For years, white bathrooms ruled the scene. Crisp, clean, timeless-but let’s be honest, they started feeling more like a hospital waiting room than a place to unwind. By 2025, homeowners are done with sterile. They want warmth. Depth. A space that feels like a quiet retreat, not a checklist item. The new color for bathrooms isn’t one shade. It’s a mood. And that mood is deep earth tones-rich, grounded, and surprisingly calming.
Why Earth Tones Took Over
After years of cool grays and icy whites, people are craving connection. Not just to nature, but to something real. A study by the American Society of Interior Designers in early 2025 found that 68% of homeowners choosing bathroom renovations prioritized emotional comfort over visual trends. They didn’t want a Pinterest-perfect look-they wanted to feel relaxed the second they stepped in.
That’s where deep earth tones come in. Think warm moss greens, charcoal browns, and muted terracottas. These aren’t loud colors. They’re quiet. They absorb light instead of reflecting it, which makes the space feel cozier, even in small bathrooms. In Burlington, where winters are long and gray, these tones feel like a hug. They don’t scream for attention. They hold space.
The Top 3 Colors Dominating 2025 Bathrooms
Not all earth tones are created equal. Here are the three shades that are showing up everywhere-from new builds to $500 DIY makeovers:
- Forest Moss (Benjamin Moore 2141-30): This isn’t your grandma’s green. It’s a deep, slightly blue-based moss that looks like sunlight filtering through pine trees. It pairs perfectly with brushed brass fixtures and natural stone. In a small bathroom, it makes the walls feel like they’re wrapping around you.
- Charcoal Clay (Sherwin-Williams 7024): A brown-black that’s neither too dark nor too gray. It’s the color of river rocks after rain. It works with both modern and rustic styles. When paired with white towels and a matte black faucet, it looks expensive without trying.
- Warm Terracotta (Farrow & Ball 241): This is the color of sun-baked clay. It’s not orange. It’s not red. It’s the earth after a summer storm. It adds warmth without overwhelming, especially when used on one accent wall. It’s the go-to for bathrooms with windows facing south.
How to Use These Colors Without Feeling Like You’re in a Cave
Dark colors get a bad rap for making spaces feel smaller. But in bathrooms, that’s not always true-especially when you know how to balance them.
Here’s what works:
- Pair with light fixtures: Use LED strip lighting under vanities or behind mirrors. Soft, indirect light makes dark walls feel inviting, not oppressive.
- Go for natural materials: Stone, wood, and linen soften the look. A walnut vanity or a rattan basket adds texture that keeps the space from feeling heavy.
- Keep the ceiling white: A bright ceiling lifts the room visually. It’s the secret trick professionals use.
- Limit patterns: One bold wall is enough. Let the color do the talking. Avoid busy tiles or wallpaper unless you’re going for a full spa vibe.
One client in Burlington painted her 5x7 bathroom Forest Moss. She kept the tub white, added a single wooden shelf, and hung a large mirror with a thin brass frame. She said, “It’s the first room in the house where I actually slow down.” That’s the goal.
What Colors Are Out?
Not every trend fades gracefully. Here’s what’s officially retired from bathrooms in 2025:
- White-on-white: Too sterile. Too predictable. It’s still fine for medical spaces, but not for homes.
- Neon accents: Neon green towels? Bright pink shower curtains? Those were a 2010s experiment. They’re gone.
- Too many metallics: Gold, chrome, rose gold all in one room? Overkill. Pick one metal and stick with it.
- Light gray: It’s still okay, but only if it’s paired with something warmer. Cold gray feels lonely now.
Why This Trend Is Lasting
This isn’t just a fad. It’s a shift in how we think about bathrooms. We’re no longer treating them as functional afterthoughts. They’re personal sanctuaries. The colors we choose reflect that.
Deep earth tones work because they’re timeless. They don’t depend on lighting, filters, or Instagram trends. They look good in morning light, candlelight, and even the harsh glow of a 2 a.m. bathroom run. They age gracefully. A moss green wall from 2025 will still feel calming in 2035.
And unlike paint colors that need to be refreshed every few years, these tones blend with evolving styles. Add a new vanity? Swap out the towels? The color stays. It’s the foundation, not the decoration.
Real People, Real Bathrooms
One woman in Oakville painted her bathroom Charcoal Clay after her divorce. She didn’t want a fresh start. She wanted a quiet one. “I didn’t want to feel like I was trying to impress anyone,” she told me. “I just wanted to feel safe.”
A couple in Hamilton chose Warm Terracotta for their master bath because their dog always slept on the tile floor. “It matches his fur,” they said. It’s not about design theory. It’s about life.
These aren’t trends. They’re personal choices. And that’s why they’re sticking.
What If You’re Not Ready for Dark?
You don’t have to go all-in. Start small. Paint the inside of a medicine cabinet. Try a dark-colored shower curtain. Swap your towel set for a deep green or terracotta one. See how it feels.
Or, if you’re renting or unsure, use removable wallpaper. Brands like Tempaper and Graham & Brown now make peel-and-stick options in these exact tones. They’re easy to remove, and they look real.
You don’t need to repaint the whole room to feel the shift. Sometimes, just changing one element is enough to change how the space makes you feel.
Final Thought: Color Is a Feeling
The new color for bathrooms isn’t about being trendy. It’s about being human. It’s about choosing something that helps you breathe, not something that looks good in a magazine.
2025 isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.
What’s the most popular bathroom color in 2025?
The most popular bathroom color in 2025 is Forest Moss-a deep, warm green that feels natural and calming. Other top choices include Charcoal Clay and Warm Terracotta. These earth tones replace the sterile whites and cool grays of past years, offering depth and emotional comfort.
