The Bathroom Wallpaper Comeback & How to Embrace This Trend
When some of us think about wallpaper, cringe-worthy images floral designs in grandma’s house and farm animal prints may come to mind. But wallpaper is now making a comeback in modern home design, with an increasing number of interior designers giving wallpaper a second chance and a new look.
While you probably don’t want to go all out with wallpaper and fully cover your entire home with it, consider experimenting with it in a small part of your home just for fun. We recommend the bathroom as a starting point, and here are some design tips to make it work well here.
Bathroom Wallpaper Placement
Applying wallpaper to every square inch of your bathroom walls can make the space look smaller and a bit overwhelming. Alternatively, start with just one small part of your bathroom, such as a single wall or just behind the toilet. For the best results, keep wallpaper away from especially high humidity areas, such as by the bathtub or around the sink.
Bathroom Wallpaper Designs
Even on just a small part of your bathroom wall, wallpaper can dramatically change the way that your bathroom looks and really compliment your other decorative bathroom fixtures. In fact, the bathroom is a fun place to experiment with bold colors and big designs, such as butterflies or trees for a nature theme or an abstract design for a modern look. We also love Asian-inspired wallpaper designs to create a spa-like vibe and asymmetrical lines to add intrigue to your space. If you love animals, makeup, books, or something else, this is a great room of the house to play around with quirky wallpaper prints that reflect your personality.
Splash-proof Bathroom Wallpapers
Peeling is a major concern with wallpaper application, which is why splash-proof wallpaper is so important for the bathroom. Fortunately, many retailers sell moisture resistant wallpaper that’s perfect to use in the bathroom. This type of wallpaper comes in modern, rustic, whimsical, and chic styles that will still leave you with plenty of design options. As you shop for wallpaper, make sure to confirm that it really is moisture resistant or waterproof so that all of your design efforts don’t go to waste!
How to Wallpaper Your Bathroom
As with many bathroom remodeling projects, you can apply wallpaper yourself or hire a professional to do it. If you take the DIY approach, you’ll first need to clean and vacuum your walls to get rid of any debris and patch any holes so that it goes on smoothly. Of course, you’ll want to properly measure your wall and piece of wallpaper to ensure a perfect fit and then submerge the wallpaper in a tub to soak it before hanging. Wallpaper manufacturers’ instructions may vary from one brand to the next, so be sure to follow them! Once you get your wallpaper hung, you’ll want to smooth out any bumps or bubbles with a wallpaper brush and wipe away any excess water. It may be necessary at this point to trim the wallpaper you’ve hung to sit flush next to corners or baseboards.
Ventilation Considerations for Wallpaper
Another great way to prevent wallpaper peeling in the bathroom is to ensure that you have proper ventilation, perhaps with a low-profile ceiling-mounted fan or ceiling box. Having a window in your bathroom and opening it up occasionally can also release some of the moisture that has been accumulating in your bathroom and reduce the risk of peeling. With good ventilation, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting quality wallpaper to stay put on your bathroom wall and really add to the character of this space!