farrow and ball colours for bathrooms: 12 captivating shades curated by splat

Farrow and Ball are the darlings of the paint world, and we stand by that. With such a dynamic range of shades, powerful water-based formulas and solid eco-credentials, it’s without surprise that their ubiquitous products are recognisable by name. Hague Blue, anyone? Their Modern Emulsion paint is especially worthwhile in moisture-rife areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

But with so many swatches on the colour chart, it can be tricky to imagine how they’d translate onto your walls. Which is exactly why we’re here. Grab yourself a hot drink and get comfy as we reveal our favourite paints by Farrow and Ball for bathrooms.

why farrow and ball?

Before we lift the lid on some of our favourite Farrow & Ball bathroom colour ideas, let’s take a step back to think about whether they’re a good option for this crucial room.

We all know that F&B are a contender for the top when it comes to painting walls, but what about bathrooms specifically? Well, no need to hold on to any reservations – Modern Emulsion was created with scuff and moisture resistance at the heart of it. This means you can use it to give your bathroom walls and ceiling a lick of colour without worrying about stains or mould.

On top of this, the brand are experts at what they do, with 75 years of crafting British-made paints to show for it. And we better not gloss over their planet-positive mission either; Farrow and Ball have committed to making the industry a healthier one for people and the world around them. It’s why we’re proud to have them in the splat catalogue among our favourite eco-friendly paint brands. So, when it comes to joining the thousands of F&B fans, the key question is “Why not?”.

your next best option

If it’s looking like Farrow and Ball are off the table for unforeseen circumstances, your next best bet is to fake it ‘til you make it. And by this we mean colourmatch a specialist paint with one of F&B’s iconic shades. For example, if you’re grappling with a problem area and you need mould-resistant paint or a product with stain-blocking properties, we’ll happily mix them to mimic any colour in the Farrow and Ball range.

our top 12 farrow and ball colours for bathrooms

1.      pink ground

As the interior designer Abigail Rogers so aptly puts it, baths are one of the best ways to decompress. Her entire bathroom renovation from top to bottom is simply gorgeous. See how the walls are subtly warmed up with a splash of Pink Ground. Paired with the darker trim in Railings it exudes an inner strength and elegance.

2.      inchyra blue

This delightful shade has drama in abundance and ranges from more greyish to deeper blue and sometimes even green-tinted if the lighting is right. Paired with a splash of green from a house plant or two, its inherent charm really shines through.

3.      bancha

Bancha is perfect option for people dying to bring an earthy vibe into their bathroom. Reflecting the serenity associated with its namesake – the Japanese tea leaves – painting your walls or panelling in this colour is a surefire way to introduce a bit of zen into the space.

4.      sudbury yellow

This warm mustard yellow is a crowd-pleaser amongst DIYers looking for change a step away from traditional blues and greys. If you’re hesitant to commit to such a formidable shade, why not use it in tasteful busts such as a painted arch, your trim or a doorway?

5.      pigeon

Just like the bird, this calming grey has a surprising depth of colour when you really look. Particularly flattering against a decorative wallpaper, it has both a sense of nostalgia and a drop of refinement that creates an intoxicating feel of dreaminess and escapism.

6.      stone blue

You might not expect it from the name, but Stone Blue is an energetic mid-tone with the potential to turn even the most banal spaces into something worth shouting about. Thanks to its sharp undertones and chameleon ability to shift with the changing light conditions, you’ll find this shade gracing modern, quirky and eclectic bathroom set-ups.

7.      setting plaster

If dainty and vintage fit your vibe, then you’ll love Setting Plaster. We love how this mini en suite references countryside antiquity with its old-fashioned tiles and timeless colour palette. What an exciting way to revisit the past with a twist!

8.      arsenic

This minty Farrow and Ball shade for bathrooms is ideal if a shock of colour is needed to wake up a tired scheme. True eye candy, there’s something about the lively green that pulls you in.

9.      railings

A dark shade might not be your first thought when decorating a bathroom, but hear us out. If you’re looking for a F&B colour to work a north-facing room sometimes it pays off to lean into the cool light. And Railings is one of the best ways to do so whilst adding oodles of drama into the design.

10.     brassica

Named after the plant family of purple sprouting broccoli, this soft purple is somewhere between fresh and earthy, really coming into itself in darker spaces. If you want an understated look to flourish away quietly, this is a great option.

11.     old white

Old White is a gorgeous light beige that works wonders for your walls. Dripping with depth and visual appeal, it’s a mature addition to traditional bathroom fittings and an airy one to a modern design. In this example, it strikes the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication.

12.     templeton pink

Sumptuous, deep and velvety, this warm pink feels like a hug when it coats a room. The best part is that it complements a variety of accent colours from rich greens like Beverly to nutty browns and creamy neutrals.

bonus farrow and ball bathroom ideas: on picking a design

Whether you’re after a paint design for a small bathroom or want to splash out on something more spectacular thanks to an excess of space, we’ve got you covered. Here are some designs worth considering while you sugar-soap the understairs loo ready for some DIY action on the next bank holiday.

painted bathroom panelling

Don’t forget that as well as the walls you can paint panelling too. This is a lovely feature that can add a good dose of character to otherwise plain bathrooms lacking any depth. New builds, we’re looking at you!

colour drenching

This concept is very simple: one colour, everywhere! It’s as easy as picking your F&B paint colour for the bathroom and then covering every surface in it. For example, you could install some classic wood panelling and then bring the colour down from the ceiling and walls, so they all match. Finish off the look with some Victorian-inspired tiles, and you’ve successfully combined past and present with a contemporary twist.

two-tone walls

You can’t go wrong with two-toned walls. Whether that’s a duotone living room scheme or a snazzy addition to your bedroom, you’ll want to bring this into your bathroom design too. Here, there are so many options. From the classic wall tile and paint combo to a pair of paint shades separated by tasteful wainscoting, you can curate any sort of style you desire.

wallpaper & paint combo

Some might scoff at the idea of wallpaper in the bathroom, but believe us, there are times it can work. Of course, you need to work around the wet areas with water-resistant materials like tile or panelling, but once you have that down along with your ventilation applying a wallpaper shouldn’t be an issue as long as you’ve selected an appropriate wallpaper that can perform to the standards you need.

bathroom feature walls

If you haven’t the budget to completely tile the bathroom with the ones you’ve set your heart on, why not create a feature wall? This way you can create an interesting focal point whilst saving a little. The same can be done with wallpaper and paint, it’s up to you.

make the tiles pop

When selecting Farrow and Ball colours for your bathrooms, make sure you’ve put your samples side by side with your tiles; after all, it would be tragic if they don’t quite match. Watch how the sunlight behaves throughout the day in your room as Farrow & Ball paints tend to register differently depending on the brightness, reading as cooler and warmer at different times of day.

the farrow and ball touch

And so concludes this whistle-stop tour of standout Farrow and Ball colours for bathrooms. We hope you enjoyed musing about these striking shades as much as we did. Now all that’s left is to order your samples and get the ball rolling with the transformation. Soon enough your bathroom will be hot property.

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