Ideal home bathroom wallpaper: Bathroom wallpaper ideas to add colour and style to a space

Bathroom wallpaper ideas to add colour and style to a space

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When it comes to small spaces like bathrooms, en-suites and cloakrooms, creating an impact with the decor can be a challenge. While tiles and paint are the go-to choices, for a quick and easy alternative, bathroom wallpaper ideas are an instant winner that can transform a small bathroom idea beautifully.

‘Often overlooked as an option when it comes to decorating a bathroom, wallpaper is a fairly easy and inexpensive way to breathe new life into an outdated space,’ says Chelsea Clark, Head of Brand at I Love Wallpaper.  ‘As an area of high humidity and moisture, a wallpaper with a vinyl coating or scrubbable finish can provide extra durability, and there are now plenty of choices when it comes to picking a wallpaper suitable for a bathroom.’

Bathroom wallpaper ideas

‘We’re always being asked if you can use wallpaper in a bathroom. We say, yes – of course you can!’ says Jamie Watkins, Co-founder, Divine Savages. ‘A properly ventilated bathroom will happily accommodate wallpaper. Embracing pattern in a small room is great and can actually make it seem bigger, plus it’s the room all guests are bound to see when they pop over, so it’s a chance to have a bit of fun and experiment, creating maximum impact.’

With our inspiring suggestions below it’s easy to see why wallpaper is such a popular decorating choice for bathroom ideas.

1. Go bold with an oversized print

(Image credit: B&Q)

While regular wallpaper isn’t recommended in damp and humid spaces, specialist bathroom wallpaper is designed to cope with steamy conditions, so is a brilliant way of brightening up a dull and dreary small bathroom layout on a budget.

Contour wallpaper has a 3D effect that can be used to mimic the look of tiles, marble, mosaic or simply to showcase an eye-catching print (like this bold botanical) and can be hung as easily as standard wallpaper, but with a splashproof and wipe-clean finish.

2. Find the right spot

(Image credit: I Love Wallpaper)

‘Steer clear of applying wallpaper to areas that experience a lot of splash back, such as around a bath, shower, or sink, or pair with complimentary tiles, for some extra protection,’ advises Chelsea at I Love Wallpaper.

‘It’s also important to ensure the area remains well-ventilated by keeping windows and doors open or using an extractor fan. This is especially important during application, to prevent any peeling. If you’re looking to use standard wallpaper, we recommend using an extra strong wallpaper adhesive to avoid lifting.’

3. Pretty up a plain scheme

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Bathrooms are home to lots of cold, hard surfaces that can make the space feel quite stark and clinical. Get around this by bringing in areas of colour and pattern that will add warmth and help to soften any harshness.

The area above the basin makes a prime spot for a panel of patterned wallpaper. Out of the direct splash zone, choosing a pretty chinoiserie or floral in a delicate colourway will bring softness to plain white tiles and fittings and pretties up the space for the cost of a roll of wallpaper.

4. Pick a print to compliment tiles

(Image credit: Divine Savages)

‘Small spaces are the ideal place to go big and bold, with all the impact of the wallpaper at less cost,’ says Jamie at Divine Savages. ‘Create exciting design moments by pairing tiles with a bold wallpaper. A particularly pleasing look, especially when using a single accent colour like this dark bottle green.’

Dark colours can work well in small spaces and used throughout can have the same space-expanding effect as a pale colour scheme. Go for glossy tiles and sanitaryware, teamed with mirrors and plenty of metallic accents on fixtures and fittings to add extra sparkle to a dark scheme.

5. Stretch space with stripes

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Horizontal stripes are a clever visual trick that designers often use in compact spaces, helping to lengthen walls and make a small bathroom feel wider. Focus on just one wall and opt for simple bands of colour that will draw the eye along and stretch the space visually.

In a low-ceilinged bathroom, try a wallpaper with vertical stripes that has the opposite effect to horizontal and will make walls appear taller and the ceiling higher. Clean lines and simple shapes are easier on the eye and can feel less chaotic in tight spaces.

6. Protect the finish

(Image credit: Future PLC / Rachael Smith)

To protect wallpaper from splashes in areas where it might come into contact with water (such as around a basin) consider adding a clear acrylic or perspex splashback. A transparent material will mean that the wallpaper pattern will still be visible, but without the problem of water damage.

Match wallpaper colour to flooring in a small bathroom. Continuous colour throughout can help to blur the edges of a room and will make it feel bigger and more expansive. Warm neutrals and soft, barely-there whites are easier on the eye than brilliant white for a less-clinical feel.

7. Pair panelling with a print

(Image credit: Dunelm)

Keeping wallpaper out of the splash zone is the easiest way to protect it from water damage. Instead of tiling the lower portion of wall, panelling makes a stylish alternative that can be painted a myriad of shades and is easily changed should you fancy a different colour later down the line.

Colour match wallpaper with painted panelling for a co-ordinated look. With a bright and bold design like this one, pick an accent colour from within the wallpaper design to provide some visual contrast. The bold teal – or the deep red – contrasts with the old gold background colour to give a warm, rich look.

8. Go with the faux

(Image credit: B&Q)

Mimic the look of tiled walls with a faux-tile wallpaper that looks just like the real thing but is far less-fiddly and time-consuming to put up. Made with a splash proof vinyl-coated finish, the wallpaper has a contoured surface with grout lines that look and feel realistic to the touch.

‘Paste-the-wall’ wallpapers are an easier and less-messy option than standard wallpapers, meaning that the paste goes directly onto the walls, with no pre-soaking or sticky paste table required.

9. Pick a point of focus

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith)

Use bold bathroom wallpaper ideas to create a point of focus. this elegant white tiled bathroom dedicates a surface area above the sink to show off the famous Cole & Son Flamingo wallpaper in all its glory. 

