Trendy and Creative Wallpaper Ideas to Transform Your Bathroom

While your local home store may discount wallpaper from time to time, you shouldn’t discount it from dressing up your bathroom walls. 

Bathroom wallpaper has been a rising design trend for a while now, and it’s for a good reason. Wallpaper is an excellent way to liven up the space. Whether you want to create a dark, sultry mood or a lush, tropical feel, you’ll find bathroom wallpaper ideas below to suit any style.

Before you jump into these incredible ideas, you need a primer on what bathroom wallpaper actually is. While standard wallpapers look great in dining rooms and formal spaces, the moisture in a bathroom environment will destroy wallpaper and the glue that adheres to the wall. On the other hand, bathroom wallpaper is made of heavyweight vinyl. It not only resists the high humidity of a bathroom, but it’s also easy to clean and scrub, making it an ideal bathroom surface.

1. Incorporating Animal Prints

You might think animal print wallpaper is better off in nurseries, but there are plenty of classy ways to incorporate it into your bathroom. Stay away from bright, overly cheery color combinations. Muted neutrals or luxe jewel tones will take your wallpaper from childish to chic.

As for what exact animal print you should get for your bathroom, look at the rest of your decor. For example, sea creatures would fit in well with a coastal style. Leopards and birds, on the other hand, would complement a space filled with deep greens, simple accents, and tropical plants like monsteras or banana trees.

2. Elegant Black and White

Not big on color? A fun black-and-white wallpaper helps add character without sacrificing that monochromatic aesthetic. A busy print engages the eye, but you may want to wallpaper just the top half of the bathroom wall. This design keeps the room interesting without introducing too much visual clutter.

Whether you have a small bathroom or just want to keep things simple, a calmer design might do the trick. Wallpaper with large designs or plenty of white space between sketches is still fun to look at, and it also allows room to breathe.

3. Adding Vibrant Colors

Since the bathroom mirror is where most of us start our day, an energizing burst of color might be just what your space needs. Look for complementary color combos – complementary in the technical sense (opposites on the color wheel). Wallpaper that pairs blue with orange, yellow with purple, or green with red will brighten the room and keep things cohesive.

Even though you’re straying from neutral territory, there are ways to keep it simple. A cheery gingham or elegant line sketch can liven things up with just one color.

Nervous about diving headfirst into over-saturated hues? Removable peel-and-stick wallpaper lets you easily swap shades as soon as you get tired of them.

4. Cute and Charming

To keep things light and airy, look for wallpaper with delicate designs. Pale blue, pastel pink, and sage green are excellent options for curating a soft, gentle space. Elegant designs on the wallpaper, like palm leaves or flamingos, are just the thing to tie the whole room together.

In a bathroom like this, color coordination is key. Pick out the dominant colors in the wallpaper and match them with the rest of your decor. You may want to go with just one color for an eclectic vibe that still feels put-together, or you can go all out for an elegant bathroom that feels expertly styled.

5. Creating a Cozy Atmosphere

Dark wallpaper, on the other hand, is the perfect way to create a sultry, mysterious atmosphere. While it may feel like a bad idea for a small bathroom or powder room, warm lighting, and strategic placement are all you need to open up the space. Wallpapering just the top half of the wall, for example, breaks up the darkness.

For a sleek, contemporary vibe, look for black or dark gray wallpaper. Finish off the look with some simple fixtures and gold accents. For a more luxurious look, jewel tones like a deep purple or rich emerald will make the space feel rich, elegant, and effortlessly styled. Vintage furniture and brass-framed wall art are the perfect finishing touches.

6. Beautiful Floral Wallpaper Designs

Floral wallpaper isn’t just for grandmas anymore! A variety of colors, styles, and designs means that the perfect flowery walls for you are somewhere out there. Keep an eye out for unexpected elements that let you make the design your own. For example, a dark background turns the usual cheery vibe of florals on its head. It creates a sultrier, more reflective atmosphere. Since florals are generally pretty randomized, a straight, vertical pattern is another way to subvert expectations.

However, if you want to keep things classic, there are ways to have that vintage look without going full old lady. Look for wallpaper with large-scale floral designs. Cool color schemes and jewel tones are your friends here.

7. Elegant Gold Accents

Bathroom wallpaper tinged with gold accents is a surefire way to bring a touch of luxury to the space. A luxe, ornate design pairs well with other high-class decors.

Gold accents are all about the details. Lavish mirrors, monogrammed towels, marble countertops, and, of course, gold accents can all work with the gilded walls to create an elegant atmosphere.

8. Exploring Lines And Shapes

For a fun, modern wallpaper design, try covering your bathroom in lines and shapes. Geometrically influenced patterns are perfect for any decor style characterized by modernity and clean lines, like contemporary, Scandinavian, or mid-century modern.

If you’re more of a fan of vintage-inspired decor, you can still incorporate striped wallpaper by looking for denser, more intricate patterns.

9. Artistic Space

As fun as small-scale, hyper-detailed wallpaper designs can be, mural wallpaper is just as handy for making a statement. Covering your bathroom in a big print commands the eye and transforms the feeling of the whole space. Massive florals, dreamy clouds, and jazzy, abstract patterns are excellent options for bringing your walls to life.

