Toilet      03/08/2020

How to decorate a bathroom in an apartment. How to decorate the walls in the bathroom. Unusual options for wall decoration in the bathroom

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When it comes time to renovate the bathroom, for some reason, most home craftsmen have no doubts about how to finish the walls and floor in the bathroom. And the choice, most likely, will be made in favor of tiles, and there is nothing surprising in this, it is difficult to find materials for finishing better than tiles.


It is better to decorate the bathroom with moisture-resistant, easy-to-clean materials

There are several objective reasons here:

  • durability of ceramic tiles, relative ease of installation;
  • You can do the tile laying work yourself;
  • wide selection of products;
  • aesthetic appearance;
  • ease of care of the lined surface.

We will not argue, ceramics adequately takes the number one place among the ways to finish the bathroom. But not everything is so simple, because in addition to tiles, walls and floors can be finished with a number of other materials. Each of them has its pros and cons, some are better to use for mounting on walls, while others can be used to qualitatively cover the floor in the bathroom. Moreover, the development of engineering and industry does not stand still, and even materials that would seem unsuitable for the humid conditions of a bathroom can be successfully used to decorate a room. This is actually the topic of our article today: how to decorate a bathroom other than tiles, in what ways this can be done and what materials are best to use.

Wall decoration

Considering specific conditions operation of the bathroom, namely increased humidity and temperature changes, you need to take into account not only the aesthetic side when choosing a material, but also the properties and characteristics of the product in relation to the effects of water, steam and mechanical loads. Parameters such as environmental Safety and ease of maintenance and care of the wall surface.

Use of polyvinyl chloride panels (PVC)

Quite a popular and widespread alternative to tiles. Using plastic panels, you can relatively cheaply and practically cover the walls and ceiling in any room, even a damp one. By design, panels can differ in different widths and thicknesses, there are suture and seamless, by design front side They are divided into matte and glossy, mono-colored and multi-colored. Thanks to the large selection of different colors and shades of plastic panels, you can easily choose the material to suit any bathroom interior. In addition, the panels are easy to install on walls and ceilings and there is no need for preliminary preparation of the base.

Polyvinyl chloride panels are a popular type of bathroom finishing

The disadvantages of the panels include their weak resistance to mechanical loads and the formation of condensation on the finishing surface, which subsequently can lead to the appearance of mold and mildew. That's why regular care behind PVC panels, involves constantly wiping away moisture from the cladding surface.

The finishing process consists of the following stages:

  • Lathing device for fastening panels. To do this, it is better to use a profile for plasterboard, but it is also possible to use wooden slats pre-treated with antiseptic compounds. The panels can be positioned both vertically and horizontally. The distance between the sheathing elements should be 30-40 cm.
  • Then plastic fittings are installed around the perimeter of the room in the form of an initial profile, ceiling, internal and external corners, as well as, if necessary, a connecting profile.
  • Panel installation. The material is processed quite easily using a regular hacksaw with small tooth. If installation is carried out on a galvanized profile, then the panel is secured with clamps, and if on wooden slats, That construction stapler using staples.

Wallpapering walls

Another inexpensive way To decorate the walls in the bathroom is to cover them with wallpaper. Moreover, this option has a number of significant advantages:

  • Wallpaper price, per square meter, disproportionately lower than the cost of tiles. In addition, you won’t have to spend money on an expensive adhesive mixture, and the work of wallpapering walls is less labor-intensive and can be done with your own hands, without engaging the expensive services of professional tilers.
  • The ability to quickly and radically change the interior, because re-pasting wallpaper onto an already prepared surface takes, as they say, five minutes.
  • The widest selection of wallpaper by type, texture, color and pattern.

Finishing with wallpaper will significantly reduce repair costs compared to laying tiles

But not all types of wallpaper are suitable for decorating a bathroom, due to special conditions operation of the premises. For example, paper wallpaper absolutely not suitable for these purposes. What material can be used? It is better to choose from the following types of wallpaper:

