How To Use Wallpaper In A Bathroom

Can you use wallpaper in a bathroom? Absolutely - and we think you should.

Bathrooms, powder rooms and downstairs cloakrooms are some of the most exciting spaces in which to decorate. Behind closed doors, these smaller rooms offer the perfect opportunity to be braver, bolder and altogether more fabulous with pattern.

Whether you are dreaming of exotic palms, prowling creatures, decadent geometrics or something deliciously unexpected, wallpaper can transform a purely practical bathroom into a jewel box of a room.

The secret is simply knowing where - and how - to use it.

Looking for more wallpaper décor ideas, tips and tricks to help inspire your next project? Read more about the magic of wallpaper here.

Our Crane Fonda wallpaper looks the part in this bathroom designed by Always Sunday.

Is Wallpaper Suitable for a Bathroom?

Wallpaper can work beautifully in a bathroom, provided the room is properly ventilated and the paper is protected from persistent moisture and direct contact with water.

Good ventilation is essential. An effective extractor fan, an opening window or both will help prevent steam and condensation from lingering on the walls. Allowing the room to air after bathing will also help keep your wallpaper looking suitably splendid.

Wallpaper is not designed to replace waterproof surfaces inside a shower enclosure or immediately around a bath. In these particularly splash-prone areas, tiles, stone, glass or another waterproof finish remain the most practical choice.

Beyond those wet zones, however, the walls are yours to play with.

Combine Wallpaper and Tiles

Our showroom in Bath wraps the powder room in our Extinctopia wallpaper combined with tiles by Ca Pietra.

Wallpaper and tiles make exceptionally glamorous companions.

Use tiles behind the basin, around the bath and inside the shower, then introduce wallpaper elsewhere to soften the harder surfaces and bring colour, character and movement into the room.

For a beautifully balanced scheme, tile the lower section of the wall and wallpaper above it. This approach provides practical protection where it is most needed while allowing a statement pattern to take centre stage.

Do not feel obliged to choose quiet tiles simply because your wallpaper is bold. Tonal combinations can feel elegant and cohesive, while contrasting colours create something more spirited. Glossy metro tiles, richly coloured zellige-style finishes and classic marble can all look magnificent alongside an expressive print.

The result should feel considered, but never overly coordinated. A little tension is often what makes a room memorable.

Consider Wall Panelling

These stunning bathrooms use our Ophelia's Tide wallpaper.

If tiles are not quite your thing, wall panelling offers an equally handsome alternative.

Painted timber panelling on the lower half of the wall can protect against everyday knocks, splashes and scuffs, making it particularly useful in compact bathrooms and busy downstairs cloakrooms.

Above it, wallpaper draws the eye upwards and introduces a layer of pattern without overwhelming the architecture. Dark panelling creates a wonderfully cocooning effect, while paler shades allow an intricate print to feel fresh and airy.

For a more maximalist approach, pick out an unexpected colour from within the wallpaper rather than matching the most obvious shade. A poisonous green, powdery pink or deep oxblood can make the entire scheme feel more individual.

Be Bold in a Small Bathroom

Go bold with our Safari Soiree wallpaper!

A small room does not require a small pattern - or a timid decorating decision.

In fact, compact bathrooms are among the best places to embrace large-scale motifs, saturated colour and darker grounds. Because the space is enclosed, a dramatic wallpaper can create an immersive, transporting atmosphere rather than making the room feel smaller.

Wallpapering every available wall produces a gloriously enveloping effect. Continuing the design across a sloping ceiling or into an alcove can make the scheme feel even more intentional.

Prefer something slightly more restrained? Use wallpaper above panelling, behind a freestanding vanity or on a single uninterrupted wall. Even a relatively small amount can completely alter the character of the room.

And because bathrooms and cloakrooms often have less wall space than bedrooms or sitting rooms, you may only need a few rolls to create an extraordinary transformation.

Small room. Major moment.

Choose a Wallpaper with Personality

Your bathroom wallpaper should bring you joy.

Botanical prints can create the feeling of an exotic glasshouse. Animal motifs add wit and a touch of the unexpected. Geometrics introduce Art Deco glamour, while darker designs produce a seductive, after-hours atmosphere.

Consider the permanent elements already in the room: the colour of the sanitaryware, metal finishes, flooring and tiles. Your wallpaper does not need to match them precisely, but the elements should share a visual conversation.

Traditional bathroom fittings can look particularly striking against playful contemporary artwork. Equally, a bold heritage-inspired pattern can add warmth and depth to sleek modern cabinetry.

The most successful rooms tend to mix periods and personalities rather than following a single decorating formula.

Protecting Bathroom Wallpaper

For added peace of mind, wallpaper outside the main wet zones can be protected with a suitable clear decorator’s varnish.

A water-resistant protective finish can help guard against occasional splashes, fingerprints, staining and scuffing - particularly useful around basins, light switches and other high-traffic areas.

Always check that the product is compatible with your chosen wallpaper and carefully follow the manufacturer’s application instructions. Test it first on a wallpaper sample or an inconspicuous area, as applying a protective coating may subtly alter the finish or depth of colour.

We favour a dead-flat appearance because it preserves the beauty of the printed surface without introducing an obvious sheen. Where greater durability is required, the varnish manufacturer may recommend building protection with satin coats before finishing with dead flat. We love Polyvine, so recommend having a look here.

Remember: varnish offers additional protection, but it does not make wallpaper suitable for areas exposed to constant running water.

Style the Whole Room

Our Botanize Heritage wallpaper shines bright at The George Hotel.

Once the wallpaper is chosen, allow its personality to guide the rest of the scheme.

Echo one of its colours in the vanity, panelling or towels. Add antique brass, polished nickel or dark bronze fittings for another layer of richness. A statement mirror, sculptural wall light or beautifully made shower curtain can turn a practical room into a fully realised interior.

Above all, avoid treating the bathroom as an afterthought. It deserves the same imagination as the rest of your home - and perhaps just a little more mischief.

Our Gardens of Amytis wallpaper creates the perfect powder room.

Ready to Make a Splash?

With thoughtful ventilation, sensible protection around wet areas and a confidently chosen design, wallpaper can be a wonderfully practical and transformative addition to a bathroom.

So forget featureless walls and predictable decorating. Bring on the pattern, embrace the drama and create a bathroom that feels unmistakably yours.

Explore our collection of luxury wallpapers and find the design destined to make a splash in your space.