Not sure about covering all four walls? Try doing just one to create a feature wall that’ll be the envy of all your guests. This way, the mural feels less like wallpaper and more like a big piece of art. You could also use this method to upgrade your shower, especially if it features glass doors or a clear shower curtain. Doing so adds a pop of visual interest to an otherwise unimpressive fixture.

10. Embrace a Serene Look

Wallpaper in a tasteful, muted neutral ensures that your bathroom design will stand the test of time. It can add to a cool, monochromatic aesthetic or serve as a backdrop for fun, colorful decor. Either way, staying neutral is an excellent way to add character without going overboard.

Want to stay minimalist? Beige or ecru in a subtle thatch pattern softens the room and brings a serene, natural vibe. You could also go for a warm, understated pinstripe to exaggerate the height of the walls and add a little Scandi flair.

For a more dramatic effect, look for wavier, sprawling designs in contrasting colors – white and slate gray, or cream and dark brown – to spice things up.

11. Elevate Your Bathroom With Texture

Throwing some texture on your walls adds visual interest in an unexpected way. Texture is an excellent option if you’re not a fan of wild patterns, but feel like your plain-colored walls need a little something something. Since the carpeted bathroom isn’t likely to make a reappearance (and thank goodness for that), you might as well put some texture elsewhere.

While it should be easier to coordinate decor with single-color wallpaper, you’ll still want to keep an eye on the materials in your bathroom. Textures can clash just as easily as colors, so try to stick to one theme – stone walls with earthy elements, linen walls with textile elements, and so on.

12. Bring the Tropics to Your Bathroom

Even though the word “tropical” conjures images of lush greenery, there are tons of other options when it comes to bringing the rainforest inside. Botanical wallpaper featuring slender vines or cloud-like leaves provides plant imagery with an unexpected, delicate twist. Colors like pale blue or gray soften the design and add a zen aura to the space.

On the other hand, a foliage frontal assault might be just the thing you’re looking for. Whether you’re adding drama to a powder room or turning your master bath into a total tropical oasis, you can’t go wrong with a luxurious jungle design.

Just stick to a larger-scale design for bigger spaces. The intricacies of a more complex pattern might blend into one another.

13. Vintage Charm

Vintage-inspired wallpaper is just the thing to give your bathroom a dreamy, old school twist. It’s the perfect backdrop for an antique-filled bathroom. Add traditional wood furniture, an ornate mirror, picture frames, and elegant glass cologne bottles to finish off the look of the old-timey powder room of your dreams.

Vintage patterns also play well with more contemporary design elements. Wallpaper with loud, attention-grabbing designs adds a quirky edge to an otherwise subdued, minimalist space. Funkier bathroom decor, like lemon yellow towels or a bright blue sink, feels cohesive when the same colors can be found on the walls.

14. Clean and Fresh

While it might seem stark or boring, white is an excellent choice for wallpapering your bathroom. After all, it’s been the go-to bathroom color for the better part of a decade for a reason. Whether you go monochromatic or add a colorful pattern, you’ll end up with a polished, classic, and effortlessly chic design.

To keep things minimal, look for patterns in silver or beige. These add a little flair without disrupting the gaze.

Want to energize the room a little more? Try bringing in some color with a delicate floral print or a structured geometric pattern.

15. Combine Wallpaper With Paneling

Don’t despair if there’s paneling across the bottom half of your bathroom! Wallpapering the upper parts of your walls can be just as chic as going all out. It’s kind of a cheat code that lets you play with super busy prints without drowning the room in patterns – and doesn’t hurt that it slashes costs in half.

Try to match one color in the wallpaper to the color of your paneling. This way, your half-and-half decorating looks intentional instead of haphazard. However, if the paneling is in a neutral color, you have a little more leeway.

16. Creative Ways to Incorporate Tiles

Wallpaper is an attention-grabber all by itself, but it’s nothing if not a team player. When paired strategically, it can work with bathroom tiles to create a cohesive, intentional space unique to you.

The combinations here are endless. Put lush, tropical wallpaper with understated white tiles, or flip the script and pair minimalist wallpaper with intricately laid mosaic tile. Juxtapose sunny, coral walls with moody, deep green tiles, with the darker color underneath to ground the room and keep things balanced – or pair two subtle shades to create a tranquil space. Whichever way you go, you’re sure to come away with a one-of-a-kind bathroom with your name written all over it.

FAQs

What type of wallpaper is best for bathrooms?

When decorating your bathroom, you’ll want to look for wallpaper that can handle the humidity from your shower. Vinyl wallpapers are your best bet, along with anything marked “moisture resistant” or “scrubbable.”

Can you put wallpaper on bathroom tiles?

Yes! You’ll need to sand down the tile, rinse away any dust, and put down heavy-duty lining paper first. This provides a smooth surface so the wallpaper can easily adhere all the way across.

How do I choose a wallpaper?

First of all, when sifting through bathroom wallpaper ideas, figure out what tone you want to set. Do you want it to be serene and spa-like, chic and upbeat, or luxe and well-traveled? Then, look for colors, textures, and designs that evoke those feelings.

Does wallpaper make a room look bigger?

It can if you’re strategic. Since small patterns can shrink a room, look for wallpaper with big patterns and lots of white space. This will calm things down a little and keep your walls from looking too cluttered.