Above the sink and behind the mirror is the ideal place to captivate those using the bathroom. Using the wallpaper design in a soft blue colourway helps to add a watery touch to the design – ideal for a bathroom colour scheme.

10. Protect surfaces

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Serena Fokschaner)

When using bathroom wallpaper you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting the surface, to ensure it withstands the elements of bathroom life. This characterful bathroom is entirely papered with a delicate butterfly design, that is stylish yet subtle in equal measure. To protect the paper around the points of water flow the taps are mounted on a protective marbled splashback.

Thanks to the wispy grey trees on the paper the light marble tile coordinates perfectly to offer an almost seamless way of incorporating a layer to safeguard the paper from water splashes.

11. Make waves with a subtle seascape wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes)

A subtle wallpaper goes a long way to enhance a bathroom decorating scheme. Often the main aim of a bathroom is to create a calming sense of serenity, creating the perfect place to pamper ourselves and take time out to relax – meaning a calming colour scheme is welcomed to achieve spa bathroom decor. 

In a softly hued room you don’t want bathroom wallpaper ideas to overpower, it should add pattern but without making the room feel busy. Waves are the ideal pattern, as they set the scene of tranquil beach life.

12. Go for large-scale pattern in a bigger bathroom

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby)

If you have the space go big and bold with the pattern to allow the design of the bathroom wallpaper to dominate. Match the tones within the paper design to that of your bathroom tile ideas to ensure a cohesive colour scheme, to balance the overall look.

13. Make a bold statement with colour

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

Use a wallpaper with a vibrant background colour as a small bathroom idea to enliven the space and make it feel more impactful. Using the bright wallpaper on a wall with windows will help to illuminate the space and also prevents the wall from feeling overpowering – thanks to the blocks of natural daylight breaking through the pattern.

14. Draw on pattern to distract from radiators

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

Use bold pattern on walls where you may wish to distract from fixtures and fittings. Perhaps you have an unattractive radiator or an overbearing towel rail that you want to conceal. Statement bathroom wallpaper ideas can go a long way to drawing attention away from the other bathroom wall features. Colour coordinate towels to the wallpaper to camouflage them into the background.

15. Add pattern behind open shelving

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dan Duchars)

Papering behind open shelving in any room is always a great. way to add interest, especially in bathroom where the shelves are mainly for displaying luxury toiletries and jars of bath salts. Choose a design that is captivating but not overbearing, to ensure the openness of the bathroom storage is retained – this soft foliage design is perfect, welcoming a touch of nature into the space too.

16. Elongate walls with a corner of pattern

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme)

In a long slimline room throw the decorating scheme off balance to help create the illusion of space regardless of the layout you’re dealing with. In this slim space the bathroom wallpaper dominate two walls to create a corner of interest, leaving the remaining walls as less of a focus – which helps to make them feel more detached from the feature walls.

17. Invite a reflective sheen to smaller bathrooms

(Image credit: Future PLC)

In addition to adding pattern many wallpapers feature foil print which offers a level of sheen to modern bathroom ideas. In this small bathroom there is only one slim window at the far end meaning it is lacking in natural light. While often pattern can make a small space feel quite claustrophobic, a clever use of pattern can help to make the space feel bigger.

Take for instance the leafy patterned paper above, with a foil print on top of a light duck egg blue background. The pattern picks up the light and bounces it back into the room, helping to soften the pattern and create a feeling of airiness and space.

18. Bring hothouse style to an all-white suite

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

There are few better ways to add colour to white bathrooms than with bathroom wallpaper ideas. A tropical design like this can be complemented with real plants and towels in accent shades of aqua and pink. The pattern was actually designed by the bathroom’s owner – if you fancy having a go yourself, you could use a website like Bags of Love.

19. Choose a design that speaks to you

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Clive Doyle)

The owner of this bathroom picked this beautiful koi carp design wallpaper as it reminded her of the years she’d spent living in Japan. It makes what is usually a functional space feel all the more special, and we love the way it coordinates with the blue glass used as a splash back next to the sink and shower. See more of this bathroom makeover.

20. Match the paint

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Paul Raeside)

Paint your walls, woodwork – or if you have it – panelling in the same shade as the background colour of your chosen bathroom wallpaper. This modern toile from Timorous Beasties looks gorgeous with the matching paint colour and heritage style sanitary-ware.

21. Invite a glimpse of pattern

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Heather Gunn)

Wallpaper doesn’t actually have to be in the bathroom to enjoy the effect. If you have an open ensuite like the one shown here, papering a wall next to the bathroom in a bold palm print will bring colour and pattern to the space without overwhelming it. Adding in a real plant or two will unite the two rooms.

22. Balance a bold botanical print

(Image credit: Future PLC/Claire Lloyd Davies)

This standout botanical wallpaper not only adds stunning pops of colour, but the vibrant hues take the familiar metro tiled bathroom to a whole new magnificent level. Conversely, the paler shade of the tiles creates balance.

23. Mix wallpaper with wood panelling

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)

Create luxurious country bathroom ideas by using muted floral designs in soft grey tones. Wooden wall panels can be used in the areas where water is likely to splash, and are in keeping with a traditional look.

24. Pick something a little different

(Image credit: Future PLC)

If you’re wallpapering a bathroom it’s generally not a huge area to cover, particularly if you steer clear of the wet bath or shower areas, so it’s a good chance to, erm, splash out on a more expensive or unusual wallpaper and have some fun.

25. Frame a window with pattern

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Douglass Gibb)

This pretty damask style wallpaper looks gorgeous next to this slipper bath – and the huge candelabra adds to the opulent feel of the room. Flickering candles are all the lighting you’d need for a long, relaxing soak in this tub, which looks fit for a queen.

