Is it time to ditch all-white bathrooms? Here's everything I learned when I asked designers about bringing more color into my bathroom

When we bought our reno property a little over 2 years ago the bathroom was a total horror show. I'm talking a blue toilet, bath and sink, tile on tile, 1970s shagpile carpet, no running water, and cobwebs galore.

So, obviously, the first thing we did was rip it all out. Blue sink and all. But now, bathroom trends have taken an unexpected turn and I've found myself wondering if scrapping that blue was actually a big, huge mistake.

It's got me thinking: is it really time to leave behind the all-white, crisp bathroom look in favor of color? Here's what interior designers had to say when I asked if they want us all to ditch white bathrooms in 2025.

Is it time to say goodbye to all-white bathrooms?

Now I first have to preface this by telling you that my finished bathroom is far from all-white.

I've spoken about my bathroom renovation before and the few bathroom remodel mistakes I made – like the bathroom design rule I wish I had never ignored, a bathroom ceiling paint mistake, and the popular bathroom window treatment that just didn't work for me.

However, the thing I did get right was the color palette. My floor, almost exactly like the bathroom above designed by Mouse Interiors, is a beautiful checkerboard of Rosso red marble and white Calacatta marble while the walls are painted a soft earthy pink, and the bathroom fixtures aren't entirely white thanks to the dark wood bath panel and toilet seat.

But having seen bathroom color trends in favor of something more maximalist, it got me thinking I could've pushed the scheme further.

Clean, bright, and undeniably fresh, white bathrooms have long been celebrated for their ability to make even the smallest spaces feel expansive and serene.

But I have noticed more and more designers leaning into color, texture, and pattern in bathroom design of late in a way that leaves this utilitarian space brimming with so much more personality.

Barrie Cutchie, bathroom expert and design director at BC Designs says: 'White bathrooms have definitely fallen out of favor, for now! We tend to find that bathrooms can follow kitchen trends and we know that off-white is coming back within kitchen design so it could easily return to bathrooms in the not-too-distant future,' Barrie suggests.

'For now, it is very much all about color, from tiles to vanity units, colored baths through to lashings of paint and even bathroom wallpaper,' Barrie adds.

'For 2025, there are two distinct color camps when it comes to bathrooms: greens and warm neutrals,' he continues. 'Green in particular is going to be one of the standout colors of 2025 so, if white isn’t your thing, you could upgrade a white bathroom suite to one of color,' Barrie suggests.

While the crisp bathroom aesthetic has its merits, many designers are advocating for adding a little more color, texture, and contrast to create spaces that are more exciting and inviting.

'White bathrooms will always be a timeless choice, offering a fresh and serene foundation that feels both classic and versatile,' says interior designer Marie Flanigan.

'However, infusing subtle touches of color can add depth and personality without overpowering the space,' she says. 'Consider incorporating soft hues through painted cabinetry, patterned tile, or even a subtle wash of color on a plaster wall.'

3 ways to add color to an all-white bathroom

1. Natural wood tones

All-white bathrooms can feel clinical if not balanced with other design elements, like using wood in a bathroom.

'Natural textures, like a warm wood bathroom vanity or unlacquered brass fixtures, introduce richness and contrast to the crisp palette,' suggests Marie. 'For an elevated touch, a textured wall covering or woven accents can bring warmth and character while maintaining the overall light and airy feel.'

'While I don’t feel that it’s time to “ditch” the all-white bathroom, I do feel that incorporating natural woods can achieve the same spa feeling that an all-white bathroom can,' adds Melissa Fenigstein of New Age Interiors. 'Interesting tiles with texture, neutral colors, and warm woods take us away from the stark, sterile nature of the all-white, while still giving us a fresh, clean look with that spa-like feel.'

2. Colorful and patterned tiles

'While white isn’t the go-to choice for bathrooms anymore, it also doesn’t mean it has to be boring if this is the direction you wish to go in,' says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra.

'With tiles, don’t go for a plain white tile, instead choose options that are textured and pair with darker grout, perhaps gray, along with matt-black accessories and brassware,' Grazzie suggests.

Holly Vaughan, designer of the vintage bathroom seen above adds: 'This bright yellow and blue color palette in this bathroom offers an instant serotonin hit, the perfect reason to ditch an all-white interior.'

3. Wallpaper and wall murals

Adding wallpaper or a wall mural to a bathroom is a transformative and relatively quick way to introduce color, pattern, and personality.

'Being adventurous with color and pattern in a bathroom is always a worthy endeavor,' says designer Amy Carman. 'It transforms a room that serves a multitude of practical daily functions into an elevated experience, adding joy and elegance to our daily routine.'

'At our Olive Park project, seen above, we installed a dreamy mural of pink and blue clouds by Phillip Jeffries, framed by architectural millwork,' she continues. 'The blush tones provide an extra glow at the vanity and the freestanding tub feels like it's set in the clouds.'

4. Add a sink skirt

Personally, for my bathroom, I think the best way to add a pop of color to the already harmonious scheme is with a vintage-inspired under-sink skirt.

Much like the humble kitchen cabinet skirt, this works in place of a vanity cabinet and sits underneath a pedestal sink. This way I can not only add some extra color and pattern to the room but also gain some extra storage under the sink that can then be hidden behind the curtain. And I think I can DIY this one myself!

Finally, Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms, adds: 'If you do have an all-white bathroom and aren’t in a place to start replacing tiles, consider adding in items that are easily movable such as plants, wooden accessories such as a stool or chair and even art. These little tweaks shift the dial and add a touch of personality and color.'

So, what do you think – should we be moving on from all-white bathrooms? I've learned from the experts that there truly is no one-size-fits-all approach to bathroom design, but if you're keen to introduce some more color and nail the latest trends, these simple ideas are the best ways to do so.