The Best Wallpaper for Bathrooms
There’s a lot to think about when considering adding wallpaper to your bathroom, including pattern, texture and color. The threat of moisture damage makes some people hesitant about using it in humid areas, but there are wallpaper formulas that can withstand moisture and resist mold and mildew — making it easier to say yes to this decorating idea. You’re also likely to get good, lasting results with vinyl wallpaper over other options.
We’ve gathered a few ideas below to spark inspiration for this project.
Wallpaper isn’t just for homeowners. Renters have just as much opportunity to add this design element to their bathrooms (and other walls of their home) with removeable peel-and-stick wallpaper options.
If your bathroom has an exhaust fan, now’s a good time to clean it and make sure it’s working like it should. Exhaust fans help remove moisture from the air, which is beneficial to the longevity of your wallpaper. No fan? Consider installing one. Our exhaust fan buying guide can help you find the best one for your needs.
Create a Focal Point
Wallpaper is the perfect way to draw attention to certain elements in your bathroom, like an accent wall behind the vanity or tub. If you have open shelving, placing wallpaper behind the shelves is another option. In this bathroom, wallpaper is strategically placed behind the two individual oval-shaped vanity mirrors, instantly catching your eye. The blue vanities and matching storage cabinets bring out the blue butterflies in the wallpaper design, amplifying the subtle pops of color throughout the pattern.
An accent wall is a good opportunity to go for louder prints and patterns since it’s only going on one wall. Think bold, bright florals, medallion designs or murals.
Add a Pop of Color
Many bathrooms feature a neutral color palette that can leave the space feeling plain. But the neutral backdrop is the perfect canvas to unapologetically add bold colors or patterns that you normally wouldn’t use in larger rooms of your home. Botanical and geometric paper are a couple on-trend prints and patterns, while popular colors include moody shades like deep blues, green and black. If you’re drawn to darker colors, use them in a bathroom with natural light so the space doesn’t feel too dark.
Tile Trick
If you love the look of tile but want something that’s easier to install, hang wallpaper with a tile pattern instead. Tile-inspired wallpaper achieves the same effect as real tile at a more budget friendly price point. Whether you want the simple, clean lines of subway tile or something more intricate like mosaic tile, try this trick to bring beauty to the walls of your bathroom.
Make a Ceiling Statement
Most homeowners don’t think to look up when decorating a room, but the ceiling is great unused real estate to consider for wallpaper. Carry your chosen design from the walls to the ceiling to create an unexpected detail that guides the eye up. In small bathrooms, a wallpapered ceiling can make the space feel larger.
Try a Texture
Not every wallpaper choice has to be loud with patterns and prints. Textured wallpaper can add depth and dimension to a space and mimic other materials and design features (like stone and beadboard). It can elevate plain walls with a high-end look — even if you prefer neutral tones or have a minimalist design preference. Some of the most popular textured wallpaper options include grasscloth and designs that resemble wood and brick.
Powder Room Pattern Play
Powder rooms are small spaces, making them the perfect candidates for bolder looks. Since there isn’t much wall to cover, it’s less likely to feel like the louder pattern or print is too much. If you’ve got your eye on a wilder style, take the risk in the less-often used half bath. The smaller square footage also gives you the opportunity to splurge on higher end wallpaper that you might not choose for a larger space due to your budget.
More Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas
The ideas above are just a few of the most classic ways to incorporate wallpaper into your bathroom. If you’re not ready to commit to entire walls or just looking for other wallpaper inspiration, here are a few other considerations.
Enhance Your Bathroom Vanity
Adding wallpaper directly to your bathroom vanity is a creative way to give the vanity a cost-effective custom look. Cover exposed sides or fill in the recessed panels on cabinet doors with wallpaper that complements the space. Another hack is to cover drawer bottoms, revealing unexpected style every time you open a drawer. Adding wallpaper to the areas on or in the vanity is relatively easy and lets you upgrade your vanity without replacing it. With this new look, think about updating the cabinet door hardware too.
Wallpaper Borders
If covering a whole wall or walls isn’t the route you want to go, consider adding a wallpaper border to the space instead. Wallpaper borders are narrow strips that function as an accent rather than an entire wall covering and are usually hung along the tops of walls or about midway up a wall. Wallpaper borders pair well with themed spaces, like coastal or country, or a fun kid's bathroom.
Make Your Wallpaper Project Come to Life
Adding new or updated style to your bathroom can be as easy as covering your walls with wallpaper. Use these bathroom wallpaper ideas and our wallpaper buying guide to get started. Our wallpaper calculator can help you figure out how many rolls you need. Then shop Lowes.com or take a trip to your local Lowe’s store where a Red Vest associate can help you find the supplies you need for your project. Lowe’s carries a wide range of wallpaper options to suit any style and budget — from traditional damask and modern stone-look paper to fun animal prints and everything in between. Once you have everything, it’s time to transform the walls of your bathroom. Our guides, How to Hang Wallpaper and How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper, can help you DIY this project.
If you’re having a hard time deciding which wallpaper to use in your space, start with wallpaper samples.