27 Bathroom Paint Colors with Dark Cabinets

Whether you’re remodeling your master bath or painting a small powder room next to your kitchen, the bathroom paint color should create an inviting and fresh feel. If the bathroom has dark cabinets, several options work well depending on the size of the floor plan and the color of the cabinets.

Floor-type and color, along with accessories, also influence the paint choice for the bathroom’s walls but can be changed easily. Rugs can cover the floor, and accessories can be changed. Before embarking on painting your bathroom, it’s essential to obtain samples of the colors you’re considering and paint a small area of the walls.

Take notice of the lighting throughout the day and nighttime from light fixtures to determine if the hue works. This informative guide contains information and paint color suggestions for updating or renovating your bathroom that has dark cabinets.

Paint Color Ideas With Dark Cabinets

Start with the type of dark cabinet you have in your bathroom. Are the cabinets made from dark mahogany wood or painted with a deep, nautical blue finish? Walnut is one of the darkest woods used for making cabinets, and at times, bathroom cabinets may be finished in an espresso color. Often, cabinets and furniture are cold as being black but are actually espresso. Espresso is a very dark brown. See our guide to the best paint finish for bathrooms.

If you’re painting a small bathroom, neutral and bright colors help to create the illusion of more space. The walls of a small powder room appear to go on further than they actually are when the paint is a bright hue. Read more about the best paint color for small bathrooms here.

A master suite with lots of windows creates a cheerful retreat when neutral color paints are set against dark-hued cabinets. Darker cabinetry allows you to choose either warm or cold paint colors.

Neutral bathroom colors that go well with dark cabinets include the following:

Neutrals from Behr Paint

Cappuccino Froth #N210-2, a warm-toned gray will compliment dark cabinets

Plateau #PPU4-08, a soft, rose-colored beige, goes well with rich wood cabinets

Dove #HDC-MD-21, a smoky light gray expands a small bathroom 

Neutrals from Glidden Paint

Solitary State #PPG1009-3, a blue-tinted cool gray, adds an understated background

Warmstone #PPG1015-3, unlike its name, this gray has a hint of pink accent that goes well with rich roods like mahogany

Moonlit Snow #PPG1041-1, gray with a hint of powder blue adds a nautical touch to dark-blue cabinetry

Neutrals from Sherwin-Williams

Drift of Mist #SW 9166, a flat gray that creates a blank canvas for dark cabinets

Rivers Edge #SW 7517, a classy beige that goes well with any dark cabinets

Evening Shadow #SW 7662, just a hint of fog at dusk looks stunning against black bathroom cabinets

Bright Colors from Behr

Charismatic Sky #M520-3, this bright cerulean blue goes well with dark-blue cabinetry

Fanciful #M560-2, a pastel purple creates a soothing contrast against dark-toned or black cabinets

Pearly White #M270-1, is a rosy white sure to complement darker cabinetry with a hint of red

Bright Colors from Glidden

Magnolia Blossom #PPG1090-1, is a soft yet cheerful yellow with pink undertones matching well with dark-wood cabinets

Texas Rose #PPG1064-3, a subdued peach, goes well with dark-brown cabinets 

Sailor Boy #PPG1164-4, is a soft periwinkle that goes well in a small powder room with a deep-hued vanity

Bright Colors from Sherwin-Williams

Tangerine #SW 6640, this muted orange still provides bright walls against walnut furniture, perfect for a master bath

Spa #SW 6765, gives a tropical feel to any bathroom

Fun Yellow #SW 6908, this bright yet understated yellow provides a great contrast to darker cabinets

Although dark bathroom cabinets give way to lighter-colored wall paints, you may want to keep a bathroom warm, cozy, and even sublime by using deep colors. Choose a shade of paint that is only one or two shades lighter than the color of the cabinet. See our guide to white bathroom design ideas here.

Dark-brown cabinetry blends and creates a cohesive feel when painting walls a sage green two shades lighter than the intensity of the cabinet color.

Deep Colors from Behr

Tuscany Hillside #PPU10-02, is a darker sage green that compliments dark wood vanities made from Brazilian Rosewood

Lucky Bamboo #PPU9-02, a brown paint colored like dry leaves from an oak tree to complement the dark brown toned vanity

Sun Baked Earth #HDC-CL-08, is a pueblo color creating an adobe match for southwestern-styled dark cabinetry

Deep Colors from Glidden

Mysterious #PPG1037-6, a deep gray with hints of blue when paired with dark or black cabinetry creates a calming and peaceful alcove for your bathroom

Spiced Cider #PPG1068-7, and mahogany wood cabinetry make a bathroom retreat reminiscent of a stroll through the forest

Oakmoss #PPG1122-7, paired with cabinetry made from Poplar wood, Oakmoss provides almost a secret garden feel to any bathroom

Deep Colors from Sherwin-Williams

Bold Brick #SW 6327, a red brick provides a rich color against dark-toned wood

Loch Blue #SW 6502, looks great paired with blue cabinetry that is several shades darker

Rocky River #SW 6215, a dark gray with a hint of green to blend well with espresso wood tones

Best Paint Color For Bathroom With Dark Cabinets

The best paint color for a bathroom with dark cabinets depends on your style and design preferences. We’ve discussed using neutral and light colors to add light to bathrooms, especially if small. Deep colors can create a magical, relaxing environment for a long soak in the bathtub or Jacuzzi.

Painting the walls is an inexpensive solution to a bathroom makeover and allows you to completely change the feel of the room or accent it with a new color. Decide what you want to do with the wall color; contrasting colors add interest and accents for dark finishes.

Similar colors add ambiance to dark cabinetry and create a calming palette. Whichever effect you choose, the color suggestions provided will start you off by choosing the best paint color for your bathroom with dark wood tones.

To get more paint colors for dark cabinet ideas, check our guide to color schemes. And if you have a favorite shade be sure to share your thoughts below.