Decorating your bathroom with stylish, eye-catching wallpaper can completely transform the look and feel of the space. With so many options for colors, patterns, and textures, wallpaper gives you an easy way to inject personality and visual interest into your bathroom design. Whether you prefer classic motifs or funky contemporary prints, wallpaper offers seemingly endless possibilities for creating a beautiful, inviting bathroom retreat.

Why Choose Wallpaper for Your Bathroom

Wallpaper presents some unique advantages for bathroom spaces:

• Water-resistant options – Many wallpaper materials such as vinyl are highly water-resistant, making them ideal for high-moisture areas like bathrooms. This allows you to use wallpaper without worry in spaces prone to splashing.
• Easy to clean – Vinyl, foil, and other popular wallpaper materials can be easily wiped clean as needed. This makes them very practical and low-maintenance for bathrooms.
• Visual interest – From florals to geometrics and everything in between, wallpaper delivers eye-catching style that simple paint cannot. It allows you to create a focal point or just add liveliness to the space.
• Coverage – Wallpaper is excellent at concealing flaws or imperfections in bathroom walls and tilework. It can provide a cost-effective way to refresh the look without undertaking a complete remodel.
• Customization – Choose wallpaper patterns and colors that align with your personal taste and style. Select bold prints or muted tones to achieve your ideal look.
• Texture – Many wallpaper materials like grasscloth add beautiful visual and tactile texture to bathrooms. This warmth and depth cannot be replicated with paint.

With proper installation and care, wallpaper can be a long-lasting and dramatic design choice for transforming bathrooms.

Best Areas to Apply Wallpaper in Bathrooms

Though wallpaper can be applied throughout the bathroom, some areas lend themselves particularly well to treatment with wallpaper:

• Accent wall – Select one wall as a focal point by covering it in a vibrant wallpaper print. This is an easy way to add pops of color and interest without overwhelming the space.
• Behind sinks or toilets – Use wallpaper as a backdrop behind bathroom fixtures and hardware. The patterns show through and flank the fixtures beautifully.
• Ceiling – For a dramatic effect, opt for wallpaper on the ceiling. Choose a print that you’ll enjoy looking up at.
• Alcove – If your bathroom has a distinct alcove or niche, use wallpaper here to highlight this architectural detail.
• Full room – For a bold and immersive effect, paper the entire bathroom in your choice of color and pattern. Carry the motif throughout for a harmonious look.

It’s generally best to avoid wallpaper directly behind tubs or showers, as moisture can damage the paper over time. Water-resistant vinyls or tiles may work in these wet zones.

Modern and Fun Wallpaper Patterns for Bathrooms

Here are some lively wallpaper patterns that are well-suited for modern or contemporary bathrooms:

Geometric Patterns

• Chevrons
• Herringbone
• Triangles
• Hexagons
• Diagonal stripes
• 3D cubes or boxes

Geometric prints like these inject energy and dimension into bathrooms. Their repetitive shapes and lines create movement and interest. Scale up the patterns for high visual impact.

Organic and Nature Prints

• Leafy jungle prints
• Exotic florals like palms or banana leaves
• Watercolor-style florals
• Highly-styled botanical drawings
• Animal prints like snakeskin or leopard

Vibrant nature-inspired prints add a punch of drama and whimsy. Pair these bold motifs with muted solids for balance.

Bold Stripes

• Color-blocked horizontal stripes
• Retro diagonal stripes
• Thick vertical pinstripes
• Ombre or gradient stripes

Stripes of varying sizes and orientations make a definite style statement in bathrooms. Use contrasting colors for maximum effect.

Graphic Patterns

• Geometric mosaics
• Optical illusions
• Pixelated video game-style prints
• Pop art images like Warhol bananas
• Comic book Motifs

For the trendy and design-forward, these graphic prints capture attention with their playful vibe.

Novelty Wallpapers

• Faux wood plank prints
• Faux exposed brick
• Trompe l’oeil antique bookcase image
• Scenic vistas like mountain ranges

Novelty wallpapers allow you to “faux” architectural features and textures. Use them to create focal points or themes.

Classically Stylish Wallpapers for Bathrooms

In addition to trendy prints, some traditional wallpaper styles lend an elegant and graceful look in bathrooms:

Chinoiserie

• Bamboo stalks
• Sakura floral branches
• Pagodas
• Watercolor birds and scenery

These classic Asian-inspired motifs evoke a refined, tranquil mood perfect for spa-like bathrooms.

Damask

• Large intricate damask florals
• Graphic damask stripes
• Metallic sheen damasks
• Soft, muted damasks as accents

The beautifully elaborate yet structured damask pattern makes a sophisticated style statement in any bathroom.

Toile

• Black and white pastoral toile scenes
• Soft pastel toile in pinks, blues, lavenders
• Modern takes on traditional toile
• Bold oversized toile florals

With their dainty vignettes, toile wallpapers impart quintessential vintage charm to bathrooms.

Paisley

• Large teardrop paisley designs
• Paisley trellises or frames
• Metallic or embroidered paisleys
• Bohemian paisley floral mixes

The whimsical curving paisley motif brings a carefree gracefulness to bathroom walls.

Chintz

• Small or mid-scale floral chintz prints
• Contrasting floral on white chintz backgrounds
• Vintage cabbage rose chintz
• Lush custom chintz designs

For the quintessential English countryside look, proper chintz wallpaper is the perfect match for bathrooms.