  1. Water resistant. This roll material, has a front protective layer that can protect the coating from moisture.
  2. Vinyl. They are a two-layer material made of non-woven fabric and polyvinyl chloride. The second can be foamed, smooth or embossed. When choosing suitable covering for bathroom walls, be sure to pay attention to the marking or rather the pictogram, preference should be given to the image of three parallel waves, which means good water resistance and the possibility of intensive wet cleaning.
  3. Acrylic. The properties are similar to vinyl, but differ top layer, which is formed by applying acrylic, instead of vinyl, as in the previous case, to non-woven fabric. In terms of thickness, acrylic wallpapers are thinner than vinyl ones and, accordingly, their moisture resistance and wear resistance are worse.
  4. Glass wallpaper. Type wall covering made from fiberglass. A very good alternative to tiles for finishing rooms with high humidity. They have excellent resistance to moisture and are indifferent to temperature changes.
  5. Liquid wallpaper. This type of coating consists of a mixture of cotton, silk or cellulose fibers with quartz chips, glue and dyes. Since these materials are not sufficiently moisture resistant, the finished coating must be treated with a primer, and then with a protective colorless varnish. Advantage liquid wallpaper is good maintainability.
  6. Self-adhesive. It is a waterproof film with an adhesive layer on the back.
  7. Photo wallpaper. Quite an acceptable option original finish walls in the bathroom.

Vinyl wallpaper will suit almost any that have the ability to withstand rough cleaning.

Painting the wall surface

An undeservedly forgotten good old method of finishing - painting walls, I acquired new life with the development of the paint and varnish industry and the appearance of latex-based paints on the market of finishing materials. Such paints adequately resist the effects of moisture and temperature changes, which makes it possible to use them in wet conditions. In addition, latex-based paints have a wide range of colors that can satisfy the most demanding customer.

The application of paint should take place on a carefully prepared surface treated with antifungal impregnation.

Less common methods

These include decorating walls with plaster (bark beetle, marbled finishes), cladding with artificial and natural stone, arranging mosaic ornaments, decorating walls with mirror slabs, using glass velvet. Also, the walls in the bathroom can be sheathed wooden clapboard, but do not forget to carefully process wooden structures moisture-resistant compounds and antiseptic impregnations.

Finishing with wooden lining is not a bad option, you just need to choose a specially treated lining intended for a bathhouse

Floor and ceiling finishing

Having made sure that you should not get hung up on tiling the bathroom, due to a number of alternative options, let's move on to considering methods and materials that can be laid on the floor.

We list the most profitable and popular materials suitable for laying on the floor:

  • Laminate flooring looks very organic in the bathroom. For these purposes, a special line of products is produced with increased water-resistant characteristics due to additional processing of the edges and front surface of the product.
  • A cheaper option for finishing the bathroom floor is to lay polyvinyl chloride tiles (PVC). The condition of the base for installation must be perfectly level and dry.
  • The floor can also be made from natural wood, in this case, species with high moisture-resistant properties are used (teak, wenge, mahogany, merbau, ulin or ironwood).
  • Mosaic floor with glassy joints. A variation of this method would be finishing the floor with sea pebbles.

There are also several quite acceptable options for installing a ceiling:

  • foam tiles;
  • painting the ceiling;
  • installation of PVC panels;
  • stretch ceiling;
  • installation of mirror ceilings.

Ceiling decoration in the bathroom plays important role, so you should take a responsible approach to the choice of finishing materials

All of the listed methods for alternative bathroom decoration, as well as others not reflected in this article or those that you come up with yourself, of course, have the right to exist. But before you stop at any of the options, you need to think it over and calculate everything well so that the money and work spent will bring you joy, and not grief from the work done in vain.

The statement that renovating a bathroom is very expensive is no longer relevant. It can be beautiful, original, practical and inexpensive at the same time. If only self-adhesive bathroom film is used for wall decoration.


When repairs need to be done quickly and at the same time fit within the minimum budget great solution will become a decorative self-adhesive film.

An example of using film in bathroom design

This is enough new material, which has not yet gained wide distribution and is often associated with unattractive washable wallpaper from the recent past, which is fundamentally wrong. The variety of colors and textures allows you to achieve very interesting design, and if done correctly, such finishing will last up to 10 years.

Self-adhesive film for bathrooms, how to choose

Self-adhesive wallpaper for the bathroom is finishing material, on back side which is applied with an adhesive base and protected with special paper. The film goes on sale in the form of rolls with a width of 45 to 95 cm and a length of up to 15 meters.

