Painting a Blank Canvas

Over the past few months, I’ve been helping my dear old dad decorate the second floor of his home. Before I got my hands on it, it was a blank space in need of paint, furniture, and personality. I shared my design plan for an art deco guest bedroom right here, and then went on to share my ideas for a family-friendly loft space for the grandkids. Today, let’s discuss the windowless bathroom attached to the guest room.

My dad updated this bathroom when he bought the home, and the new touches are great – marble floors, white tile walls, a large white soaking tub, and a modern vanity. It’s not a small bathroom at all, and it feels pretty grand. However, the design feels a tad bland. Where’s the color? Where’s the personality? I immediately knew that the white walls weren’t working with the other design elements of the space, so a fresh paint color would be my first order of business.

Choosing the Perfect Hue

Because this is a bathroom with no windows, choosing the best paint colors can be a bit tricky. Natural light is so helpful when determining the right paint color. Contrary to popular belief, bright white isn’t a great choice for a windowless space, as it can make the room feel cold and dingy. [1] I prefer a mid-tone or dark hue to create warmer vibes, like the dark green paint color on the bathroom walls in our basement bathroom. I also suggest avoiding colors that are too vivid or bright as they can look harsh with only artificial light. [2]

In the adjoining guest room, I’m going with Benjamin Moore’s “Boothbay Gray.” It’s a mid-tone color that reads as a grayish-light blue. I want the guest bathroom color to complement this one and feel like a calm, spa-like retreat. I’m opting for a shade darker than “Boothbay Gray.” I’m all about a darker color in a small room to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Right now, this space has only crisp whites going on, with the marble floors and walls. Let’s add some contrast and elegance! [3]

In a windowless room, dark paint colors absorb light rather than reflect it. This completely changes the feel of a room! It makes a space feel more inviting and envelopes you in color. However, we will need to amp up the ambient lighting in the room (which I’ll discuss in a moment). [4]

Trick: Find Complementary Colors

Because I knew I wanted a paint color that complements “Boothbay Gray,” I first looked at the other colors on the paint swatch next to it. I didn’t have the particular paint swatch handy, but I Googled the paint code for “Boothbay Gray” and it’s HC-165. You can then search the colors near it (HC-164 or HC-166) and see if those work for your design. This is a nice trick and saves you a trip to the paint store when finding paint color inspiration. [1]

I also suggest going to the paint manufacturer’s website and finding the colors they suggest alongside your particular color. I did that for “Boothbay Gray” and I immediately liked “Night Train” in the above image. [1]

I know choosing the perfect paint color can be overwhelming, but hopefully, these little tricks help. Then, read this post with even more ideas to land the perfect hue! [1]

Testing the Options

I rarely choose a paint color without painting samples on the walls. Here are some tips for this crucial step in the paint color selection process:
– Paint samples on multiple walls, not just one
– Look at the color in different lighting conditions (morning, afternoon, evening)
– Step back and view the color from a distance
– Consider how the color will work with existing fixtures and furniture
– Give the samples a few days to fully dry before making your final decision

Using those tips, I chose three samples to paint in my dad’s bathroom. From top to bottom (all Benjamin Moore shades): Boothbay Gray, Night Train, Brewster Gray, Puritan Gray. [1]

When I first painted these colors, I had no clue which one would be the winner. They all looked great in the space. But, once I painted them next to the vanity, I knew which one I liked the best. Since the vanity color will stay the same, I didn’t want to choose a color that would match it. Instead, I want it to be a tad darker. I liked the middle color (“Brewster Gray”) the best. The top color’s green undertones were a bit too harsh next to the gray paint color on the vanity, while the bottom looked too muddy and greige next to the crispness of the vanity. [1]

I think “Brewster Gray” is a good choice for the wall color in this room. It has blue undertones and will look nice with the elements in the guest room next door. It will be the perfect backdrop for the other elements of the space.

Bringing in the Warmth

Now that I have a paint color figured out, let’s dive into my design plan for the rest of this space. We’ll be keeping all of the main elements of the room (the vanity, mirror, and toilet). Here’s my plan to add warmth and sophistication.

In the above photo, you can see the long blank wall on the right side of the room. That towel bar is not working (Sorry, Dad!), so I suggest removing it. Then, let’s add a wood wall treatment. You guys know I’m a huge fan of these because I’ve done just about every single style in my own home. We have shiplap, picture frame molding, board and batten, beadboard, and more! [5]

I knew that shiplap would be too farmhouse for my dad’s style, so I was going back and forth between picture frame molding and board and batten. Since the attached guest bedroom will have an art deco style, I think picture frame molding is the best choice for this bathroom. It’s an elegant way to add interest to a small space and it will give this room some life and personality! [6]

As of now, my dad’s bathroom only has overhead lighting with cool-toned light bulbs. It isn’t flattering and that is one of the reasons this bathroom is falling flat. Every room needs at least 2-3 light sources, so I suggest adding this gold sconce over the mirror. You can read more about my rules for lighting in this blog post. When in doubt, add more light fixtures to a space with little natural light. [7]

I’m all about mixing metals and (just like lighting), I suggest having 2-3 metal finishes in a room and I explain why in this blog post. Right now, the fixtures are all silver chrome, which reads very cold. Adding some gold touches to the bathroom will help warm up the space. We will leave the faucet and bathtub hardware as is, but let’s do a new gold towel ring, gold knobs on the vanity, and various gold accessories. Those small swaps will make a huge difference! [7]

Pulling it All Together

The main elements are set, and now it’s time for the fun stuff – the decor and accessories. Those cold marble floors are begging for a pretty rug. I would opt for this one that will fill the space and add color and texture to the floors. I’m also very excited about this wood towel rack to fill up space on that long wall. Wood is always a smart idea to add warmth to a cold space, and this one will warm things up while adding some function! Let’s opt for a wooden shelf over the toilet too. I love the curved lines on this one, and the rattan is fabulous!

Let me sum up what you can do to add personality and life to a boring bathroom:
– Choose a mid-tone or dark paint color to create a cozy, intimate vibe
– Utilize the trick of finding complementary colors on the paint swatch
– Always paint samples on the walls and test in different lighting
– Add wood wall treatments for visual interest
– Increase the ambient lighting with stylish sconces
– Mix in warm metallic accents like gold
– Incorporate natural textures like wood and rattan

I ordered all of the furniture for the guest bedroom and loft, and the professional painter has started working on these rooms too! I have one DIY project in mind for the loft area (a new wood wall treatment that I’m excited to try out!), so I’ll keep you posted as these spaces come together.

In the meantime, be sure to check out some of my other popular posts:
– [8] The Paint Colors in Our Finn Fixer Upper
– [7] My Best Shelf Styling Tips
– [7] How to Paint an Outdoor Rug
– [7] What We Learned Renovating Our Bathroom

I’m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.