Software
Houzz Logo Print
algal101

Paint color suggestions for my dated beige/almond bathroom

7 years ago

This bathroom needs serious love but I'm not ready for a demo. So to embrace what I have, I'd like to paint it a neutral color. Many people suggest gray. I'm thinking a medium gray, something that doesn't have much of an undertone. The front runners so far are BM Stonington Gray and SW Repose Gray. Thoughts on gray? Any other color suggestions? Thank you in advance!!


Comments (50)

  • 7 years ago

    I personally would go with white white white. Clear out the clutter, add a white window treatment, white towels. Not sure if there is a shower in there but if so a white curtain. Just like the door. ...Oh, and put the toilet seat down. ;)

    algal101 thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you. I've thought about white, just trying to think outside the [white] box. Theres a shower, and ironically, it has a gray patterned curtain lol

  • 7 years ago

    Chocolate browns and slate blue would be pretty and spa-like.

    algal101 thanked Cor
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you, I like the slate blue idea! I also like the SW sea salt idea, as Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design suggested.

  • 7 years ago

    No grey.

    Bright White would be nice because it turns the Almond into a color, not so much a dingy white.

    A deep blue would look nice because it would make the almond a bit brighter.

    algal101 thanked palimpsest
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Go brown….and change the vanity light and medicine cabinet.

    Master Bathroom · More Info
    Plush 100% Cotton Towels, 6PC Bath Towel Set, Red · More Info

    algal101 thanked JudyG Designs
  • 7 years ago
    I think one of those grayish blue/green colors would work really well. It’s an awful quick visual but something like the pic below. It’s Picnic Basket by BM.
    algal101 thanked Stephanie S.
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    My first thought was Sina’s Sea Salt suggestion. No gray. White would work too, as well as the more dramatic brown ...

    algal101 thanked K Laurence
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    your bathroom layout reminds me of this one. it's different tile, but if you ever wanted to redo yours....

    btw, you can have your wall tile sprayed by a pro with an epoxy resin paint, and it will look brand new, white. get a new sink/toilet, (or lightly used on craigslist,,and sell yours there too) , and the bathroom could resemble this one.

    algal101 thanked Beth H. :
  • 7 years ago
    I use rugs to great effect in my bathrooms to cover up the tile that I'm not ready to demo. you could also add some color with a small framed art piece. That way you can paint the walls white and add color in with new accessories such as rugs, new shades for your light bulbs, new shower curtain, Etc. you could replace your current light bulb covers with small linen drum lampshades, called chandelier lamp shades. Those are cheap and would instantly update your bathroom fixture. You could add color with those too or stay with white. I agree with moving toward White, blue greens, Etc. overall. be careful with white paint, the undertones on those can be just as bad as Grey. I actually like to use the base from Behr on my ceiling and trim and occasionally on the walls too. It makes everything look bigger and it's the only true White. good luck! And try to have fun with that :-)
    algal101 thanked mrspepper
  • 7 years ago

    Sea Salt is pretty but it can go a bit gray depending on the light. Something like Rainwashed may be a good choice. Here it is in a room with a beige and white floor.

    algal101 thanked katinparadise
  • 7 years ago

    Maybe something like Van Deusen Blue and go all white on towels, get rid of any clutter.

    algal101 thanked tfitz1006
  • 7 years ago

    First, thank you to everyone here for all your thoughtful suggestions! Special thanks to Stephanie S. for introducing me to an app that can help with this decision!!


    Here it is in white. I think it makes everything look dingy and blah.


    Rainwashed. I like the color, I don't love it in here.


    Even though there are a lot of gray haters lol, I tried a dark gray. I think I kind of like it.


    I love the suggestion from tfitz1006 for VD blue. I painted my kitchen cabinets Hale Navy and I LOVE them but it might be too dark and can sometimes show purple - VD Blue might be perfect).


    I thought I'd also throw in a similar color Newburyport Blue. It's subtly more gray than VD blue. You can't really even tell from the pics. This might be my fav?

    Thoughts??

  • 7 years ago
    Isn’t that program the best? I’m currently using it to try and figure out my kitchen, LOL.

    I do like the way that grey looks. I also fooled around with some dark colors but I wasn’t sure if you’d like that. We have a small downstairs bathroom and I went with a dark taupe/greige and it’s my favorite room in the house. I was scared of darker colors in a smaller space but it really pops!
    algal101 thanked Stephanie S.
  • 7 years ago

    Stephanie S.: It's so awesome I can't believe I never knew about it. My friends are freaking over it lol!! Thank you so much! I'm def not afraid of dark colors, especially in a small space. Creates a mood. Now just deciding on which one.. hmmm....Best of luck with the kitchen!!