Any pattern can be applied to the film

Self-adhesive wallpaper comes in four types:

  • Cork: Their structure resembles natural cork finishes. The surface of the material is additionally coated with a wax-based composition. PVC film. Comprises artificial materials. Diverse in color, pattern and texture. Features an increased service life.
  • Satin: Such wallpaper for decorating a bathroom is also called fabric.
  • Self-adhesive film: Convenient because they have their own adhesive coating. The most convenient and suitable option for finishing bathrooms. Color variations can be very diverse, from plain to complex patterns and ornaments. Imitation is also possible natural materials such as wood or natural stone.

Types of wallpaper for the bathroom

The surface of the film can be:

  • matte;
  • glossy;
  • rough;
  • metallized.

The metallized surface allows you to create certain visual effects: mirror, fluorescent, stained glass (transparent or shaded) and drawings with a 3d effect. Before choosing a film, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. Companies that have been manufacturing for many years tend to provide better quality products.

Decorative film in interior design

It is not difficult to paste over the walls in the bathroom with a film, but will the effect of such a decision please, especially considering the fact that as an element of decor, the film has no equal.

Decorating bathroom walls with foil

Self-adhesive film allows you to effectively decorate the pipes in the bathroom. This solution will look very impressive if you choose the right material. In a rustic interior, pipes are usually wrapped with a beautiful structural rope, but they can also be hidden under a film that imitates wood.
For an interior in Japanese or Chinese style, pipes are made into something like columns, covered with red film and decorated with black hieroglyphs.
Combinations of films of various shades and textures and changes in their geometry allow you to effectively zone the space. Often the film is combined with other finishing materials, for example, with tiles or liquid wallpaper is used for the bathroom. To highlight areas more susceptible to moisture.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Like any other finishing material, self-adhesive film has its pros and cons that need to be taken into account before deciding in favor of a simple budget renovation.

Advantages

  • The material is available in a wide range of colors and textures.
  • The cost of film is an order of magnitude lower than other finishing materials.

Using film to cover bathroom walls is enough a budget option

  • Good quality characteristics that make this wallpaper sufficient for the bathroom practical option.
  • Pasting work takes a minimum of time and effort, does not require special equipment and can be easily done independently.
  • The pasted surface does not require additional care.
  • Possibility of finishing various types of surfaces.

Flaws

  • Despite the simplicity of gluing, surface preparation is a rather laborious process and not always within the power of a person without special experience.

Special skills are required to work with film

  • The film is highly waterproof, but this is not only a plus, but also a minus of the material. Since the wall under such a coating does not breathe, which means that diaper rash and mold may form.
  • The service life, as a rule, does not exceed 10 years. But this can also be a plus for those who like to change their interior frequently. Easy installation and low price allows you to carry out redecorating more often than usual.

Preparatory work.

Decorative film sticks to almost any surface. It doesn’t matter what it is - cork, glass, plywood, tile, wood or metal. You can stick it on putty or unprepared drywall, but the material will not last long on such a surface.

Leveling the wall surface before pasting with decorative film

The success of the repair depends, first of all, on proper preparation walls The old coating is completely removed from them, leveled, puttied in two layers, cleaned with a fine abrasive sandpaper and primed.

When the surface is completely dry, a horizontal line is beaten off on the wall, along which the first canvas will be glued. Usually they try to make this mark in the most inconspicuous place, since the first and last strip will dock differently than the others.
If liquid wallpaper or decorative bathroom plaster is used in combination with a finishing film, the preparation of the walls in these areas does not have to be done so carefully. The mixtures themselves do a good job of hiding minor surface defects. It is enough to prime the walls.

Material calculation

In order to count required amount film, you need to know the width and footage of the roll in advance. Room measurements are performed without taking into account windows, if any, doors and space behind the bathroom. First, find out how many strips of material will be needed to cover all the walls. To do this, the perimeter of the room is divided by the width of the roll. Then they calculate how many strips can be obtained from one roll. To do this, its footage is divided by the height of the walls with an increase of 5-10 cm for trimming.

Before purchasing film, carefully calculate the required footage.


When wallpaper for a bathroom with patterns or a geometric pattern is used, in addition to the stock, an adjustment is added to the height - 35-45 cm. The total number of strips that will be required to paste over the entire room is divided by the number of strips in one roll and the number of rolls necessary for repair is obtained. If the bathroom has ledges or niches, another roll is added to the total number. Methods of covering surfaces with decorative film.
The temperature in the room being repaired must be at least 10 degrees. If the film was previously stored at lower temperatures, it is desirable to keep it warm for at least two days. After graduation preparatory work start cutting the film and gluing it.

