Your Bathroom Color Scheme Is Too Stark And Outdated

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It's no secret that bathroom design trends change rapidly and sometimes unpredictably. After all, there was a time when many people felt that carpeted bathroom floors were hip. Throughout most of the 2010s, bleach-white bathrooms were the epitome of powder-room poise, especially if they featured sleek accents like a black shower frame, black-rimmed mirrors, black accent tiles, or matte fixtures. But as tastes have inevitably changed, the black-and-white bathroom color scheme now reads a little too severe and impersonal. 

Interior designer and Penny Modern blogger Carrie said on YouTube, "For a while, having that bold, graphic, black-and-white, high-contrast look felt very fresh and modern. But now in 2026, we're not craving that starkness anymore, and it's feeling a little bit dated and a little bit played out. It also just feels very cold and sterile if you don't do it right." 

As far back as a YouTube short posted in 2022, designer Phoenix Grey also noted the decline of this trend. "For a few years now, we've been shifting away from that sleek, almost clinical bathroom style into a more cozy, cocooning scheme." As Grey predicted, bathroom color schemes have only continued to become warmer and more textural since then, with people now preferring more natural, spa-like atmospheres and authentic, handmade materials over mass-manufactured clean lines.

If you feel surprised by these designers' opinions, you might be wondering, how could two classic, neutral colors possibly become outdated? The Achilles' heel of this trend really has less to do with the colors themselves and more to do with how they're implemented in bathroom spaces. "My insight? Bathrooms have more reflective surfaces than any other room, so cool whites bounce color and turn sterile fast," Jeffrey Mannaa, a contracting expert, shared on TikTok. Bright, icy whites may also cast a pallid hue over your skin, affecting makeup application.

On YouTube, Carrie of Penny Modern explained that the high-contrast black-and-white color palette also "doesn't give a lot in terms of visual flow. It really interrupts things." In bathrooms, which are typically small spaces, this kind of visual brokenness can actually shrink the room more and make it feel cluttered. The black-and-white color scheme is also often accompanied by other farmhouse design trends that are being replaced, which only adds to the outdated look. For example, shiplap walls and white subway tile are two materials that peaked in popularity during the farmhouse era, but they're now caught in a time capsule. Plus, the seams and grout lines tend to create more angles in a room that's already overwhelmed by stark, geometric shapes. 

This isn't to say that white bathrooms are now a no-go. Black and white are indeed neutral colors that can work almost anywhere, but it's important to consider undertones if you want to bring this bathroom color scheme into the modern era. Designers have marked a move toward more off-white and beige hues in both tiles and wall paint. These colors also tend to be more flattering when applying makeup in the bathroom. In his TikTok video, Jeffrey Mannaa recommends a shade like Simply White, one of the best Benjamin Moore paint colors for a calm, serene bathroom. This white shade has just a touch of warmth to keep the space bright and clean without feeling too blinding. On the opposite end of the spectrum, color-drenching is another bathroom trend that will be taking over in 2026, so now is a great time to indulge in a deep plum, soothing green, or terracotta hue. 

If you're not ready for a total overhaul, updating your bathroom's color scheme could be as simple as swapping the fixtures and decor. Instead of ultra-modern matte black for your faucets and showerhead, opt for something with an old-timey feel, such as brass or bronze. Nickel is also a timeless option. Depend on natural stone and wood tones like walnut and teak to add a luxurious touch to the bathroom. Wood can easily be incorporated through the vanity, wall trim, storage baskets, or even bath mats, like this VaeFae Teak Shower Mat.