  • 7 years ago

    I agree the white is too bright and makes the rest of the room seem dingy. The Rainwashed doesn't give enough contrast. I like the darker blues but something just doesn't feel right about them. They gray is just too cool for the warm tile and fixtures. What do you think about trying to find a very close match to the wall tile to erase any contrast. Use towels, shower curtain, and artwork to bring in contrast with prints. I have SW Relaxed Khaki in my bathroom and love it.

    This is China Doll.

    Another option might be to do a fun wallpaper.

    Sorry this is so bad but hopefully you get the idea!

    algal101 thanked katinparadise
  • 7 years ago

    I painted a "greige" wall color in my bathrooms that had almond fixtures. It's a cross between gray and beige and on the warm side color-wise. I used sage green accents in the form of shower curtain and rug to add color. Celebrate the fact that you already have tiled walls and floor!

    algal101 thanked lesleycurl
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    katinparadise: Thank you, love that wallpaper! If only I had the patience lol. I wallpapered my closet, and it came out great, but it didn't have to be perfect (and the moisture of a bathroom always deters me).

    Oh how I love my closet :)

  • 7 years ago

    I like the darker colors for your walls....what color is your floor...does it have grey in it....go with that color or something that matches it. Bring color in with the towels and curtain and bath mat.

    algal101 thanked erinsean
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Okay this from a gray hater (so you know I'm being honest): ...Yes. Gray is it for you even before I saw any of the other posts....

    Gray and almond are a lovely color combination that too many people are wary of...

    ETA: Stay away from those grays with green undertones..

    algal101 thanked User
  • 7 years ago
    I like the color it is now and would put some pretty leaf prints up and maybe a pretty natural shows curtain
    algal101 thanked Kerry Blossom
  • 7 years ago

    lesleycurl: Thank you, do you happen to know the name of the color? I like gray b/c its neutral and I can do what I want with colors for towels, a rug, shower curtain etc but I need one that's "warm". Any suggestions for a dark greige?

  • 7 years ago

    You're welcome. Love your closet. Look at Sherwin Williams Perfect Greige for a dark greige with beige undertones. Or possibly Dovetail.

  • 7 years ago

    pennydesign: I didn't know there were so many "graters" (gray haters) out there hahaha! Thank you for weighing in! I was thinking I could add a rug that has both gray and tan/cream with a little pop of color - something like this (but not exactly this)

  • 7 years ago

    Beth H. : I have bathroom envy...mine will look like that someday :) Thank you for the inspiration!

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    My opinion, I am not a pro, though, is that when you're marrying two colors that logic says shouldn't work (but they do in a fantastic way), then adding other colors confuses them...for example, if you add a blue as an accent, you're making the almond be the bit player...If you add a warm color accent, (like brown or green or whatever) then you make the gray the bit player.

    I think both should have equal importance. So I would not add accent colors at all....Just colorblock it with these two.

    Explained my thinking rather badly there, didn't I?

    BTW, On my monitor, that gray is perfect. It should be bold and clear. Like wet cement.

    algal101 thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    Also, I really enjoy the Bisque/biscuit/almond in the bathroom....I'm hoping they come back in a big way...(you heard it here first :))))

    algal101 thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    pennydesign: Thank you again! We'll see about that bathroom remix....it seems everything comes back around in one way or another!

  • 7 years ago

    I would add some plants and teak...they go with everything... :)

    Shower curtain may be tough...you may have to make one if you sew...but if you do go with the gray paint, remember it's easier to match paint to fabric...so get the curtain first.

    Please show us when it's done...there are far too few people here who are willing to make what they have better...too many who make the wrong (to me) choice of ripping it all out when it's not necessary...

    Good luck whatever colors you decide on... :)

    algal101 thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    I love gray and tan but would favor a very pastel shade, like here


  • 7 years ago
    What is the app that you all are talking about? Thanks
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    From where the natural light comes will influence your decision….bathroom …facing what direction?

