If you're renovating or building and struggling to put your bathroom colour scheme together — you're not alone. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I create a cohesive bathroom colour palette, using a real tile from National Tiles and a beautiful new Caesarstone benchtop.
This approach works whether you're designing one bathroom or multiple bathrooms using shared elements like floor tiles or cabinetry. And yes — it all starts with testing and undertones!
Step 1: Start with Your Main Tile
The base of your bathroom colour scheme is almost always your main tile — it takes up the most visual space. The tile in this example is a neutral light grey from National Tiles with a clear grey-green undertone.
Before selecting anything else, always test it against undertones and materials. Never assume a tile is “just grey” — undertones are everything.
Step 2: Identify the Undertone
This tile has a grey with green undertone, which is incredibly versatile and soft. Once you've confirmed that undertone, everything else (paint, stone, cabinetry) needs to match that exact base — otherwise the whole space will feel off.
Step 3: Choose the Stone
I paired this tile with Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete, which also has a grey-green undertone and matches beautifully. It’s soft, subtle, and has a slightly cloudy texture that feels both modern and natural.
This is what I always recommend:
Your tile and stone must share the same undertone — this creates harmony in the space.
Step 4: Choose the Right Paint Colour
If you're not tiling all the way to the ceiling, you'll need a paint colour that seamlessly continues the tone of your tiles and stone. I tested two warm white paints (both with a green undertone), and they matched the tile and stone perfectly.
Pro tip: Always test your paint vertically, the way it will be seen in the room. Don’t guess — test everything under real lighting.
Step 5: Select a Feature Tile
Feature tiles can elevate your bathroom, but only if they match the undertone of your main surfaces. I tested Zellige-style tiles, which are very on trend, and found a light grey-green option that matched beautifully.
Avoid violet or blue-greys unless your base tiles and stone also lean that way — or you’ll end up with a clashing result.
Step 6: Don’t Forget Your Grout
One of the most overlooked but important details is grout.
Never leave grout colour selection to your tiler. I always match my grout precisely to the tile — even if it's just a few shades lighter — for a cleaner, more intentional look. A mismatched grout can ruin the entire visual impact.
Step 7: Cabinet Paint or Polytec Match
For painted cabinetry, I tested two warm whites that worked perfectly with this scheme. If you're using Polytec or Laminex, finding an exact match to grey-green can be tricky — but I did find a Polytec colour that matched beautifully in this case.
You can use this same tone across your cabinets or go for a two-tone option if you're working across multiple bathrooms.
BONUS: Use It in a Second Bathroom
This tile and stone combination is so versatile that I created a second bathroom look using the same floor tile and benchtop, but paired it with a different vertical wall tile — also matched to the grey-green palette.
This keeps your home cohesive without making every room look identical.
Use It in the Laundry Too
You can also carry this scheme into your laundry.
Use the same Polytec finish for cabinetry, and either of the tested paint colours for your walls if the room isn't fully tiled. It’s a great way to tie spaces together and create visual flow.
Windows, Fixtures & Accessories
White windows always work well with this palette
You can use black windows, but be sure to repeat that black through tapware, mirrors, towel rails or accessories to create balance
Brushed nickel or gold also pair beautifully with grey-green
The Final Word
This entire approach — from identifying undertones to testing and building full colour schemes — is what I teach inside my online course. I give you sample guides, paint lists, and all the rules to help you avoid costly colour mistakes and get it right the first time.
👉 Want to learn more? Click here to check out my course.
