The bathroom is a small and unique room that is used every day, so it’s important to plan for its wall and tile colors. Replacing or painting brown bathroom tiles could be too expensive. It would also tie up your bathroom for a while. So, we’ve carefully researched what wall colors can pair nicely with brown bathroom tiles.
Brown bathroom tiles have a nearly neutral look, so you can technically use any wall color that also agrees with the overall style of the home. However, each color will have very different effects. You might use wall colors that help open up the bathroom. But you can also use wall colors that agree with the temperature or style of brown such as:
- White
- Gray or black
- Brown
- Green or blue
Brown tiles are neutral enough to be flexible, but they also limit your interior design options. It’s crucial to understand how to work around existing brown tiles. Keep reading to learn if it’s okay to paint bathroom walls or tiles, if they need to be primed, and how to modernize brown bathrooms. Without further ado, let's get into it!
White
This bright neutral is the most popular choice for any wall. This is mainly because of its flexibility, as neutrals do not have true color. White is often used to showcase actual colors and to liven up an area.
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But the reflective nature of white also makes any space feel more open. That’s why bright colors can do the same. This approach can be highly important for bathrooms which tend to be smaller than other rooms in the home.
The high temperature of white will also agree with the traditional warmth of brown tiles. However, you should keep in mind that both of these are neutrals. That can sometimes begin to feel too boring, especially in smaller rooms like the bathroom.
How do you lighten a brown tile bathroom?
Adding more white to your bathroom on all of the surfaces and decor will always lighten a brown tile bathroom. Similarly, you can use colorful decor such as red, orange, and yellow.
They are also highly reflective but add true color and personality to the space. These flowery colors will also make a nice pair with brown tiles which might suggest the imagery of earthy soil.
But you can also lighten a room by adding more natural or artificial lighting. You can use thinner window curtains, or even remove window curtains altogether to introduce more natural light.
If the bathroom isn’t facing the right direction, it may not be receiving enough natural light for this. However, adding more mirrors and reflective surfaces can improve the lighting.
For example, adding silver faucets, knobs, and rods are fitting replacements. You can read this post for specific tips: How To Decorate The Bathroom Walls With Mirrors
You might also add artificial lighting such as recessed lights with adjustable dimmers. Recessed lights are hidden away in the roof, so they won’t make the room feel smaller.
Gray or Black
These are flexible neutrals just like white, but they have very cold temperatures. While white reflects, black absorbs, which can sometimes make a room seem smaller. But black and gray are also a great way to contrast the style of brown bathroom tiles.
Brown is commonly associated with nature such as wood or sand. This can restrict your interior designs whenever you restyle. But gray and black can help you break free from those visuals. They will soften the warmth in brown, creating a smooth look.
How do you modernize a brown bathroom?
Modern interior styles will always favor simplicity. They are mostly made up of minimalist decor and have cooler temperatures.
You can modernize a brown bathroom by adding cool neutrals like gray and black. Brown is only a near neutral and is too warm for modern designs.
Pure neutrals like gray and black always have a clean, subdued look. They also have the proper temperature for a modern room. For example, gray is often related to silver, which has a shiny and sleek appearance.
As such, you should also try to avoid nature imagery in your decor. It is likely too spontaneous for a modern look. This might require you to replace natural stone countertops or wooden towel rods and cabinets.
You may also need to repaint or replace a brown tile floor unless the surroundings can effectively balance out the natural feel and imagery.
This doesn’t mean your room can’t be unique, and you might still have an accent piece. Instead, a modern bathroom should feel cool, organized, and without clutter.
Brown
This is a risky option because it can be very difficult to balance brown walls with brown flooring. However, they will certainly agree with each other. All you need to do is make sure that the walls and tiles are at least two to three shades apart. That way, the room doesn't feel too overwhelming.
This approach is often used for unique interior designs that aim for a homemade cabin or farmhouse look. It may also work with homes that use more wood in their decor, such as Japanese or Amish interior designs. But smoother designs can look more contemporary.
Green or Blue
Blue is always a cool color no matter how bright the shade is. That means you can use blue to soften the warmth of brown tiles without making an overwhelming statement.
Green is always warmer, but it isn’t nearly as bright as sharp colors such as primary red or yellow. So, you can liven up the area without creating a blinding bathroom.
But these colors are also more flexible than others. Rather than working around the temperature of the brown tiles, you can agree with the style.
Green and blue are both a great pair for brown’s natural appearance. That’s because they are also associated with nature, such as lush forests or the sky. However, it’s important to remember that the bathroom style should still agree with the rest of the home.
Is it OK to paint bathroom walls?
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It is both okay and ideal to paint your bathroom walls because the paint isn’t just a means to be creative. The right paint finish will offer serious benefits such as protection from water damage.
With sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs, the bathroom is always full of stray water. It is also going to be more naturally prone to water leaks. That’s why the floor is always tiled. But the walls need to be guarded as well.
Otherwise, the water damage can break down your walls. Even worse, it can allow mold to grow. Mold looks and smells terrible, but the CDC agrees that this fungus can also be bad for your health. And it can pop up anywhere that has plenty of lingering moisture.
Do I need to prime bathroom walls before painting?
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Primer is the bonding agent that helps paint stick to a surface. It is especially important to use primer on bathroom walls because the constant moisture can disrupt the layer of paint.
Some paints are sold with built-in primers, but these aren’t always reliable enough. Fortunately, there are both paints and primers which are deliberately sold for bathrooms. They are often specifically designed to kill mold and resist moisture.
Can you paint bathroom tiles?
You can successfully paint most bathroom tiles, which are usually made of ceramic or some natural stone. However, some tile types such as vinyl don’t accept paint very well. Even sturdy primers may not be enough in the long run, and the paint will deteriorate over time.
But painting bathroom tiles is a common alternative for anyone who doesn’t have the budget or time for complete remodeling. If you're looking to repaint your bathroom tiles, you can read this post for the complete details: Can Bathroom Tiles Be Painted? [Here's How]
It’s important to remember that the grout in between the bathroom tiles will also need to be painted. The grout may not be painted the same color as the tiles. This is because the design and color of the tiles will pop if the grout is allowed to serve as a framing device.
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In Closing
Neutral brown flooring opens up countless options for your wall colors. But they will each produce very different interior designs.
It’s important to understand how to plan for the unique bathroom and the temperature or style of brown bathroom tiles. It’ll save you money and effort by making sure your bathroom is just right the first time you style it.