My Modern Gray and White Bathroom Decor | 5 Gorgeous White and Gray Bathroom Ideas

We recently remodeled our white and gray master bathroom to make room for our laundry area. After 8 weeks of work, I’m excited to share our fully-transformed modern gray and white bathroom decor reveal!

First, let’s take a look at the “before pictures” of our old grey-white bathroom to see what we were working with:

All in all, the style was outdated and the giant bathtub was a waste of space and didn’t match my overall interior design at all. 

• The gray wall paint overpowered the space and it had a slight purple undertone I didn’t like.
• The open arch cut-out felt out of place.
• The vanity sconces were dated. 

Related Article: The best place to purchase AFFORDABLE RUGS.

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Our grey master bathroom was the single space we hadn’t touched since buying our home about 4 years ago. I never liked the tub—it was obnoxiously large and looked extremely outdated. In all these years, the tub was only used ONCE! 

It literally just collected dust and wasn’t a good use of space or functionality. I knew the tub needed to go! Luckily, we always wanted to relocate our laundry room up from the basement to the main level with all the bedrooms. 

Replacing the tub with my washing unit is such an added convenience now. We no longer have to walk down two flights of stairs to the basement to do laundry. What’s more, is the additional wooden countertop we got to install above the washer and dryer. It’s handy, spacious, and adds to the overall design aesthetic.

Thanks to the now-removed tub, we already had a drain and plumbing layout— I will agree that adding the lines for a washer and dryer was much more doable because we had pre-installed plumbing/drain. 

For all the behind-the-scenes as we remodeled our bathroom ourselves, be sure to check out the highlight reel “Laundry Room” on my Instagram profile!

There are tons of videos of the space before, during, and after with lots of design content in between.

My Grey and White Bathroom — The Big Reveal!

Before we began the demo, I created my inspiration board for how I wanted the space to look and feel. I was going for grey and white, with warm wood accents and a modern vibe that tied in with the existing vanity cabinet and tile floor we were keeping. 

Areas that needed instant makeover: 

• The tub!
• Paint color scheme of the bathroom
• The rug
• Window blinds  Related: (Are Curtains or Blinds Better for Sliding Doors?)
• The awkward open arch cut-out
• The mirrors
• Those vanity sconces above the mirrors
• Cabinet knobs

There was an awkward arch cut out in the wall that I wanted to fill, but I thought it would be a fun opportunity to make a niche arch shelf out of this for a unique design element. It turned out to be gorgeous and the real feature in the whole space!

Product Sources:

• Runner rug (under $100!)
• Cabinet hardware – pulls
• Cabinet hardware – knobs
• Black framed mirrors
• Vanity sconces in brushed nickel
• Faux greenery stems
• Pole Wrap backing for niche shelf
• Glass amber squirt bottles with labels
• Fluffy white towels
• Roman shade fabric (this was a DIY project)
• Mosaic tile floor
• White oak wood shelves in a niche
• Stain color used on wood countertop and this whitewash stain

My Modern Gray and White Bathroom Decor: How To Achieve The Look On A Budget?

In the updated bathroom I was going for modern, simple, and minimal — every detail counts whether it’s something as important as the wall color or as little as the cabinet knobs. 

You want to choose simple and neutral colors so as to not disturb the whole minimalist/sophisticated design. At the same time, you want a clean, sleek finishes when it comes to modern bathroom accessories. 

For this bathroom remodel, we went with a white and gray color scheme with a little touch of black and warm wood accents. All these four colors are great choices to attain that rich modern bathroom aesthetic.

In a gray and white modern bathroom color scheme, your washing unit doesn’t have to stick out like a sore thumb.

• For the walls, we chose warm white – Benjamin Moore White Dove. I wanted white walls and gray floor combination. 
• We kept the warm gray / beige for the floor and the existing black, white, and gray vanity granite countertop. 
• The window blinds were a DIY project I made
• The niche arch helped us add modern bathroom shelves to our space. We achieved the look using this oakwood pole wrap and oak lumber boards (for the shelves). 
• Modern hexagon tile bathroom in a light gray color scheme. After removing the tub, we complemented the existing tile floor planks with hexagon mosaic tiles. 
• Sleek and modern bathroom sconces
• Soft Gray rug
• Modern bathroom accessories: We replaced our round mirrors with black-rimmed rectangle mirrors for an updated look.
• We also changed our pewter cabinet knobs/pulls with the sleek black ones. These are cabinet knobs and pulls we used for this project.

White and Gray Bathroom Cabinets

We opted not to change the cabinets in our white and gray color-themed bathroom because the pre-installed ones worked just fine with our vision. Keeping the cabinets also save a ton on costs. 

The grey countertop worked well with my new gray and white color scheme.

