You've probably spent time sourcing vintage artwork for your living room or finding the perfect wallpaper for your bedroom, but often little thought is given to furnishing a beautiful bathroom. . But this space is more than just utilitarian. Thoughtful décor can make your bathroom feel like an extension of the rest of your home. A great place to start is with your bathroom walls, which are full of design possibilities. From antique prints and statement mirrors to eye-catching light fixtures, here are some beautiful ways to decorate your bathroom walls.
Use a mirror that can also be used as a decoration
Kelly Kelly Studio/Lindsay King Photography.
Bathroom wall space can be limited, so a functional and attractive mirror is a smart way to introduce some wall decor. “Putting a large mirror above your vanity not only adds visual spaciousness and lets in natural light, but it also acts as a stylish focal point,” says Kelly Kelly Studio's CEO and creative director. says director Kelly Kelly. “Additionally, incorporating small decorative mirrors on other walls can further enhance the aesthetic appeal.”
Add decorative details to shelves
Kelly Kelly Studio / Lindsay King Photography
Installing shelves on your bathroom walls creates additional storage space and decorative display opportunities. “I often incorporate open shelving to display stylish baskets, decorative jars, and potted plants,” says Kelly. “Not only does this add visual interest, but it also allows you to actually organize your essentials.”
Creating layers
nick sargent
Treat your bathroom like any other room in your home, layering it with lighting and décor. “Specifically for this powder bath, we introduced contemporary artwork by Kate West Saar, which added an unexpected twist to this bathroom's traditional palette.” Lindley says Lindley Arthur of Arthur Interiors. “To add a mix of old and new, the console he tables, vintage garden stools, accessories and a variety of other storied items add unique charm to complete the room.”
hang vintage mirrors
Molly Culver
Give your bathroom a moody vibe by incorporating vintage decor. In this bathroom, painted head to toe in rich shades of black, interior designer Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design adorned the walls with vintage Venetian mirrors and vintage French prints.
add a pop of color
Molly Culver
This bathroom features a pop of color. From Schumacher's Queen of Spain wallpaper (which Patton says is the focal point of the room) to a small oil painting by the client's father, vibrant colors combine to create a bright and inviting space.
Incorporate a personal touch
Molly Culver
Personal information can be found elsewhere in the house, but why not put it in the bathroom too? “I like to style art and accessories in my collection, all of which can be portraits of clients' dogs, and other clever art themed around dogs that the client owned,” says Patton. “The mirror was also his and we reused it from another part of the house.”
draw the eyes up
Molly Culver
A collection of framed illustrations line the walls of this elegant bathroom, which features a variety of green accents. Hang the frame high on the wall to draw the eye upwards and create the illusion of a higher ceiling.
Add cute candlesticks
mark mauldin
Bathroom decor should be both functional and beautiful, and choosing elegant light fixtures is one way to achieve this. “Not only does it add light, but it also looks beautiful,” says his designer, Andy Morse, of Morse's Interior Designs. The more layers you add, the more beautiful your bathroom will be, she says.
create contrast
Molly Culver
Create contrast in your bathroom by offsetting dark walls with light-colored art. For this space, Patton paired the dark, woodsy hue of Farrow & Ball Studio Green with vibrant artwork sourced from a print shop in Santa Fe.
Use wallpaper as art
Molly Culver
This bathroom wallpaper is wall art from Nina Campbell's Silvana collection. “We paired an intentionally petite chandelier from Visual Comfort with white Roman shades to draw the eye to the swans in the wallpaper,” says Patton.
Consider the location of the bathroom
Jeff Herr
This special powder room is located off the kitchen and some of the decor is inspired by it. “Given the location and the overall theme of the space, we decided it would be fun to hang some splatterware (which you can see reflected in mirrors) on the walls,” says interior designer James Farmer. “I love hanging dishes on the wall, and they're often seen in kitchens, so it was fun to extend that into the powder room for this project.”
Incorporate bohemian details
Madeline Harper, ATX Interior Design
Create a bohemian vibe in your bathroom by incorporating natural accents. Macrame tapestries, wicker baskets, and geometric wooden shelves give this bathroom a relaxed feel.
decorate hook rack
Janelle Jones
A hook rack can serve as a decoration for your bathroom walls if you choose it wisely. In addition to bath towels, you can also use hooks to hang potted plants, mirrors, baskets, and other small items that add color to your space.
hanging wooden floating shelves
Jiang Bai's photo
Don't underestimate how influential floating shelves can be as a decorative element. This bathroom wooden shelf brings warmth to your space, especially when you display candles, plants, and toiletries.
Install a niche shelf
Erin Conrad Photography
Recessed arched shelves anchor this bathroom with a statement statement. Candles, framed prints, and potted plants beautifully fill out the silhouette.
hang abstract art
jennifer hughes
Bring a maximalist approach to your small powder room by filling the walls with color. In this space, salmon-colored wallpaper with a funky pattern perfectly complements the framed abstract prints. To tie the space together, the sink and floor tiles match the black mass of the painting.
have a focal color
Andreas von Einsiedel/Getty Images
No matter what design style you prefer, choosing one color that is used consistently throughout your space will create a sense of stability in your space. In this space, the pink color of the bathtub blends perfectly with the pink-accented wallpaper and artwork.
Consider waterproof art
jim shetter
If you're placing artwork near a bathtub or shower, choose pieces that are water-resistant. “We select artwork that is specifically designed to withstand the humid environment of the bathroom,” says Scott Dresner of Dresner His Designs. “Typically, we consider materials like acrylic, metal, and glass that are less susceptible to water damage.”
stack up artwork
Jeff Herr
Stacking two or three pieces of artwork, placing a smaller piece on top of a larger piece, is a great way to decorate your bathroom walls. “This approach and the use of artwork should not be limited to just the whole room, hall or bedroom,” says Farmer. “Display your beautiful artwork in the bathroom, because that's where we spend most of our time.”
Hang a fish plate on a tile background
antwone boots
Plates, platters and other utensils bring the calm atmosphere of the sea to your bathroom. Find streamlined shapes and group them by color. Next, consider mounting the collection against a marine-inspired background, such as turquoise wallpaper or cool-colored tiles. Decorative collections can slide along the wall or on shelves.