Features of material cutting

As a rule, the film is cut from the wrong side, on which square markings are applied for convenience. But in some cases, when, for example, the selected film is designed to imitate tiles, the markup is performed taking into account the front pattern. Additional instructions for working with a particular type of material are always indicated on its reverse side.

It is more convenient to cut the material according to special markings

The panel is cut to length using a special construction knife. It is not recommended to cut the film by weight or with scissors.

Surface pasting

Glue the film from top to bottom. The protective layer is removed a few centimeters from the upper edge of the first strip. The film is applied to the wall and leveled. Gradually remove the paper protection by 5-6 cm, pressing the adhesive surface against the wall. When the entire strip is pasted, it is smoothed out rubber spatula from top to bottom and from the center to the edges, trying to get rid of all folds and air bubbles at once.

Important! Any wallpaper for bathroom walls is glued end to end, but the film is always glued overlapping.

It is better if the edges of the covering panel are facing the light source in the room. Otherwise, the seams will cast a shadow and become more noticeable. It is recommended to avoid joints of strips in corners.

If you are gluing decorative film for the first time, you will need an assistant.

Important! The decorative film sets completely after a few hours. Soon after gluing, the material can be torn off with a sharp movement and re-glued.

If some air bubbles do form, they need to be carefully pierced with a thin needle and smoothed out. It is almost impossible to remove folds and irregularities from an already glued surface; the strip is torn off and glued again. If the film is pasted on a convex surface, it is preheated with a hair dryer so that it becomes more elastic.

September 5, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works(laying a foundation, erecting walls, constructing a roof, etc.). Internal construction work (laying internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communications, high tech, computer technology, programming.

Recently, a friend of mine asked me to help her renovate her apartment. But if there were no problems with the design of the entire home, she herself could not decide on the appearance of the plumbing facilities. Especially when it comes to the walls in the bathroom.

Before coming to the final decision, together we went through a huge number of design options, including combined bathrooms. To save you from sleepless nights and the agony of choice, I decided to tell you what it is better to make walls in the bathroom from (how to choose the right material color), and how much the demolition of the wall between the bathroom and toilet affects the interior of the room.

Color scheme for bathroom walls

I want to start the conversation with how to choose the right wall color for the bathroom. After all, not only the visual perception of this room depends on it, but also the convenience in performing hygiene procedures.

Usually when choosing a shade for decoration various surfaces in the sanitary room, people are guided by their own taste and sense of beauty. However there are several general rules, which I highly recommend sticking to.

The most important points are:

  1. A bathroom is a room with high level humidity. Therefore, the color for its design must be chosen so that in the end it does not look raw and dank (although in fact this may not be the case). The visual perception of a room affects comfort no less than other factors.
  2. Typically, sanitary facilities are not very spacious. Therefore, you need to make every effort to visually expand the room. To do this, I recommend using light shades and glossy surfaces (but it is important not to overdo it, as too a large number of shine is perceived negatively by many).
  3. A bathroom is a functional room in which people perform hygiene procedures, including doing their hair, applying cosmetics, shaving, and so on. Therefore, the colors of the walls need to be shaved so that there is a lot of light. This is achieved by adjusting the saturation of the colors used.
  4. If the bathroom will be used not only as a place for washing, but also as a home spa, it is better to choose the color and pattern of the walls so that it soothes and allows you to relax, and not set you up in an aggressive way.

I can not tell you about all the possible colors and shades, so I will focus only on the most popular. I will describe them taking into account the possible impact on humans. So let's get started:

  1. Red color. Able to increase vital energy and tone. After visiting the bathroom, decorated in red, according to psychologists, a person receives a charge of vitality and is more prone to action.

  1. Orange color. It is a strong antidepressant and has a relaxing effect. Orange walls make a person a little happier and help to cope with constant stress. Taking a jacuzzi bath in such a room, you can abstract from current problems and have a good rest.

  1. Yellow. Unlike the previous one, it has a stimulating effect. Yellow and its shades increase the nervousness of people, lead them into a state of tension and confusion. In addition, such coloring visually constrains the space and distorts the perspective, so it looks organic only in spacious rooms.

  1. Green color. Synonymous with confidence, vigor and stability. A bathroom decorated in green style enhances vital energy, allows you to collect your thoughts and stabilize your emotional state.

  1. Turquoise. It has a calming effect and helps relieve accumulated tension. Reduces irritation, stimulates vitality person and invigorates him. Bathroom decorated in turquoise tones, creates a feeling of security.

