Wallpapering is a budget-friendly and practical option for finishing a bathroom. A special coating gives them moisture and wear resistance, prevents dampness and the development of fungus (mold). Wallpaper for the bathroom is attached with thick glue containing antimicrobial additives and corresponding to the material of the canvas.
Wallpaper for the bathroom is a practical and very beautiful solution.
No. 1. Wallpaper in the bathroom: advantages and disadvantages
What could make us abandon such a familiar and proven solution for decorating bathroom walls with tiles? The desire to diversify the interior, make it interesting and not boring, while maintaining durability. Many opponents of using wallpaper in the bathroom point to its hygroscopicity and water permeability, as a result of which the wallpaper absorbs moisture, swells and becomes unusable in a very short time. But all this is typical only for certain types of wallpaper, for example, paper, non-woven, fabric, etc.
It is worth choosing the right type of wallpaper, and such a finish will bring a lot of advantages:
- saving money and time , since any type of wallpaper will cost you much less than ceramic tiles, and hanging wallpaper is a faster and easier task than laying tiles;
- a huge range of possible designs, colors, textures, patterns, which allows you to decorate the bathroom in accordance with the design idea, making it truly original;
- wallpaper is much easier not only to install, but also to dismantle if the need arises. This allows you to easily change the interior of the bathroom if desired;
- high maintainability . It is easy to glue the damaged part of the wallpaper, and you do not have to change the entire covering.
It is also worth noting that no matter how moisture-resistant the wallpaper is, it is still better not to use it in a shower enclosure. In this case, the most appropriate option for decorating a bathroom would be a combination of two finishing materials . In all other cases, a competent choice of wallpaper will allow you to create not only a high-quality finish in the bathroom, but an interesting interior.
Wallpaper for the bathroom, of course, must be moisture resistant: on the packaging a sign with three waves . In addition, the glue must also be waterproof , which must also withstand temperature changes, have excellent adhesion, and have antifungal properties.
No. 2. What wallpaper is suitable for the bathroom?
From the requirements for wallpaper described above, it becomes clear that paper-based wallpaper is in no way suitable for the bathroom. In such conditions, you can use the following wallpaper:
- vinyl, as well as self-adhesive vinyl;
- glass cullets;
- liquid wallpaper;
- other washable wallpaper, incl. acrylic and metallized.
No. 3. Vinyl wallpaper for the bathroom: advantages and gluing
Vinyl wallpaper is one of the best wallpaper options for the bathroom. They tolerate contact with water vapor, temperature changes, and even direct contact with water and prolonged contact with it. Ideal for bathroom conditions . In addition, this coating is easy to clean, and its appearance remains unchanged for a long time: it is not even afraid of direct sunlight. In addition, this type of finishing is extremely diverse: you can find a color, shade, pattern and texture to suit every taste. But that's not all. Such wallpaper can even hide some of the imperfections of the walls in the bathroom, and they can even be used in new buildings, so it is an excellent replacement for ceramic tiles. This is a durable finish, the only drawback of which is not the lowest price. In addition, the material does not allow air to pass through, but you can also find breathable vinyl wallpaper , but they will cost an order of magnitude more.
Vinyl wallpaper presented on the modern construction market comes in several types. For bathroom conditions, smooth vinyl wallpaper , which can be a worthy replacement for ceramic tiles. Despite the name, their surface is not always smooth and may have some kind of relief pattern. Hard vinyl wallpaper is the most modern material, which is breathable and can imitate the surface of leather, stone, and wood.
Hanging vinyl wallpaper should not cause any particular difficulties, and consists of the following steps:
- surface preparation and leveling of large defects;
- cutting wallpaper into strips of the required length, taking into account allowances at the top and bottom, as well as taking into account matching the pattern, if any. The manufacturer indicates the necessary information on adjusting the pattern on the packaging;
- the gluing itself , and you should also look for information on the specifics of applying the glue on the wallpaper packaging, because some manufacturers provide for applying the glue to the wall, others - to the wallpaper itself. The gluing is carried out end-to-end; it is better to work together, starting to glue the strip from top to bottom and simultaneously rolling the wallpaper with a roller to force out excess glue and air bubbles;
- Wallpaper is glued end to end at a temperature of 20-240C and in the absence of drafts.
