Bathroom Decoration: Practical Advice on Choosing Wall Materials

Unlike walls in drier areas of the home, bathroom walls are subject to moisture and humidity. Choose the right moisture-resistant wall covering for your bathroom, as even the best-ventilated bathrooms can take a toll on the material. For example, it helps to know which types of paint or wallpaper are best suited to high-humidity environments, otherwise you’ll be faced with the troublesome task of repairing peeling walls.

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I. What are the bathroom wall covering materials?

Below, we’ve highlighted the best bathroom wall options to help you deal with humidity.

*Tips

Whatever bathroom wall covering option you choose, make sure it fits the overall style of your home before deciding.

Wall materials	Advantages	Disadvantages
Vinyl wallpaper	Easy to install as it can be peeled and re-sticked multiple times.	Some vinyl wallpapers are not suitable for wet environments.
Interior paint	Select bathroom paints contain anti-mold additives.	If you choose a specific bathroom paint, it may cost twice as much as regular interior paint.
Tile	As long as they are professionally installed, tiles are 100% waterproof.	Too many tiles can make a room look crowded and boring.
Wall panel	Wall panel helps protect walls from direct moisture from a shower or bathtub.	The traditional look of wall panel may not suit every bathroom style.
Tile board	Tile boards can quickly repair a bad wall in your kitchen or bathroom.	Tile boards are no substitute for real tiles.

1. Vinyl wallpaper

Vinyl-coated wallpaper is considered practical and waterproof, making it one of the better choices for bathroom walls. Paper wallpaper degrades in humid environments. Modern vinyl wallpaper has evolved to offer sophisticated styles, patterns, and colors.

However, vinyl-coated wallpaper also has disadvantages. It is less sticky than permanent wallpaper and cannot adhere to matte, flat, or rough surfaces. In addition, most vinyl wallpapers are best applied to walls away from sinks, showers, and tubs. Buy a roll or sample and try the pattern on the wall before deciding whether to use it.

2. Bathroom paint

Bathroom paint is formulated specifically for high-humidity spaces. These high-quality paints contain mildew-resistant additives and are available in a variety of sheens for you to choose from. Bathroom paint is affordable but more expensive than regular latex interior paint.

3. Tile

Tile is a classic choice for bathroom walls. If installed and maintained properly, moisture resistance will not be a problem. You can choose colored caulk to add style to the tile. Bathroom walls are usually partially tiled, about 36 inches from the floor. The rest of the wall is either painted with bathroom paint or wallpapered.

4. Wall panel

Wall panel is often used to cover the lower half of bathroom walls. A semi-gloss or glossy finish protects the wainscoting from moisture damage.

For ease of installation, consider using wainscoting boards that are 8 feet long and 4 feet tall. These longer boards are installed lengthwise and can be quickly installed using construction adhesive and finishing nails. For a more refined, historical look, choose individual wainscoting boards.

– Use vertical grid wall panels to expand the space

Add a dramatic visual effect to the wall around the vanity with a vertical grooved grid wall. The vertical grid lines in this bathroom draw the eye upward, making the room appear larger, while their neutral color palette complements the orange trim details and reflective faucets.

– Add wall moldings

The bathroom features green wood moldings and floral wallpaper. Many times, character is synonymous with unique details, such as moldings. Box moldings have become very popular in the past few years, and for a reason. It completely changes the look of the wall using minimal materials. Try this idea to give your bathroom a high-end interior style.

5. Tile boards

At first glance, tile sheets look just like ceramic tile. Tile sheets come in large panels, allowing you to install 32 square feet of wall covering in just minutes that looks just like ceramic tile.

The better tile sheets look closer to real ceramic tile and have a hard-wearing surface that is coated so they resist moisture. Tile sheets are economical and easy to install, and can be a quick fix for wall problems, but unlike ceramic tile, they won’t add much value to your home.

If water seeps through the back of a tile sheet, the tile sheet will expand quickly and won’t return to its original size. Avoid this problem by sealing all seams and edges with bathroom-grade silicone caulk.

II. How to choose a bathroom wall solution?

Whether you are remodeling your bathroom or building a new one, consider the following tips to learn how to choose the best solution to inspire your new bathroom design:

1. Waterproof performance

The bathroom is a humid environment, so it is important to choose materials that are highly waterproof. Tiles and PVC wall panels are common waterproof choices.

2. Stain resistance and easy cleaning

Bathroom walls are prone to accumulate scale and stains. Choosing materials that are highly resistant to stains and easy to clean can save a lot of cleaning work. Tiles are a good choice because of their smooth surface.

3. Durability

The durability of the wall material determines its lifespan and maintenance frequency. Tiles and fiber cement boards are more durable and can withstand long-term use without being easily damaged.

4. Aesthetics

Consider the overall style and color matching of the bathroom and choose materials that can enhance the aesthetics of the space. Tiles are available in a variety of colors and textures to meet different design needs. Wall panels also have a variety of designs that can imitate the texture of wood or stone.

5. Installation difficulty

Choose materials with suitable installation difficulty based on your DIY ability or budget. Wall panels are relatively simple to install and suitable for DIY. Tile installation is more complicated and usually requires professionals.

6. Budget

The cost of different materials will vary. Tiles may be slightly more expensive, but their durability and beauty may be more cost-effective in the long run. Wall panels and waterproof coatings are relatively cheap, but the effect is also good.

7. Environmental protection

If you care about the environment, you can choose environmentally friendly materials, such as non-toxic waterproof coatings and recyclable PVC wall panels.

III. Conclusion

It is very important to choose the right wall decoration material for the bathroom. It is not only necessary to consider the aesthetics, but also the waterproofness, durability, easy cleaning and installation difficulty. By comparing common materials such as tiles, wall panels and waterproof coatings.

When making the final decision, the most suitable material should be selected according to the specific needs of the bathroom, personal preferences and budget to ensure that the bathroom is both practical and beautiful. I hope this information can help you create an ideal bathroom space.