Colors to Match an Aqua-Colored Tub in the Bathroom

White

• While a 1980s-era bathroom might have paired hot pink with aqua, you will probably want to stick to something a bit more timeless. Enhance the cooling effects of your blue-green tub by pairing it with clean, bright white. Both aqua and white tend to open up a space, which can be important in bathrooms, since they usually run to the small side. Paint your ceiling white, and watch the room become airier. Add a white marble vanity or white tile around the tub and sink, and enjoy the radiant glow that suffuses the room.

Sand

• Take advantage of the subconscious association of the color aqua with the sea by coordinating your tub with something sand-colored. The floor is a natural space to use sand-colored tile; approaching your tub becomes a miniature ocean vacation that you can enjoy every day. Choose tile with natural-looking gradations in color instead of a matte surface to add visual interest to the room, and place a few strategic accents like vases or small statues in a similar shade to tie things together.

Black

• Black is a very bold choice to pair with aqua. Like white, black goes with almost anything. Unlike white, however, it darkens a space and makes it more intimate. Black adds elegance, but it's possible to overdo it, making your room downright depressing and claustrophobic. Avoid covering large areas with solid black; instead, consider a classic chessboard pattern of black and white tile. Remember, too, that black shows water stains fairly obviously -- another reason to limit how much you use in a bathroom.

Taupe

• Taupe describes a broad range of neutral, grayish-brown tones that pair well with brighter colors. Stick with lighter shades of taupe on large surfaces like floors or walls to reinforce the airy, outdoor feel of the tub, or use darker shades in the form of small tile accents or decorative objects. Some taupe shades also have a hint of mauve or rose, making them slightly warm colors that provide an interesting tension against the cool color aqua.