How to Choose Bathroom Paint Color, According to a Psychologist
Photo by me through Midjourney. yellow is a warm, optimistic color that energizes. the warm pink tiles with the yellow paint create an energetic and cheerful Vibe.
Often when people have asked me the best color for a particular room, I’ve struggled to answer because colors can affect each of us differently. I’ve since attempted to narrow down a few considerations when choosing colors for specific rooms, starting with the bathroom. So if you’re interested in how to choose bathroom paint color, according to a psychologist, read on.
Let’s start with some basic info about color. Color is characterized by wavelengths of visible light. The sensation we experience when objects reflect light is what we recognize as color. When light hits an object all the colors get absorbed except the one we see. So when we see orange, all the other colors have been absorbed with the exception of orange. Full absorption is black and full reflection is white.
For simplicity, colors can be divided into warm and cool colors. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are longer wavelengths; and cool colors like blue, green, and purple are shorter wavelengths. Long wavelength colors hit the retina for a longer period of time, and tend to energize and excite us. On the other hand, short wavelength colors hit the retina for a shorter period of time, putting less strain on the eye. They tend to calm us. To complicate things even more, a hue, the basic attribute of the color we see (like red or green) can be cooler or warmer depending on what other colors it is mixed with.
Photo by me through Midjourney. THis Glossy Red is sure to stimulate sleepy mornings.
Beyond our basic physiological responses to color, we also have cultural and personal experiences with color that affect our reaction to it. Researchers have used the term Ecological Valence Theory (EVT) to explain how shared ecological experiences result in near universal associations between colors and emotions. For instance, many of us associate yellow with the sun and perceive the color as optimistic. But this may not be the case in hot, dry climates like Egypt where the sun can feel more antagonistic than optimistic. Essentially, we tend to prefer colors associated with things we like. This can explain why many of us are drawn to turquoise and watery greens that remind us of the sea, airy freshness, and/or cleanliness.
Beyond near universal pairings between colors and emotions, we also have our personal experiences with color. If a color reminds us of a bad experience we’ve had, we will likely have an adverse reaction to it, even if it is generally considered a pleasant color.
Now that we’ve gotten the basics of color out of the way, let’s consider how we approach choosing a color for bathrooms. First, we need to answer some questions about the characteristics of the bathroom. Here are some to start with but you may have more.
Is it a communal bathroom, the only one in the house?
Is the bathroom one to luxuriate in, or is it wash and go?
What is the mood you want for your bathroom?
Are there windows in the bathroom or is it purely artificial light?
If your bathroom has a window, what direction does it face, north, south, east, or west?
If your bathroom has purely artificial light, is it cooler or warmer light?
Photo by me through midjourney. This cool, minty green may possibly soothe tough work days.
So if there is only one bathroom in the house and others are fighting for it, then possibly consider a warmer color, a stimulating one that prevents people in the house from lingering. Research shows that red tends to increase perceptions of speed, making time seem to go faster. On the other hand, if you want bathtime to be a luxurious experience, consider cooler colors like blue, green, or purple, and in deeper shades. The deeper tones have richness and weight, and can feel supportive. For a wash and go bathroom others aren’t fighting over, still choose a more stimulating color as mentioned above.
Once you’ve determined the function, you’ll also need to determine the mood. Do you want it to feel homey and cute, cool and minimal, elegant and chic, dramatic and sexy, or something else? Warmer or cooler colors will work for any mood, but it is the way these colors are used that will give the mood you are looking for. For instance, homey and cute may be reflected through bright and balanced, complementary colors; and dramatic and sexy may be reflected through one bold color. Keep in mind that complementary or contrasting colors will also be more stimulating; and colors on the same side of the color wheel will feel less intense and more soothing.
If there are no windows in the bathroom, you’ll need to consider the artificial light used. Soft, white light is known to make warm paint colors more intense since it picks up the warm tones in the soft light. Cooler paint colors appear more dull since the soft light doesn’t pick up the cooler tones. Fluorescent lights are known for giving off a bluish color, and share similar temperatures to cooler paint colors. If you have fluorescent lights, consider using cooler paint colors to give a harmonious atmosphere, and intensify the cooler colors.
If your bathroom has windows, you’ll want to consider that south-facing windows get the most light and heat, and north-facing windows receive the least light. East-facing windows are lightest in the morning, and give off cool light, whereas west-facing windows receive the most light in the afternoon, and the light is strong and hot. As follows, if your bathroom gets lots of warm sunlight, consider using warmer paint colors. The warm sunlight will enhance the wall color, creating a unifying feel. Similarly, cooler sunlight will enhance cooler paint colors.
But maybe you want something other than a unifying feel; and are looking for a dynamic contrast or visual interest. If so, pair warmer paint colors with cooler natural or artificial light, or warmer paint colors with cooler natural or artificial light.
Photo by me through Midjourney. This crimson glossy red has deeper, cooler blue or purple tones making it a bit more soothing.
Again, the answer to how to choose bathroom paint color is a complex one that depends on our physiological responses to color, cultural and personal experiences with it, the context in which the color is presented, the unique qualities of the room, and the function of the room. Here is a checklist/summary to make it easier. Consider the following:
The function and desired mood of the bathroom
Consider the function of the bathroom when making a decision about warmer or cooler paint colors. Warmer colors excite and energize, and entice people to move more quickly; and cooler colors calm and relax us, causing us to linger longer. Note that any color can be warmer or cooler, or have warmer or cooler undertones (like in the case of neutral colors). Next, determine the mood you want (e.g., homey, minimal, elegant, sexy). This will help you decide how you use the colors (e.g., complementary colors may feel homey and cute).
Your cultural and personal experiences with color.
Consider your ecological experiences with color as well as your personal experiences with it. For instance, green may remind you of nurturance and stability, or it may remind you of bad shag carpeting. If you are adverse to green, consider that there may be some shades of green you can tolerate that may be cooler or warmer.
The direction of the windows and temperature of the artificial light.
For a unifying experience, natural light (warmer or color) or artificial light should be the same temperature as the wall color. For a contrasting, visually stimulating experience, you can contrast natural or artificial light with the wall color.
Hopefully these considerations resonate with you and/or you may have some new ones to add. Either way, let’s discuss, how do you choose bathroom paint color?
