Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom or just looking to give it a fresh, new look, picking a color scheme should be at the top of your list. The right color scheme can give your bathroom personality, set a mood, or even make it look bigger. But not all colors work in all bathrooms. The key is to find the right color for you and your bathroom.

Selecting a color scheme for your bathroom can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. The first tip for finding the right color scheme is to pick colors that you’re comfortable with. Don’t choose a color you don’t care for just because it’s the current trend. Instead, look at colors that you love and that you respond to emotionally.

The size of your bathroom and the amount of light it receives will also factor in to your color choices. Smaller bathrooms will fare better with light, neutral colors to make them feel larger, while larger bathrooms can handle bold colors.

The best place to start in selecting colors for your bathroom is the color wheel. This will help you determine which colors work well together. There are a few different types of color schemes you can choose from:

• Complementary color schemes use colors that are opposite from each other on the color wheel. These colors bring out the richness in each other. One should be more dominant and intense than the other. For example, if you use a bright violet, you should use a pale yellow as your complementary color.
• Harmonious color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. This produces a color scheme that is less contrasting.
• Monochromatic color schemes use different tones and saturations of the same color.

Different colors represent different feelings and emotions. The colors on the right side of the wheel are warm and cozy colors. Red represents energy and passion, orange represents warmth and joy, and yellow represents happiness and hope. The colors on the left side of the color wheel tend to be cool and soothing. Green represents renewal and growth, blue represents peace and security, while violet is associated with creativity and wealth.

One of the most commonly used color scheme strategies is to select three colors: one neutral, one rich color, and one accent color. They should be employed in a 70/20/10 ratio, with the lightest color accounting for 70 percent of the bathroom, the next lightest accounting for 20 percent, and the boldest color accounting for 10 percent. Another approach is to combine two neutral colors to create a serene and calm atmosphere, using a 70/30 distribution ratio. You can also contrast two bright colors to create an energetic feel. Selecting dark or saturated colors can add dramatic contrast to a room and make cabinetry and woodwork pop. Balance these contrasting color schemes with white trim and fixtures.

If the color wheel doesn’t help you choose a color scheme, pull inspiration from the rest of your home, especially the adjacent rooms. Select an accent color from another room and make that the dominant color in your bathroom. Also consider the lighting in your bathroom. Look at the colors you are considering in both natural daylight and artificial light in that room. A color that looks beautiful in natural light may look less pleasing in incandescent light.

As you employ your color scheme, you should use each color you have selected at least three times in the room. This can include accessories, linens, artwork, or furniture. For big ticket items like countertops, the safe choice is to go with a neutral color to avoid having to replace it with changing color trends.