Hmm, bright blues are difficult because they can look dated quickly, especially when paired with tan or beige. However, I have a room painted Behr Drizzle, which reads as a grey, but when painted looks more blue than grey. Not sure if that’s the exact color you are going for, but maybe something that hints grey without being too sad?

It seems to me you want the color of the shower niche, but lighter. If the blue you use doesn't echo the niche in some way it's going to look random and out of place, or the niche will look like it doesn't fit. There usually isn't too much wall area in a bathroom. If you have found colors that work, but she doesn't find them lively enough, help her look for a piece of art that will introduce some more colors. Hanging white towels could also be a good idea. Because you're not showing a finished room it's hard to make any other recommendations. If none of the blues work, move to a white/off white that matches the white tile.

@kandrewspa I appreciate your suggestion of using a lighter blue that echoes the niche and adding a lively piece of art. I was choosing greys and darker blues which don't work for Mom.

Google happy blue colors and show them to your mom and let her pick what she wants. It doesn't all have to be matchy, matchy. Any color blue she wants will work. Besides, it's only paint which is easily changed.

Took a trip to Sherwin Williams.

Can we see how those swatches relate to the niche? What are the color names? I like these SW colors but can’t tell how they will go with the niche:

Do you have some of the blue penny tiles and beige tiles that you can take to a paint store? I would try for a blue colour that leans towards the teal in the penny tile, but lighter.

Love Sleepy Hollow and Mountain Air

My sister just loves Ben Moore's Marilyn's dress. It's pretty. Almost white but has a definite blue hue. I would describe it as clean and clean makes me happy.

Here's a drop of it.

Marilyn's Dress 2125-60 Paint · More Info

Here's BMs Marilyn's dress in a kitchen.

Sound Rd · More Info

My problem is that the white looks like a warm white and she wants a cool blue, going by the niche. Try SW Aviary Blue, which has a touch of green.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-family/blue-paint-colors/sw6778-aviary-blue

Or Atmospheric

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-family/blue-paint-colors/sw6505-atmospheric

or Cay

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-family/blue-paint-colors/sw6772-cay

or Gentle Aquamarine

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-family/blue-paint-colors/sw9046-gentle-aquamarine

The colors are SW Secret Cove, top left; SW Loyal Blue, top right; SW Aquitaine, second row; SW French Moire last row.

This photo has the SW Loyal Blue and the SW Secret Cove.

Rest Assured by Sherwin Williams? I find it very happy!!😊

That SW Rest Assured is a beautiful, happy blue. I am going back to SW and picking it up to try on our wall.

@Nancy in Mich the white tile is Cloe from Bedrosians. There are color variations from white to grey.

See if you can color match the blue tiles. Home Depot did this for us. BM and SW wouldn't.

Then you can get advice on how to lighten it from experts here. Talk to the sales rep at HD.

It blends where as the others just clashed.

To me SW loyal blue looks very nice with niche tiles

The pic with the 4 colors on the wall and you holding the tile, well they are all way too dark. If your mom wants a happy blue use something light like the Mountain Air (or similar) someone posted above. Something light, bright and airy

Think sand (beige tile) and sea (like lake or ocean blues or sea glass). Depending on your mom’s age /eyesight, she may need more brilliant colors to really “see” the color. I like the previously mentioned idea of art. Look around her house to see if some decor can be repurposed. I did this for my MIL picking up some items in the house to put in guest bath, a couple of new towels and shower curtain and it looked like a whole new space.

@Valinta you bring up an excellent point. She is 86 and her vision is a bit dim. I really like @elcieg's suggestion of BM Harbor Haze and or perhaps SW Mountain Air which @Pam suggested. She likes SW French Moire.

Ann - I’d go for something lighter, as Pam has suggested. I agree with her that a lighter color might feel better than a really saturated color. Just my opinion, but medium or darker paint in small rooms with broken up areas (as in a bathroom) just seems too stark.

The tile in the shower is a rather warm tone. Not sure that blue is the best choice to go with it.

Blue was not the best choice. I chose SW Sea Salt for the walls. The vanity and cabinet will be SW Acacia Haze. The ceiling and trim SW Spare White. I promised Mom lively art. Thank you all for steering me right.