For many homeowners, a bathroom remodel is a pragmatic decision designed to increase resale value. But for the woman of the house, it’s a survival strategy. When you consider that she takes on the bulk of housework, juggling kids’ homework and activities, and working from home, the bathroom is the only place she can escape to. Free from the demands of kids and the demands of daily drudgery. Think of your spa as a staycation—a destination that provides a mood-altering experience, an oasis of calm in a sea of chaos.
A “spa”
In creating your dream spa experience, every finish and every effect should be designed to restore calm and tranquility—an immersive experience that engages all your senses.
Let’s start with the most powerful element, Color.
Color plays a critical role in setting the mood for a spa experience, so it makes sense to start your design process with your paint choice as the foundation of your bathroom’s color palette.
As you know, colors drive and influence emotion. Consider the traffic light. Red is an alarm. Yellow is a warning signal. Green is a signal that you’re good to go. Every time you drive, color drives your mood and behavior. Just as colors can spur you to action, they can also create a sense of relaxation and well-being.
When it comes to bathrooms, white is a serene classic that never goes out of style. Cool whites create a crisp, clean look. Off-whites will warm up a dark space. You can also complement white with dark accent colors like navy blue, hunter green, or black.
When choosing your paint color, keep in mind the design style you’re going for. Do you want sleek and modern with a clean-lined tub and vanity, or a traditional look with decorative molding and ornate features like a clawfoot tub and antique faucets?
The streamlined architecture of a modern bathroom works well with crisp whites, pastels, and bright bold hues, as opposed to more muted tones. What’s great with white is that it sets the tone for the entire space and gives you room to experiment with bolder accent colors.
Traditional spaces look great painted in nearly any color. Softer shades can create a calming environment, while brighter colors can make a statement. Think about how the moldings and ceiling will play into your color scheme. White trim is a classic look that can let darker colors stand out. Painting the trim and ceiling the same color as the walls can give the bathroom an enveloping feel.
Light colors reflect light, making them a great choice for small or windowless spaces. Or embrace the darkness or lack of square footage with a rich, moody hue.
Ultimately, you’re aiming to balance a whole lot of design and aesthetic choices while creating a welcoming ambience of warmth and relaxation.
Easier said than done
Suggesting color spectrums to suit your mood is fine, but it doesn’t help you find the perfect shade you’re looking for. There are 50 shades of white (not to mention grey), and trying to make a choice based on a catalog color or paint chip is close to impossible.
What’s more frustrating is how paint color changes with movement of the sun or the addition of artificial light.
Here’s a tip: cut a few pieces of sheetrock into 16 x16 pieces. Select three or four color shades and paint each piece of sheetrock with a different shade. Place the painted sheetrock in different areas of the room and watch how the movement of the sun subtly influences the color.
When shopping for tiles, flooring, cabinets, and accessories, take your sheetrock samples with you and see how different colors match your paint choice. As you go through all of your choices, the right shade will present itself.
At NDG, you’ll be working with best-in-class painters who’ll be happy to weigh in on your choices, but ultimately, YOU MAKE THE FINAL COLOR CHOICE. While we offer a two-year warranty on our workmanship, we don’t repaint if you’re unhappy with your paint choice.