Bathroom Wall Decorating Ideas

Your bathroom wall is one of the largest things in the room. It is the canvas for the work of art that is your bathroom. It deserves attention.

Bathroom wall decorating ideas usually begin with paint or wallpaper. That might be the place to begin, but you might opt instead to consider cabinets.

Cabinets

If you already have cabinets on your bathroom walls, decide whether you still want them. If the room is small, you may want to remove cabinets to make it look larger. Where will you put toiletries? Consider two options.

1. In-wall Cabinets. Open space between wall studs. Install an in-wall cabinet with open shelves or mirrored door. Some in-wall cabinets are made with stylish molding, and can give your bathroom walls a custom look. To install a cabinet in your bathroom wall, simply cut an opening between the studs. Apply adhesive, insert the cabinet, and you’re done. Caution: Be sure no pipes or heating ducts run through the wall area you intend to use. Wires can be pushed behind or above your cabinet.

2. Thin Profile Cabinets. Hang a thin cabinet above the sink. Surround it with lighting appropriate for personal grooming needs.

Lighting

Decorating bathroom walls with lighting achieves two purposes. Your bathroom can have light where you need it, and the walls can be beautified with the right fixtures. For a clean, uncluttered look, use a cornice molding for indirect lighting all around the room where the ceiling meets the bathroom walls. Place discreet recessed lighting above shower / tub. Add strong lighting around the mirror for personal grooming. For larger bathrooms, add a sconce light or two near the toilet.

Paint, Wallpaper, Wainscoting, and Tile

Once you have decided on cabinets and lighting, you may want to repaint or wallpaper your bathroom walls. Small bathrooms will look best in pastel paint colors, while larger bathroom walls can handle bold colors.

Wallpaper in a warm color can create an intimate feeling: small print for a small room, larger print for a larger room. Draw the eye upward in a small bathroom by placing a border where walls join ceiling.

Wainscoting from floor up to 42″ is another way to get vertical lines on a bathroom wall. Wainscoting is a good bathroom wall decorating idea in any size bathroom. It can give a nostalgic, antique feeling with the right wallpaper.

Bathroom tile is a good way to focus attention on a specific area of bathroom wall. Decorative wall tile can be placed from floor to 42″ up on wall. Opt for the more modern 6×6″ or 12×12″ wall tile instead of the old 4×4″ tiles. Create a pattern on your wall, tying it in with your floor decor.

Artwork

Bathroom walls can be made attractive by hanging appropriate artwork. Choose one or two pictures (more if you have a lot of wall space) in colors that complement your bathroom color scheme. If your color scheme is predominantly one color, use artwork to bring in splashes of bold color.

Plants

Hanging plants are a great bathroom wall decorating idea – a finishing touch. If you have plenty of sunlight in your bathroom, use real plants. They will love the moist climate. If you lack sunlight – or a green thumb – hang a couple of quality silk plants. Be sure they are good quality, as lesser silk plants will not look good.