  1. Blue color. The rich blue hue allows you to relax. The blue bathroom is a good place to take a Jacuzzi bath and enjoy the water and air massage. After such relaxation, vitality soars to unprecedented heights.

  1. Purple. Walls in purple shades help cope with stress and increase a person’s self-confidence.

  1. Grey colour. This is a neutral shade that helps calm nerves, prevent irritability and nervous breakdowns. It will help you get into a positive mood. Gray color goes well with other shades, so it helps to create a truly extraordinary design of a sanitary room.

  1. Black color. Painting walls this way has a depressing effect on the psyche, and I do not recommend using this color yourself. It is better to combine it with others, using it as an additional one.

Now more specifically about color palette. First of all, when choosing a color you need to take into account the location of the bathroom in the apartment. If it is adjacent to the bedroom, then its style should match the design of this room. In the case where the plumbing room is common to all inhabitants of an apartment or house, it can be decorated in any way you like.

However, it is still better to consider a combination of designs. For example, if other rooms are decorated in country style, then paint the walls in ultra-modern purple shade ridiculous to say the least. And vice versa.

The color combination is also important. There are two options:

  1. Monochrome interior. One color is used to paint the walls. Furniture and plumbing fixtures are selected to match it, but in order not to make the bathroom boring, you need to vary the shades and saturation. Typically there should be three degrees of the same color:
  • weak – for most surfaces;
  • strong – for painting furniture and plumbing fixtures;
  • rich - for some accents.
  1. Multi-colored interior. Usually three or more colors are used, but I do not recommend using more than six (unless you are painting walls, of course).

In addition to the above, I advise you to pay attention to the color and size of furnishings in the bathroom. If the room is small, it is better to buy small-sized furniture, painted in bright hues– white, cream, pastel and so on. Bright and large furniture, including those made of natural wood, will look impressive only in spacious bathrooms.

When choosing the color of furniture, you need to consider what the floor is covered with. Furnishings can match the color of either the walls or the floor. But not both at the same time.

Otherwise, everything depends only on your taste and the wishes of your loved ones who live in the same apartment (house) with you. And no universal instructions, no matter how complete it is, will not help here.

Demolition of partition

One of important aspects When designing the walls in the bathroom, there is a partition between this room and the toilet. I recommended to my relative to break down the wall between the bathroom and toilet. Personally, in my opinion, this solution is optimal for cramped bathrooms, since in the end you get a comfortable room where, in addition to the bathtub and toilet, you can fit washing machine and other necessary furniture.

My relative did not want to dismantle the wall, justifying this by the fact that she did not want to contemplate the toilet while doing her morning makeup. However, there is a very elegant and ergonomic solution to this issue - a small false wall or a low screen, which is easy to make with your own hands.

I personally in my practice have encountered the following options:

  1. Glass partitions. I think this is one of the the best ways zoning, because transparent material allows you to separate the toilet from the bathroom, but does not visually reduce the space. The mirror partition looks great. The design can be either permanent or temporary (portable, folding, and so on).

  1. Plasterboard partitions. Using sheets of plasterboard installed on the frame, you can construct a partition of any size, shape and configuration. The double design has proven itself to be excellent, inside which it is easy to hide plumbing and electrical wiring. Concerning decorative finishing, then here possible options You are limited only by your imagination, since anything can be glued to gypsum boards.

  1. Plastic partitions. They can also be permanent or temporary. I often used polycarbonate (plexiglass) to construct plastic partitions. The result is a transparent wall, which, unlike glass, is less heavy and fragile. And this design costs much less. But if used carelessly, the polycarbonate surface becomes scratched and loses its transparency.

I want to warn you right away that dismantling the partition is a very noisy and dirty job. You will definitely need oilcloth or other similar material to protect the remaining rooms of the home from dust and dirt.

In addition, when planning the dismantling or relocation of the partition, it is necessary to take into account the following nuances:

  1. Redevelopment that does not lead to an increase in the total area of ​​sanitary facilities does not require approval from the housing office or other similar organization. Also, without a technical design, you can move the locations of plumbing fixtures without increasing their total number.
  2. If the dimensions of the bathroom and toilet increase after remodeling (not at the expense of the kitchen, this is prohibited) or you plan to install an additional device (bidet, shower, etc.), such actions require pre-training and approval of the engineering design.
  3. When demolishing, it is necessary to check that the partition is not load-bearing. Otherwise, there can be no talk of any dismantling.
  4. Cannot be dismantled or resized engineering communications common use. In particular, it is prohibited to dismantle or reduce the common ventilation duct apartment building, which is usually located near one of the walls of the plumbing room.

