Paint Suggestions for a Bathroom With Black and White Retro Tile

When laying tile, it's wise to pick a pattern and a color palette that are neutral enough to adapt to changes in decor over time. Black and white tile can be dressed up for a swanky, cosmopolitan feel or pop out with some bright color for a more casual look. If you've picked a black and white retro tile combo for your bathroom, focus on the wall color to further personalize your design.

Vivid Color

The contrast of black and white tiles, especially in a classic checkerboard pattern, can give your bathroom a look that's bold but potentially a little stark. Warm up the space by painting the walls in a rich, vivid color. For a playful look with some retro flavor, opt for lime-green, tangerine-orange or intense blue. If you want to take a slightly subtler approach, limit the bright color to one accent wall.

Black and White

For maximum sophistication, restrict your palette to black and white throughout the bathroom and extend the look from the tiling to the wall paint. If you opt for black walls, look for accessories, such as hanging cabinets, hand towels or artwork, in white and vice versa. For a compromise, paint some walls black and others white or install a chair rail and paint the walls black below and white above. If you maintain the black and white motif along all of the walls, tiling, fixtures and hardware, add one or two pops of color with small touches, such as a flower vase, a picture frame or a dish of soaps.

Softer Hues

A black and white tile job doesn't mean your bathroom has to resemble a 1950's diner. One softer approach to the look is to use slightly off-white paint, instead of stark white, and pick a pattern with smaller individual tiles. To carry the look throughout the room, find another off-white neutral color for the walls. A slightly pink tone adds warmth. Slightly blue or green shades are cooler and will work if you want to give the room a crisp, clean feel.

General Bathroom Guidelines

Whatever color combination you choose, there are a few guidelines you should consider. If you're using more than one paint color, carefully select which wall should serve as the accent color. If you paint the wall directly opposite a large bathroom mirror, remember that you will see the color reflected in the mirror as well. Since most bathrooms are fairly small spaces, lighter colors are generally the safest bet for an airier feeling. Darker colors can make the walls seem closer and create a sense of claustrophobia. Extremely bright colors, if used throughout a small room, can prove overpowering. Since a bathroom is one of the most humid spaces in a home, it's prudent to use mold-resistant paint. A medium to glossy finish is easier to clean.