13 of the Best Paint Colors for Small Bathrooms Without Windows

Finding the best paint colors for small bathrooms without windows can feel daunting, but that’s what we’re here for. In this article, we’re going to simplify the process of choosing the perfect paint color for your small, windowless bathroom.

Spoiler alert: You actually don’t have to paint it white or a really light neutral color unless you want to!

In fact, a smaller space like this could be the perfect place to experiment with that interesting paint color you’ve always wanted to try.

Today, we’re going to find out if it’s okay to use dark paint in a small bathroom, along with a list of the best paint colors for small bathrooms with no windows and some other ways to make it look bigger.

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Top Color Recommendations

We’ll dive into everything else shortly, but first I wanted to get right to it — the top thirteen color recommendations for small bathrooms without windows. 

Best White: Sherwin Williams High Reflective White | Benjamin Moore Super White

Best Off-White: Benjamin Moore Sebring White

Best Cream: Benjamin Moore Albany White | Sherwin Williams Cottage Cream

Best Pale Yellow: Benjamin Moore Jasper Opal

Best Light Blue: Sherwin Williams Hinting Blue

Best Blue-Green: Benjamin Moore Sea Foam | Sherwin Williams Window Pane

Best Beige: Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige

Best Light Gray: Sherwin Williams Passive | Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

Best Greige: Sherwin Williams Repose Gray | Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Best Purple: Sherwin Williams Veiled Violet

Best Blue-Gray: Benjamin Moore Subway Tile

Best Navy: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy | Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud

Best Black: Sherwin Williams Black Magic

Can You Paint a Small Bathroom a Dark Color?

While it might seem counterintuitive, dark colors have a big impact on a small bathroom or powder room, and can even help to create depth. When done correctly, a dark color could even make a smaller space look larger.

Black and dark paint colors can actually make the walls appear to recede, creating the illusion of more space.

Of course, while you CAN paint a bathroom a dark color, you’ll want to consider whether it’s the right move for your space and whether it will help you achieve the look you’re going for.

How to Choose Paint Colors for Small Bathrooms Without Windows

Before we move on to some of the best color options for windowless bathrooms, I wanted to touch on a few key points when it comes to choosing your paint color.

1. Consider Your Artificial Lighting

Since your bathroom doesn’t have any natural light, you’ll want to take a look at the type and amount of artificial light it has. If the bathroom is really dark, you might want to add either more lighting or better lighting — or both.

Ideally, you’ll want a combination of bright overhead light that evenly illuminates the entire room AND task lighting over the vanity (source).

For the best lighting in a windowless bathroom, consider putting LED bulbs in a flush or semi-flush overhead fixture and using incandescent bulbs for task lighting.

If replacing the lights in your bathroom, make sure to do that before choosing your paint color. Changing out your light bulbs can significantly change the way a paint color looks!

Pro Designer Tip: Wall sconces on either side of the mirror will provide plenty of light for makeup application or shaving while minimizing shadows from your overhead light.

2. Understand Color Psychology

If you’re struggling to decide on a color for your bathroom or powder room, take color psychology into consideration, along with the overall ambiance you want to achieve.

• Are you trying to create a fresh, airy feel?
• Do you want to give off a spa-like vibe?
• Or do you love color and want to make a bold statement?

Understanding the way you want to feel when you enter this part of the house can help you determine a color family as a starting point. You can read more about color psychology in Interior Design here.

3. Grab Some Samples

Finally, once you’ve narrowed it down to a few colors that would make great contenders, you’ll want to try them out in your bathroom.

You have a couple different options: Grab a sample pot from your favorite paint retailer, along with some foam brushes/rollers, OR order some peel-and-stick samples.

Once you have your samples, try out each color on the bathroom walls to see how they look and make your decision from there.

Quick note on peel-and-stick swatches:

Samplize makes color-correct 12″x12″ samples using real paint from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, PPG, and Farrow&Ball. They’re inexpensive AND they arrive at your doorstep in 1-3 days.

Use code FIRSTFIVE for a discount on your first Samplize order!

For your convenience, I’ll include direct links to each of the color recommendations listed below.

Best Paint Colors for Small Bathrooms Without Windows

You could pull off any of these thirteen colors in a small, windowless bathroom, but of course you’ll want to take into consideration the other colors and materials in your space, as well.

1. White

Many homeowners go with white to “brighten up” a small space without natural light. However, you’ll want to be careful because it could end up looking dull and dingy in certain lighting.

Yes, you CAN go with white if that’s what you want — just make sure you have plenty of artificial light in there!

