3 min readAnyone in the middle of designing a home (or simply refreshing a room in major need of an upgrade) would likely agree that we live in the age of color. Yes, of course, an all-white kitchen will always work, but designers and their clients are stepping outside of the comfort zone of neutrals and venturing into more colorful territory.
Here’s the thing, though: People who tend to skew more neutral than they do bright or deeply saturated palettes may, understandably, be nervous to incorporate color into their space. That’s where this recently revived color trend comes into play: Powder blue powder rooms.
This may seem extremely specific, but hear us out: Smaller spaces like powder rooms and bathrooms are the perfect landscape to try something you may not want to risk in a larger space, like the bedroom or living room. And honestly, where does a serene, spa-like shade make more sense than in a bathroom? Powder blue brings a light, calming energy that instantly makes the space feel brighter, softer, and more relaxing. So if you’re ready to ease into color without overwhelming your home, this soothing shade is a beautiful place to start. Here’s how designers recommend using powder blue in a bathroom.
Color-Drench With It
In an effort to deliver on his clients’ desire for an all-blue shower, Thesis Studio’s Andy Barlow went full force. After considering myriad tiles, he landed on Caribbean Blue by Fireclay, and drenched the entire room in it.
“We fully committed to the color and installed the tile floor-to-ceiling, on the bench, and inside the niche, to fully wrap the space in blue,” he says. If you’re choosing such a serene color that almost mimics water, you may as well go all in.
Layer in Neutrals
Starting small? There are plenty of ways to incorporate this color without covering every square inch of your powder room in it. Just look at this bathroom in a Michigan home, designed by Tom Stringer. In an effort to create a blue moment without overpowering the space, he opted for blue focal points, such as a pale Benjamin Moore paint on the vanity and a matching wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries.
“The window in this bath looks over the water at Little Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan, and the color of the bath is inspired by the color of the water there in summer. It’s dreamy and rather pale blue, not tropical,” he adds.
Pair With Cool-Toned Finishes
The coolness of blue is ideal for pairing with similarly crisp metallic finishes, enhancing its calming undertones. In this bathroom clad in Mandarin Stone ceramic tiles, designer Stelly Selway leaned into that effect with silver-toned hardware and faucets throughout. The terrazzo flooring adds subtle texture while making the soft blue hues feel even more luminous.
Mix in Various Patterns
Some of the most beautiful interiors are inspired by art, nature, or a fleeting moment in time, and this bathroom is no exception. The starting point for Studio Hollond founder and creative director Phoebe Hollond’s charming powder room was a stained glass window she discovered in a reclamation yard and ultimately installed in the space. Because blue featured so prominently in the glasswork, she carried the hue throughout the bathroom in a bold, intentional way.
“This deep blue was really effective at making and adding a more mature and grounding feel to the room, as I wanted to purposely go less feminine here, unlike the rest of the house,” the designer notes.
Bring the Drama
In this charming bathroom in a New York City apartment, designer Elizabeth Cooper opted for a true juxtaposition between drama and serenity. The heavily veined marble walls bring the former, and the custom vanity brings the latter.
“I love this beautiful, crisp blue in general and especially against the beautiful arabescato marble in this primary bathroom,” the designer explains. “It has just the slightest undertone of gray to it, which makes it the perfect sophisticated color against this chic marble.”
It also creates a contrast that tells the eye where to go. “There is a pretty focal point that functions as a complement to the marble, rather than overwhelming or competing with it like a brighter or stronger color might,” she adds.