Wall finishing materials

And finally, I want to talk about the materials that can be used to decorate the walls in the bathroom. They are shown in the diagram below:

Of course, this is not a complete list, but I decided to focus only on popular options, indicating their advantages and disadvantages.

Method 1. Tile

The classic design option for a bathroom is tiles, that is, ceramic tiles. This material is very popular and is the undisputed leader not only in our country, but throughout the world. And all because it has many advantages:

  1. Varied appearance. Now on sale you can find tiles painted in all possible colors and shades. In addition, they help diversify the design of the walls in the bathroom. decorative elements, frieze, patterns, texture and so on. You can choose the design and tile layout that suits you using computer program(I once reviewed similar applications, you can read it if you are interested).
  2. Durability. If you follow the technology for laying ceramic tiles, they can last so long that they become morally obsolete, but at the same time they will not change their appearance and technical characteristics. Yes, ceramics can crack when impacted, but the damaged area can be easily repaired.
  3. Hygiene. Ceramic tile has a very dense decorative surface, which practically does not become dirty during operation. In any case, stains and dirt from the walls can be easily removed using a regular foam sponge and household detergent.
  4. Strength. The tiles withstand significant external influences well. Scratches do not appear on the surface of ceramics, so it is often used even for finishing walls in public sanitary facilities, which are visited by a large number of people.
  5. Antiseptic. The material is not subject to biocorrosion; mold and fungi do not develop on its surface, which spoil the appearance of the room and often cause serious illnesses. The only danger is the appearance of microorganisms in the seams. However, this can be avoided by treating the gaps with antiseptics.
  6. Versatility. The material can be used to decorate not only walls, but also. What can I say? tile some even stick to the ceiling if required design solution. However, in the latter case, you need to use a special high-strength glue.

The only thing that often forces people to abandon this type of bathroom decoration is the high price of the material and the difficulty of installing tiles on the surfaces to be decorated. The cladding technology is described in detail in my articles on this site. Having familiarized yourself with them, I think you will successfully overcome all difficulties.

Method 2. Paint

Painting bathroom walls is the most cheap way decorating these surfaces. However, only if the walls of the room have already been carefully leveled, plastered and puttied. Otherwise, the complexity of the operations listed above will most likely force you to abandon this finishing option, and the cost will not please you.

Don't think that by painting I mean covering the bathroom walls green or blue oil paint, which is well known to our grandparents who received apartments in the middle of the last century.

Now manufacturers of finishing materials produce durable and attractive-looking coloring compositions that are specifically designed for use in the specific microclimate of the bathroom, characterized by high humidity and significant temperature fluctuations.

We have already talked about the choice of colors and shades, I’ll just say the best option For the bathroom, in my opinion, silicone paint is the best option, but it costs a lot. For those who want to save money, I can recommend latex water-dispersion paint, which is not washed off with water and can withstand significant mechanical stress.

I especially want to highlight such a property of paint as maintainability. If any part of the wall becomes dirty or has a scratch on it, simply touching it up will be enough to restore it to its former glory. In the case of a broken tile, there would be almost an order of magnitude more hassle.

Method 3. Wallpaper

This is another way to decorate bathroom walls for lovers of budget solutions. Wallpaper, like paint, requires preliminary preparation of the base - leveling with putty and careful sanding. Otherwise, all wall defects will appear through the wallpaper and ruin the appearance of the room.

Naturally, they are not used to decorate the bathroom. ordinary materials on paper based, but special ones that do not deteriorate in humid air and tolerate particular temperature changes well.