26. Maximise impact by papering a single wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Claire Lloyd Davies)

Using bathroom wallpaper ideas to create a feature wall is a proven way to make a statement. An added advantage of going for one feature wall in the bathroom is that you can target a wall furthest away from water. Plus, the smaller the area, the less wallpaper you’ll need so you may be able to afford that designer roll you’ve been coveting!

27. Encourage relaxation with marbled paper

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain)

Marbling is often used as a mindfulness exercise because it literally encourages people to go with the flow – you have no control over the paint or pattern created. That’s why it’s the perfect choice of pattern in a bathroom, as you can lose yourself in its arbitrary swirls.

28. Combine wallpaper and tiles

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

if you’re worried about your bathroom wallpaper ideas getting wet, but want to put it on the same wall as a water feature, try this treatment. Tile up to the point where splashes might reach, then wallpaper to the ceiling. It’s a smart look and is more subtle that papering a full wall – if you’re unsure about taking the plunge, so to speak, this might be the way to go about things.

29. Go nautical

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

It’s pretty obvious why nautical bathroom decor is a natural fit, but you can take things further with a themed wallpaper. From fish (see above) to anchors to beach huts, there are plenty of directions to head in – we think this is one of the most fun.

30. Add warmth with a wood effect

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Mel Yates)

Want to tap into the wood panelling trend without breaking the bank? Why not create a feature wall using textured or printed wallpaper? This wood-print paper brings a cosy Scandinavian feel to the cooler metal and ceramic surfaces.

31. Enhance a structural feature

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

If your bathroom is built into the eaves why not show off its striking proportions with wallpaper? In a light-filled space like this one, you can get away with something dark and dramatic as a striking attic bathroom ideas.

32.

Clash patterns

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Claudia Dulak)

Mixing and matching bold patterns has given this bathroom a retro feel – just check out the wallpaper versus that dramatic floor tiling. If you’re looking to channel 1970s chic, we advice you stick to a similar palette of orange and olive green. But use a lot of black and white, too, otherwise it could get too overwhelming – not ideal when you’re trying to unwind in the bath.

How to wallpaper a bathroom

1. Measure up

Choose a suitable wall to paper and measure the area to calculate how much wallpaper you will need. Avoid walls next to the shower, or directly behind the bath or basin, as water splashes could cause damage.

2. Prepare the walls

Damp walls must be treated, any cracks filled and glossy painted surfaces lightly sanded first. If the walls are freshly plastered, you must ‘size’ them using a coat or two of wallpaper primer.

3. Keep the paper smooth

Take care when hanging the paper to smooth out any air bubbles that form beneath the surface as you go. Use a squeegee to get rid of those imperfections. Otherwise, they will make the paper more likely to peel over time.

4. Protect with varnish

Once you have finished hanging the wallpaper, leave to dry fully before sealing with strong varnish to give a layer of protection against humid bathroom conditions. Try Decorators Varnish by Polyvine, £10.63 for 500ml. It’s a durable overcoat that is available in matt or gloss finishes.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

Which type of wallpaper do I need for a bathroom?

Most wallpaper is labelled according to use, and those suited to high-moisture rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are invariable vinyl. ‘Scrubbable’ wallpapers that are made from heavyweight vinyl 
or vinyl-coated are the best options, but also look for rolls labelled ‘extra washable’ or ‘highly wash-resistant’.

If you have your heart set on bathroom wallpaper that’s only marked ‘spongeable’, or not cleanable at all, it’s possible to boost its resilience using Polyvine’s Decorators Varnish. Use the Dead Flat version, which won’t alter the paper’s colour, and do a test patch first. Don’t forget to add the cost to your budget. A one-litre pot costs around £10.50 and will cover 15-20sq m. For best results, apply two to three coats.

Can I paper all the walls in a bathroom?

Yes, as long as you have a decent circumference of tiles around the bath and basin – aim for at least 60cm between water and wallpaper. But while maximalism is on trend, bathrooms are usually small, so if you’re going all out do choose a soothing design that won’t kick off your day with a headache.

A feature wall is a smart choice. You can afford to go much bolder and it’s easier to keep your bathroom wallpaper ideas away from splashes.

Is wallpaper safe inside a shower?

No, but you can get 100 per cent waterproof wall coverings that look like bathroom wallpaper ideas and don’t have the grout issues associated with tiles. For example, the Wall&Deco system available from West One bathrooms. It’s expensive though and requires specialist installation. A cheaper option is to wallpaper behind a sealed glass shower enclosure or screen.

Bathroom Wallpapers – our pick of the best

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Give your bathroom a new lease of life on a budget with wallpaper. From realistic tile designs to coastal seascapes, freshen up your space and create interest with one of these fabulous feature wallpaper designs. Here we pick the best bathroom wallpapers to suit all tastes and budgets. Follow manufacturers’ guideline for putting up wallpaper and use the recommended paste where possible. Many papers are now designed so you can paste the wall rather than the paper, making them much easier to hang. The best thing you can do to ensure a wallpaper’s longevity in a bathroom is to avoid hanging it in areas that come into direct contact with water. Finally, make use of an extractor fan (or fit one if you don’t have one), and turn it on as soon as possible to whisk away excess moisture.

(Image credit: Graham and Brown)

Beside The Seaside Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat : 64cm

Roll: 10m x 52cm

Quirky and contemporary, this wonderful seaside-design wallpaper features a motif of traditional beach huts in British red, white and blue! This is a bright and summery design that brings colour and light to a bathroom. 

Beside The Seaside Wallpaper, £8, Graham and Brown.