Are dark colors bad for small bathrooms?
No, dark colors aren’t bad for small bathrooms if used correctly. Pair them with good lighting-like LED strips under vanities-and keep the ceiling white. Natural materials like wood and stone help soften the look. Many small bathrooms now look cozier and more luxurious with deep tones than with flat white walls.
What paint finish works best for bathrooms?
Satin or eggshell finishes are best for bathrooms. They’re durable, easy to clean, and have a soft sheen that avoids the harshness of gloss. Matte finishes can look great but aren’t as moisture-resistant. Avoid flat paint-it shows dirt and water spots too easily.
Can I use these colors if I have a modern bathroom?
Yes. Deep earth tones work beautifully in modern bathrooms. Think clean lines, minimalist fixtures, and simple shapes. A Charcoal Clay wall behind a floating vanity with a single brass faucet looks high-end and intentional. The contrast between dark walls and sleek fixtures is what makes it modern.
What fixtures go best with earth tone bathrooms?
Brushed brass, unlacquered bronze, and matte black are the top choices. These metals have a natural, aged look that complements earth tones without competing. Avoid shiny chrome or gold-it feels too cold or flashy next to warm greens and browns. Stick to one metal type for a cohesive look.
Tia Muzdalifah
December 2, 2025 AT 21:55okay but like… i painted my tiny bathroom Forest Moss and now i just sit on the toilet for 20 minutes scrolling through nothing. it’s not a trend, it’s therapy. 🌿
michael T
December 4, 2025 AT 12:25you think that’s deep? i used Charcoal Clay and now my cat refuses to leave the bathroom. he’s basically living in a velvet coffin and i’m not mad. he’s happier than my ex. 🖤
Zoe Hill
December 5, 2025 AT 13:45wait wait wait-i just tried the terracotta towel trick and holy moly it changed everything. i didn’t even repaint, just swapped towels and now i feel like i’m in a desert spa. also my dog licked the towel for 10 minutes. he approves. 🐶
Robert Byrne
December 6, 2025 AT 13:38You people are romanticizing paint like it’s a soulmate. It’s pigment. It’s chemical. It’s not therapy, it’s a Home Depot receipt. And don’t get me started on ‘brushed brass’-that’s just expensive dust magnets. You’re not ‘feeling peace,’ you’re just avoiding the fact that your bathroom still smells like mildew. Fix the vent first, then paint.
LeVar Trotter
December 8, 2025 AT 03:35Robert, you’re not wrong-but you’re also missing the point. The vent doesn’t fix the emotional weight of a space. People aren’t painting because they’re lazy-they’re painting because they’ve been living in sterile boxes for too long. The brass isn’t about dust, it’s about warmth. It’s about texture that feels alive. And yeah, maybe the mildew’s still there-but now when you wipe it, you don’t feel like you’re scrubbing away your soul.
Tyler Durden
December 9, 2025 AT 06:08LeVar, that’s it. Exactly. I painted my bathroom Moss Green after my dad passed. I didn’t want bright. I didn’t want clean. I wanted quiet. I wanted to sit in there and not feel like I had to perform. The walls didn’t judge. The color didn’t ask me to be better. It just held space. And now? I cry less in there. Not because it’s pretty-but because it’s real. No filters. No trends. Just earth.
Albert Navat
December 9, 2025 AT 20:46Let’s not conflate aesthetic preference with psychological safety. The empirical data on chromotherapy is still inconclusive. You’re anthropomorphizing paint. Also, ‘brushed brass’ is a marketing construct designed to monetize nostalgia. The real ROI? LED strip lighting at 4000K. That’s the real MVP. Not your ‘velvet coffin’ cat.
Christina Kooiman
December 11, 2025 AT 15:58Okay, but who gave you permission to use ‘Moss Green’ without a hyphen? It’s Forest Moss, not ‘Moss Green.’ And ‘brushed brass’? That’s not even a real term-it’s ‘antique brass’ or ‘satin brass.’ And you said ‘charcoal clay’ like it’s a color name? It’s a pigment description. You’re not decorating-you’re linguistically incompetent. And don’t even get me started on the grammar in that ‘cat in a velvet coffin’ nonsense.
Aafreen Khan
December 13, 2025 AT 04:41lol u all think ur so deep but in india we use white bcz its cooler and cheaper and no one cares about your ‘mood’ u just want to post pics on igtv 😂
Pamela Watson
December 14, 2025 AT 09:02OMG I did the terracotta towel thing too!! And guess what? My husband said I’m ‘trying too hard’ but I don’t care!! I’m living my best life now!! 🌞💖 I even bought a little cactus for the windowsill!!
King Medoo
December 14, 2025 AT 15:03Let’s be real. This entire trend is just capitalism repackaging ‘brown’ as ‘mindful.’ You think you’re being ‘authentic’? You’re just buying into a $70 paint can that’s been marketed to you by a guy in Portland who owns three yoga mats and a kombucha brewery. The real truth? You’re scared of white because it reminds you of your childhood home where your mom yelled at you for leaving wet towels on the floor. This isn’t peace. It’s avoidance. 🤡
Rae Blackburn
December 15, 2025 AT 03:03Wait… did you all notice how the article mentions Burlington and Oakville but never says who owns Benjamin Moore? Coincidence? Or is this a controlled narrative from the paint cartel? They’ve been pushing earth tones since 2022 to offload old inventory. They know you’ll buy ‘Forest Moss’ because it sounds like a cult. They’re not selling paint-they’re selling surrender. 🕯️