How To Use 2026's Biggest Color Pairing Trend In Your Bathroom

If you want your bathroom to pop and offer the relaxation and comfort a bathroom should inspire, a calm, cozy color trend is emerging as a stationary choice in 2026, centered on pairing natural tones. Referred to as "earthy vibrancy," this trend pairs two natural colors to bring the colors you're used to seeing outdoors indoors. While designer duo Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum (A.K.A. The Brownstone Boys) are credited for coming up with the term, we like what Libby Baker, the founder of Baker Design, told The Spruce about this trend: "These are not pairings you would normally think to pull together, but mother nature is the best artist." With that in mind, think of the colors you see together when you look outside — from the bright greens tree leaves against the lush brown of bark to the pale yellow sun against a light blue sky. 

Think of a painting of the outdoors, and these hues are what you want to aim for to embrace the trend in your vibrant, earthy bathroom. Of course, bathrooms are often small spaces, so while you can go for bold, rich colors, you'll want to ensure the shades aren't too overpowering or unflattering. Some popular earthy colors trending for 2026 include stone grays, which pair well with grassy greens, and lavender, a soothing paint color that can make a small bathroom feel larger. If you're planning to redo your floors, clay tiles are also a smart choice for bathrooms; look for them in stone or terracotta to build on this earthy trend.

Whether you're blending blue and yellow, terracotta with a warm eucalyptus, or stone with a grassy green, when making your pairing choices, look to nature for inspiration and consider your goals for the space. Bold colors can make a room stand out, but muted shades will be more relaxing and comforting in a bathroom. The trend for bathroom colors in 2026 seems to be leaning into unique neutrals – earthy, toned-back colors with strong saturation. While it's fine to add pops of bright color, the main idea is to stick with the most natural eye-catching shades. If you want to use a brighter or deeper shade of your chosen bathroom colors, use it as an accent. The boldness of this design trend is in small doses.

For example, consider pale yellow features with light blue accents, but add a rich, bright blue accent wall. Light blue and light yellow are also beautiful paint colors that can make a tiny bathroom look bigger. Yellow and blue together are timeless colors that will help you avoid redoing your bathroom anytime soon to keep it up to date, as are muted greens. Pair muted greens with bolder green shades for accents, such as pine green.

Because color-drenching is another trend we're looking at for 2026, this is a great way to create a beautiful bathroom using the earthy vibrancy trend. Surround the walls and floors in one color and add pops of another color through the sink or shower tiling. Got stone-colored tile? Drench the room in a pale lavender, which will make you feel like you're standing next to a stony flower bed filled with the purple flower in bloom.