19 green bathroom ideas for a calming dose of nature
If you love colour but want to maintain a sense of calm in your bathroom to achieve that spa-like sanctuary feel, look no further than green. From emerald tiles to soft sage paint, the soothing appeal of green makes it an ideal (and very popular) choice for the bathroom.
Is green a good colour for a bathroom?
'Green is a colour with strong associations with nature, making it a relaxing and soothing colour that can create a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom,' Tash Bradley, Lick's director of interior design & colour psychologist, tells House Beautiful UK. 'It's also extremely varied, with a wide range of shades, from soft sage and mint to bold forest and emerald, allowing it to work with various design styles from modern to tradition.'
What shade of green works best in a bathroom?
Moss, sage, pistachio, chartreuse, emerald, teal, olive, seaweed... when it comes to green tones, the options are endless. With so many shades of green available, choosing the right hue will depend on the style and decor of your bathroom. If your space has a nod towards the traditional, then look towards olive greens. If a contemporary space is more your style, then the bolder the better. Green also works beautifully with natural woods – consider using lighter tones of wood with darker greens and walnut tones to offset brighter lime greens.
Looking to go green in your bathroom? Keep reading for 19 green bathroom ideas to spark some inspiration...
Green bathroom ideas: green and pink
Green and pink are the ultimate design duo. 'Opposites tend to attract, and this saying is the same for colours. Pink is opposite green on the colour wheel, so for a more playful contrast, pair your green tiles with a pink, blush shade,' says Stephanie King, creative lead at Dulux.
Tash agrees: 'Pink and green is a classic complementary colour pairing with which you can never go wrong.'
• Pictured: Ca' Pietra Marlborough Porcelain Parquet Natural & Forest Green
Green bathroom ideas: stripes
Simple and striking, stripes come in a variety of forms and are brilliant to incorporate in a bathroom design. These Alalpardo tiles from Bert & May have been artfully arranged to give the illusion of stripes — a clever way to jazz up a shower unit.
'Pairing green tiles with white sanitaryware makes for a clean and fresh look, while metallic touches, such as brass or matt black, add contemporary sophistication,' adds Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May.
• Pictured: Green Alalpardo Tile, Bert & May
Green bathroom ideas: colour drenching
'If you're leaning towards a bold statement, consider the trending technique of colour drenching. This painting technique involves painting all surfaces of a room— walls, ceiling, and even the trim and doors—the same colour,' explains Stephanie. 'It creates a cohesive, immersive look that can make a dramatic statement and provide a serene backdrop.'
• Pictured: Livid Green Glazed Rectangular Tiles, Bert & May x Little Green
Green bathroom ideas: soft sage green
Sage green is a calming colour that can be used anywhere from wall paint and cabinetry to your shower, backsplash, or floor tile.
Wondering what colours go well with sage green? Lee tells us: 'Creams and light greys pair well with sage green. Warm accents like yellow or terracotta add a cosy feel, while cool tones like soft blues and muted lavenders provide a subtle contrast.'
Stephanie adds: 'Pairing neutral colours alongside green tiles creates a clean and sophisticated look while maintaining a relaxing vibe by helping the green to pop and take centre stage.'
Green bathroom ideas: keep it neutral
Opt for a serene, calming green that feels close to nature. This could be in your choice of tiles, paint colour, or sanitaryware.
'Green tones are refreshing and calming, ideal for creating a serene bathroom atmosphere. It's a versatile shade, fitting various styles from modern to traditional, and brings a touch of nature indoors,' says Lee.
• Pictured: 'Fellini' tiles by Claybrook Studio
Green bathroom ideas: green vanity unit
Green vanity units are a superb way to add colour to your bathroom in small doses. It's a timeless choice, whether you have a modern or traditional home, and pairs well with black bathroom accessories, as seen in this space.
• Pictured: Wall-mounted vanity unit, Roper Rhodes
Green bathroom ideas: Gloss tiles
Glossy tiles are generally a good choice for a bathroom as they reflect the light, cleverly tricking the eye into believing the space is bigger. Tie the look of your bathroom together by using the same green lustrous tiles in your shower as the sink splashback, like this example here.
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Green bathroom ideas: green bath
Green bathrooms have come a long way since avocado bathroom suites. If a bathroom redesign is on the cards for you, why not consider a dark green bath? You could paint your existing bath panel using acrylic polymer paint.
• Pictured: 'Cleargreen' bath from Burlington
Green bathroom ideas: green and yellow
When combined, green and yellow can create an uplifting space in an instant.
'Yellow comes in many shades from deep mustard through to zingy lemon, many of which can work with green for a bold but beautiful scheme,' Rob Whitaker creative director at Claybrook Studio, tells HB.
