Beyond White: Using Colour to Transform Your Bathroom Without Overwhelming It
- Lacey's
- Sep 1
- 4 min read
For years, white bathrooms have dominated Irish homes—for good reason. They’re clean, timeless, and give the illusion of space. But in 2025, more homeowners are beginning to ask: What if we went beyond white?
Adding colour to your bathroom doesn’t mean sacrificing sophistication. In fact, when used thoughtfully, colour can make your space feel more luxurious, personal, and even more functional. At Lacey’s Bathrooms & Tiles, we help customers confidently step outside the white-and-grey comfort zone. This guide will show you how to use bathroom colour the smart way—without overwhelming your space.
The Psychology of Colour in Bathrooms
Colour affects how we feel in a space. This is especially important in a bathroom, which bookends your daily routine. Here’s how different colour palettes influence mood:
Blues: Calm, serene, and spa-like. Ideal for creating a relaxing evening retreat.
Greens: Refreshing and restorative. Great for evoking nature and balance.
Neutrals (beige, taupe, sand): Warmth and comfort without going bold.
Black or Charcoal: Moody, elegant, and grounding—but best used in larger or well-lit spaces.
Pastels: Soft and cheerful. Perfect for family bathrooms or subtle pops of colour.
Terracotta and Earth Tones: Cozy, Mediterranean-inspired warmth with timeless appeal.
Tip: Think about how you want to feel in your bathroom—not just how you want it to look.
Where to Add Colour (Without Overdoing It)
You don’t need to paint every wall teal to have a colourful bathroom. In fact, targeted colour placement often makes a stronger (and more timeless) impact.
Feature Walls
Add a splash of colour behind the vanity, inside a walk-in shower, or around the bath. Use patterned or coloured tiles to anchor the room visually.
Furniture and Units
Coloured vanity units—such as navy, sage green, or even blush pink—are an easy way to add interest without touching the walls.
Tiles
Use colour in floor tiles or as a border on otherwise neutral walls. Coloured subway tiles or matt pastels are popular choices.
Painted Ceilings or Half-Walls
In smaller bathrooms, painting just the upper half of a wall or the ceiling adds personality while keeping the base colour light. Visit our Harold's Cross showroom for custom paint mixing
Still unsure? Dip your toes in with colourful towels, mirrors, bath mats, or soap dispensers.
Subtle vs. Bold Palettes: Finding Your Balance
There’s no “right” amount of colour to use—it’s about finding what suits your space and personality. Here's how to approach both ends of the spectrum:
Subtle Colour
Use soft tones like muted greens, warm greys, and pale blues.
Choose tiles with a slight variation in hue or texture.
Pair with natural materials (wood, stone) to soften the look.
Bold Colour
Opt for high-contrast pairings like navy and gold, black and white, or emerald and brass.
Consider colour blocking in modern layouts.
Use bold colours in powder rooms or guest bathrooms, where you can be more playful.
Lacey’s offers tile collections in both bold and understated tones—our showroom team can help you visualise them with real-life samples.
Working with Small Bathrooms
A common concern is that colour will make a small bathroom feel cramped. It won’t—if you use it strategically.
Go Light But Warm
Instead of stark white, choose light shades with warmth—like soft blush, duck egg, or warm sand.
Use One Colour Throughout
Minimise visual clutter by using one colour across walls and floors. This unifies the space and makes it feel larger.
Mirrors & Lighting
Pair darker or bolder colours with large mirrors and good lighting to open the space visually.
Avoid dark ceilings in compact rooms—they can make the room feel shorter.
Balancing Colour with Light
Light changes everything. A beautiful slate-grey tile may look dull in a poorly lit room but dramatic and elegant in a space with natural light.
Natural Light
North-facing bathrooms tend to have cooler light—warm tones like terracotta or honey-toned neutrals help balance it.
South-facing rooms can handle cooler tones like blue or grey without feeling cold.
Artificial Lighting
Layer your lighting: use ambient ceiling lights, task lighting at the mirror, and accent lighting under vanities.
Warm white (2700K–3000K) is generally more flattering in bathrooms than cold blue lighting.
Consider backlit mirrors or dimmable LEDs to enhance colour and mood flexibility.
Lacey’s Favourite Colour-Rich Collections
We love helping customers explore colour with confidence. Here are a few standout products and ranges available at Lacey’s:
Classic subway shapes in pale sage, blush, or powder blue—ideal for splashbacks or shower walls.
Encaustic-style floor tiles with subtle greens, blues, and burnt reds bring energy and movement to any space.
Choose from navy, forest green, or cashmere pink to add depth without touching the walls.
Dark & Dramatic
Our matte charcoal wall tiles offer a modern, high-contrast look—best paired with brass or wood accents.
Visit our showrooms or browse online for the latest collections curated for Irish homes.
Conclusion: Embrace Colour with Confidence
A colourful bathroom doesn’t have to be loud, trendy, or temporary—it can be sophisticated, relaxing, and deeply personal. Whether you lean toward earthy tones or vibrant finishes, a splash of colour can completely transform your space.
At Lacey’s Bathrooms & Tiles, we’ll help you bring your vision to life—whether that’s a subtle shift from white or a bold design statement. Our expert team is ready to guide you through samples, layouts, and colour choices that match your lifestyle and taste.
Visit Us:
Come to our Dublin & Kildare showrooms or explore our colourful collections online at www.laceys.ie.
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