Your bathroom will be one of the most important design jobs you’ll ever have in your home. You may not agree at first, but you will find it so much more enjoyable to spend time in a well-decorated bathroom than in one with no personality. After all, it is one of the most used rooms in the house. This week, we’re going to discuss wallpaper in the bathroom and how it compares to patterned tiles or painted walls.
It seems that wallpaper has suddenly made a comeback on the interior design stage and for good reason. You can cover the whole room with it or create a stunning accent wall at an affordable price and with a lot more ease than with wall tiles.
Just like everywhere else in your home, wallpaper can transform your bathroom in a way that can make it look like you’ve spent a great deal of money on your décor, even if this isn’t the case exactly! With wallpaper, you aren’t limited to patterns, designs, colours and textures in the slightest, so you can style the room to your heart's content.
If you do decide to wallpaper the walls of your bathroom and simply tile the floor, it will be much more affordable than if you were to buy wall tiles too, and it is much easier to trim wallpaper down to fit on a specific wall than it is to measure and cut down your tiles to fit on the wall and match up evenly.
So wallpaper seems to be cheaper and more flexible compared with wall tiles, however, wallpaper has one very obvious flaw. Bathroom wallpaper can easily be worn away and ruined by the moisture and humidity in the room. Even with greatly improved wallpaper adhesives, the conditions in the bathroom can have a huge effect on the adhesive over time and the wallpaper will be ruined.
Unfortunately, wallpaper has one very obvious flaw. Though tending to last longer than paint, bathroom wallpaper can easily be worn away and ruined by the moisture and humidity in the room. Even with greatly improved wallpaper adhesives, the conditions in the bathroom can have an effect on the adhesive over time. Removing and replacing old wallpaper can also often be a pain!
If you are sure you want to decorate your bathroom with wallpaper, you must ensure that the wallpaper you purchase is ‘splash proof’. This type of wallpaper is specifically designed for high humidity areas and is even wipeable should anything get on it.
Unlike wallpaper or tiles, paint is much easier to apply. This means paint can be changed as and when you fancy; perfect for those who like mixing up their decor often. Paint is available in endless colours and finishes and is an efficient, cost effective way to transform your space.
Sadly, paint isn’t as long-wearing as its rivals and will need to retouched quite frequently to cover scratches, chips and damage. Painted walls can also suffer in humid environments and may be prone to peeling or mould.
For longer lasting results, opt for a paint or primer with mildew-inhibiting properties. Paints with a washable finish are also beneficial as bathroom walls sometimes need an occasional wipe down or scrub.
While the relatively cheap costs can make bathroom wallpaper and paint seem appealing, the unique design and long-term benefits of tiles make them a popular choice. Tiles are a timeless decoration, making them much more of a permanent bathroom fixture that won’t need replacing often. However, this permanence isn’t great if you like changing your décor frequently!
Wall tiles are available in a variety of sleek, stylish and patterned designs. With patterned tiles, it’s important to consider upcoming trends as these can cost much more than wallpaper; especially if you need to replace them. In general, tiles can be a lot pricier than simply giving your bathroom a lick of paint. Whether you choose stone or ceramic, this is one trendy material that doesn’t come cheap!
Whether you opt for polished glass, or a matte finish, a tiled wall will always be the easiest surface to clean; ideal for humid environments. Unlike paint, tiles can also add some much-needed texture to your bathroom design.
