All-white bathrooms can look clean and timeless, but there needs to be a balance of other colors and textures. If the entire bathroom is stark white, it won’t feel comfortable or welcoming. Before you commit to white throughout your bathroom, consider these common bathroom design mistakes.
No Contrast Because Everything Is White
Contrast creates interest. If a room is made up entirely of one color, it looks boring. Even in a monochromatic room, there are different tones of one color to create movement and contrast. That’s not possible with an all-white design.
By adding in a color like grey, brown, or natural wood, you can make the bathroom feel more put-together and intentional.
Hard-to-Maintain Grout Lines
White grout is a nightmare to keep clean. Anything that can splash onto the tile is going to absorb into the grout. Oil, hard water, rust, toilet sprays, and everything in between is going to soak into those grout lines. You can bleach the grout to a degree, but some stains are impossible to get out. If you’re going to stick with all-white tile, consider a slightly darker grout for maintenance.
Sterile Feeling That Isn’t Inviting
White looks clean, but it can also create a hospital-like environment. In many ways, it’s too clean. There needs to be another color to offset the starkness. Once again, warm neutrals or a soft accent color could do wonders for cozying up the design. You can take the idea of an all-white bathroom and modernize it with subtle color choices.
Too Much Neutral with No Personality
White isn’t exactly a “wow” color. You don’t need tons of funky color to have personality in your bathroom, but there should be something that makes the space feel interesting. Many homeowners will mix different neutrals together to create a rich color pallet, and they may add in one accent color that changes over time. Example: grey walls, white tile, wood vanity, brass hardware, and then a pop of blue in the towels and artwork.
Consider stepping outside of your comfort zone to add a touch of personality to the space.
Different Shades of White Competing with Each Other
Not all shades of white are the same. Some have cool undertones and some have creamy undertones. When these different shades start competing with one another, the room can feel jarring and haphazard. The effects are elevated when you have multiple shades of white sitting next to each other. If your white door trim is a different shade than your white bathtub, it may not be that noticeable. But it’s easy to see the differences in white walls next to white tile next to white trim.
The Smartest Areas to Put White in a Bathroom Design
You can have a mostly white bathroom without committing to every surface being what. Some good places to put white in a bathroom include:
- Walls, if the tile and other features are not white
- Bathtub and tile, if the walls are a different color
- Trim and ceiling
- Sink and vanity
The general rule is to have colors in between sets of white. If you have white on the walls, use a color for your tile and then white for the tub. Avoid white on the floor because it will show dirt easily. White walls or wall tile can make the bathroom feel bigger and brighter, but again, add some other colors for contrast.
Find a balance that captures your personality and remains flexible for the future. This will ensure your bathroom design looks great for years to come.
Changing the color of your tile is easier than you think! With our professional tile refinishing services, you can choose whatever color you want for your tile or even get a stone finish. This costs significantly less than replacing your tile, and the new coating will be incredibly durable. Best of all, you don’t have to deal with messy demolition or length installation times. We’ll be in and out in a matter of hours.
Reach out to Maryland Tub and Tile if you’d like a tile refinishing quote: 877-717-8827.
