The best Farrow & Ball paints for a bathroom – 8 timeless shades that interior designers swear by

Long loved for its range of heritage shades, Farrow & Ball is often the first place many designers head to find the perfect paint color. Their vast collection of hues makes it easy to find a shade for any room in the home, but with such subtlety and timeless elegance, there's no denying that Farrow & Ball paints are a welcome addition to a bathroom.

For a long time, bathroom color ideas were limited to a rather small range of neutral shades. Luckily, trends have now adapted to the bathroom becoming, for many, one of the best places in the home to be more experimental and daring with paint ideas. And with such a versatile selection of Farrow & Ball paints out there, it's never been easier to introduce some life into your bathroom.

From pale blues to powder pinks, these are the eight most loved shades from the renowned paint brand that designers swear by. No matter your bathroom style or size, these Farrow & Ball shades perfectly balance bathroom color trends and timeless design.

1. Setting Plaster

It's no surprise that designers love Setting Plaster. It's the perfect pale pink that's not too pink, balanced out with peach tones.

Pink room ideas can feel a little bold, but decorating with Setting Plaster is ideal if you're looking to bring subtle color into your bathroom without dominating the space. Claire Sá, director of De Rosee Sa design studio, says, 'It is the perfect dusty pink shade for a bathroom. In this primary ensuite (pictured above) within a Grade II listed London townhouse, we wanted to contrast the preceding dark wardrobe with something that feels warm yet remains classic in appearance. Together with Farrow and Balls’ ‘Railings’, the combination creates a refined and enduring atmosphere.'

Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, agrees. 'Softer pinks, those without too much blue through them, can be totally flattering and a great colour choice for a small bathroom. Their gentle tone will add some warmth without overpowering the space – think Pink Ground or Setting Plaster in Modern Emulsion for a delicate atmosphere.'

2. Oval Room Blue

Long-loved for their coastal feel, blue bathrooms are enduringly classic. They perfectly balance vibrancy and subtlety, exuding a real heritage feel.

While there's a long list of the best blue paints, interior designers seem to gravitate towards Oval Room Blue. Falling somewhere between pale blue and teal, it's a refreshingly vibrant yet complementary shade that breathes life into bathrooms of pretty much all descriptions.

Featuring Slipper Satin on the walls and Oval Room Blue for the panelling, the bathroom (pictured above), designed by Jess O’Grady, feels like the perfect mixture of elegance and fun. She says, 'We love color-drenching bathrooms in neutral Farrow & Ball colours such as Slipper Satin as it creates an effortless, warm backdrop to walls and ceilings, which we often pair with tiles in a similar colour to create a textural contrast. We pair this natural base with pops of colour on bathroom joinery, such as Oval Room Blue or Brinjal, to either add a bit of contrast, as we have here, or pull out colours hiding within textural elements like fabrics in window treatments or a natural stone's veining.'

3. Peignoir

Peignoir by Farrow & Ball is a dusty rose shade with gray undertones. Colorful bathroom ideas can feel a little bold, so if you're braving pink for the first time, Peignoir might be the perfect shade for you.

Patrick says, 'Try a nuanced gray, rather than cooler, architectural grays. Look to those that have some lilac notes running through them. They will feel urban and chic without being too clinical. Peignoir or the slightly deeper Dove Tale will add a sophisticated, restrained elegance.'

Designed by Oho Interiors, the bathroom pictured above features the timeless paint color. Grace Chou says, 'Farrow & Ball Peignoir is a soft dusty pink with gentle gray undertones. It felt like the perfect choice for a shared space between two young sisters. The space is sweet and age-appropriate now, yet timeless enough to grow with them in the years ahead.'

Grace adds, 'To create balance, we layered in contrasting elements. Woven mirrors and brass lantern-style sconces add texture, maturity, and just a touch of whimsy, while the richly veined quartzite countertops bring depth and a sense of refinement. Together, these details paired with Peignoir create a bathroom that feels playful, elegant, and perfectly suited for girls of all ages.'

