The Best Wall Color for a Master Bath

White and ivory colored walls are ideal for a bathroom with a glass block wall, large window or a sky tube or skylight. Wall surfaces will burst with reflected sunlight during morning showers, then transition to a soft yellow glow during a candlelit bath in the evening. To best achieve this effect, white wall tiles can be paired with a parchment colored paint. Vinyl wall coverings can serve as a paint alternative, but it's best to avoid complicated patterns.

A cool gray wall provides a neutral backdrop for brightly colored wall hangings and other decorative elements. For a two-toned effect, the lower wall can consist of iridescent gray tiles that display a subtle blue overtone, topped by a lighter gray paint in a satin sheen. The grays can serve as counterpoint to a black or cobalt colored bathroom counter and vanity, with overhead illumination supplied by an array of recessed LED downlights.

Wood doesn't do well in damp surroundings, but thanks to modern clear sealer coats, there's no reason you can't use wood or bamboo paneling for all or part of your bathroom walls. Light to medium colored wood will keep the bathroom bright while adding an ample degree of natural warmth. If wood is used for wainscoting, the upper portion of the walls can be painted in one or more shades of yellow, curry, light amber or adobe.

Blues and greens represent the calming influence of open skies and deep gulf waters, in shades that range from the nearly white to the smoky gray. Light pastel shades of blue, green and cyan will reflect gentle daylight illumination during the morning hours. Deeper versions of these colors suggest a pristine twilight beach, and are best illuminated by highly diffused sconce lighting that features a cool color temperature, supplemented by warm temperature lamps near the vanity mirrors.