You can simplify your task by purchasing self-adhesive wallpaper : just lightly moisten it with water and press it firmly against the wall.
Design styles
Loft
Industrial notes are becoming more and more popular in design. For a modern person, not only practical, but also aesthetic aspects are important. The loft style in a small toilet is a wall-mounted toilet, wooden elements, flat facades.
One of the walls is made accent and decorated like a brick. Taken together, it will look comfortable, original and simple.
Ecostyle
The name of this style speaks for itself. The uniqueness of the room will be emphasized by eco-friendly finishing materials and textiles, and the atmosphere here will be made more stylish by ceramic tiles and small stone souvenirs.
Colors should be in harmony with each other and be as restrained as possible.
Classic
The classic interior of the toilet can be seen in beige and gold colors, decor with paintings, plain walls, soft lighting and gold fittings.
The photo on the left is a small powder room with tile floors and a wall-hung sink with gold-plated fixtures in a classic style.
Modern
The modern style is created by ergonomic plumbing installations, gray and white colors, a minimum of decor and functional arrangement.
Nautical
The marine style is created with the help of 3D wallpaper, blue tiles, blue mosaics, self-leveling 3D floor with an image of the seabed, white walls with blue streaks.
In the photo on the right is a small seaside bathroom with a sink-cabinet and a standard toilet, where a mirror and a painting decorated with rope reminds of the sea.
Scandinavian
The interior of a Scandinavian toilet is simplicity and minimalism. White plumbing fixtures are combined with light wood-like flooring, brick-like ceramics and small flowers in pots.
Provence
Light colors combined with the elegance of each individual detail can add additional space and lightness to a small toilet. Attention should definitely be paid to decor and textiles.
It is worth giving preference to linen rugs and towels, mosaics and paintings, which include discreet ornaments, as well as floral elements.
Classical
If the overall interior of the house is made in a classic style, then the toilet should be decorated in this luxurious direction. Metal mosaics, ancient statues, large chandeliers will be out of place in a small room.
Here you need to give preference to marble floors, antique mirrors, and antique sink shapes.
Minimalism
For a small toilet, the ideal combination is comfort and functional simplicity. Minimalism welcomes light contrasts of dark and light shades, natural finishing materials (stone, wood, glass), and the absence of bulky decorations.
They can be replaced by panels on the ceiling and decorative compact lamps.
No. 4. Liquid wallpaper for the bathroom: features and installation
Liquid wallpaper is another great alternative to regular ceramic tiles. Among their main advantages:
- complete immunity to moisture and water vapor;
- the application process is as simple as possible: no need to cut wallpaper, dilute glue, etc. Liquid wallpaper is somewhat reminiscent of plaster in terms of installation features;
- the material perfectly allows moisture to pass through, which can be called a clear advantage in a bathroom environment. In addition, liquid wallpaper provides additional heat and sound insulation;
- the ability to create a unique interior using liquid wallpaper, because materials of different colors can be combined with each other.
Experts advise covering liquid wallpaper after application with a layer of protective varnish to give it maximum resistance to moisture. In terms of application, liquid wallpaper is quite simple:
- First you need to prepare the surface and prime it. At the same time, you can begin to prepare liquid wallpaper by adding the amount of water indicated in the instructions to the dry mixture;
- apply wallpaper using a grater in an even layer 2-3 mm thick;
- After drying, you will be able to appreciate the surface without joints . In addition, do not forget to apply a protective layer of varnish.
A few important nuances
In order for wallpaper to last longer and not lose its external luster, you need to pay attention not only to its quality, but also to the characteristics of the bathroom, which can enhance the disadvantages of this material.
- An abundance of moisture and steam is detrimental to many types of wallpaper. By wiping away splashes and stains that get on them, there is a risk of damaging the appearance of the canvas. Therefore, for rooms with a high degree of humidity, it is better to opt for tiles.
- Wallpaper may peel off. This will not happen with properly laid tiles.
- The pasting process is quite simple, but it should also be approached responsibly. Otherwise, by saving on professional help, you can ruin the result with glue stains or crookedly applied canvases.
