The Unflattering Paint Color You'll Want To Avoid Using In Your Bathroom

The bathroom is more than just a utilitarian space — it's the room where you get fixed up in the mornings, go through your self-care rituals, and get ready for big events. And as a spot in the home that helps us look and feel our best, it's important that the bathroom is decorated in a way that's conducive to us feeling good about ourselves. However, something as innocuous as wall color can affect how we see ourselves in the mirror, casting either an unflattering hue across our appearance or enhancing our natural looks.

One of the worst colors you can use? According to Victoria Holly, principal of Los Angeles-based Victoria Holly Interiors, yellows with green undertones are an absolute no-no in your bathroom. In an interview with the Spruce, Holly explains that "the color is not very flattering for many skin tones, and in the bathroom you will want to feel your best as you apply makeup and evaluate outfits while getting ready for the day." Choosing the wrong wall color is just another mistake that's making your bold bathroom feel off-balance. This particular hue will not only make your bathroom look and feel tired, but it can also make you look tired too. This is due to a phenomenon in color theory called color casting, where the green-tinted hue reflects off the walls onto your skin, neutralizing reds and pinks and making you look sallow and gray.

Beyond what the color makes you look like, the hue itself can also make your bathroom look dated. Essentially, yellows with green undertones are synonymous with retro looks and can make your bathroom look and feel very yesteryear. Something about the tone is evocative of aged linoleum or stained walls, neither of which is flattering.

You also want to try and avoid bolder, more saturated colors since they can overwhelm the space. They can also make the room a nightmare to clean since water spots, dust, and soap residue show up easily on darker colors, like black. Dark red, in particular, is a hue to stay away from since it can feel overwhelming and make the room appear smaller than it actually is. With all this in mind then, what is a good color to paint your bathroom walls? 

When painting the bathroom, you want it to feel relaxed and spacious, so wall colors and bathroom decor that makes the space feel like a wellness retreat are a good idea. Modern neutrals like greige, taupe, and sage greens offer an earthy tonality without either overpowering the space or being overly boring. Meanwhile, crisp whites and cool-toned grays are beautiful paint colors to make tiny bathrooms look bigger as well. When paired with smaller pops of color or interesting textures, these colors can look and feel interesting. To ensure you're choosing the right color for both the room and your reflection, hold up some paint samples to the wall under the room's regular light to see how it looks in the space. Similarly hold the sample up to your face and look in the mirror to see how it reflects onto you. Ultimately, the goal is to create a flattering, livable backdrop that enhances you and your home.