Should I Put A Bold Pattern Wallpaper In My Small Bathroom

Looking for bath wallpaper ideas? From delicate damasks to ditsy florals and the latest tropical patterns, bathroom wallpaper can show a quick and like shooting fish in a barrel manner to dial up designer mode in your bath. It tin can prove more affordable than tiling, and the latest 'paste the wall' and 'peelable' papers are like shooting fish in a barrel to switch when yous're prepare for a change.

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

Can you use wallpaper in a bath?

There will always be naysayers, but the full general consensus is that a properly ventilated bathroom, with a window and extractor fan, will happily adjust wallpaper. Do keep it abroad from direct contact with h2o. The odd splash is okay on a washable paper, only no manufacturer will recommend installing  it touching a bath, bowl or shower. Then you're just request for problem…

Bathroom wallpaper ideas

1. Pick a point of focus

Image credit: future PLC/ Rachael Smith

Apply a assuming wallpaper design in a bathroom to create a point of focus. this elegant white tiled bath dedicates a surface area above the sink to testify off the famous Cole & Son Flamingo wallpaper in all its glory. Higher up the sink and backside the mirror is the ideal identify to captivate those using the bath. Using the wallpaper pattern in a soft blue colourway helps to add a watery touch to the design – ideal for a bathroom color scheme.

ii. Protect surfaces

Image credit: Future PLC/ Serena Fokschaner

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

Thanks to the wispy gray 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 h2o splashes.

iii. Brand waves with a subtle seascape wallpaper

Paradigm credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

A subtle wallpaper goes a long mode to enhance a bath decorating scheme. Ofttimes 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. In a softly hued room you don't want a wallpaper to overpower, information technology should add pattern but without making the room experience busy. Waves are the ideal pattern, equally they set the scene of tranquil beach life.

4. Become for large-calibration pattern in a bigger bathroom

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

If you accept the infinite go big and bold with the pattern to allow the design to dominate. Friction match the tones inside the paper pattern to that of your tile choices to ensure a cohesive colour scheme, to remainder the overall look.

five. Make a bold statement with color

Image credit: Time to come PLC/ David Giles

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

6. Depict on design to distract from radiators

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Use bold pattern on walls where. yous may wish to distract from fixtures and fittings. Possibly yous have an unattractive radiator or an overbearing towel rails that you desire to muffle. A statement pattern can become a long way to drawing attention away from the other pattern features on the wall. Color coordinate towels to the wallpaper to camouflage them into the groundwork.

seven. Add pattern behind open shelving

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dan Duchars

Papering behind open up shelving in whatsoever room is always a great. way to add together interest, especially in bathroom where the shelves are mainly for displaying luxury toiletries and jars of bath salts. choose a design that is captivating merely non overbearing, to ensure the openness of the shelves is retained – this soft foliage blueprint is perfect, welcoming a touch of nature into the space too.

8.Elongate walls with a corner of pattern

Image credit: Hereafter PLC/ Lizzie Orme

In a long slimline bathroom throw the decorating scheme off balance to assist create the illusion of infinite. In this slim infinite the wallpaper dominate two walls to create a corner of interest, leaving the remaining walls every bit less of a focus – which helps to brand them experience more detached from the feature walls.

nine. Invite a cogitating sheen to smaller bathrooms

Image credit: Future PLC

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

Take for example the leafy patterned paper above, with a foil print on elevation of a light duck egg blue groundwork. 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.

10. Bring hothouse mode to an all-white suite

Image credit: David Giles

At that place are few improve means to add colour to a bathroom than with wallpaper. A tropical design like this can be complemented with real plants and towels in accent shades of aqua and pink. The pattern was really designed by the bathroom'south owner – if you lot fancy having a go yourself, you could use a website like Bags of Love.

11. Choose a blueprint that speaks to you

Image credit: Clive Doyle

The possessor of this bath picked this beautiful koi bother design wallpaper as it reminded her of the years she'd spent living in Nihon. It makes what is usually a functional space feel all the more than special, and we beloved the manner it coordinates with the blue drinking glass used as a splash back next to the sink and shower. See more of this bath makeover.

12. Match the pigment

Paradigm credit: Paul Raeside

Pigment your walls, woodwork – or if y'all have it – panelling in the same shade equally the background colour of your chosen wallpaper. This modern toile from Timorous Beasties looks gorgeous with the matching paint color and heritage style sanitary-ware.

13. Invite a glimpse of design

Paradigm credit: Heather Gunn

Wallpaper doesn't actually have to be in the bath to enjoy the effect. If you lot have an open ensuite similar the one shown hither, papering a wall next to the bath in a bold palm impress will bring color and pattern to the space without overwhelming it. Adding in a existent plant or two will unite the two rooms.

fourteen. Remainder a assuming botanical print

Image credit: Claire Lloyd Davies

This standout botanical wallpaper not but 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 remainder.