Best White: Sherwin Williams High Reflective White | Benjamin Moore Super White

2. Off-White

Worried that white will look too cold and sterile? If it’s too stark for you, there are lots of great off-white paint colors to choose from that will warm up your bathroom. Keep in mind that white and off-white can have any number of undertones, so be sure to sample them before committing.

Best Off-White: Benjamin Moore Sebring White

3. Cream

Cream has yellow undertones, making it a warmer paint color. For a warm, cozy ambiance, consider painting your bathroom walls in a cream color.

Best Cream: Benjamin Moore Albany White | Sherwin Williams Cottage Cream

4. Pale Yellow

A buttery yellow could really help to brighten up your small bathroom, even if it’s just a small amount above white wainscoting or half-tiled walls. While yellow can be a bit, uh, overpowering when used in excess, a small bathroom is the perfect place to add a punch of color.

Best Pale Yellow: Benjamin Moore Jasper Opal

5. Light Blue

Blue is a cool color and the perfect choice for achieving a fresh, airy look in a small bathroom without windows. If you’re going for a spa-like atmosphere, light blue will help you achieve it.

Best Light Blue: Sherwin Williams Hinting Blue

6. Blue-Green

Blue-greens like seafoam, aqua, and teal are all popular choices for the bathroom, and they even work well in a powder room or half bath.

Best Blue-Green: Benjamin Moore Sea Foam | Sherwin Williams Window Pane

7. Beige

Want to keep it neutral while creating a warmer feel? Beige is a neutral backdrop that adds depth to a small space, and can be dressed up any way you like.

Best Beige: Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige

8. Light Gray

Gray is a popular choice for bathrooms, particularly light gray. It’s a nice neutral paint color that helps to add a little bit of depth and interest while helping you achieve that fresh and airy feel.

Best Light Gray: Sherwin Williams Passive | Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

9. Greige

If you’ve never heard of “greige”, it’s simply a blend of gray and beige. It has increased in popularity recently, and it’s the perfect choice if you like a neutral color yet don’t want it to feel too warm or cool.

Best Greige: Sherwin Williams Repose Gray | Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

10. Purple

A nice, muted purple would look beautiful in a smaller bathroom. It’s soft and soothing, and it’s feminine, but at the same time, it’s not terribly girly.

Best Purple: Sherwin Williams Veiled Violet

11. Blue-Gray

Leaning toward a blue paint color, yet find that it’s simply too bright for you? Blue-gray and gray-blue are more muted alternatives to a pure blue paint color, taking the edge off of the brightness factor.

Best Blue-Gray: Benjamin Moore Subway Tile

12. Navy

Navy sounds like such a dark paint color for a small bathroom with no windows, but as we discussed previously, this could be the perfect place to experiment with your darker side. Navy is a classic color that will give your space a sophisticated edge.

Best Navy: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy | Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud

13. Black

Hold up, now — why would you paint a small bathroom BLACK of all colors? Especially when there’s no natural light coming in?

The truth is that black can actually push the walls away from you, making the room feel a little larger than it is. If you’re worried about it getting too dark, consider installing white wainscoting and painting the walls (and ceiling) above it with black paint.

Best Black: Sherwin Williams Black Magic

Don’t see a color that’s quite what you’re looking for? Grab a Sherwin Williams fan deck or a Benjamin Moore fan deck of paint colors from Amazon for more ideas.

How Do You Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger?

Before we sign off, I wanted to share a few tips with you to help make your small bathroom look bigger.

Consider these ideas:

1. Improve your lighting by replacing light bulbs and fixtures (scroll back up to re-visit our recommendations).
2. If you have a small mirror, replace it with a larger one.
3. Replace the vanity cabinet with a pedestal sink or a cantilevered countertop.
4. Use similar materials throughout and keep decorations to a minimum.
5. Paint the ceiling the same color as the walls.

Conclusion

While you can’t actually add more space to a small bathroom (without knocking out some walls), you can make it feel larger by implementing some of these ideas.

And you don’t necessarily have to paint it white (or a lighter color) if you don’t want to. There are lots of colorful options — and even darker paint colors — that could work well in this space.

It all depends on your personal taste. So, which color will you choose for your small, windowless bathroom?

Read More:

What Color Paint Goes With Brown Granite? 9 Great Color Options

What’s the Best Paint Sheen for a Bathroom?

Interior Painting Supply Checklist: What Do I Need to Paint a Bathroom?

7 Stunning Bathroom Accent Wall Ideas That You’ll Love