Best Wallpaper Colors for Bathrooms

Color has a significant impact on the overall look and feel of a bathroom. Here are some top wallpaper color choices for bathrooms:

White

Crisp white wallpaper keeps bathrooms looking bright and fresh. Pair with pops of color in towels, accessories.

Beige and Tan

Warm neutrals like beige and tan create a soothing, welcoming backdrop. Accent with deeper tones.

Light Blue

Cool and serene, pale blues evoke a relaxing spa mood. Coordinate with white trim for balance.

Soothing Greens

Muted sage and seafoam greens bring the tranquility of nature indoors. Ideal for zen baths.

Gray

On-trend grays from warm greige to cooler charcoal grey provide an elegant backdrop.

Black and White

For dramatic contrast, black and white wallpaper makes a bold statement. Add metallics for sheen.

Metallic Sheens

Shimmering metallic wallpapers in silver, gold, copper or pewter instantly glam up bathrooms.

Wallpaper Ideas for Small Bathrooms

Small bathrooms can gain a sense of expanded space with some smart wallpaper choices:

• Go vertical – Wallpaper with vertical stripes or patterns adds the illusion of height in cramped bathrooms.
• Mirror effect – Reflective wallpapers practically double the sense of space. Mirrored tiles also impart this effect.
• Neutral brights – Stick with light, neutral wallpaper hues to avoid closing things in. Whites, off-whites, beiges open up small rooms.
• Minimalist patterns – Choose small-scale repeating prints like dainty florals rather than large bold prints which overwhelm.
• Draw the eye up – Position colorful or heavily patterned wallpaper on the upper half of walls, keeping lower areas plain.
• Use just a touch – In tiny bathrooms, wallpaper a selected focal zone like behind a mirror rather than papering all four walls.

With thoughtful design choices, small bathrooms can still enjoy the benefits of stylish, transformative wallpaper designs.

Creative Wallpaper Ideas for Bathrooms

Looking for innovative ways to use wallpaper in your bathroom? Here are some creative ideas to try:

• Cover just one focal wall in an eye-catching print, and paint the other walls in a coordinating solid color.
• Use removable wallpaper above the chair rail to create a fun pop of pattern without a permanent commitment.
• Install wood-look wallpaper below the chair rail to mimic wainscoting or paneled walls.
• Wallpaper the inside of open bathroom shelving to showcase a beautiful print inside.
• Add a wallpaper border as an accent – perfect for introducing a print without it being overpowering.
• Apply wallpaper to the ceiling for an unexpected surprise when guests look up.
• Introduce a nature theme with wall murals depicting peaceful scenery.
• Use peel-and-stick wallpaper tiles for a quick and affordable patterned update.
• Introduce some subtle pattern with tone-on-tone wallpaper featuring a textured geometric or damask design.

Get creative and discover unique new ways to implement on-trend wallpaper in your special bathroom sanctuary.

FAQ About Bathroom Wallpaper

How do I prepare walls for bathroom wallpaper installation?

Ensure surfaces are smooth, clean, and dry. Remove any existing wallpaper. Sand glossy paint. Fill any holes and repair imperfections. Prime walls with a waterproofing primer to prevent moisture damage.

What is the best wallpaper for bathrooms?

Vinyl, polyethylene, or other coated papers work best. Avoid regular paper which can mildew. Choose materials specifically designed for high humidity.

How do I install wallpaper in a bathroom properly?

Use a moisture-resistant adhesive made for wallpapering damp areas. Carefully follow all manufacturer’s instructions for cutting, pasting, and smoothing wallpaper. Ensure tight seams.

Should you avoid seams in bathroom wallpaper?

Seams are generally inevitable with wallpaper. Minimize obvious seams by centering wallpaper strips on focal points like sinks rather than having a seam land directly behind.

How long does bathroom wallpaper last?

With a quality vinyl wallpaper installed properly over primed walls, you can expect 5-10 years of beauty before needing replacement. Avoid water splashing directly on walls.

Can you get waterproof wallpaper for bathrooms?

Yes, look for vinyl, treated, or coated wallpaper materials specifically made for high-humidity bathrooms. This water-resistant paper is essential in shower enclosures.

Is it OK to wallpaper over bathroom tiles?

Yes, applying wallpaper over bathroom tiles is an excellent way to refresh the look without heavy demolition. Be sure to scuff glossy tile surfaces and use a primer meant for tiles.

Should you wallpaper the whole bathroom or just one accent wall?

This depends on the look you wish to achieve. For a bold statement, wallpapering all four walls in a complementary print can be dramatic. For a more subtle effect, use wallpaper just on one focal feature wall.

What wallpapers go with which color bathroom suites?

Bold black and white graphic prints pair well with both white and black bathroom suite fixtures for classic contrast. Earth tones complement tans. Blue wallpapers suit blue or white suites.

Conclusion

Wallpaper can completely transform the aesthetic of your bathroom, whether you prefer a vibrant modern print, sophisticated traditional motif, or anything in between. Following essential installation practices will help ensure your bathroom wallpaper looks beautiful for years. With so many colors, patterns, and textures to choose from, you’re certain to find the ideal wallpaper to turn your bathroom into a stylish oasis expressing your personal taste and style.