15. Mix wallpaper with forest panelling

Image credit: Tim Young

Create a luxurious state feel in your bathroom past using a muted floral design in soft grey tones. Wooden wall panels can be used in the areas where h2o is probable to splash, and are in keeping with a traditional look.

sixteen. Pick something a little different

Prototype credit: Future PLC

If yous're wallpapering a bath information technology's generally not a huge area to cover, particularly if y'all steer clear of the wet bath or shower areas, so it's a adept chance to, erm, splash out on a more expensive or unusual wallpaper and have some fun.

17. Frame a window with pattern

Paradigm credit: Douglass Gibb

This pretty damask style wallpaper looks gorgeous next to this slipper bathroom – 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.

18. Maximise impact by papering a single wall

Paradigm credit: Hereafter PLC/ Claire Lloyd Davies

Papering one 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 abroad from water. Plus, the smaller the area, the less wallpaper yous'll need so you may be able to afford that designer roll yous've been coveting!

xix. Encourage relaxation with marbled paper

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain

Marbling is often used as a mindfulness exercise considering it literally encourages people to become with the flow – yous have no control over the paint or pattern created. That's why information technology'due south the perfect option of pattern in a bath, as you can lose yourself in its arbitrary swirls.

20. Combine wallpaper and tiles

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

if you're worried nigh your wallpaper getting wet, simply want to put information technology on the same wall as a h2o feature, attempt this treatment. Tile up to the betoken where splashes might accomplish, then wallpaper to the ceiling. It's a smart wait and is more than subtle that papering a full wall – if yous're unsure about taking the plunge, then to speak, this might exist the way to get almost things.

21. Become nautical

Image credit: David Giles

It's pretty obvious why bathrooms are suited to a coastal color scheme, but yous tin take things further with a themed wallpaper. From fish (run into above) to anchors to embankment huts, there are plenty of directions to head in – we think this is one of the almost fun.

22. Add together warmth with a wood result

Prototype credit: Mel Yates

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

23. Raise a structural feature

Image credit: Brent Darby

If your bath is built into the eaves why not show off its striking proportions with wallpaper? In a light-filled infinite like this 1, you can get away with something nighttime and dramatic as a hitting Cranium bathroom ideas.

24. Clash patterns

Image credit: Future PLC/ Claudia Dulak

Mixing and matching bold patterns has given this bathroom a retro feel – simply cheque out the wallpaper versus that dramatic flooring tiling. If you're looking to channel 1970s chic, nosotros advice you stick to a like palette of orange and olive light-green. Only use a lot of black and white, besides, otherwise it could get too overwhelming – non ideal when you're trying to unwind in the bath.

How to wallpaper a bathroom

ane. Measure up

Choose a suitable wall to paper and measure out the area to calculate how much wallpaper you will need. Avoid walls next to the shower, or direct behind the bath or basin, as h2o splashes could cause harm.

ii. Ready the walls

Clammy walls must be treated, any cracks filled and glossy painted surfaces lightly sanded offset. If the walls are freshly plastered, y'all must 'size' them using a coat or ii of wallpaper primer.

three. Keep the newspaper smooth

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

four. Protect with varnish

One time yous have finished hanging the wallpaper, exit to dry out fully earlier sealing with strong varnish to requite a layer of protection against boiling bathroom weather condition. Attempt Decorators Varnish by Polyvine, £x.63 for 500ml. Information technology'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-wet rooms similar kitchens and bathrooms are invariable vinyl. 'Scrubbable' wallpapers that are made from heavyweight vinyl  or vinyl-coated are the all-time options, simply likewise look for rolls labelled 'extra washable' or 'highly wash-resistant'.

If y'all take your heart attack a paper that's merely marked 'spongeable', or not cleanable at all, information technology's possible to boost its resilience using Polyvine's Decorators Varnish. Use the Dead Apartment version, which won't alter the newspaper's colour, and do a test patch first. Don't forget to add the toll to your upkeep. A one-litre pot costs effectually £ten.fifty and will cover 15-20sq m. For best results, apply two to three coats.

Tin can I paper all the walls in a bathroom?

Yes, equally 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 commonly small-scale, then if you're going all out do cull a soothing design that won't kicking off your day with a headache.

A feature wall is a smart option. You tin afford to become much bolder and it's easier to keep your wallpaper away from splashes.

Is wallpaper safe inside a shower?

No, but you lot can become 100 per cent waterproof wall coverings that look similar wallpaper and don't have the grout issues associated with tiles. for case, the Wall&Deco system available from west One bathrooms. It'south expensive though and requires specialist installation. A cheaper option is to wallpaper behind a sealed glass shower enclosure or screen.