Color and tiles are two of the most exciting elements to choose in a bathroom. While they do add a functional element to the scheme, they are the prettier features that bring personality and style – but which should you choose first?
Your bathroom colors set the palette for the entire scheme, but a busy bathroom tile design can spark the basis for your whole design. With an almost endless supply of options, it can be tricky to know where to start.
Which is exactly why I've turned to experts to find out the best order to design a bathroom. Here, designers and bathroom experts weigh in on whether you should choose your bathroom paint color or tiles first for an elevated and cohesive scheme.
Should you choose your bathroom paint color or tiles first
How you decorate the bones of your bathroom – A.K.A, the color and tiles on the walls and floor – will not only dictate the overall aesthetic of your space, but also steer the rest of your choices, such as the bathroom vanity and decor. So, where should you start?
'With so many choices out there, designing a bathroom can feel surprisingly daunting. It’s often one of the smallest rooms in the home – and sometimes the most overlooked – but it’s a vital part of the overall design story,' says Alexandra Rees, co-director of District Architects and District Build.
'Starting with a clear idea or mood helps anchor the process; we often begin with a color palette to guide decisions around finishes and details. That clarity early on helps prevent overwhelm later.'
If you're designing a more calming, neutral bathroom, choosing your color palette first will set the tone for the space – and these more pared-back styles are less likely to involve busy, bold tiles that can be difficult to color match.
'For most clients, I recommend choosing the overall color, mood, or energy you want for the bathroom first. If you’re after a calming and neutral look, opt for earthy tones; if you want something fresh and full of vitality, choose green,' says interior designer Erik Munro
'Soothing and serene colors are best suited for blues, while reds and browns create a warmer and cozier atmosphere. Bathrooms can either be a dramatic showpiece or an escape from the world, so deciding what you want it to feel like is always the first step.'
And while we refer to the paint color as the starting point for your bathroom walls, and therefore your overall palette, it could also be a finish or material, especially if you've gone for a plaster bathroom.
'The best bathrooms strike a balance between function and aesthetic,' says Alexandra, who notes that if you are opting for a different wall finish, this will usually always be the starting point.
'In our Color Casing project, the brief was to create a space that worked for a young family – calm, minimal, but still tactile. We used a muted microcement for a raw, textured finish that brought a sense of quietness and practicality.'
However, there are just as many examples where choosing the tiles first makes more sense. In bolder bathroom designs with statement tiles and lots of contrast, selecting a beautiful tile first will make the whole design process much more seamless.
'Often, the tile is the main focal point and the most expensive in the space. Additionally, this allows you to develop a cohesive "storyline" that fits in with the rest of the home, and then the paint color and other details will naturally fall into place,' says interior designer Natalie Rebuck.
'We always recommend selecting your bathroom tiles first. Tiles come with unique undertones, variations, and textures that are fixed. It’s much simpler to custom-match a paint color to complement the unique characteristics of your tile than it is to find a tile that perfectly matches a pre-selected paint,' adds Jamie Chappell, VP of brand and marketing at Fireclay Tile.
Which you choose first will depend on the style of your bathroom. In a tranquil space or a Japandi bathroom, choosing the paint color first makes more sense, as it's the main feature that can easily pair with a simple tile.
If you're going for a bolder, more colorful bathroom with statement tiles, selecting the tiles first will give you the entire palette for the rest of your space, making it easier to find cohesive colors.
'The key is finding one element that excites you and using it as an anchor for the design. Once you have that, everything else falls into place – and that’s where working with a designer can really help bring it all to life,' says Erik.
Shop bathroom tiles
For a tile design that sits somewhere between pared-back and bold, this hand-painted green tile with a white line design is a trendy yet classic design.
Ideal for walls and floors, this patterned bathroom tile is a bold yet timeless choice. It's the perfect design to set the color palette for your scheme.
Available in 64 colors, these square sheet tiles are a chic choice for a simpler bathroom scheme, whether you opt for neutrals or bolder hues.
There are no hard and fast rules as to whether you should choose your bathroom paint color or tiles first – it's about what makes sense for the style and design of your space. Don't be afraid to go bold if it suits your style – a statement tile can be really impactful when paired with the right colors and materials.
'If you're doing a DIY, make sure you request samples of the paint colors, tiles, and any other materials you can source from your vendors to make sure they work together before you commit,' advises designer Natalie Rebuck.
