A shower screen can quickly transform from drab to fab with just a few simple changes. Whether you're remodeling your bathroom or just looking to spice up your existing shower enclosure, injecting color is an easy and affordable way to make a big impact. Keep reading for tips, ideas, and products to help you add a pop of color to your shower screens.
Choose a Color Scheme
Before shopping for colorful shower screens or accessories, decide on an overall color scheme for your bathroom. Do you want to go bold with bright primaries or keep it subtle with muted tones? Monochromatic, analogous, and complementary schemes are classic options. If your bathroom has colorful tile, paintings, or other permanent fixtures, select a hue that complements or matches them.
For a contemporary vibe, consider pairing bold colors like electric blue or lime green with polished metals and white subway tiles. Or create a soothing spa-like atmosphere with soft sage green or sky blue paired with natural wood cabinets and neutral tiles.
If you're stumped on color combinations, look at photos of bathrooms online or in design magazines for inspiration. Hardware stores also have paint strips showing coordinated palettes that work well together.
Add Colorful Shower Curtains
An easy way to inject color into a shower enclosure is by hanging a vibrant curtain. Shower curtains come in every color and pattern imaginable, from floral prints to abstract watercolors. Opt for fabric shower curtains rather than plastic for a nicer look and feel.
Choose a shower curtain color that complements your bath mats, towels, and other accessories. For a unified look, match the shower curtain color to your bath towels or wall color. You can also layer two shower curtains—one colorful printed outer curtain and a solid inner liner. This allows you to get the fun pattern you want while keeping the water contained.
When selecting shower curtains, make sure they are the right size for your enclosure. Curtains that are too narrow won't provide full coverage, while overly long curtains can billow out and get soaked. Look for widths around 72 inches for standard bathtub sizes. Curtains made from fabric naturally repel water and mildew.
Adding a colorful shower curtain can effectively add bright colors, so how about looking at the shower curtain from other aspects: Shower Curtain vs. Shower Screen: Which Is Better?
Use Colorful Bath Accessories
From soap dispensers to wastebaskets, add pops of color with vibrant bath accessories. Look for accessories that complement your shower curtain and other colors in the room. You can match accessory colors perfectly or mix and match them for an eclectic look.
Here are some ideas for colorful bath accessories:
- Soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and tumblers in bright hues like aqua, lime, or tangerine
- Wastebaskets, hampers, and storage bins in bold patterns or colors
- Brightly colored bath mats that tie in shower curtain colors
- Mirror frames, artwork, and open shelving in coordinating tones
- Fanciful faucets in glossy reds, blues, or metallics
- Monogrammed towels or robes in custom colors
Don't overlook small details either, like decorative soaps, tissue holders, and ceramic accessory trays. Go with solid white fixtures like toilets and sinks so the colorful accents can really stand out.
Pick Vibrant Glass Shower Doors
For a built-in burst of color, choose glass shower doors in bright hues like cobalt blue, mint green, or rich magenta. Frameless glass doors make the color really stand out. Companies like DreamLine sell colored shower doors in standard sizes or full custom options.
Or, opt for clear glass doors with colorful trim. Components like door handles, hinges, and channels come in shiny finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, and antique brass. Contrast these metallic trims with glass for a stylish two-tone look.
When selecting colored glass shower doors, first decide if they should match your overall color scheme or provide contrast. For example, bright blue doors would complement a blue mosaic shower wall tile. But metallic bronze trim could nicely offset sky-blue shower curtains and accessories.
Beyond the color, ensure any glass doors you select are the right size for your shower enclosure. Measure the opening carefully and read reviews to ensure doors are well-made and watertight. Tempered glass is best for safety and durability.Other considerations for choosing a shower door: Frosted vs Clear Glass Shower Doors: Cost, Privacy & Cleaning Compared
Use Vibrant Tile Accents
Replacing all your shower tiles with colorful versions can be costly. But you can add pops of color by swapping out a few key tiles or adding new accent tiles. For instance, replace a row of white subway tiles with aqua glass or install a strip of multi-colored mosaic tile.
This type of colorful tile band can be placed:
- Along the top of walls, near the ceiling
- About two-thirds up shower walls to create a decorative focal point
- In the niche or on shelves for a burst of contrast
- As a backsplash outside the shower enclosure
- Along the shower floor as a border or strip
Make sure any new tile accents match the existing tiles in materials, thickness, and dimensions for the easiest installation. Pay attention to grout color and use waterproof grout for shower tile.
Paint or Wallpaper One Wall
Painting or wallpapering one wall of your shower enclosure is an affordable way to add major color impact. Choose a hardy bathroom paint in gloss, semi-gloss, or satin enamel finish to resist moisture. Deep blue, emerald, and even black make dramatic shower wall colors.
For wallpaper, opt for vinyl rather than paper, which won't hold up to moisture. Make sure the wallcovering is intended for bathrooms and has a waterproof backing. Remove existing wall tile if needed to create a smooth surface. A textured wallpaper pattern in vivid colors works nicely with simple white tile surrounds.
Whether painting or wallpapering, prepare surfaces properly so the colors adhere well and last. Follow manufacturer directions closely and use a caulk designed for wet areas to seal edges. Avoid covering shower walls with porous materials like regular paint or wallpaper, which can promote mold growth.
Light It Up with Color
Don't overlook lighting when adding color to your shower. Swap out dull white overhead lights for fixtures with colored glass shades. Opt for pendant lights, sconces, or vanity lighting with transparent shades in hues like red, sea glass, or champagne. This casts a warm, colorful glow in the room.Help to know more vanity lighting: Do You Need Vanity Lights if You Have an LED Mirror?
You can also install colored LED strip lighting around the top and sides of the shower enclosure. Set strips to display single colors or slowly transition between blues, greens, and purples for a spa-like effect. Waterproof LED lights are easy to install using strong adhesives.
Make sure any electrical additions are installed properly, especially in humid bathroom environments. Consult an electrician if you don't have experience with bathroom lighting projects. Proper ventilation is also key to prevent moisture damage.
Add Pattern with Decorative Film
Decorative window film provides an easy, non-permanent way to add color and patterns to glass shower doors and walls. These peel-and-stick vinyl films come in solids, geometrics, florals, and frosted styles. They adhere via static cling and are designed for wet environments like bathrooms.
Decorative films can be applied to the interior or exterior of glass shower doors. On walls, they stick to flat tile, laminate, acrylic, and other smooth surfaces. Use a squeegee and solution designed for window film to smooth out air bubbles during application.
Many decorative films are removable, leaving no sticky residue behind. However, some may not be compatible with anti-fog coatings on glass shower doors, so check first. Make sure films are designed to work in high-humidity areas and resist soap scum and mildew.
With just a dash of color, your drab shower can go from blah to ta-dah! Whether you add a vibrant curtain, paint an accent wall, install colored glass doors, or stick on patterned film, a brightly-hued shower instantly livens up a neutral bathroom. Just be sure to choose moisture-resistant materials designed specifically for humid environments. Follow the color tips above to create a cohesive, eye-catching oasis. Then get ready to start every day energized as you shower in your new colorful paradise!