(Image credit: TBC)

Faro Tile Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat : 26.5 cm

Roll: L10. 5m x W53cm

This Albany Maison Collection faux effect blown vinyl Andalusian painted tile effect wall covering is perfect for both bathroom and kitchens. Shown here in a dark blue on off white backdrop. Other colours available. 

Faro Tile Wallpaper, £15.98, Wallpaper Direct.

(Image credit: TBC)

Contour Blue Glass Brick Bathroom Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat: 53cm

Roll: 10m x W52cm

This striking glass tile effect wall covering, in contemporary blues and greens, is specifically designed to stand up to the humidity of bathrooms and kitchens. Extra washable. Splash proof, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. 

Contour Blue Glass Brick Bathroom Wallpaper, £12, B&Q.

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Designers Guild Piastrella Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat: 70cm

Roll: 10m x 70cm

An elegant shaded tile pattern with vintage flecks creating the impression of an antique block print. A very adaptable moir embossed wallcovering, with some of the palette of colours offering subtle accents of metallic for added glamour. Made from vinyl. 

Designers Guild Piastrella Wallpaper, £89, John Lewis.

(Image credit: TBC)

Superfresco Easy Nature Trail Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat: 52cm

Roll: 10m x 52cm

This pretty floral and butterfly design is perfect for any room in the home. It is as durable as it is beautiful with an extra washable, three-dimensional finish. Paste-the-wall product. 

Superfresco Easy Nature Trail Wallpaper, £22, Very.

(Image credit: B&Q)

Ceramica Natural Pebbles Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat : 53cm

Roll: 10m x 52cm

A contemporary pebble design, ideal for high-steam areas. Peelable for easy removal. Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove marks caused by everyday life. 

Ceramica Natural Pebbles Wallpaper, £12, B&Q.

(Image credit: Wilko)

Coastal Marine Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat : 26.5cm

Roll: 10m x 53cm

Bring unique touches and a fresh look to a plain bathroom by creating a refreshing seaside theme. A relaxing montage of nautical scenes, ideal to get a tranquil and summery look at home. 

Coastal Marine Wallpaper, £10, Wilko.

(Image credit: Laura Ashley)

Pelham Duck-egg Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat : 45.7cm

Roll: 10m x 53cm

If you’d like to introduce a bit of graphic pattern into your scheme, but don’t want anything too colourful, this graphic fabric design is an excellent choice. Suitable for all interiors, including well ventilated bathrooms and kitchens. 

Pelham Duck-egg Wallpaper, £16, Laura Ashley.

(Image credit: Habitat)

Water Stripe Blue Stripe Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat: None

Roll: 10m x 52cm

Make your ceiling feel higher with a vertical stripe wallpaper. Made in the UK, this wallpaper print combines varying widths with an ikat-look blurred edge that colours outside the lines. 

Water Stripe Blue Stripe Wallpaper, £15, Habitat.

(Image credit: Homebase)

Marble Wallpaper

Specifications

Pattern repeat: 64cm

Roll: 10m x 52cm

Get the look of marble without breaking the budget. This wallpaper has a realistic looking marble effect. 

Marble Wallpaper, £14, Homebase.

how to choose the best and stick it correctly

In the recent scarce past, a person planning repairs in his bathroom faced the problem of finding finishing materials. The question of choice simply did not stand – they used what they could “get”. Today, you can buy any coating, you just need to choose the most suitable one.

Spoiled by a wide choice, customers are looking for non-standard solutions that will make the decor of the room beautiful and original. One of them is wallpaper for the bathroom. Of course, not every wallpaper is suitable for such a finish. How not to make a mistake in choosing? We’ll figure out.

Article content:

• Wallpaper in the bathroom: is it worth it?
• Humidity zones: where can wallpaper be hung?
• What types of wallpaper can be used?
  • Option #1: Washable wallpaper
  • Option #2: Glass wallpaper
  • Option #3: Liquid wallpaper
• Conclusions on the topic

Wallpaper in the bathroom: is it worth it?

The best material for decorating bathrooms is ceramic tiles, because they are moisture resistant, durable, and also beautiful.

Wallpaper for the bathroom is a practical and very beautiful solution. Properly selected moisture-resistant panels will last a long time and make the bathroom stylish and elegant. If you calculate the cost per square meter of the finished coating, the most budget tile will cost more than high-quality wallpaper.

Save on the work of the wizard. Only a professional can lay tiles or apply decorative plaster on the walls, while even an inexperienced home master can glue wallpaper.

Save time. The laying of the tiles will take several days, possibly weeks. Whereas the wallpaper will “fall” into place in one day, a maximum of two.

Recreate any style you like. A rich assortment of canvases with different textures, colors and designs allows you to choose the most unusual decorative solutions.

Easy to replace boring or spoiled design. It is very easy to remove old wallpaper and replace it with new one. In a couple of days, the bath will delight its owner with a new interior.

The main disadvantage of decorating the walls in the bathroom with wallpaper is their instability to moisture, which is very abundant in the bathroom.

The best material for decorating bathrooms is ceramic tiles, because they are moisture resistant, durable, and also beautiful.

Indeed, traditional paper-based panels do not withstand not only water, but even contact with moist air. However, there are special wallpapers designed for finishing wet rooms. It is they who should be chosen for gluing in the bathrooms.

In addition, special attention should be paid to the adhesive. It should also be designed for rooms with high humidity, otherwise the composition will absorb moisture, swell and come through the coating with ugly dirty spots.

Even moisture-resistant sheets must be protected from water. Surfaces that come into direct contact with water are best covered with tiles, plastic panels and similar materials

Humidity zones: where can wallpaper be hung?