To decorate a bathroom, in my opinion, you can use several types of wallpaper, which are described in the table below:

Variety Characteristic
Washable The cheapest finishing option. This wallpaper is protected on top with a waterproof film that prevents water from penetrating into the material. They are easy to clean from dust, but are not durable and do not withstand direct contact with water. They should not be used on surfaces that receive water from a bath or shower.
Vinyl Perfect for decorating bathrooms. They tolerate not only water vapor well, but also direct contact with liquid, moreover, multiple times. The disadvantage of this type of finishing is its rather high cost.
Self-adhesive Film, the front surface of which is decorated with a pattern or pattern, and the back is covered adhesive composition, thanks to which the material is attached to the walls. Self-adhesive wallpaper is quite thin and cracks and unevenness of the enclosing structures are clearly visible through them.
Glass wallpaper Excellent finishing material based on fiberglass. Produced in white with a textured surface. After gluing, they can be painted in any color (or even several). Due to the pattern on the surface, the bathroom walls acquire a rather interesting appearance. Fiberglass can withstand significant mechanical stress and has long term service and is not damaged by water. The advantage is that it can be repainted many times, refreshing the bathroom design.
Wall mural One of the ways to decorate your bathroom in a unique style. Modern wallpaper have nothing in common with products manufactured during the Soviet era. Modern images are striking in their clarity and richness. The main thing is to choose a design so that it matches the interior of the plumbing room.

Separately, I want to mention liquid wallpaper. They are a dry composition (like putty), which is mixed with water and applied to the walls with a spatula. Due to the presence of mineral (for example, mica) and fibrous (cellulose) additives, they give the walls an unusual appearance. They are called wallpaper only because, after hardening, they partially resemble this material.

I have already mentioned the disadvantages - the need to prepare the walls.

Method 4. Plastic

But plastic panels are just a budget solution for those who cannot or do not want to resort to leveling the walls with beacon plaster and subsequent puttying. Installing slats on the crate allows you to beautifully decorate the bathroom without significant financial, labor and time costs.

I can tell you with full confidence that if you cannot lay tiles, and the curvature of the walls does not allow wallpapering, feel free to choose plastic panels, as they have many advantages:

  1. Easy to install. Plastic can simply be glued to the walls polyurethane glue or attach it to the sheathing. The last option is more universal, so I advise you to resort to it.
  2. A wide assortment. There are a large number of plastic lamellas on sale, painted in different colors and covered with various patterns and patterns. Moreover, you can choose a material that imitates tiles, marble, wild stone or wood.
  3. Moisture resistance. Plastic does not lose its characteristics with constant use in air with a high content of water vapor. The slats may be in contact with liquid long time, so they can be used to decorate sections of walls located directly next to the shower stall and bathtub. Thanks to special locks, the cladding parts fit together completely hermetically, preventing moisture from penetrating into the false wall.
  4. Heat resistance. The cladding, despite the fact that it is made of polymer, does not change its size and color depending on the air temperature in the room. But it is better to use as light sources LED lights, since incandescent lamps can deform the lamellas.
  5. Strength. Plastic panels tolerate mechanical stress well, including impact. If the distance between load-bearing elements the frame will be no more than 50 cm, then the details decorative design will not break even if a person leans on the wall.
  6. Environmental friendliness. The cladding lamellas do not cause harm to human health, as they have a minimal level of emission of harmful chemical compounds.
  7. Possibility to hide pipes and level walls. If you install plastic panels on the walls, then a false wall is formed and in the free space between the cladding and the enclosing structure you can easily hide water and sewer pipes, electrical cables and ventilation ducts. In the case of wallpaper or tiles, the walls would have to be tiled.
  8. Antiseptic. Plastic panels are not subject to corrosion, so there is no need to worry about the appearance of mold and mildew. However, microorganisms can grow inside, on the enclosing walls. To avoid such a problem, I recommend performing an antiseptic treatment of the surfaces of the walls, ceiling and floor of the bathroom before tiling.

To be honest, I can’t even identify any significant shortcomings that are worth mentioning in this article. If you have already decided to use them, then I can recommend reading one of my articles, which tells how to install plastic on bathroom walls.

However, there is a truly universal way to decorate the walls in the bathroom - plasterboard sheets. It is them that will be discussed further.

Method 5. Drywall

Plasterboard sheets are a universal finishing material that can be used to decorate any room. However, in rooms with high humidity, which include the bathroom, you need to use special plasterboards, during the production of which special substances are added to the plaster that repel water.

Moisture-resistant gypsum board differs from ordinary green cardboard sheets that protect a layer of gypsum.

The nuance of this finishing method is that only a rough finish is performed using the material in question:

  • leveling surfaces, including walls;
  • arrangement of multi-level structures of complex shape;
  • installation of partitions, including decorative ones;
  • construction of niches, projections and other complex architectural elements.

