What Color Bathroom Sells the Most? Top Selling Shades for 2025
Bathroom Paint Resale Value Calculator
See how your bathroom paint color choice impacts potential selling price using 2025 real estate data. Based on National Association of Realtors survey data showing 68% of buyers prefer neutrals.
Resale Impact:
Warm white bathrooms typically sell 3-5% faster with 0-2% higher value compared to bold alternatives.
When you’re selling a home, the bathroom might not be the first room buyers notice-but it’s often the one that makes or breaks the deal. A dated, gloomy, or overly bold bathroom can turn off even the most interested buyers. But the right color? It can make the space feel bigger, cleaner, and more luxurious-even if the fixtures are old. So what color bathroom sells the most in 2025?
Neutral tones still dominate the market
White, off-white, and soft gray bathrooms consistently top the list of best-selling home interiors. Why? Because they work for everyone. Buyers don’t want to repaint. They want to move in and feel like the space is already theirs. A crisp white bathroom reads as clean, bright, and timeless. It doesn’t clash with any towel, rug, or vanity. It makes small spaces feel larger and reflects natural light, which is a huge selling point.
According to a 2024 National Association of Realtors survey, 68% of homebuyers said they preferred bathrooms painted in neutral tones. Among those, 42% specifically mentioned off-white or warm white as their top pick. Soft grays like Sherwin-Williams’ Agreeable Gray or Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl are close behind. They add a touch of sophistication without being cold. These colors also pair perfectly with modern fixtures, marble finishes, and matte black hardware-all of which are in high demand right now.
Why bold colors hurt resale value
Yes, navy blue, charcoal, or even emerald green bathrooms look stunning in design magazines. But they rarely help you sell faster-or for more money. A 2023 Zillow analysis of over 1.5 million home listings found that homes with bold-colored bathrooms sold for an average of 3.5% less than comparable homes with neutral bathrooms. The reason? Buyers assume they’ll need to repaint. And that’s money and time they don’t want to spend.
Even popular trends like black bathrooms, while trendy among millennials, don’t translate well to the broader market. In a study of 200 homes listed in the Midwest and Southeast, properties with black or dark-colored bathrooms stayed on the market 12 days longer than those with white or light gray bathrooms. That’s a big deal when you’re trying to close quickly.
Warm whites beat cool whites
Not all white is created equal. Cool whites-like those with blue or green undertones-can make a bathroom feel sterile, especially in rooms with little natural light. Warm whites, on the other hand, feel inviting. They have a hint of beige, yellow, or cream that makes the space feel cozy without being yellowed.
Top-performing paint colors in 2025 include:
- Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17): A soft, warm white with just enough gray to keep it modern.
- Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008): The most popular white paint in the U.S. for the past five years. It’s creamy without being yellow.
- Behr Swiss Coffee (N200-2): A slightly warmer option that works well in bathrooms with wood vanities or natural stone.
These aren’t just designer favorites-they’re the colors real estate agents consistently recommend to clients preparing to list.
What about tile color?
Paint isn’t the only factor. Tile matters too. If you’re replacing or regrouting tile, stick to neutral tones. White, cream, light gray, or soft beige subway tiles are still the top sellers. Hex tiles in white or light gray are gaining popularity, especially in modern homes. Avoid dark grout in small bathrooms-it makes the space feel cramped. Light gray or white grout keeps the look open and clean.
Marble-look porcelain tiles in white or light gray are also a smart investment. They look expensive, are easy to clean, and appeal to buyers who want luxury without the maintenance of real marble.
Fixtures and finishes matter more than you think
Color isn’t just about paint. The hardware, lighting, and accessories play a huge role in how the space feels. In 2025, matte black and brushed nickel are the most popular finishes. But here’s the key: they need to be balanced with neutral walls.
Dark fixtures on a white wall create contrast that feels intentional and high-end. Dark fixtures on a dark wall? That’s a recipe for a cave. Buyers want to see clean lines and visual balance. A white or light gray bathroom with matte black faucets, a modern mirror, and a single statement light fixture looks like a $10,000 renovation-even if you spent $1,500.
What’s the cost of repainting a bathroom?
Before you skip this step, know this: repainting a bathroom is one of the cheapest and highest-return upgrades you can make. On average, it costs between $300 and $700 to paint a standard bathroom, including labor and materials. That’s less than the cost of a new vanity. And according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, repainting a bathroom returns 107% of the investment at resale.
Compare that to a full bathroom remodel, which costs $15,000-$25,000 and returns only about 60%. Painting is the easiest way to boost perceived value without touching plumbing or tiles.
Don’t forget the little things
Even the smallest details affect how buyers feel. A fresh coat of paint won’t help if the grout is stained, the shower curtain is faded, or the towels are mismatched. Buyers notice these things. Keep it simple: white towels, a neutral bath mat, and minimal decor. Less is more. A single plant, a clean soap dispenser, and a well-placed candle go a long way.
Also, make sure the lighting is bright and flattering. LED bulbs with a 3000K color temperature (warm white) are ideal. Avoid cool white or daylight bulbs-they make skin tones look ashy and the room feel clinical.
What if your bathroom is tiny?
Small bathrooms benefit even more from light colors. A 5x7 bathroom painted white can feel like a spa. Dark colors make it feel like a closet. Use the same paint on walls and ceiling to create a seamless look. Add a large mirror to reflect light. Install a glass shower door instead of a curtain. These small changes multiply the effect of the color.
Final verdict: What color bathroom sells the most?
The answer is clear: warm white. Not pure white. Not cool white. Warm white-like Alabaster or White Dove. It’s the most universally appealing, the easiest to pair with any style, and the most likely to get buyers to say, “I could live here.”
Don’t overthink it. Don’t chase trends. Don’t try to be trendy for the sake of being trendy. Buyers aren’t looking for a showpiece bathroom. They’re looking for a clean, calm, and easy-to-live-in space. A warm white bathroom delivers that every time.
And if you’re selling your home? Paint it white. It’s the single most effective thing you can do to increase your chances of a fast, high-value sale.
Is it better to paint the bathroom white or gray?
White is safer for resale. Gray can work if it’s light and warm, like Agreeable Gray or Gray Owl, but it’s riskier. Buyers often associate gray with being too cold or modern for their taste. White has broader appeal and feels more timeless.
Can I use a light blue bathroom and still sell quickly?
Light blue can work if it’s very pale-think barely-there sky blue or seafoam. But even then, it’s not as universally appealing as white. In a 2024 survey of real estate agents, only 12% of buyers specifically requested blue bathrooms. White was requested by 83%. Stick to white if speed and price are your goals.
What if my bathroom has no windows?
White is even more critical. Use a warm white with a slight cream tone to avoid making the space feel like a dungeon. Add bright, layered lighting-overhead, vanity, and a wall sconce. Mirrors help too. The goal is to bounce as much light as possible around the room.
Should I repaint before listing or wait until after?
Repaint before listing. Buyers make snap judgments during the first 30 seconds of a showing. A fresh, clean, neutral bathroom signals care and attention to detail. Waiting until after you get an offer means you lose potential buyers who walk away before even making an offer.
Does bathroom color affect appraisals?
Appraisers don’t assign value based on color alone. But they do note condition, upkeep, and marketability. A bathroom painted in outdated or bold colors can lower the perceived condition of the home, which indirectly affects the appraisal. Neutral colors help the home look more updated and move faster-which helps the final sale price.