Experienced builders will attest that bathroom humidity levels vary. There are more “wet” and more “dry” areas, which must be taken into account when wallpapering. If the tile or plaster can withstand any impact, then decorative panels in some cases need to be preserved.

There are four humidity zones in the bathroom:

• The inside of the shower and the area above the bath. This is the most “wet” area where it is not recommended to glue the wallpaper. Even the most moisture-resistant panels will get wet and deteriorate here. This area can be tiled or painted.
• Section of the wall above the bath, starting above 25 cm from its rim. Quite a humid area, where large splashes of water reach. Here you can already stick liquid and glass wallpapers. It is important to choose types of linen that will withstand frequent cleaning, because this area gets dirty pretty quickly.
• Fragment of a wall located 60 cm to the right and left of the edge of the bathtub or the edge of the shower. Relatively dry area with occasional splashes of water. Suitable for all types of waterproof wallpaper.
• The driest zone starting from the edge of the previous section. Here, wallpaper panels are not threatened by anything other than condensate. You can glue any moisture resistant wallpaper.

Wallpaper for the bathroom is a good way to create an exclusive interior. The picture shows a decorative panel made using liquid wallpaper of different colors and textures

What types of wallpaper can be used?

Finding wallpaper for your bathroom is easy. There are several types of panels that are specifically designed for use in wet areas. Let’s consider them in more detail.

Option #1: Washable wallpaper

Washable wallpaper is a group of wallpapers intended for application in rooms with high humidity. Their feature is a special coating that makes them wear-resistant. It also does not allow the panels to “breathe”, therefore, in rooms pasted over with such wallpaper, there should be good ventilation.

Material advantages include:

• Versatility. Suitable for sticking to plaster, concrete, drywall and any other surface.
• Long service life, which is about 10-15 years.
• Easy care. Easy to clean with a damp cloth, if necessary, you can use a sponge and detergent.
• Easy to apply and just as easy to remove from walls.

You need to understand that washable wallpapers come in various types, so when choosing them it is important to pay attention to the markings. The letters on the label will tell you what material was used to make the panels:

• BB – foamed vinyl;
• RV – embossed vinyl;
• PV – flat vinyl;
• STR – structural canvas for painting;
• STL – fiberglass.

In addition, all washable wallpapers are divided into types depending on the degree of moisture resistance. The following marking is used here:

• Straight line. Moisture resistant wallpaper, they are not intended for washing. When gluing, it is allowed to remove excess glue with a damp sponge.
• Two lines. The panels can be washed using mild detergents.
• Three lines. The so-called “super washable” wallpaper. To clean them, you can use a sponge and saturated soap solutions.
• Brush and line. Such panels can be treated with detergent and a stiff brush.
• Brush and three lines. Particularly durable wallpaper with high abrasion resistance.

For bathrooms, you should choose at least super-washable sheets, and even better – wallpaper that can be washed with a brush.

In addition, it is better not to choose models with a pronounced texture, because from frequent washing, which is inevitable in the bathroom, they will quickly lose their appearance.

Pay particular attention to the joints of washable wallpaper. To prevent them from coming apart, you can lay narrow paper strips under them, coat them with glue again and roll them on with a rubber roller. In general terms, the procedure for sticking moisture-resistant wallpaper is as follows:

• We calculate the number of whole strips. To do this, we divide the length of our wall by the width of the wallpaper roll. We cut off the required number of panels, not forgetting to add 50 mm of strip length for trimming.
• We mark the line for gluing the first strip. To do this, use a plumb line or building level. Do not forget that we are starting to glue the wallpaper from the window, so all the joints will be less noticeable.
• Apply glue to the first strip with a roller or brush and, if required by the manufacturer, fold it with the smeared side inward and leave it to soak. Coat the wall with glue.
• Lay wallpaper soaked with glue on the wall, aligning the edge with the marking line. With a wide roller we press and roll the wallpaper against the wall, removing all air bubbles. Raise the canvas a little from the bottom and top, cut it and glue it again.
• Glue the remaining strips in the same way. At the same time, we strictly monitor that there are no overlaps at the edges. Joints can be additionally glued with a special compound and rolled with a narrow roller.

Moisture-resistant wallpaper is heavier than usual, which should be taken into account when choosing an adhesive. You should listen to the manufacturer’s recommendations and select only special compositions: for vinyl, acrylic, interlining, and so on.

In the manufacture of fiberglass wallpapers, they are given a relief texture, which is very well emphasized by painting. Standard panels can withstand up to 15 stains, allowing the owner to change the look of the bathroom as often as he wants

Option #2: Fiberglass

Fiberglass wallpaper is one of the most practical and functional finishes. For their manufacture, fiberglass or the finest glass threads are used. Depending on the method of production, the texture of the canvas will be different. If it is woven on a conventional loom, the material will be almost smooth.

Special feature of gluing fiberglass wallpapers: the glue is applied only to the wall, not to the canvas

Interesting relief fabrics are obtained after processing the threads on a special jacquard loom. Smooth panels are less dense, so they are rarely used for finishing. For decoration, heavier and denser embossed canvases are most often chosen. Advantages of cullet:

• Absolute safety. The material is completely environmentally friendly, since it contains natural substances: clay, quartz sand, soda and dolomite.
• Hypoallergenic. The canvas does not attract dust.
• High moisture resistance. Fiberglass wallpapers do not lose their properties under the influence of moisture and are not afraid of it.
• Breathable. The material “breathes”, which prevents the appearance of fungus and mold under the coating.
• Ability to apply several layers of paint, on average, the canvas withstands 15-20 paints.
• Easy to coat.

High-quality fiberglass wallpapers are devoid of significant shortcomings. Masters do not advise buying cheap analogues. Low-quality panels do not even withstand deployment and crack right in the hands. The technology of gluing glass fiber is very simple.

