17 dreamy blue bathroom ideas to inspire your next renovation

Behold, the power of blue. Easily one of the most versatile shades to decorate with, in the bathroom, this popular really comes into its own. Lending itself to cooling schemes evocative of the sky and ocean, blue sits effortlessly and soothingly in any space where we bathe.

Whether you’re drawn to coastal schemes of red and blue, or crave a deep sapphire drench, there are plenty of ways to make blue bathrooms as bold or as subtle as you please. While it does lean cool on the colour spectrum, bathrooms that counter this tonal pull with warm and vibrant shades often feel more lived-in and rounded. In fact, its inherently soothing effect makes it a pretty ideal addition to a bathroom.

As Flora Hogg, interior designer and colour consultant at Craig & Rose, puts it: “Every shade of blue tells its own story, from the deep, mysterious blues of the ocean, to the gentle, calming hues of the sky, making it a colour that resonates with all. The beauty of blue is its vastness of tones – soft light blues for an airy atmosphere; rich navy for depth and sophistication; to vibrant turquoise for a refreshing, tropical vibe.”

Once you’ve chosen your shades, deciding where to place them is key. Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs, says: “Introducing blue into your bathroom through tiling and fixtures is a sophisticated way to create a really serene yet stylish space. Blue tiles, whether in soft pastel shades, deep navy hues, or intricate mosaic patterns, can bring a sense of tranquillity reminiscent of water, making them a perfect choice for shower walls, tile backsplashes or even statement flooring.

“Glossy or glazed tiles will reflect light beautifully, enhancing brightness in smaller spaces, while matt or textured finishes will bring a more grounded, spa-like aesthetic. Incorporating blue into bath fixtures, such as a powder blue vanity, a navy freestanding bathtub, or even brushed blue taps and hardware, will add a contemporary yet timeless touch.

“This versatile colour pairs effortlessly with crisp whites for a classic coastal feel, brass or gold accents for added warmth and luxury, or natural wood elements for a balanced, organic look,” adds Emma.

Read on for 17 brilliant blue bathroom ideas…

Combine with chrome

Leaning into blue’s cool tones, chromatic and silver finishes will promote a sense of calm in your bathing space. This tub from interior designer Natasha Lyon’s home has a reflective finish, invoking the surface of still, shimmering water.

As well as the pretty ice blue Natasha has opted for, chrome also looks great with deeper blues, like cobalt and ultramarine.

Embrace blue botanicals

Botanical wallpaper featuring shades of blue can add a feminine, painterly feel to any bathroom. In front of the wallpaper, an antique dresser-turned-marble-topped vanity brings a weathered warmth to the powder room.

Sunshine and sea

Sunny yellow sits very well against shades of blue, which counter its brightness, but produce a similar sense of serenity.

In Melanie Lissack‘s cheerful family bathroom, she crafted her own café curtains from Linwood’s Maypole in Dandelion fabric, and painted a kitchen dresser in India Yellow by Farrow & Ball to accent the room against a cornflower blue wallpaper.

Add a painted vanity

For a blue with a more subtle personality, try a blue-grey paint. Here, the colour painted on a vanity anchors an otherwise airy white bathroom in the home of designer Caitlin Wilson.

Fire and ice

Opposite one another on the colour wheel, blue represents the cool, calming qualities of water and ice, while red is synonymous with passion and fire.

Paired together, the duo proves contrast is key when crafting a considered interior: their harmonious balance has come to be beloved by interior design powerhouses such as Alice Palmer & Co and Birdie Fortescue (whose collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder is a love letter to the pairing – particularly in the form of stripes).

Showcased here in the bathroom of BBC Interior Design Masters series five contestant, Sheree Millington, a scarlet tub pops against icy blue walls and accessories.

Coordinate blue paints and patterns

Consider pairing a happy floral pattern – like this playful Morris & Co. design – with blue painted panelling. Red-pleated sconce shades add another pop of complementary colour, and an antique pine vanity grounds the space with a dose of vintage warmth.

Theme it

We would argue that the bathroom or cloakroom is the best space to experiment with the playful side of interior design. One way to do this is by introducing a theme.

Coastal and nautical themes lend themselves well to bathroom spaces, and undeniably, you can’t do maritime without blue.

In her cottage in East Sussex, Molly Mahon has used her own Coral wallpaper all over for an enveloping, seaside feel. Introducing pastel pops of bubblegum and mint feminises the scheme.

Match panelling to your tub

For an extra fun pop of powder blue, paint a claw-foot tub and then use the same (or similar) colour on panelling. The cylindrical pattern woven into the floral wallpaper above it brings a modern twist to the space, and the coral in the window shade rounds out this cottage-style primary bathroom by designer Laura Stephens.

Skirt your storage

To add a punch of color to an otherwise neutral bathroom, consider a farmhouse-style blue-and-white checked fabric. Here, a skirt hides bathroom storage and coordinates with a blue-painted door that sets the tone for the small guest bathroom. Planked walls, a pedestal sink and schoolhouse-style sconces add other classic notes to the space.

Try two-tone

Caroline Oleron, a florist based in West Sussex, has transformed her claw-footed bathtub’s exterior with a vibrant teal paint, inspired by a road trip around Morocco. The sky blue wall panelling adds contrast and texture with a two-tone effect.

If painting a tub, be sure to use acrylic-based paints and primers. Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook, advises: “Whether you introduce it to the walls, painted wooden panelling, or even paint a freestanding tub, blue shades can really transform the space.

“Soft aqua and powder blue can evoke a refreshing and airy feel, perfect for making smaller bathrooms appear more open and serene. Meanwhile, deeper shades like navy, sapphire, or teal add a touch of luxury and depth.

“As always, when selecting colours, take into account your bathroom’s size and natural light to ensure the shade you choose enhances the space beautifully. Testing your chosen blue in different lighting conditions is essential.”

Try a textured tile

Solids can be pretty, but textured blue tiles bring an extra layer of beauty to a bathroom. Here, painted Carrara marble tile adds colour and texture to a shower, paired with white walls and a clawfoot tub (with a view of the water!).

Paint the wainscoting

Denim blue can make a happy accent colour, but arguably brings even more joy to a space if you paint the wainscoting that climbs the walls in it (this wainscoting is 60 inches tall). When paired with dark wood tones and black-and-white tiles, the hue takes on a more sophisticated spin, too.

Add warmth with weathered wood

Weathered wood adds tactile warmth and drama – especially in a rich, deep blue, covering both the walls and a vanity. Here, the dark colours pair with a light wood mirror and stone countertop for extra intensity.

Wrap a shower with subway tile

If you like blue, why not wrap your shower in blue subway tile all along the walls and ceiling? Here, a renovated shower also features a built-in niche to store plenty of bottles and other bathing necessities.

Skirt a sink

Blue ticking stripes make a delightful addition to a neutral farmhouse-style bathroom, and they look extra pretty as a feminine sink skirt! Bonus: A skirt easily hides plumbing or cluttered cabinets in a pinch with a few yards of fabric. Just be sure to pick a performance fabric so it holds up to the water and wear!

Add a subtle accent

Look for unexpected ways to bring your bathroom a little bit of blue. As seen in this bathroom by designer Kendall Rabun, there is no reason to stick with only white or clear glass shades for your light fixtures – its punchy blue shades are the perfect finishing touch against the patterned wallpaper and neutral fixtures.

Fake it ’til you make it

While wood wainscoting always brings a room warmth and texture, you can mimic the look for a lot less money and time by simply painting a section of your walls, like the navy “wainscoting” in this bathroom of Jenni Yolo. Add a wooden rail (even better with hooks for storage!) to craft a more polished look.

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