Bring a dash of design to your home’s most function-first room.
Photo and Design by Drew Michael Scott
When it comes to designing a bathroom, wall decor probably isn’t first on your mind. You’re probably more concerned with nailing the perfect layout, one which allows for the soaking tub of your dreams nestled right by an oversized steam shower, and supplying the space with amble cabinetry to store your skincare supplies.
Point being, we get that decor isn’t necessarily top of mind in a function-forward space like a bathroom—but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. At the end of the day, it’s the tiny details—the luxe hardware, the artwork, the bold wallpaper—that will make your bathroom sing. So, how do you go about upgrading this utilitarian space? Well, just take some tips from the design pros. Below, we’re rounding up 10 gorgeous bathroom wall decor ideas sure to spark inspiration for your own space.
Related: 21 Stunning Modern Bathroom Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
Hang a Playful Wallpaper
When it comes to small changes with big impact, nothing upgrades a space quite like wallpaper. It’s especially beautiful and dazzling in a compact powder room where a floor-to-ceiling pattern can really shine. Here, the team at Margaret Donaldson Interiors opted for a shibori-inspired design to offset the clean lines and natural textures seen on the vanity.
Choose Playful Accessories
Small bathrooms mean there are often fewer opportunities for filling walls with artwork and decor. If that’s the case in your space, you’ll want to pay extra attention to the finishes you do choose, because they’ll be that much more visually important. Here, designer Whitney McNell of McNell Interiors turned to a playful (and practical!) towel rack, toilet paper holder, and towel hook, all of which coordinate with the room’s contrast trim.
Add Decorative Wainscoting
Many homes—especially those that are newer or void of an architectural POV—can benefit from the dimension and personality wall treatments like wainscotting can bring. And a bathroom is no exception! In this sunny space by Drew Michael Scott, rich green board and batten details climb ¾ of the way up the wall for a stately space that feels far fancier than the term “water closet” implies.
Choose Standout Storage
It’s no surprise that bathrooms need storage, but said storage doesn’t have to be merely functional—it can be beautiful, too. Case in point? This charming vintage-inspired bathroom by designer Meta Coleman. She put a lesser-used corner to good use by hanging a custom wall-mounted cabinet that doubles as a decorative detail.
Hang Some Plants
A bathroom may be an unexpected place to house your plant collection, but trust us, it works. Not only will your favorite greenery add some much-needed vibrancy and life to your washroom, but they’ll benefit greatly from the steam and humidity often found in bathrooms. Here, the Margaret Donaldson Interiors team opted for a graphic and geometric display, with ferns and vines housed in modern black planters.
Related: 15 Humidity-Loving Plants That Will Thrive in Your Bathroom
Carry Your Tile Up the Wall
Tile is a classic bathroom addition, but many people only think to put it in the shower or behind the bath. Given the opportunity, why not carry it around the entire room—and up the wall? In this serene space by Hearth Home Interiors, neutral handmade tiles add a soft texture to the perimeter of the room, culminating in a subtle diamond pattern that brings a sophisticated touch.
Pair Design With Storage
For a charming bathroom wall decor idea that pairs bespoke carpentry with clever storage, look no further than this idea from creator Jessica Windle. She topped a beadboard wall detail with a shallow ledge and shaker pegs for a wall decor idea that doubles as a spot to stash art and hang towels.
Lean Into a Maximalist Ethos
Sometimes, the smallest spaces are the best place to go big and bold with your design. When it comes to ensuring your bathroom wall decor stands out, lean into a more is more (is more) attitude. Here, designer Katie Rosenfeld paired a graphic wallpaper, unique portrait paintings, and a gilded mirror to ensure the space feels like the jewel box it truly is.
Pop on Some Planking
If you’re the type that prefer your rooms to whisper rather than yell, a subtle wall treatment like horizontal shiplap paneling may do the trick. When painted in a soft hue—like the refreshing mint seen here in a room by Margaret Donaldson Interiors—it’s the perfect quiet spin on bathroom wall decor.
Hang Your Tile In a Funky Pattern
Counting tile as a bathroom wall decor idea may be stretching things juuusttt a bit—but when it looks this good, who really cares? Instead of opting for a standard white subway tile, turn to bold colors or playful patterns—or both, in the case of this room by Hearth Home Interiors—to bring some visual interest to your walls. When your bathroom is taken up halfway by a shower or tub, your best bet is to make those elements as pretty as possible.
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