Choosing the Right Bathroom Wallpaper

Remodeling a Small Bathroom

It's a known fact that bathrooms are one of the most economical candidates in your home for a mini-makeover. Usually the smallest room, it doesn't take much to give the bathroom a quick face lift.

Your DIY Weekend Project

If you've got the urge to do a little redecorating, you don't need a big budget or a lot of time. While a fresh coat of paint never hurts, bathroom wallpaper can give your bathroom a lot more personality, given the right choice of wallpaper. Here we offer some pointers to guide you to the perfect bathroom wallpaper.

Use Vinyl Wallpaper Instead of Paper

First, because the bathroom is subject to moisture, start looking through the pattern books which consist of vinyl or other coated wallpapers. Not only are these easy to clean, but you won't be disappointed by mold forming on, or beneath the wallpaper. Ask a sales person in the wallpaper department for recommendations on the papers suited to bathroom applications.

Design Your Wallpaper Patterns with Surroundings in Mind

The size and shape of your bathroom is another consideration. A long, narrow bathroom will look smaller if the bathroom wallpaper you choose has a large pattern, with bright colors.

The long, narrow bathroom will appear larger with a wallpaper which is not patterned, but textured, such as the embossed or grassy-blade effect, and of a light color. Alternatively, a light background with a tiny pattern also works well in a small bathroom.

What is Wainscoting?

Another solution might be to install wainscoting, painting above and papering below. Keep in mind that lighter colors and smaller prints create the most spacious feel.

Small Bathrooms are More of a Challenge

If your bathroom is relatively large, you have more latitude in choosing your bathroom wallpaper. You can get away with more color and larger patterns, without making the bathroom feel cramped. In either case, large or small bathrooms papered with bright or large patterns will create an illusion of less space.

Mix It Up - Wallpaper and Paint

If you find a wallpaper you absolutely love, but which is 'large and in charge', you can still use it to good effect. Instead of papering the whole bathroom, paint the largest wall surface and paper the rest. Putting up a mirror on a wall you've papered counters the closed-in effect, by reflecting the light color of the painted wall.

Lights and Wallpaper in the Bathroom

When choosing bathroom wallpaper, you also need to consider your lighting, both in light fixtures and natural lighting. With ample natural light and plentiful light fixtures, the use of bright colors and larger patterns is offset by bright lighting, which visually opens up the space. On the other hand, if your natural light is limited to a smallish window, you're best off sticking with the light backgrounds and smaller pattern designs.

Let Your Personal Style Fit the Decor

Naturally, style plays into your choice of wallpaper. Is this the kid's bathroom, or is it in the master bedroom? Young kids enjoy the Disney style wallpapers, which are bright and cheery. Kid's wallpaper designs often have large spaces of white as the background, with larger, but widely spaced characters or motifs.

For a master bedroom, if there's a man in the house, solicit his opinion on colors and styles he likes – men are often put off by the feminine, frilly bathroom look. Finally, for a teen's bathroom, take them shopping with you! They can be very particular!

Use Bathroom Accessories to Your Advantage

Your final consideration is coordinating your bathroom wallpaper with linens, shower curtains and window treatments. Unless you're prepared to replenish your supply of towels, now predominately in the blue range of hues, you'll want to choose a bathroom wallpaper that works into your general color scheme. A new shower curtain and window covering isn't such a big deal.

So there you have the basics on choosing the right bathroom wallpaper and a successful mini-makeover you'll be proud to show off! If you plan to do it yourself get started down to your local home improvement store today.