Colour theory 101: how hues and shades transform bathroom design

‘The details are not the details. They make the design,’ said industrial designers Ray and Charles Eames. This statement underscores the essential role of subtle, often overlooked elements in shaping the emotional depth and character of a design. In interior design, colour is far more than a decorative choice – it is a pivotal force in influencing mood, perception and the overall atmosphere of a space. Without careful integration, a design risks feeling incomplete or emotionally disconnected.

At ISH 2025 in Frankfurt, the world’s leading trade fair for HVAC + Water, the role of colour in bathroom design stood out. Colour wasn’t just applied to floors, walls and ceilings but was integral to the design of fittings, ceramics, washbasins, tiles, showers and bathtubs. Many brands showcased their colour palettes in dedicated swatch walls, demonstrating a commitment not only to current trends but to timeless design.

Today’s bathrooms are no longer merely functional spaces; they have transformed into personal sanctuaries for relaxation and rejuvenation. With mental and physical wellbeing taking precedence, bathrooms now serve as private retreats for unwinding, practising mindfulness and engaging in self-care. They’ve become spaces where daily rituals promote balance and clarity, making them central to personal wellbeing.

The design of the bathroom is linked to this desire for wellness. Colour plays a vital role in crafting an environment that supports comfort and emotional resonance. As demand for personalised, spa-like bathrooms grows, the focus has shifted from mere utility to creating spaces that foster serenity. Colour choices, therefore, are key to ensuring bathrooms are not only stylish but also emotionally nourishing and timeless.

Colour is not just a visual detail; it is a powerful tool that shapes emotions, influences behaviour, and even impacts physical wellbeing. Harmony in design plays a significant role in this, as it directly contributes to the emotional and physical experience of a space. This understanding has long been part of design thinking. The Bauhaus movement, for instance, explored how colours interact with form and materials to create visual harmony and functional design. Their approach embraced clarity, ensuring that nothing was superfluous, everything had a purpose and a coherent visual unity was achieved.

Harmony can be achieved through several methods: using analogous colours (such as blues and greens), warm colour schemes (reds, oranges, yellows), cool palettes (blues, purples) or by blending chromatic and achromatic colours (taupes paired with deep blues). A thoughtfully curated colour scheme can elevate the mood of a bathroom, whether aiming to energise and revitalise or create a calm, meditative environment.

At ISH 2025, a broad spectrum of colours was on display, each bringing out different emotional responses and creating unique atmospheres. The fair revealed how each brand’s selection of hues contributed to both the aesthetic and psychological appeal of their bathroom designs, crafting spaces that evoked everything from calm serenity to energetic stimulation.

Starting with warm tones, Spanish brand Roca showcased a yellow-toned bathroom that evoked optimism, creativity and happiness. The yellow tiles brightened the space, stimulating mental activity and creating an inviting atmosphere. Alongside yellow, Roca used natural wood and beige tones, bringing a peaceful and organised energy to the space. The brand’s use of oranges in tiles and furnishings added warmth, while browns offered a sense of tranquillity and relaxation. Moving through the colour spectrum, German brand Bette used reds to energise and attract attention, while Italian manufacturer Ceramica Globo balanced this intensity with light blue walls, creating an exciting contrast between bold and calming tones.

In cooler tones, German brand Villeroy & Boch employed soft pinks, crafting a gentle, relaxing environment that invited calm. Blue, long associated with water, featured prominently across brands, known for its stress-reducing and calming effects. A standout piece in blue – a glazed blue shower floor designed by Bethan Laura Wood for German manufacturer Kaldewei – combined art, functionality and sustainability, highlighting blue’s association with tranquillity. Lastly, Roca incorporated green in their bathroom designs, enhanced with plants, to evoke calm, serenity and wellness.

While colour trends may shift annually, ISH 2025 demonstrated that many brands are still gravitating toward softer, muted tones, offering long-term relevance. Companies like Burgbad introduced a material bank, developed together with Studio Besau-Marguerre, categorising colours into light, dark, cold, warm and neutral – yet all very calm and not too vibrant – enabling designers to craft spaces that feel both contemporary and timeless.

As Swiss-French architect and artist Le Corbusier famously said, ‘Colour in architecture is a means as powerful as the ground plan and section.’ Colour is not just an afterthought; it is a fundamental element that shapes how we experience space. This movement toward muted, enduring hues reflects the timeless appeal of Le Corbusier’s carefully curated palette, proving that well-chosen colours can outlast passing trends. By carefully selecting colours that transcend temporary fads, designers can create bathrooms that remain stylish and functional for years to come. Whether through expert-developed tools like Burgbad’s matrix, Le Corbusier’s polychromy or Bauhaus-inspired colour theory, designers have the resources to make informed, impactful choices. Ultimately, the key to timeless bathroom design lies not in chasing trends but in embracing colours that have stood the test of time.

© Architonic

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