However, there are a few things to be aware of:

• Only wear long sleeves and protective gloves when handling fiberglass sheets. Glass fibers crumble when cut and, if they get on the skin, cause irritation.
• The front and back sides of the wallpaper are different. Usually they are wound inside the front side.
• Walls must be treated with a weak adhesive solution or primed before gluing glass wall papers.
• Such wallpapers are considered heavy, so special compositions must be used to stick them.

Applying fiberglass wallpaper in the bathroom is almost the same as applying washable wallpaper. The only difference is that the cloth does not need to be coated with glue. It is applied directly to the wall. The strips are glued end-to-end, the adhesive drops that have come out are removed with a clean, dry cloth.

Liquid wallpaper for the bathroom is a dry mixture, which is diluted in certain proportions with plain water. After swelling and thorough mixing, the coating is ready for use

After gluing, glass wall papers are most often painted using styrene-butadiene or acrylic paint.

Option #3: Liquid wallpaper

This type of wallpaper is a special type of decorative plaster based on cellulose fiber. The binder is CMC glue. In addition, the composition of liquid wallpaper may include all kinds of additives that affect the texture and appearance of the coating.

These can be: cotton, natural silk, seaweed, plant bark, wool, and so on. The advantages of liquid wallpaper include:

• No seams. The result of their application is an ideal smooth surface, while when gluing ordinary panels, the seams will be noticeable.
• Environmentally friendly. The composition of the material includes natural fibers, absolutely safe for humans. Liquid wallpaper is hypoallergenic and does not attract dust.
• Undemanding to the quality of the base. The coating is able to hide small wall defects. In addition, it can be applied in a new home. Shrinkage design liquid wallpaper is not terrible.
• The ability to “breathe”, which prevents the “greenhouse effect” and, as a consequence, the occurrence of mold and mildew.
• Good sound and heat insulation.
• Maintainability. The coating must not be washed with aggressive detergents and rubbed with a brush. However, stains are very easy to deal with. It is necessary to cut out the damaged piece and apply a new layer of liquid wallpaper.
• Large selection of colors and textures. Depending on the additives added to the base, such wallpapers can have a very different look and texture.
• Easy to apply and remove coating. The special structure of the wallpaper allows it to be applied to any surface, up to pipes of different diameters. At the same time, the coating lays down tightly, without folds and creases.

The disadvantage of liquid wallpaper can be considered a relatively high cost. However, if we take into account the sufficiently long service life of the material, rather low consumption and maintainability, we can conclude that in terms of per square meter of the wall, the cost is not so sky-high.

Renovating liquid wallpaper is very easy. It is necessary to cut out the damaged area and apply a new composition to it. Seams and joints on the coating will not remain

The application of such a coating is not difficult. The procedure is as follows:

1. Preparing the walls. To do this, remove the old coating, carefully putty all cracks and other defects. To reduce material consumption, the base is primed with any suitable composition.
2. Strictly following the instructions, prepare the solution for application. To do this, fill the dry mixture with water and wait until it dissolves. After 20 minutes, mix the composition well, it is ready for use.
3. We take a spatula or a plastic trowel and apply liquid wallpaper on the wall in the direction from corner to corner. In this case, you should not press the tool hard, otherwise the material will be compressed and the coating texture will disappear. The application layer should be about 1-4 mm, it depends on the type of filler.
4. We level the finished surface with a special plastic float.
5. Leave the coating to dry for 48 hours. The room where the wallpaper dries should be well ventilated.

Another “minus” is the sensitivity to moisture, so you need to choose a special coating for the bathroom. It has a special label. If there are doubts about the moisture resistance of liquid wallpaper, after application they are covered with a protective layer of varnish.

Liquid wallpaper is applied to the wall with a spatula or trowel. Even a novice finisher can cope with such work

Conclusions on the topic

What kind of wallpaper to paste in the bathroom? The choice is up to the owner of the premises. They can be any, the main thing is that a moisture-resistant option is chosen. Such a coating will be not only attractive, but also functional, and, most importantly, inexpensive. Buying wallpaper will not empty the family wallet, and you can stick the panels on your own.

That’s why many people choose wallpaper for their bathroom, even if it seems absurd. A wide range of wallpapers allows you to choose the best option for any style room. At the same time, changing the interior decor will be very simple – just replace the wallpaper.

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Wallpaper in the interior of the bathroom, features of the application with photo

Do you want to freshen up the bathroom, change the scenery in it without excessive costs, quickly and cheaply? Try using wallpaper in your bathroom. This material is affordable and opens up just limitless expanses of imagination. Surprised by such a strange offer and not sure that the game is worth the candle? Let’s look at all its pros and cons.

Contents

Why choose wallpaper

The bathroom wallpaper option is for everyone who is ready to try their hand at being a designer. This finishing material is relatively easy to work with and cheap, so if you wish, you can change the interior of the room at least every year.

Pasting a room can be done on your own, without the help of professionals, and a variety of colors and patterns will allow you to realize the most daring ideas.

Bathroom wallpaper

Wallpapers are good for bathrooms of any size, it remains only to choose the right look and ensure high-quality ventilation in the room.

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What kind of wallpaper to paste over the bathroom?

“On the shelves of shops you can find vinyl wallpaper for the bathroom with the addition of silk, linen, cotton and other textile inserts”

The main aspect that you have to pay attention to is the high moisture resistance of the material. This suggests that paper products in the bathroom have nothing to do. You will have to choose from:

• vinyl wallpaper;
• liquid wallpaper;
• cullets;
• self-adhesive options.

What are the advantages of each of these types?

