13 Green Bathroom Ideas, From Soothing Sage Paint to Moody Moss-Toned Tile
Courtesy of ArchitecturalDigest.com
Green is a popular powder room hue for it’s spa-like, tranquil quality—here, top designers share their very best tips for pulling off the look
Much like the green kitchen, the green bathroom is on-trend and timeless. Yes, it’s having a moment, but it kind of always has been. Green is such a versatile color that it can never go out of style, which is why it’s a go-to for our favorite interior designers. “I love using shades of green in bathrooms,” says Rebekah Zaveloff of Imparfait Design Studio. “The grounding color can go from speakeasy to garden vibes depending on the hue and application.”
When it comes to hue, you can opt for a moody moss tone, a soothing seafoam, a bold emerald—or a combination. You can then apply your chosen shades of green to your bathroom by painting the walls, installing shower or floor tiles, or putting up wallpaper. You can even source a green claw-foot freestanding tub. For more green bathroom design ideas, as well as the answers to your frequently asked questions, scroll on.
What is the best green bathroom color?
The best green color for your bathroom remodel depends entirely on the vibe you’re looking to create. If you want a relaxing, spa-like bathroom, go for a sage or a pale seafoam. For a dramatic, sultry feel, choose a deep forest green. And to achieve a vibrant pop, gem-like emerald is the way to go.
What color tile goes with a green vanity?
If you’re painting your vanity green, the most obvious tile pairing is white. It’s crisp, it’s classic, it’s safe. It never won’t work. But if you’re more daring, you can mix a green vanity with near-matching green tile for a tonal look, or you can juxtapose a green vanity with contrasting pink tile for a total shock.
What are the best paint colors for a green bathroom?
There are tons of beautiful green paint colors available for your bathroom walls. Ashley Martin of Ashley Martin Design is partial to earth tones like Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams, while Rachel Rector of Chinotto House prefers a bolder hue like Kendal Green by Sherwin-Williams. We’re also big fans of Bancha by Farrow & Ball, Backwoods by Benjamin Moore, and Saged by Backdrop. However, there’s no right answer as it all depends on the look you’re hoping to achieve and what works best with your fixtures and other bathroom essentials.
Paint the walls
One of the easiest ways to achieve a green bathroom is by painting the walls. Martin chose Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams, a soft sage green, for a tranquil Lake Oconee, Georgia, bathroom. “Earth tones are having a full-on moment right now and we feel they are here to stay,” she says. “The texture of the herringbone faux-brick floor and concrete sink also bring earthy elements to the space, further highlighting this nature-inspired paint color.”
And cover the ceiling
For an immersive effect, consider pairing the green walls with a green ceiling. That’s what Rachel Rector of Chinotto House did in this midcentury-modern bathroom in Gainesville, Florida—and it made all the difference. “We chose Kendal Green by Sherwin-Williams, matching it with other areas of the home to create a moody primary suite,” she shares. “The bathroom opens to the bedroom, where the ceiling is also painted…. Extending the paint to the bathroom ceiling was a natural choice.”
Use limewash
In this sultry Bel Air, California, powder room, Jenn Feldman of Jenn Feldman Designs proves that deep gray-green limewash paint is a worthy bathroom design idea. “The green limewash finish on the walls gave this powder room an organic, easy feel,” she describes. “Our clients are a family with roots deep in the denim business, and true to their personal style, all of the details in the house were dressed but deconstructed—the perfect relaxed fit!”
Build a moody tiled shower
Rich moss-toned tiles make for a moody walk-in shower experience, as evidenced by this dramatic Pleasanton, California, bathroom by Julia Miller of Yond Interiors. “My favorite moment is the dark green zellige tile in the shower,” she says. “The rough edges on the tile add so much character to the space and lean into the rustic, ranch nature of the property. We chose a horizontal stack layout to bring your eye up to the amazing skylight in the shower.”