Personally, I often made shelves and countertops in the bathroom using drywall. Several of my articles describe how drywall can be used to make a compact box that hides pipes and risers indoors.

However, after installing drywall, it still needs to be decorated with something - tiles, wallpaper, paint, and so on. Because this material cannot be called decorative.

Summary

I hope the above information will help you decide on the design of the bathroom. As a bonus, I suggest watching the video in this article, which tells how to tear down the wall between the bathroom and the toilet.

You can leave your opinion on the use of certain options for finishing the sanitary room in the comments. I'm especially interested in what you think about painted walls in the bathroom? After all, with certain skills, you can turn a boring room into a masterpiece of interior design!

When approaching a bathroom renovation, not everyone believes that the only option for finishing the floors and walls is tiles. There are several alternative options that, among other things, can save money and also reduce time for finishing work.

Wall decoration

Dye

An option that does not require any materials at all is paint. Manufacturers offer a lot of options for moisture-resistant paints that are suitable for the bathroom.

The advantages of this solution are quite significant:

  • You can choose almost any color or several at once;
  • Paints differ in texture, can be glossy or matte, you can create different effects;
  • This method does not require high qualifications - anyone can paint walls with a brush or roller;
  • This is a fairly budget option - depending on the size of the room and the paint you choose, you can spend a modest amount of money.
  • Painting does not take much time - most likely, the work will be completed in one day.



However, if you decide to paint the walls, and not only in the bathroom, then preparing the surface – the walls – will require significant time, money and effort.

To get the walls ready for painting, you need to clean them of the old coating, remove the old plaster, especially in those places where it “sits” loosely, and re-level the walls. There is another option to “sew up” the walls with plasterboard. The final result is coated with primer twice, after which it can be painted.




Plastic panels

Another option for the bathroom is plastic panels. They are resistant to moisture, create flat surface even on an imperfect wall, they have a huge amount color solutions. As a rule, one PVC panel several times larger than a square of tiles, which means installation will be faster.


Plastic panels are attached either to liquid nails, directly to the wall. Note that if there is an old tile in the bathroom that has lost its attractiveness, but still holds up well and is made to last, then the panels can be glued directly on top of it. Another mounting option is on the frame. If the walls are not level enough, but the frame is made of aluminum profile, protruding a couple of centimeters will correct the picture, and mounting it on the panel frame is easy and simple.




Moisture-resistant wallpaper

The next option is moisture-resistant wallpaper. They are produced by many brands that produce “clothes for the walls.” However, it is better to use wallpaper in bathrooms, the area of ​​which allows you to “unfold”. Thus, beautiful wallpaper can decorate those areas that are not directly exposed to water. The walls adjacent to the sink and bathtub should still be finished with something more resistant to moisture.


Despite the fact that the wallpaper is labeled “suitable for the bathroom,” it is based on paper, albeit impregnated with special substances. Therefore, you should not count on long-term use of wallpaper in the bathroom - over time they may peel off.

Decorative plaster

In the bathroom it would be appropriate to decorate it with decorative plaster , if this material is protected with moisture-resistant varnish. There are a lot of options for such decor on the building materials market: different in texture and color, such plasters can act “solo” or become a partner for any type of finishing described above.

Floor finishing

Linoleum


The main thing is to choose linoleum of the appropriate class - in this case you need a coating of class 21-23, suitable for residential premises. Next, you need to consider the properties of linoleum.

The following requirements are put forward for the bathroom:

  • Low slip coefficient to avoid injury on wet floors;
  • The ability to create airtight joints by welding or gluing;
  • Minimum porosity of the base so that it does not absorb moisture;
  • High moisture resistance and wear resistance of the top layer.




Laying linoleum implies that there will be no furniture or bathtub in the room, otherwise the material will have to be cut and “adjusted” to fit the legs and other protrusions. If it is possible to lay linoleum in one piece, then the work will not take much time - the material must be given time to rest and straighten, then it is fixed with baseboards.


Moisture-resistant laminate

Another option flooring in the bathroom - moisture-resistant laminate. Unlike the usual one, it perfectly retains moisture on the surface and does not deform, and its layers are firmly pressed together, which prevents delamination when water enters.

The installation of such a coating has its own nuances, first of all, this is the choice of a special sealing adhesive that will protect the joints of the laminate.




Another important point– selection of a substrate, which must also meet the requirements of moisture resistance. Otherwise, laying laminate flooring in a bathroom is no different from normal process in any other room.