Vinyl wallpaper

They are distinguished by a dense, moisture-resistant polymer vinyl coating that perfectly retains its original appearance and is not subject to deformation. On store shelves you can find vinyl wallpaper for the bathroom with the addition of silk, linen, cotton and other textile inserts, as well as types of foamed vinyl, the surface of which attracts with the severity of the reliefs. The basis of vinyl types of wallpaper today is increasingly non-woven.

Vinyl wallpaper attracts with its pronounced relief

You can find out how moisture resistant a particular roll is by a special mark on it. Look for the wave icon and see how many lines there are. Choose for the bathroom those where there are three waves. They fit perfectly on the wall and will last for more than one year.

Glass fiber

Excellent and always moisture resistant finish. Moreover, neither mold nor fungus will damage the walls. Surfaces will be easy to care for. You can take the wallpaper for painting and then the next cosmetic repair will be reduced to the usual repainting of the walls.

Glass fiber will not be damaged by mold or fungus. In its original form, it is a dry cellulose mixture, which is diluted like satengypsum, after which it is puttied with a wall mortar. Liquid wallpaper is good in everything.

They give a uniform, seamless surface.

No adhesive required.

Liquid wallpaper will hide wall defects

Under them, wall defects, if any, are completely hidden. The finished surface is perfectly flat.

A damaged piece of decor can always be replaced. Look at the photo how the design of the room with combined wallpaper will look like.

This finish does not fade and is designed for a sufficiently long service life even in such an unfavorable microclimate that prevails in the bathroom.

Self-adhesive wallpaper

Excellent alternative to vinyl. In addition to the fact that such options are the most budgetary, they initially have adhesive impregnation. So it remains to remove the protective layer and fix the strips on the walls.

Self-adhesive bathroom wallpaper

Wall mural

For the usually tiny bathroom, they are a real find. With them, spaciousness, brightness, individuality come into the room. They seem to open the door to another dimension. Natural landscapes, images of mountain landscapes, reservoirs, waterfalls, etc. are suitable for the bathroom.

Photo wallpapers will give the interior individuality

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Fashionable plot solutions

Nature motifs

A universal material for wallpapering both large and small bathrooms is wallpaper with black and white or colored birch trees. It may not be worth pasting over all the walls with them, but highlighting the washbasin area is a very interesting technique.

1. Storm clouds. Also a solution for an accent wall, which can be done, for example, behind the bathroom. The composition will look especially impressive framed by sulfur panels.
2. Jungle. Ideal option for fans of non-standard solutions. Bright and juicy wallpapers depicting lush vegetation look great in combination with white tiles. In addition to this finish, you should take rich brown furniture.
3. In the world of animals. Wallpapers with butterflies, birds of paradise, exotic fish are ideal for bathrooms designed in the spirit of Provence. The diversity of their colors should be restrained by the snow-whiteness of the plumbing and the furniture present in the room.

Plant motifs look great with white tiles

But this is not the only way to use these materials. Take a look at the photo of finishing the bathroom with wallpaper of this type. Sometimes the living creatures depicted on them look more like something futuristic than real, and this is a great opportunity to use wallpaper to create a fabulous atmosphere in the bathroom.

4. Newspaper print. The offer will appeal to those who do not mind reading while taking a bath.

Spectacular newspaper print in the interior

Visual correction

If the bathroom walls are, to put it mildly, uneven and have pronounced defects, then plain wallpaper is out of the question. Your choice is colorfully printed materials that can mask flaws. A plain ceiling, light plumbing and furniture, towels without patterns will save you from ripples in your eyes.

If you want to expand the boundaries of the room, cover it with horizontal striped wallpaper, 3d style options or use photo wallpaper.

Horizontal stripes will visually expand the boundaries of the room

Reduce, compress space and raise the ceiling wallpaper with a vertical strip is ready.

Break the mold

The bathroom has the right to be the way you want it, so forget about large patterns and dark backgrounds in small spaces. Look at the photos of rooms with combined wallpaper, and you will understand that this can also be incredibly beautiful.

Large patterned wallpaper for a small bathroom

Play of colors

“Light wallpaper in the bathroom can contrast with dark flooring”

premises are generally preferable. What is the psychology of color?

Blue. The spectrum is full of all sorts of shades. Any of them, even turquoise, even azure, will equally well visually push the walls apart, fill the space with a feeling of coolness and cleanliness. Starting the day in such an environment, you will certainly get a charge of vivacity.

Blue tones create a feeling of coolness and purity.

Pink. Hue associated with romance, sensuality, tenderness. Girls love him very much. Touchingly pink wallpaper may contain an unobtrusive floral print and thin gilding monograms.

Green. A symbol of naturalness, unity with nature. A green bathroom will energize you in the morning and relax you after a hard day.

A green bathroom will energize you in the morning

Yellow . Bright, juicy, sunny wallpaper will create a cheerful atmosphere in the room, the positive energy of which is enough to stay in a good mood all day.

Red. The color of kings. A complex spectrum, which is better to use in combinations. In large quantities, it can annoy, and sometimes even set you up for aggression, but in the right combinations it is safe. Most often, red wallpapers are found in classically finished bathrooms, where you need to emphasize the pomp and luxury of the situation.

Red wallpaper suitable for classic interiors

Orange. Such a background will also spur the nervous system, so the colors will have to be combined with more gentle and calm shades.

A successful combination of colors will make the interior deep and multi-layered. It’s just that black plumbing is boring, but it’s worth framing it with an orange-green background, as it sparkles with agate brilliance. Photos of the successful design of the combined wallpaper can be viewed on the Internet.

The eternal contrast of dark and light will always look chic. Leave the dark panels at the bottom of the wall and add light wallpaper to the top. Combinations of gray and green are good, so if you come across a wallpaper where ivy curls among the stones or other interpretations of vegetation, you can safely buy them.