  • 7 years ago
    Jeez...thats a lot of angst over finding a paint to go with the tiles. We had some hideous ones in two bathrooms once upon a time....like Pepto Bismal pink and Tweety Bird yellow. Had them spray painted...not hideously expensive. Did the same for son’s condo in Hawaii...which is now a rental...and it still looks great. If you choose to keep that color...I’m voting for a fun wallpaper.
    algal101 thanked OldGrayMare
  • 7 years ago
    Cor, it’s a virtual painter right on Benjamin Moore’s website. Here’s the link! http://www2.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/personal-color-viewer

    Also, Sherwin Williams has a virtual painter app for the iPad as well!
  • 7 years ago
    if you love Gray, pick an undertone that matches and you will find the right grey for your bathroom. for example, greige is a gray with yellow undertone, which is why it looks good with beige. .... Here are examples for each undertone... ( Behr Paint has the same free visualization tool as Benjamin Moore...) http://www.behr.com/colorfullybehr/know-your-neutrals/#sthash.9o3dHB5C.YVU8vJGp.dpbs
    algal101 thanked mrspepper
  • 7 years ago

    Cor: I used "Paint Tester". You can upload ANY color, change the brightness, and save the pic. Like Stephanie S. mentioned, BM and SW have similar apps.

  • 7 years ago

    Making progress....I replaced one old big high hat ceiling light with 2 LED lights (more centered in the room) and moved the wall light higher so I can buy a bigger recessed medicine cabinet. Color selection is still TBD but I've been buying samples. I'll post and update when its done! Thank you again for all the input!!

  • 7 years ago

    katinparadise: I love the wallpaper you suggested it is literally perfect for my bathroom. I also love the shower curtains - we have the same design vision. I just posted for a friend who is looking for wallpaper ideas so I thought I'd send you the link in case you have any suggestions!! Thank you again for all your ideas!!

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/wallpaper-suggestions-for-powder-room-dsvw-vd~5237666

  • 7 years ago

    You're welcome algal. Glad you liked them. Good progress so far. The larger medicine cabinet will give you some nice storage. Since you said you worry about wallpaper in a bathroom, if you're really feeling brave, maybe you could buy a sample, project the pattern onto your walls, and hand paint it. On the other hand, a pretty shower curtain and great wall color might be a bit more practical!

    I'm no wallpaper expert but I'll take a peek at your friend's dilemma.

    Good luck with your project!

  • 7 years ago
    Sea salt would be beachy with the almond tile. It would be pretty, but very beachy. (Ocean/sand) Oyster bay may work. It a darker grey with green undertones. I say may work because I’d have to see it in person and I used it against bright white and Carrera marble. If it’s in your budget I’d also swap the sink and toilet for white. Also add some plants.
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you again to all the people who commented on this post! I wanted to share the "after" picture. I chose Mindful Gray by SW. I tried so many colors, and many grays, and this seemed to work the best. I moved the light fixture higher on the wall and bought a new, larger medicine cabinet from Pottery Barn (I had a gift card and put it to good use). I also installed 2 high hat ceiling lights. I'm very happy with the outcome....overall its not perfect but definitely better than where I started without spending more than a few hundred dollars.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago


    It looks really nice. The gray is warm enough to work with the almond and they're about the same tone so the contrast isn't so obvious.

    A fabric roman shade that incorporates both colors would be very pretty in there.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I think it's absolutely lovely. Can I make a suggestion? The heater cover comes off pretty easy....take it outside and give it a coat of almond spray paint. And you'll need Edison bulbs to finish off your pretty light.

    I'm still hoping for a touch of teak and and plant or two (I've found that Asparagus fern thrives in my bathroom and I can't grow anything at all...)

    You must be thrilled....

  • 7 years ago
    you did a really great job! I'm glad we could help a little. Add a peshtemal towel, Edison bulbs, and a Turkish rug and you will be down right hip :-) you know, in that world where money grows on trees.
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I love the color you picked! I am in a similar situation. I‘m going to replace the bathroom sink & tub, but other home improvements are more important. Meanwhile, I just need to change the paint color to tone the almond color down in the bathroom. I am going with the same color you picked. It came out great! Thanks for sharing!

  • 4 years ago

    I need help! I tried that gray you suggested and it looks terrible

  • 3 months ago

    Ran across your post today as looking for colors to go with my outdated almond-colored tile! Love the color you chose and it is my personal opinion that gray and tan go together beautifully IF you pick the right color of gray and tan (as you did!). If you ever want to change it up to a darker greige, I went with SW Stone Lion and it looks amazing.

  • 3 months ago

    I wouldn't do grey at all. I agree go blue/green like the sea salt, or there's a pretty color from SW called Rainwashed.

    If you can't redo the pedestal sink, I'd perhaps switch out the mirror over the sink, and change the lightbulbs in the light fixture or get another light fixture.