Best Bathroom Walls That You Can Choose For Your Remodel

Choose a bathroom wall finish by its intended location as well as its appearance. Compare paint, panels, wallpaper and stone with the selected product instructions before assuming every option belongs in a wet area. Discuss the proposed bathroom remodel.

Bathroom walls seem to be a bit difficult to decorate since it is a splash zone. While living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms are completely dry areas, bathrooms are humid and have moisture. Also, while choosing the best bathroom walls, there are other things you might need to take care of, such as leaks, mold, water damage, and more. Besides, in bathrooms, water comes from all directions. 

Compare bathroom wall options by their intended location, appearance and product care instructions. Paint, panels, wallpaper and tile are not interchangeable moisture or cleaning specifications. Have the chosen product and installation reviewed before ordering.

Beadboard

Compare the beadboard and its proposed coating with the intended wall location. Ask the supplier whether the product and installation are suitable before selecting the finish.

Beadboard gives your bathroom a classic look that perfectly suits traditional interior styles. 

Choose panel dimensions from the measured wall and the product's installation instructions. Confirm the fixing method before ordering.

Paint

Select paint by the exact product's intended use, preparation and care instructions. Compare the sheen samples in the room; a sheen name alone does not establish moisture suitability.

Moreover, painting your walls with a neutral color can make it easy to spot mold, mildew, and stains. It would be wise to prepare yourself for routinely wiping down painted walls as needed to keep them clean and fresh. 

Discuss ventilation and product care as part of the wall-finish plan. There is no established service-life figure here for the paint you will install.

Wood Paneling

Wood paneling is a visual option for part or all of the proposed wall. Compare a sample with the surrounding finishes and ask whether the particular panel, coating and fixing method suit the intended location.

Wood paneling is an appearance option for a contemporary or country-style bathroom. Check the selected panel and finish against the intended location instead of relying on an unspecified lifespan.

Wallpaper

The art of covering bathroom walls with beautiful wallpaper has been in practice for centuries. Nonetheless, wallpaper is better on accent walls when installed in a bathroom instead of fully covering the bathroom. 

Discuss the selected wallpaper's permitted locations and compatible cleaning instructions with the supplier. An unspecified lifespan or cleaning routine does not establish its suitability for the bathroom.

Ask the wallpaper supplier which bathroom locations the exact product is approved for and what preparation it needs. Do not describe unspecified paper as mold-proof or assume a coating makes it suitable for a wet area.

Vinyl

Compare vinyl wall-product samples with the appearance you want. Check the actual quote, permitted installation locations and product instructions instead of assuming a material category establishes price or ease of installation.

Confirm where the selected vinyl wall product may be installed. Ask about its intended use and expected maintenance rather than treating an unspecified lifespan as a warranty.

Tileboard

Tileboard is sold as wall panels with a tile-like appearance. Compare the selected panel's size, installation instructions and permitted locations before treating it as an alternative to tile.

Better tileboard looks closer to real ceramic or porcelain tiles, and the wear surface is coated to repel moisture. Easy to install and inexpensive, tileboard is best used for a guest or basement bathroom due to its economic appearance. 

Ask the tileboard supplier about exposure to moisture, installation details and maintenance. Do not treat the panel as a repair for an unresolved wall problem or assume it increases resale value.

Follow the selected panel's instructions for joints, edges and exposure to moisture. A generic caulking step is not proof that the wall assembly is suitable for a wet area.

Stone

Homeowners have been using stone for their home’s interior and exterior walls for centuries, as it adds a touch of elegance and timeless beauty. Still, depending on the type of stone you use, the material can be expensive, heavy, and high maintenance.

Check the exact stone and finish with the supplier before choosing it for the wall. Ask whether a sealer is recommended and which cleaners are compatible with the surface.

Laminate

Laminate-style wall products offer different visual patterns. Check the particular product's permitted wall locations and installation requirements before choosing it for a bathroom.

Use the care instructions for the selected wall panel. Ask about any moisture restrictions instead of relying on wiping as a guarantee against damage.

Glass Blocks

If glass blocks interest you, compare the product with your daylight and privacy goals. Have the proposed wall and installation assessed before assuming the blocks provide the privacy or performance you need.

Professionals must do the installation of glass blocks to prevent problems. 

Bottomline

There are plenty of bathroom wall options to give your bathroom a look and feel that matches your aesthetic taste. Further, the layout of your bathroom will help you select the best bathroom wall, depending on if it is for an accent wall or the entire interior. 

It would help if you also considered how the level of ventilation and moisture produced in a bathroom could impact the materials on your walls. Also, certain wall coverings are more porous than others and may need request cleaning and sealing. 

Frequently asked questions

Can wallpaper be assumed mold-proof?

No. Check the exact product and approved locations. Discuss preparation and moisture conditions with the supplier before choosing it for the bathroom.

What should I compare besides the wall finish appearance?

Compare the intended location and care instructions. Confirm the selected product and installation method for the surface before ordering.

Planning and material-removal references

For the wider kitchen-and-bath design discussion, consult the National Kitchen & Bath Association. If your plan removes existing finishes or cabinetry, read the EPA construction and demolition debris resource before discussing what will happen to those materials.