The Spa-Inspired Green Paint Color That's Making Your Bathroom Look Dated

When designing a fun home that showcases your personality, bathrooms often get overlooked. Colorful paint on your bathroom walls or cabinets is a great way to transform yours from a boring room into one with style and character. However, there is a certain paint color you'll want to skip if you're looking to give your bathroom a modern refresh for 2026: seafoam green.

Inspired by the ocean, this soft, cool-toned shade of green was super popular for bathroom tiles in mid-20th century homes — which is precisely why some interior design experts believe it should be avoided today. Sure, it can work as a paint color for small bathrooms, and it can have a soothing, spa-like effect, but its association with a bygone era could easily make your bathroom look dated. Take it from architect Laura Marion of Flight Architecture, who spoke to Martha Stewart magazine about an unfortunate experience of using seafoam green in a design project. She later regretted the choice when this retro color bathed the whole room in an air that felt more ill than inspired. Definitely not the vibe.

As an alternative bathroom paint color that's still in the green family, Marion suggests emerald. "It feels both timeless and dramatic, especially when paired with white-and-grey stone or classic porcelain fixtures," she explained. We love this idea because emerald pairs beautifully with other highly saturated, nature-inspired colors. Incorporating this hue is an excellent way to play around with earthy vibrancy, one of 2026's biggest color pairing trends, in your bathroom.

We've established that seafoam green isn't the best paint color for your bathroom walls or cabinets if you're aiming for a chic, contemporary look — but where does that leave you? If emerald is too rich or dramatic for your taste, sage green is an another expert-approved color that's worth exploring. Like seafoam, it's muted and cozy, which can help achieve a serene, spa-inspired bathroom that will make you feel like you're on a retreat. Some design pros say that sage can even make a compact bathroom look bigger.

No matter what shade of green you choose, how you style it is really a matter of personal preference. Taking a cue from color theory and pairing green paint with complementary colors that have red undertones, such as terracotta, amber, or bronze, is generally a safe bet. Since it invokes the beauty of natural world, green also plays well with accent pieces made from organic materials, like warm wood storage shelving or unglazed clay planters. 

If you take Marion's advice and go the darker route with emerald green paint, consider incorporating lighter colors or accents with less visual weight for balance — think white linen-blend hand towels or a rattan hamper for dirty towels. Alternatively, lean all the way in à la maximalist home decor with other statement-making pieces.