4. Dimity

Long believed to be one of the best white paints, Farrow & Ball's Dimity is a timeless off-white shade that brings light and airiness to bathrooms. Perfect for elevating architectural features or giving your walls a refresh, the beauty of Dimity is its versatility.

Referring to the bathroom pictured above, Katie Glaister, founder of K&H Design, says, 'In these more lived-in bathrooms, we often turn to Farrow & Ball’s School House White or Dimity. Both shades carry a chalky softness that complements wallpaper and period features beautifully. They’re calming without being cold, and versatile enough to work in both traditional and contemporary settings.'

Katie adds, 'We always begin with something we love. From there, everything followed naturally. Dimity was the perfect choice for the panelling, door, architrave, and vanity; its warm undertone harmonises with the grey and pink hues in the wallpaper.'

5. India Yellow

Yellow might not be the first color you think of for a bathroom, but in more intimate spaces like powder rooms, it's the perfect way to introduce your personality.

It's not just any Farrow & Ball yellow paint that interior designers love in these smaller spaces; the welcoming warmth of India Yellow makes it a consistent firm favorite. Falling somewhere between mustard and marigold, it's an unctuous shade that feels cheerful without being overwhelming.

Katie says, 'For smaller powder rooms, we love the drama of India Yellow, it’s immersive and cocooning, perfect for a space that invites boldness.'

6. Parma Gray

If you're looking to design a coastal bathroom, consider Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray. The perfect pale blue to give your cabinetry, walls, or trim a beachy feel, interior designer Francesca Herro explains how she used the shade in a recent project.

'It is a wonderful color for bathrooms because it is extremely versatile. Depending on what it is paired with, it can read playful for a young bathroom or elevated for a mature space. I have used this color on trims, walls, ceilings, and even custom furniture pieces, and it has never disappointed.'

She adds, 'I would style Parma Gray painted trims and ceiling with a neutral block printed textured wallpaper. This makes it super easy to pull in other pops of color for accessories (think sconce shades and artwork). If this much pattern isn't your style, Parma Gray also pairs beautifully with sleek and elegant veined gray marble. Use a variety of tile sizes in the same marble material to build interest but not overwhelm.'

7. Green Smoke

Believe it or not, green bathrooms can be just as timeless as their white counterparts. While more striking shades can date, verdant greens with deep undertones add real depth to a bathroom.

Patrick says, 'Deep but neither too dark nor too verdant, greens are a wonderful friend to bathroom schemes, especially those that offer generosity in size and good natural light. They will register beautifully against your sanitaryware and make a nice alternative to the ubiquitous blue.'

For a lasting, heritage feel, Green Smoke is a foolproof choice. Used in a bathroom designed by Jennifer Hunter, the shade accentuates the room's architecture beautifully. She says, 'I love this color for its unique green-blue undertones. Versatile and muted, yet full of depth, it brings a quiet richness to the space. It has a dynamic quality that pulls in different directions depending on the light and other design elements in the space. For example, it pairs beautifully with natural materials like the cerused oak vanity, creating a sophisticated and grounded look.'

8. De Nimes

A pale blue paint with hints of gray, De Nimes is a favorite amongst interior designers. Despite its versatility (it's one of those shades that brings elegance to every room in the house), De Nimes is an undisputed classic in the bathroom.

Whether you're color-drenching your walls or simply accentuating crown molding, the denim blue has the power to transform your bathroom from one-dimensional to one-of-a-kind. Explaining the design process of the bathroom pictured above, Katie says, 'We also styled a bathroom using de Nimes, a serene blue grey that extends the peaceful mood of the adjoining bedroom.'

Like all good vintage bathroom ideas, Katie paired the classic blue with wallpaper to bring even more charm into the space. She says, 'We paired it with Marthe Armitage’s monochromatic Windmill wallpaper. We were so pleased to keep the Victorian fireplace, which fits in seamlessly with the de Nimes.'

Whether you prefer a classic white or a heritage blue, Farrow & Ball's extensive range of colors will bring you one step closer to creating your dream bathroom.

For more color inspiration, take a look at the best Farrow & Ball shades for a bedroom that perfectly balance timelessness and trends.