No. 5. Fiberglass wallpaper for the bathroom: features and gluing
Fiberglass wallpaper is made from glass melted and drawn into threads, so the material itself is similar in properties to glass, which, as is known, is not able to absorb moisture and change when interacting with it. Among other advantages of glass wallpaper, it is worth noting the ability to allow air to pass through , but at the same time this material is not capable of becoming a place for the development of mold. This is a durable finish that can even strengthen walls, and wallpaper can be glued to any type of surface. Fiberglass wallpaper is very durable, can withstand contact with water and washing, but its most interesting ability is the ability to be painted several times. It will be very easy to update the decor in the bathroom, and the more obvious and deep the pattern on the surface of the wallpaper, the more times it can be repainted. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the low cost, the need to carefully select paint that has cleaning properties, and a small selection of patterns and designs of glass wallpaper.
The method of gluing glass wallpaper is not much different from vinyl wallpaper: the sequence of actions is the same, only it is better to choose the glue that is designed specifically for glass wallpaper. It is better to choose acrylic or latex paint, but the color or their combination depends on everyone’s preferences.
How to glue behind pipes
Taping behind the pipes in the toilet is one of the difficult moments. Marking the cuts in advance before gluing is not very convenient, and there is a risk of making mistakes in the sizes. Craftsmen make slits when gluing the canvases. The glued part should be positioned evenly around the obstacle. A stationery knife is used to cut holes - it is sharp and easy to handle. It is necessary to ensure that the cuts are neat and accurately follow the contour of the pipes. You can glue it in parts, but then the scraps of the canvas will be noticeable - you will have to match the pattern very precisely.
First, you need to remove the old coating, paint, and level the walls: any imperfections or bumps will be noticeable. The walls are treated with primer.
Gluing begins from the top of the wall, where nothing interferes. The position of the sheet is precisely measured. It is tightly attached to the wall and smoothed out. Cuts are made in the right place, a pipe and other obstacles are inserted into them. Excess scraps are carefully trimmed with a sharp knife.
No. 6. What other wallpaper can be used in the bathroom?
Among other wallpapers that have washable properties and are resistant to moisture, we can highlight metallic wallpaper . They are easy to care for, create a beautiful, sophisticated interior, are durable, are not susceptible to the development of fungus, and can withstand contact with water. But before gluing them in the bathroom, you should think carefully, because this material does not allow air to pass through , so the room will have to be constantly ventilated or equipped with a powerful ventilation system. Even if this does not scare you, it is better to decorate only one wall of the room in this way: firstly, it will help create a favorable microclimate, and, secondly, it will deprive the room of unnecessary glare and make it stylish, not pretentious.
A rather bold decision would be to use photo wallpaper . They can make a room unique, visually expand the space, and give it a distinctive atmosphere. It is worth choosing those photo wallpapers that have moisture-resistant properties , as indicated on the packaging, but even such material is better to glue on the wall that is located away from water sources. Gluing photo wallpaper requires maximum attention, because you need to accurately match the pattern, and for this it is better to mark the wall. In addition, the surface must be perfectly flat, and the photo wallpaper on top is protected with a layer of varnish.
Online store KLV-wallpaper. Photo wallpaper in Moscow
In the KLV-wallpaper online store you can choose various photo wallpaper themes for decorating a room in an apartment and office interiors. The canvas will be made in any size using high-quality materials . This is an excellent option for those who value their time and also do not want to overpay for quality. Below are just a few photos from the store's wide selection.
Help in selection. A store specialist will help you choose a decor that matches the interior. You can see how your room will look after wallpapering . To prepare an image of your room with the chosen decor, you need to provide a photo of the room and indicate the location of the photo wallpaper. Link to the photo wallpaper catalog in the Klv-oboi online store.
Toilet finishing
Ceiling
One of the most successful options for a small toilet can be considered a suspended ceiling (PVC film). Among its subspecies you can find glossy, silk, matte, pearl. The main thing is not to forget that the high quality of the ceiling and the overall design of the toilet can only be appreciated in combination with good basic and additional lighting.