A striking combination of dark wall panels and light-colored wallpaper

Light-colored bathroom wallpaper can contrast with dark floor finishes. It looks very impressive, but the dark floor in the bathroom will require more careful maintenance. If you decide to use calm tones of wallpaper for decoration, choose bright accessories for them.

If you want to give a room a touch of originality, focus not only on color combinations, but also on the play of shadows. Arrange niches in the hay and make adequate lighting. Install glass shelves and arrange all sorts of bubbles on them. It would be a great idea to put an aquarium there.

Contrasting combination of dark floor and light wallpaper

Bathrooms often use combinations of wallpaper and other finishing materials. The former can complement tiles, a variety of wall panels, including painted walls.

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Wallpaper combination options

By color

A combination of several colors is used when you need to visually correct the space. Photos of the bathroom wallpaper finish clearly show how such solutions look . The combination can be either simple plain wallpaper, or 3d or printed versions.

Wallpaper combination in different colors

Mix with tiles

Wallpaper and tiles can be combined in several ways. In the first case, the tile serves as a panel, in the second – a vertical insert, in the third – the wallpaper is a decorative insert on a tiled surface, or vice versa. By the same principle, you can combine wallpaper with wall panels.

Wallpaper and tile combination

Paint combination

Today, not a very common option, however, you can still find it in home interiors. The lower part of the walls is covered with paint in order to protect them from getting wet. At what height to raise the panel – decide for yourself. Usually it reaches half the wall, although it can be made higher. The junction of paint with wallpaper is decorated with moldings. What a room with combined wallpaper might look like, look at the photo.

With this combination of materials, the lower part of the wall is protected from getting wet

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Wallpaper in the design of a stylish bathroom or marble. Against their background, streamlined forms of expensive plumbing, perhaps stylized as bronze or gold, will play magnificently. The dome must be placed on its feet. This will add chic to the atmosphere. The presence of household appliances in such an interior should be invisible, so it should be hidden behind decorative panels. Complete immersion in the atmosphere of the past will be facilitated by specific accessories, in the form of unusual forged lamps and ornate candelabra.

Classic style bathroom wallpaper

Nautical style

This is a symbiosis of white and blue colors. However, unlike the design of the combined wallpaper for the living room, the wallpaper for the bathroom specifically shows affection for the marine theme. In favor are rolls depicting marine life, ships, beach landscapes, and panoramic paintings can be finished on all surfaces or combined with other finishes, leaving them only on the accent wall.

Decorated in a nautical style, the room can give you real relaxation. Taking a bath in such an environment, you will forget about fatigue and completely get rid of emotional stress.

Wallpaper for a bathroom decorated in a nautical style

Additional interior design accessories can include: compositions made of shells, a mirror framed by a helm, a real ship’s bell, fluffy rugs imitating sand. You really don’t want to leave such a bathroom, so you risk hanging in it for hours.

Oriental style

Such a bathroom is a realm of rich and rather bright colors. The walls here can be decorated with golden wallpapers, options with themed ornaments and patterns in oriental style. Aromatherapy bowls, stained-glass windows and mosaics simply ask for an oriental setting.

Japanese style

A wonderful solution for the bathroom. To implement this idea, you need to stick wallpaper in the bathroom in a delicate beige or coffee color, you can even without a pattern and standard hieroglyphic prints. In this case, it would be more correct to make an accent wall from photo wallpapers depicting sakura or bamboo.

The ubiquitous country

The liveliness and naturalness of this style goes through the roof, so it always has a lot of fans. Natural colors will help to realize it, so when choosing wallpaper, give preference to the brown and green spectrum. You can decorate the walls under a tree or brickwork. Wallpapers with such patterns are not a shortage. Vintage plumbing is appropriate in the country interior. Decor elements can be towels with rustic patterns, wicker baskets.

Country bathroom wallcovering

Modern

The elegant and eccentric style is easy to recreate. Here you can and should play on contrasts. However, the contrast should not be in the general background. It is better to decorate the walls with light plain wallpaper without frills, but take the furniture in contrasting colors. Smooth lines are relevant in bathroom design. Green, reminiscent of a lawn, rugs and tree-shaped lamps can act as decor.

Contrasting bathroom interior in Art Nouveau style

Provence

A land of floral prints and warm tones. In addition to such wallpaper, they take antique lamps and the same vintage plumbing. The shelves are covered with chintz curtains. If there is sufficient lighting, landscaping is welcome. It is desirable that the rustic bathroom has a window. It is considered the hallmark of the interior. An alternative solution would be backlit photo wallpapers.

Hi-tech

Glass wallpapers are ideal for this style. They can be presented in the most fantastic colors. The classic of the genre offers a combination of several shades of gray separated by natural green tones with lively lines.

Hi-tech bathroom wall mural

Loft

Industrial interior requires exposed brickwork, stones, bare plaster. All this can also be found in the decor of the wallpaper. The style looks good in spacious bathrooms, where the font can be moved to the center and custom furniture and accessories can be added to the room.

Shabby chic

A vivid example of a combination of textured contrasting materials in bathroom decoration. What is combined with wallpaper in the bathroom can be seen in the photo. Wallpaper with a floral print or graphic pattern is partnered with wood panels, plaster, and glossy tiles. The latter is used in wet areas.

The floors are also stylized as wood, and preferably with traces of long-term use. As furniture, hand-woven baskets, old wooden suitcases, the same worn attic stairs are used. Ottomans or even a rocking chair are designed to add comfort, if, of course, the area allows.

Floral shabby chic wallpaper

Note that the style loves complex pastels.