Bathroom wallpaper trend: 5 looks to recreate at home |

last updated 28 January 2021

Want to tap into the latest interior design trends but don’t want to give your bathroom a complete redesign?

Wallpaper in the bathroom is making a comeback - and is a stylish and affordable way to add print, colour and pattern to the room.

The bathroom trends team at Victorian Plumbing spotted that 'bathroom wallpaper' was searched on Google 11,000 times in July.

See more wallpaper trends...

With this in mind, we’ve asked interiors specialist George Holland to cast his expert eye over five bathrooms on Instagram to explain how we can incorporate this cool new bathroom wallpaper trend into our own spaces.

LOOK 1: MIX WALLPAPER WITH WOOD PANELLING

This botanical wallpaper adds an impressive pop of colour, taking this dark, petite bathroom to a new level. The pattern clash between the wallpaper and the floor tiles shouldn’t work, but it really adds a contemporary look.

This bathroom has combined two trends: wallpaper and wood panelling. This keeps the wallpaper away from the splash zones, which will improve the lasting power of your wallpapered areas.

LOOK 2: MAKE IT A FEATURE AND MAXIMISE IMPACT

This bathroom proves that you only need to wallpaper one wall to make a statement. This stunning bathroom mural is the key feature, with the rest of the bathroom picking out the gorgeous mix of pastel pink and olive greens.

If you’re worried about your walls getting wet or damp, there are a couple of things you can do to preserve your perfectly wallpapered area. Once you’ve finished hanging the paper, leave the whole room to dry and then seal with a strong, waterproof varnish. This will help protect against any humidity or accidental splashes.

If the ventilation in your bathroom could be improved, it’s worth investing in an anti-fungicidal wallpaper paste to prevent mould from appearing underneath the paper.

LOOK 3: MONOCHROME WITH CHARACTER

The dark painted woodwork in this modern bathroom is offset by the white metro tiles and modern walk-in shower. The gorgeous monochrome feature wall perfectly bridges the two and is a great example of using wallpaper as a statement within a simple bathroom.

For a similar look, try pairing an understated monochrome wallpaper and then bring in touches of brass through the lighting and accessories. This way you’ll add character by seamlessly blending the modern with traditional.

LOOK 4: GO BOLD IN THE DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM

Don’t overlook the downstairs bathroom - this is the perfect space to have some fun with patterned wallpaper. Even if the rest of your home is simple and understated, use this small space to let your imagination run wild.

From lush green botanical prints to bright pink flamingos, anything goes in a cloakroom bathroom. The same rules apply if you’re worried about splashes - opt for a half-tiled wall and wallpaper the rest. With such a small amount of paper needed to get this look, you could splash the cash on a designer label.

LOOK 5: SUBTLE AND SOPHISTICATED

You can still make a statement without resorting to bold, bright patterns. This gold foliage feature wall is an elegant subtle feature in this calming bathroom

The foliage pattern on the paper picks out the gold claw-foot bath perfectly and the bathroom accessories in natural materials. It is the perfect understated texture for a soft, comforting space.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HANGING WALLPAPER IN YOUR BATHROOM

Stuck on where to start? George has also provided us with his guidelines when hanging wallpaper in the bathroom, including some pitfalls to avoid when planning your bathroom update.

1. PICK THE RIGHT WALLPAPER

Select a wallpaper that has been designed especially for use in the bathroom. These are often labelled 'Scrubbable' and are made from vinyl, or are at least vinyl-coated to give them that water-resistant quality.

2. DO THE PREP WORK

Any damp patches need to be sealed and all cracks should be filled in. If you have any areas of glossy paint, give them a quick, light sand to make sure the paste and paper can adhere to it.

If you have freshly plastered walls, a coat of wallpaper primer will stop the paste from soaking into the plaster rather than your wallpaper. Picking the right paste is important, select an anti-mold paste so that any damp is stopped before it shows through the wallpaper.

3. CHECK YOUR VENTILATION

Give your extractor fan a good clean ahead of hanging any wallpaper - it’s key that your bathroom is well ventilated so that any condensation or humidity is removed from the room, before it lands on your wallpapered walls.

4. PEEL AND STICK WALLPAPER

If you’re planning on a DIY bathroom makeover, you might be worried about hanging the paper yourself. You could opt for a paste-the-paper style paper which is a bit more forgiving when it’s applied to the wall. This gives you some extra time to make adjustments which can be helpful if you are matching a pattern or getting a seam straight.

5. SMOOTH AS YOU GO

Take care when hanging the paper to smooth out any air bubbles that form beneath the surface as you go. Use a squeegee to get rid of those imperfections. Otherwise, they will make the paper more likely to peel over time.

See Also:Gorgeous Pink Bathroom Ideas

Ruth Doherty is a lifestyle journalist based in London. An experienced freelance digital writer and editor, she is known for covering everything from travel and interiors to fashion and beauty. She regularly contributes to Livingetc, Ideal Home and Homes & Gardens, as well as titles like Prima and Red. Outside of work, her biggest loves are endless cups of tea, almond croissants, shopping for clothes she doesn’t need, and booking holidays she does.