Low contrast colour schemes are the secret to a simple but effective bathroom design — here's how to get the look

Colour is reigning supreme in bathrooms as of late, but being brave with bold colours might be a step too far for many of us. Neutral bathroom colour schemes have long been the popular choice for a wash space, creating a serene atmosphere to relax in. However, colour has powerful benefits to our wellbeing, and utilising it in a small room is a great way to experiment.

A low-contrast colour scheme is the perfect solution to bridging the gap between a colourful interior and a more pared-back ambience. Rather than opting for pops of colour that have a distinct variation from lighter shades in the space, a low contrast design is all about choosing colours that are more similar in tone.

Here's how to try it in your bathroom.

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The great thing about this bathroom trend is that it can be adapted to suit any taste. If you prefer a neutral scheme, you can opt for a low contrast neutral palette that has plenty of depth while sticking to a pared-back look.

Alternatively, you can use a low-contrast colour variation to achieve a bolder look, by choosing tones within the same brighter colour family.

'The appeal of low contrast colour schemes, especially in bathrooms, is that they create visual layers instead of physical ones,' explains Michael Rolland, managing director of The Paint Shed.

'As bathrooms usually boast fewer furniture items, textiles and other decor elements, they can seem a bit bare to a keen decorating eye. Layering tones in this space, by using varying shades on the doors, the trims, maybe even the different walls and the ceiling, creates a more interesting and appealing environment,' he adds.

You don't want to decorate a bathroom like the other rooms in your home. Having too many decorative objects on show or an abundance of soft furnishings just creates clutter in a bathroom, and often the materials aren't well suited to a wet and humid environment.

So, to achieve the same level of depth, interest and expression, you need to get creative by using colour. A palette that is inspired by tonal variations creates a design that has dimension, without it feeling difficult to decide on complementary colours to pair together.

'A low contrast colour scheme transforms and adds depth to one of the more functional spaces of a home. Popular colour schemes for bathrooms include earthy browns and beiges, which you can recreate with shades like Farrow & Ball's Scallop, Little Greene's Split Pink, and Madeleine,' Michael adds.

A low contrast colour scheme is particularly effective in a neutral bathroom. Cream and white shades are popular in spaces like this but also tricky to make interesting, so opting for tonal variations such as linen, mushroom and taupe shades create a much more interesting look.

Equally, this colour theory is a handy way to make a statement colour scheme work. If you're drawn to bold shades of red, for example, but you don't know what to pair it with, then choosing paler pink hues or terracotta accessories will tie the colourful look together.

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Want to take a low-contrast tonal colour scheme one step further? These colourful shower trays are a fabulous way to bring colour into every corner of your bathroom.