COLOUR THEORY Going bold with your bathroom design
Julia Green of style destination Greenhouse Interiors shares her quick and easy tips for going bold in the bathroom
We often talk about the use of colour in visible zones, such as kitchens, living rooms and dining areas, but we rarely flag using bold hues and bright accents to great effect in wet areas. Although bathrooms aren’t usually spaces made for display, injecting a little life and personality into these workhorse rooms will elevate your overall interior style and add a little luxury to your morning routine.
SELECTION There’s no right or wrong way to apply colour, but Julia Green, interior stylist and founder of Greenhouse Interiors, recently renovated her own bathroom and has some excellent suggestions for ideas you can try at home. “I tend to lean towards fresh palettes of greens and blues for the signs of life they can add to an otherwise hardworking space,” explains Julia. “Having said that, it can be a good idea to consider other accent colours used in your home and tie the two together, if you like a considered feel across the board. But if, like me, you prefer surprise elements, choose whatever you like! Have fun with your choice, though do consider how the bathroom will present for sale if it’s a home you’re looking to flip at some point in the future. Some colours can polarise the masses, but I find that greens and blues are universally liked.”
LOCATION Choosing where to splash colour across your bathroom depends on the style of home you have and how far you’re prepared to take – and live with – it. “If you’re a maximalist who loves to throw colour around, you’ll find no boundaries.
However, should you be a minimalist who likes white, you may want to consider gently layering soft pops of colour into your styling,” says Julia. “Tiles, tapware and vanities can be costly and relatively permanent, whereas painting walls is an easy weekend DIY job for most and can be a safer way to introduce colour because it’s easier to change.” Try homewares, artworks and trinkets that are easily changed before committing to a makeover of your flooring, tiles, tapware and cabinetry.
STYLE As stated before, permanent changes aren’t the only way to introduce colour to your bathroom. Step away from the fixtures and add interest with towels, plants, lighting, decorative objects and artworks instead. “Painting is an inexpensive way to makeover your bathroom, and don’t just think walls – consider recolouring cabinetry, ceilings and other unexpected places. Wooden stools and greenery look great in most spaces; they’re the perfect antidote to the clinical nature of tiles.”
ADVICE Not sure where to start on your colour journey?
Look towards texture and materiality to guide you in the right direction. Warm up hard surfaces such as stone or ceramics with materials and colours found in nature, and try pairing some of your cooler tones with warmer palettes and textures. “Tapware that oxidises, and plants and colours that embody life lend themselves to pairing with green and blue, whether that’s in tile form or accessories,” says Julia. “Timber bathrooms already have a warm element, so they can carry off cooler tones too.” When in doubt, start small and work your way up to bigger, bolder infusions as your colour confidence grows. For more inspiration, visit greenhouseinteriors.com.au