We did tweak the details of the cabinet to suit the current style. Previously, the cabinets had rounded pewter knobs; they were tacky and outdated. Also, round knobs aren’t the best choice for a modern bathroom interior. You want something sleek, clean, and minimal. So, we went ahead with these black sleek cabinet knobs and pulls.  

Related article: How To Paint Cabinets With Milk Paint

White and Gray Vanity Bathroom Ideas

The modern interior is more about straight lines than rounded corners. This is precisely why we replaced our previously installed oval (frameless) mirrors with (vertically long) rounded rectangle (black-rimmed) mirrors on both sides of the center cabinet. 

While at it, we also replaced the lily-shaped sconces with sleek and long-cylinder LED sconces.

Related Article: How to Choose the Right Light Fixture Size and Style for Your Home

Color scheme for white and gray bathroom vanity ideas:

• Warm white walls. 
• Soft gray granite countertop with a pencil edge.
• Black rim mirrors
• Warm white cabinets with black knobs and pulls.
• Soft gray floor planks.
• Soft gray running rug. 

Gray And White Bathroom Tiles

We didn’t want to override our budget, so decided not to change the flooring. Although not the best, this plank flooring wasn’t as bad. In fact, the color and texture sat right with our gray-and-white bathroom scheme. The planks have a touch of soft gray with a rough, matte, and wooden texture. 

Plus, the gray rug overtop balances any overpowering effects the plank flooring might have! 

After removing the tub, there was quite a lot of floor below the washing units we had to cover. Instead of going with the plank flooring, we opted for hexagon mosaic tiles. 

I was skeptical if the two dissimilar flooring would work out together, but they did! The light gray and white mosaic tiles turned out to be a stunning choice for our master bathroom. 

The hexagon tiles are a great choice for a modern interior— They have a sophisticated and sleek presence. We chose to go with light gray and white tiles to match the overall aesthetics. 

White, Gray, and Brown Bathroom

Warm wood alleviates any space, especially a minimal and modern interior choice. We incorporated wood in two places; one in the hollow arch cutout and the other above the washing unit. Both served as affluent storage shelves. 

I had decided to fill the arch cutout initially but later settled on the fun opportunity to make a niche arch shelf out of it. Arches have a traditional appeal to their existence. However, they have become quite a minimalist and bohemian approach in the current trend. I thought, why not? 

Modern bathroom shelves: We initiated the process by enclosing the rear section of the arch cutout with these oak basement column wrap cover. The wood color we chose was light, airy, and warm. Next, we paneled the arch’s floor with these white oak lumber boards in the same coloring. The lumber boards served as shelves in the arched niche. 

A similar wooden shelf was added at the center of the arch and our arched shelf was ready! By far, the most gorgeous addition to our bathroom’s remodel. 

We used the shelves to add fluffy towels, scented candles, glass amber squirt bottles (with labels), and a small faux stem. There’s ample space to store essentials. 

The next wooden station was above our washing unit— it was a simple piece of wood stretched to cover the whole of the washing unit. Not only did the wooden plywood bind the washing space together, but it also acted as the spacious countertop in the bathroom. 

The touch of wood gave life to our white and gray bathroom scheme. The space not only appeared modern but also soothing and warm. 

To catch up on the progression and behind-the-scenes action, check out the highlights on my Instagram profile! I have shared all the details every step of the way. Lots of demo videos, thinking through design questions, etc.

Budget

The question everyone wants to know is how much did it cost?! I kept track of our overall general spending (I know I missed a few trips to Menards for random parts) so I could take a real look at the overall budget. To be honest, even just this little remodel added up faster than we expected!

The Budget Breakdown:

• Electrical wire – $230
• Waste removal – $11
• Drywall supplies – $95
• Plumbing supplies – $200
• Curtain fabric – $60
• Can lights, dryer vent and wall outlets – $39
• Drywall materials – $8
• Cement board for tile floor – $60
• Oak trim piece – $7
• Mirrors – $140
• Bath accessories-$30
• Paint – $97
• Oak boards for niche shelf – $60
• Oak pole wrap – $180
• Wood countertop board – $90
• Floor tile – $300
• Floor grout – $60
• Wood stain – $8

FAQs Regarding Gray and White Bathrooms

When we say “White gray bathroom” it doesn’t mean you have to choose each element of your bathroom to either be white or gray. You can bring in new colors as long as they complement the overall color scheme. 

For example, I also welcomed light wood and black color to my bathroom makeover. Here are answers to the commonly asked questions: 

1. What Colors Goes Best In A Gray And White Bathroom?

• Warm wood, without a doubt! Wood can easily blend in any interior style whether modern, moody, bohemian, Scandinavian, contemporary, etc.
• Black: Black intensifies any modern space. When you add black in small details, the space levels up in sophistication. However, too much black will help you take your bathroom to a moodier and darker style. 
• Sage green: Sage green is a serene color and balances the neutral appearance of white and gray. It adds warmth and vibrancy to your bathroom.
• Pastel blue: Pastel blue is a dewy and airy color; it softens your gray and white bathroom. 

2. How Do I Add Warmth To My Gray And White Bathroom? 

Although gray and white are both considered cool colors, they have their own warm palette. So, instead of choosing a cool shade of gray, you can choose gray with warm undertones. Similarly, switch white with warm white.

You can also add other warm colors in the white and gray color scheme, such as wood, brown, olive, etc. 

3. Is Gray A Good Color To Paint Bathrooms?

Gray is a gorgeous choice for bathrooms. Not only because it’s a neutral color but also because the color has an extensive palette. It offers a wide range of shades and tints— dark and light, dull or bright, warm or cool. 

This palette along with its neutral tendency makes gray a versatile color for any interior design whether modern, traditional, moody, contemporary, etc. 

Related Article: Simple Bathroom Decor Ideas On A Budget!

5 Gorgeous Gray and White Bathroom Ideas

Gray and white bathroom color schemes usually fit in modern, sophisticated, and minimalist interior styles. If that’s your vision, here are five alleviated gray and white bathroom ideas! 

1. Dark Grey Bathroom Cabinets: Bathroom with Gray Vanity

This bathroom has a combination of dark-pigmented gray, white, and light (warm) gray. 

While light gray keeps your bathroom looking fresh and airy. Dark gray color takes the modern interior to the next level because they add sharp and clean lines to your interior. 

A subtle touch of black accentuates the overall color scheme. 

For this bathroom scheme, white is mute but very significant. It balances the dark colors and ensures the bathroom doesn’t resemble a moody or overly gloomy interior.

Similarly, the light gray tiles on the walls and floor serve a similar purpose— they keep your bathroom modern, minimalist, spacious, and airy. Remember, neutral and light colors add a general sense of space to any room.

2. Contemporary Gray And White Bathroom With a Rose Gold Finish

Despite the white and gray color scheme, this bathroom has a contemporary edge to its appearance more than modern. It’s because the colors exude a warm and soft aspect, especially the half-gray walls. This gray in this white and gray bathroom scheme is dewy and pastel instead of clean or sharp. 

Color reference: Behr’s light French gray would be perfect if you are looking for a similar gray shown in the picture. 

Related article: 6 Gorgeous Blue Gray Paint Colors

This contemporary look is further enhanced with the touch of wood vanity, offset tile pattern on the walls, and light gray mosaic flooring to finish the look. Remember, a modern interior is minimal, clean, and doesn’t have so many patterns. 

On the other hand, the contemporary style welcomes soft and airy elements. The added rose golden elements give your contemporary space a spark of glammer. 

3. Gray White Bathroom: Gray Floor, White Walls

If you want to keep things simple and minimal, try adding dark gray herringbone tile flooring to your otherwise white bathroom. It will serve as the statement of your bathroom without disturbing your overall budget. 

A little touch of wood to your vanity will transform the space into a beautiful Scandinavian interior. 

4. Small Gray and White Bathroom Ideas— Bohemian Touch

If you are not a fan of minimalist decor, this gray-and-white bathroom idea will serve you well! 

It’s also perfect for small bathroom spaces because it gives you an idea of how to make it look gorgeous without worrying too much about making it look modern and minimalist. 

Although popular, modern and minimal interior styles aren’t your only two options. There’s a way to keep your space cozy, full of essential requirements, artistic, and still decluttered. 

For a small bathroom, space distribution is crucial. If you don’t need a big vanity or cabinets, don’t invest in them. You can have a small and pretty vanity as shown in the picture and a long, narrow, and single-shelf cabinet for other essentials. 

Avoid built-in tubs, and instead choose a free-standing bathtub. Its price may differ, but it will not suffocate your small space. 

Adding a few details like scented candles and a bohemian details will transform your cozy bathroom into a romantic one! To complete the look, add a bohemian rug in the center. 

Shop my favorite affordable rugs here. 

5. Moody Grey Decor Bathroom Idea

Can a gray-and-white color scheme achieve a moody interior? 

Of course! To achieve a moody and modern interior for your bathroom, choose dark gray for your walls and floor tile. In this image, dark gray tile is used as an accent wall.

White should be subtle and mute, so it compliments gray without overpowering it. In this color scheme, white is only present on the ceiling, bathtub, sink, and rug. To further accentuate the moody vibe, observe how they have used dark wood for the vanity and cabinets instead of light wood.