Or install an ethereal tiled shower
If you prefer an ethereal vibe, use iridescent light green shower tiles like Kimberly Bevan of Bevan Interiors did in this soothing Shelter Island, New York, bathroom. “We wanted to create a serene space that spoke to the coastal setting, so we chose a seafoam zellige-style tile for the shower walls,” she explains. “Seafoam is one of my favorite colors to incorporate in a bathroom because of its spa-like feel. We also love the handmade texture and the inherent variation within the glaze of the zellige.”
Try checkerboard
In this playful Joshua Tree, California, bathroom, Rae Rockwell of Rae Rockwell Studio used the muted green and pale beige tones of the nearby national park to build a graphic checkerboard tiled shower. “The property is surrounded by thriving desert flora, each inspiring my color palette: sage from cholla, dark green from the creosotes, and dusty sands from the desert ground,” she shares. “I pulled together tiles from Fireclay Tile and brass accents to create a relaxing retreat from the desert sun.”
Construct a statement vanity
All you need is a can of bold green paint to make a serious statement with your bathroom vanity. Rebekah Zaveloff of Imparfait Design Studio shows us how it’s done in this chic Chicago bathroom, where both the vanity and surrounding cabinetry are painted a jewel-like emerald green. “Typically, I pair most shades of green with brass hardware and lighting, but this client was more drawn to nickels and pewters, which ended up working beautifully in this space,” she adds.
Craft a stone tub
When Ashley Ferguson of Ashley Ferguson Interiors came across a slab of verde quartzite, she knew it belonged in this European-influenced Austin bathroom. The mint green stone looked so stunning on the counters that she decided to craft a sleek bathtub with it too. “Choosing green stone was a risk, but I knew its spa-like hue and organic movement would channel tasteful luxury while making a statement,” she says. “The durability of quartzite gave me the confidence to use it for the bathtub—a risk that paid off.”
Or source a claw-foot
Claw-foot tubs never fail to charm, especially when painted sage green like the one in this historic New Orleans bathroom by Lauren Taylor of Curated Studio. “This renovation was rooted in the history and architecture of the home, designed by Henry Howard in 1852,” she explains. “The primary bath was inspired by the original plaster and painted mantels, many of which were beautiful shades of green. The claw-foot tub was refinished to feature a green surround, and we carried the color through to the shower with an aged green zellige wall tile.”
Create an accent wall
Green tile doesn’t only belong in the shower—it’s ideal for accent walls too. Regan Baker of Regan Baker Design can confirm this, as she’s behind the emerald herringbone backsplash accent wall in this otherwise white bathroom in San Francisco. “The home is filled with hues of navy, nautical blue, and dark gray, so this vibrant plant green introduces a nice pop of color that also relates to its proximity to The Presidio,” she says. “We were able to create an exciting accent wall that serves as a focal point.”
Or bring the tile up halfway
Instead of a full accent wall, bring the tile up just halfway à la this glamorous New York City bathroom by Louise Copeland of L.B. Copeland Interior Design. “We wanted to go big with the decoration in this small bathroom without overwhelming the senses, so we chose green tiles and applied them only halfway up the walls,” she notes. “The beautiful Calacatta Viola stone has aubergine, peach, and green veining that is almost the exact shade of green of the tile, so it was meant to be!”
Make it leafy
Green often evokes nature, so why not lean into the earthy vibes with a leaf motif wallpaper? That’s what Lauren McKay of Lauren McKay Interiors did in this verdant Raleigh, North Carolina, bathroom, which is covered in Sandberg Wallpaper’s romantic Raphael Green print. “Wallpaper in a very livable pattern—in my client’s favorite color, no less—will surely be a favorite for years to come,” she says. “Plus natural materials and mixed metals won’t date the space.”
Embrace whimsy
It doesn’t get any more wonderfully whimsical than a warm green wallpaper with butterflies and birds fluttering across it, so that’s what Sarah Tract of Sarah Tract Interiors picked for this enchanted Brooklyn bathroom. “We wanted to give the homeowner and their guests the opportunity for a true wow moment every time they entered this space,” she says. “The green wallpaper with butterflies and birds is magical and it pairs beautifully with the Viola wavy vanity and custom checkerboard floors.”