Walls
An original and practical type of wall covering for a small toilet can be plastic/wooden panels, glazed ceramics, vinyl wallpaper or decorative stone. In the design, you should give preference to calm shades (sand, beige, white, blue, gray), as well as zoning bright and neutral tones. For example, white with gray, black with white, green with light green. This simple move will also help visually expand the space.
Floor
A small area of the toilet can be covered with a single-color self-leveling floor, reminiscent of gloss, which, in combination with light, will give the room additional space. The ideal choice is 6 or 8-angled tiles with small patterns. Large drawings and bulky ornaments will make the toilet even narrower, so you should avoid them. The color scheme can be monochromatic, or it can combine two shades of the same color (cold and warm).
No. 7. What else should you consider when choosing and hanging wallpaper in the bathroom?
Although many types of wallpaper are waterproof, it is better not to use them where they will be in direct contact with water : above the sink or above the bathtub, in the shower corner. It is better to use tiles in these places, which can simply be correctly combined with wallpaper, and then the interior will turn out not only practical, but also stylish.
When combining materials, you should try to create a harmonious interior , designed in the same style, so do not use too many shades and different patterns in one room, and remember the basic properties of colors. Light shades visually expand the room, while bright and dark shades do the opposite, so the former are suitable for small bathrooms, and the latter for spacious ones, to make them more comfortable.
You also need to take into account the chosen style of the room . So, for a bathroom in the Provence style, wallpaper with floral motifs is suitable, in a classic style - wallpaper in light shades, in an interior in the pop art style you can combine several bright shades, and for minimalism, choose restrained wallpaper using monochrome colors.
Wallpaper pattern
Under tiles
An interesting way to decorate walls. Wallpaper with tile imitation “wins” in price and ease of use. The pattern can be like an antique cracked tile or with a beautiful and unusual stylized pattern. This finishing method allows you to quickly finish it in an unusual style and just as quickly, if desired, change it.
With flowers
Flowers will complement almost any style and can look completely different. For example, photo wallpaper with large flowers on the back wall can be combined with plain coverings, or a small floral pattern will decorate the room around the entire perimeter.
Under the brick
Decorating walls with wallpaper imitating brick significantly saves space, time and money than natural material. With “brick” walls you will get a wonderful design in the loft or Provence style. The interior will be complemented by stylized plumbing fixtures and decorative items.
By color
A combination of several colors will look advantageous and will allow you to adjust the perception of space. A darker shade will “attract” the wall. For a small toilet it is better to use a combination of a light palette. You can also combine plain and multi-colored coatings, with a pattern or 3D image.
Geometric designs
For a small toilet, it is better to use wallpaper with small geometric patterns, such as a small checkered pattern. They will not be obvious and hide the space. The proven technique of horizontal and vertical stripes, which, depending on the direction, “stretch” or “lengthen” the wall, also remains relevant.
In conclusion
Wallpaper in the bathroom is a rather bold decision that will allow you to create a unique interior, but at the same time it will require you to be extremely careful when choosing materials and when organizing the interior. Really high-quality materials will allow you to create a unique interior, which will be no less practical than bathrooms completely finished with ceramic tiles. And yet, I would like to note once again that the best option would be to combine wallpaper with tiles.
The article was written for the site.
Tags:Bathroom, Wallpaper
Combination methods
Of course, the simplest solution to renovating a toilet is to have the same finish on all walls. However, this conservative option is somewhat outdated. An original design technique - a combination of several types of wallpaper - will make the interior unique.
In a room of calm pastel shades, one wall can be highlighted with a bright canvas (plain or with an ornament). Monochrome option - in a pale blue room there is one wall with dark blue wallpaper, giving the room a special depth. Bright contrasts will bring freshness and brightness to the room (light gray walls and several wallpapers with flowers in muted red shades).
Fans of traditional solutions can implement a two-color toilet design: dark bottom (up to 1 m high) - light top. This type of renovation combines contrasting fabrics (brown bottom and light beige top). If you have difficulties choosing combinations, you can use the manufacturers' proposals. Companion wallpapers are available in different colors and patterns. To beautifully design the joints, special borders or decorative polyurethane moldings are glued on. The combination of wallpaper of different quality looks original: the bottom is vinyl with imitation plaster, the top is textile or non-woven.
