and textures to tie it all together. So perhaps matte black subway tiles with polished grey flooring and brushed nickel fixtures. Each texture will reflect light differently which helps eliminate that cave vibe I was so proudly proud of.
With dark bathroom colours, I feel like pattern can be even trickier to execute well. I saw a black and grey bathroom on Instagram the other day with black hexagon floor tiles and grey herringbone walls. My eyes crossed just looking at the photos.
Too many patterns compete with each other and before you know it your space feels hectic instead of elevated. If I want a statement pattern on the floor I keep the walls simple. Or if there’s cool marble on the countertop, I’ll keep the fixtures basic.
You get what I’m saying? Lighting is EVERYTHING in a dark bathroom. I cannot stress this enough.
When I painted my bathroom that sad shade of grey I didn’t think twice about our existing lighting. A bare bulb fixture in the centre of the ceiling. That’s it.
You Might Also Like
Not surprisingly, come evening time our powder room turned into an inky void. You couldn’t see what you were doing. These days I always plan to have multiple light sources.
Bright ceiling fixtures like recessed lighting or spots, wall sconces near the mirror to help you actually see what you look like in the morning, maybe some puck lights under a cabinet if there’s storage built in. It sounds excessive? Maybe.
Until you try taking a shower with the only light source in the middle of the room 8 feet above your head. I’ve also become OBSESSED with brass fixtures in dark spaces. Black and brass together are pure magic.
The brass brings warmth to an otherwise cool colour palette. We upgraded our main bathroom fixtures from chrome to brushed brass last year (we also painted that bathroom a nice gentle dove grey since I matured beyond charcoal… maybe) and it made SUCH a difference. The space feels so much warmer now.
Dark bathrooms are a bitch to keep clean, y’all. Water spots on black countertops are NOT sexy. Toothpaste splatters scream at you from the bathroom walls.
If you’re not willing to become “that person” who wipes down the shower walls after every use, maybe steer clear of dark bathrooms. Ah yes, storage. When you’re hanging white towels on white walls, no one notices every crease or dog hair hiding in the corners.
But put those same towels in a dark bathroom and OH MAN. Learn to embrace the visibility. Invest in prettier storage baskets.
Buy nice towels in colours that complement your space. Make sure that if someone is going to see your IKEA drawer organizer, it actually looks somewhat stylish. I was worried dark bathrooms would feel depressing to spend time in.
Particularly during those dark Edmonton winters. But it’s sort of the opposite! When a dark bathroom is done right it can feel incredibly cozy.
Like being wrapped in a warm hug. Our master bedroom actually feels like a sanctuary now that we paint the walls. The perfect retreat from the rest of the house.
If you do have a window in your dark bathroom, tread carefully with treatments. Heavy curtains are going to suck all the light right out of your space. But door-less bathrooms with bare windows kind of feel like you’re exposing everyone to your business.
I’ve had luck with the translucent privacy window films or fun cellular blinds that allow light in without compromising privacy. Dark bathrooms can actually be pretty budget-friendly. Paint is still paint no matter what colour you put it on walls.
You can find dark tiles that don’t break the bank. It’s really the finishing touches like fixtures and lighting that cost the most. But trust me when I say they’re worth every penny.
Here’s a tip.
If you’re worried about dark bathrooms like I was? Start small.
Paint one accent wall. Swap out your boring silver faucet for a brass one. Get a feel for how the colour makes you feel in your space with your lighting and your lifestyle.
What looks amazing on Pinterest might not actually work for you. And that’s okay! Dark bathrooms can be tricky, y’all.
But when you figure it out? Well. It’s kind of glorious.