'For a bathroom try using two tones of glazed wall tile such as olive green with cream in alternate strips to form an eye-catching stripe. Then use a yellow paint tone above the wall tiles in contrast. Alternatively use a darker-toned tile like our vintage vibes porcelain on the floor for a natural sandy yellow look, and a green tone for walls.'
Pictured: 'Pezzulo' green tile by Claybrook Studio
Green bathroom ideas: bathroom wallpaper
Bathroom wallpaper has had a resurgence in recent years — and it's a trend we're right behind. From patterned to floral, a green bathroom wallpaper design is a great choice for breathing new life into a bland space. We love this Art Deco-inspired print from Divine Savages, featuring majestic birds of paradise.
• Pictured: Divine Plumage Wallpaper in 'Emerald Green', Divine Savages
Green bathroom ideas: fun patterns
Decorating should excite you, especially when fun tiles like this are on the bathroom moodboard. We love how the owner of this home has used the same patterned green tiles for the shower niche — a clever way to create a seamless feel and use up leftover tiles.
Read more: 22 fabulous bathroom tile ideas to transform your home
Green bathroom ideas: unique tile layout
Tiles and splashbacks offer ample opportunity for creativity. Add interest by opting for green tiles with a surface texture or an interesting tile layout, such as an elegant herringbone pattern.
'Patterned tiles are great for walls or floors, being a practical bathroom solution, but also a look that adds decorative appeal alongside the white porcelainware,' says Rob. 'Either use tiles printed or made with an inherent pattern or combine two tones together to create a chequerboard effect for walls or floors.'
• Pictured: 'Haven Mosaic' tiles by Claybrook Studio
Green bathroom ideas: dark green
For a dramatic, sultry feel, opt for dark forest green. This Farrow & Ball bathroom blends dark green with shell pink for a sophisticated combination.
'Greens are a wonderful friend to bathroom schemes, especially those that offer generosity in size and good natural light,' Patrick O'Donnell, Farrow & Ball's brand ambassador, tells us. 'They will register beautifully against your sanitaryware and make a nice alternative to the ubiquitous blue.'
• Pictured: 'Bancha', Farrow & Ball
Green bathroom ideas: splashback tiles
An affordable way to refresh your space is to tile behind the sink, rather than the whole room. Here, Bert & May's Otura tiles puts a modern spin on this neutral bathroom, protecting the wall from splashes. It's a great idea for introducing green into your bathroom design if you're not brave enough for an all-over look.
• Pictured: Green Otura Tile, Bert & May
Green bathroom ideas: green and terracotta
'Sage and olive pair brilliantly with creamy whites, but also darker and warmer clay-like palettes,' says Rob. 'These include terracotta whose hues come in many variations from pale straw through to deep red, and all of them complement green in a bathroom.
'Pair one shade on the floor tiles with the other on walls perhaps in a glazed tile or mosaic for contrast. Paint can also be utilised in bathrooms where colour is in demand, particularly in dryer areas.'
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Green bathroom ideas: add plants
Perhaps one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to add green to your bathroom is with houseplants. Aloe vera and boston fern plants will thrive well on shelves, while trailing plants such as ivy and heartleaf philodendron will look great placed on ledges. For darker bathrooms, consider peace lillies or snake plants. Artificial plants also work well in windowless bathrooms.
•Pictured: Ca'Pietra Proper Good Paint Aspen's Forest Matt Emulsion
Green bathroom ideas: paint your window frame
Who says window frames have to be white? You can certainly paint frames (and even doors) the same colour as your walls to create a seamless, flush finish. This green bathroom from Mary Charteris shows how it should be done.
• Pictured: Lick paint in 'Green 08 Matt'
Green bathroom ideas: green and blue
In nature, we see countless examples of how green and blue work together. And, like any other neighbours on the colour wheel, these colours are terrific when used in a bathroom.
'Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or simply add a subtle accent to your bathroom, green is a fantastic choice thanks to its versatility and connection to nature,' says Stephanie.
Green bathroom ideas: clashing colours
Don't be afraid to mix and match to make your bathroom stand out. From the wallpaper to wall panelling, this green bathroom certainly packs a colourful punch by sticking to a strict colour palette.
Before settling on a shade, Rob says not to forget one important thing: 'Green shades are available across myriad tones, so order samples of some of your favourites to hone down the perfect colour, size, and finish.
'If you are using tiles, make sure they are suitable for use in wetter areas, particularly if you want to use them on the floor (think slip resistance) or in the shower cubicle.'
• Pictured: Floor tiles from Bert & May
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