Neutral colours are good news for bathrooms

If your bathroom colour scheme has got you gazumped, it might be time to look to nature for inspiration. Forget bold and brassy - the news on bathroom hues is neutral colours all the way.

If it's true that a good bathroom renovation should last at least 10 years, then it's crucial to get your colour scheme right. After all, who wants to spend a decade ruing the day they chose fire-engine red?

But with such a rich colour palette to choose from and so many competing trends, where do you start? According to Karin, interior designer and colour consultant from Colour Consultant, it's only natural to think neutral colours.

"I think people are heading towards calmer, more organic environments in their homes, and neutrals fit into just about any environment, whether it's classical or contemporary," she says.

But the word 'neutral' can cover all manner of sins, so before you rush in, it pays to know your camels from your caramels. In the bathroom, Karin recommends paint colours such as taupes, greys, whites and other neutral tones because they're gentle on the eye, provide a good backdrop to other colours and will stand the test of time.

If that sounds too bland for your liking, then consider the latest trend towards metallics. Tiny mosaic tiles in everything from bronze to platinum can be laid in vertical or horizontal feature strips throughout the bathroom to create a touch of glamour. But be careful with golds and silvers - they can turn 'glamorous' into 'gaudy' very quickly.

"Metallics are less harsh on the eye than solid colours, and are great in small bathrooms because their reflective qualities create the illusion of more space," says Karin.

But what if you're a real sucker for a bold splash of colour? Is there any room for brights in the modern bathroom?

"One colour you can use successfully is green," suggests Karin. "Green works because we associate it with nature, and anything that's close to nature is long-lasting." To this end, Karin also recommends, where possible, bringing some of the great outdoors indoors. This could mean having a floor-to-ceiling window that looks out onto a secluded part of the garden.

Beyond this, Karin says it's better to bring colour into the bathroom using accessories, towels and ornaments, rather than splashing out colour-wise with bright bathroom paint.

"I recommend that all over the house because when that colour bores you, you can easily change it and it's not going to cost you an arm and a leg."

And a final word of warning: if you're thinking 'themed', think again. According to Karin, Mexican or Mediterranean-style bathrooms, with their slavish adherence to bright blues and yellows, are very much out. Neutral colours in the bathroom, however, will stand the tests of style and time.

To get started with your new bathroom colour scheme, find your nearest bathroom paint retailer online: