Q: How do I know if a bold color will work in my bathroom?

A: Before committing to refinishing, test the color with paint samples on your walls or large paper swatches taped near the tub. Live with the color for at least a week in different lighting conditions—morning fog light, afternoon sun, and evening artificial light—before making a decision.

Q: Will a colored tub be harder to keep clean?

A: Darker colors can show water spots and soap scum more readily than white. If you choose a dark color, be prepared to wipe down the tub more frequently or install a water softener if you live in a hard water area like San Jose.

Q: Can I change my tub color again if trends shift?

A: Yes. A professionally refinished tub can typically be refinished again in 10-15 years. However, each refinish adds thickness to the surface, so this is not something to do frequently. Choose a color you genuinely love rather than chasing the very latest micro-trend.

Q: Do colored tubs cost more to refinish than white?

A: Typically, custom colors add $50-150 to the cost of a standard white refinish due to the additional time needed for color matching and mixing. This is a small premium for achieving exactly the look you want.

Q: How do I know if a bold color will work in my bathroom?

A: Before committing to refinishing, test the color with paint samples on your walls or large paper swatches taped near the tub. Live with the color for at least a week in different lighting conditions—morning fog light, afternoon sun, and evening artificial light—before making a decision.

Q: Will a colored tub be harder to keep clean?

A: Darker colors can show water spots and soap scum more readily than white. If you choose a dark color, be prepared to wipe down the tub more frequently or install a water softener if you live in a hard water area like San Jose.

Q: Can I change my tub color again if trends shift?

A: Yes. A professionally refinished tub can typically be refinished again in 10-15 years. However, each refinish adds thickness to the surface, so this is not something to do frequently. Choose a color you genuinely love rather than chasing the very latest micro-trend.

Q: Do colored tubs cost more to refinish than white?

A: Typically, custom colors add $50-150 to the cost of a standard white refinish due to the additional time needed for color matching and mixing. This is a small premium for achieving exactly the look you want.

2025 Bay Area Bathroom Color Trends: What's In and What's Out for Refinishing

The Bay Area has always been a trendsetter in home design, from the mid-century modernism of Eichler homes in Palo Alto to the Victorian elegance of San Francisco's painted ladies. As we move into 2025, the bathroom is no longer just a functional space—it has become a sanctuary, a spa-like retreat from the demands of tech careers and urban living. Understanding the cost of refinishing and current color trends can help you make smart decisions that boost both your enjoyment and your home's resale value.

Whether you live in a contemporary condo in SoMa or a craftsman bungalow in Oakland, the colors you choose for your bathtub reglazing project will define the mood of your bathroom for years to come. This guide explores the color trends that are dominating Bay Area bathrooms in 2025, what is falling out of favor, and how to choose a finish that will stand the test of time.

The Rise of Warm Neutrals

For years, stark white dominated bathroom design. While white remains a classic choice for its clean, bright appearance, 2025 is seeing a significant shift toward warm neutrals. These are colors that feel inviting rather than clinical—soft creams, warm taupes, and gentle greiges that create a sense of comfort.

Creamy Whites Over Stark Whites

The harsh, blue-tinted whites of the early 2000s are giving way to creamier tones. In Bay Area homes, especially in neighborhoods like Noe Valley and the Sunset District where natural light can be limited by fog, a warm white with yellow or pink undertones can make a bathroom feel sunnier even on the grayest days.

When refinishing a bathtub, this means asking for shades like "Biscuit," "Almond," or "Bone" instead of "Bright White." These warm whites pair beautifully with brass and gold hardware, which has replaced chrome as the metal of choice in upscale bathrooms across San Mateo and Burlingame.

Greige: The Perfect Middle Ground

Greige—that perfect blend of gray and beige—has become the go-to neutral for homeowners who want sophistication without coldness. This versatile color works equally well in a modern Oakland loft or a traditional Berkeley home. It complements both warm wood tones and cool marble finishes, making it an exceptionally safe choice for refinishing projects where you want broad appeal.

A greige tub or tile refinish pairs well with white trim, black accents, and natural wood vanities. It is neutral enough to not date quickly but has enough character to feel intentional rather than boring.

Bold Color Statements

While neutrals dominate the mainstream, a counter-trend is emerging among design-forward homeowners in places like the Mission District and Potrero Hill. Bold, saturated colors are making a comeback for those willing to make a statement.

Deep Forest Greens

Green has been the "it" color in interior design for several years, and in 2025 it has fully arrived in Bay Area bathrooms. Deep forest greens and hunter greens evoke the redwood forests just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. These colors create a moody, spa-like atmosphere that feels connected to nature.

For clawfoot tubs in Victorian homes, a deep green exterior with a crisp white interior creates a stunning focal point. The contrast between the colorful exterior and the traditional white bathing surface respects the historical aesthetic while adding a contemporary twist. Some homeowners in Pacific Heights are even refinishing their entire tile surrounds in deep green to create fully immersive experiences.

Navy and Midnight Blue

Navy blue tubs are emerging as a sophisticated alternative to black. Less stark than true black but equally dramatic, navy works particularly well in masculine bathrooms or in homes near the water. In Sausalito and Tiburon, where bay views are paramount, a navy tub can echo the colors of the water visible through the window.

The key to pulling off a dark tub is lighting. These colors absorb light rather than reflect it, so adequate task lighting around the vanity and ambient lighting for the bath area is essential.

The Return of Pastels

In a surprising twist, the pastel colors that dominated bathrooms in the 1950s and 1960s are making a comeback—but with a modern sensibility. Instead of the candy-colored pinks and blues of mid-century suburban homes, 2025 pastels are dusty, muted, and sophisticated.

Dusty rose, sage green, and soft lavender are appearing in high-end bathroom renovations throughout San Francisco. For Eichler homeowners in Sunnyvale and Palo Alto, these colors offer a way to honor the original mid-century aesthetic without committing to a full period restoration.

What's Out: Colors to Avoid in 2025

Just as some colors rise in popularity, others are falling out of favor. If you are refinishing for resale value or simply want a modern look, consider avoiding these dated choices.

Cool Grays

The cool gray trend that dominated the 2010s is fading fast. These blue-tinted grays, while they looked sleek in design magazines, often made Bay Area bathrooms feel cold and sterile. In a region where natural light is frequently filtered through clouds or fog, cool grays can make a space feel unwelcoming.

If you already have cool gray tiles but want to update, refinishing your tub in a warm cream or greige can help balance the coldness and make the space feel more current.

Builder-Grade Almond

The yellowish almond fixtures that were standard in homes built from the 1980s through the early 2000s have been unpopular for years, but they persist in many Bay Area rental units and starter homes. This color screams "dated" to buyers and renters alike. If you have almond fixtures that are still in good condition, refinishing them to white or a modern warm neutral is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost updates you can make.

High-Gloss Everything

While the refinishing process naturally creates a smooth, somewhat glossy surface, the ultra-high-gloss look is becoming less popular. Homeowners are requesting matte or satin finishes that feel more organic and less "plastic." This is particularly true for tile refinishing, where a softer sheen looks more like real ceramic.

Color Choices by Architectural Style

The Bay Area is home to an incredible diversity of architectural styles, and the best color choice for your bathroom depends heavily on your home's overall aesthetic.

Victorians and Edwardians

For Victorian clawfoot tub restoration in San Francisco's historic districts, classic colors remain the safest choice. White interiors paired with either white or painted exteriors in deep jewel tones honor the period while allowing for personal expression. Black, hunter green, and burgundy are historically appropriate for exterior tub finishes.

Eichler and Mid-Century Modern

Homes built by Joseph Eichler and similar mid-century developers benefit from colors that reflect the era's optimism. Soft pastels, aqua, mint green, and even pink can look stunning in these spaces. For homeowners who want a more contemporary feel, warm whites and natural wood tones create a seamless flow with the home's typical mahogany paneling.

Contemporary and Modern

Newer construction and modern renovations can handle bold choices or sophisticated neutrals equally well. The key is consistency. A stark white bathroom in a contemporary home works if the rest of the home follows a minimalist palette. A bold navy or green tub works if the design is intentionally statement-making.

Considering Resale Value

If you are staging your home for sale, color choice becomes even more critical. The goal is to appeal to the broadest possible audience without being boring.

The Safe Bets

White and warm white tubs remain the most universally appealing. They photograph well for listings, they make small bathrooms feel larger, and they do not require buyers to imagine living with your personal color choice.

The Calculated Risks

In certain markets—particularly the high-end neighborhoods of Pacific Heights, Atherton, and Hillsborough—a well-executed bold color can actually differentiate your property and attract design-savvy buyers. However, this requires excellent execution and professional staging to show the space at its best.

How Refinishing Delivers These Trends

One of the advantages of professional bathtub refinishing over replacement is the flexibility of color choice. A skilled refinisher can match virtually any color, allowing you to achieve these 2025 trends without the cost and disruption of a full bathroom renovation.

Modern refinishing coatings can be tinted to custom colors while maintaining the durability and water resistance necessary for a bathroom environment. If you have a specific color in mind from a paint deck or design inspiration, most professionals can create a close match.