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In the past, bathroom design was kept relatively understated, using muted colours and simple materials.

However, with the trend of the bath space being opened up or being integrated into the bedroom, more attention needs to be paid to bathroom design!

Here, your ultimate bathroom design ideas from wall tiles, wallpapers, to wall paint colours.

Content

  1. Mix and Match Bathroom Wall Tiles Ideas
  2. Bathroom Wallpaper: Waterproof Tips
  3. Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas
  4. Most Popular Bathroom Wall Paint Colour

8 Mix and Match Bathroom Wall Tiles Ideas

One easy way to dress up your bathroom is by playing with wall materials, so why not try mixing and matching various tiles for a fun and decorated look?

Here are eight bathrooms with stylish designs that involve using different wall tiles.

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Brushed Tiles + Floral Motifs

In the above HDB bathroom, the homeowners mixed and matched brushed tiles with floral motif wall tiles for visual variety.

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White Brick Tiles + Patterned Wall Tiles

Designed by interior designers The Scientist, this boutique hotel-inspired home in Yishun mix and matched white brick tiles with patterned wall tiles.

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White Marble + Red Mosaic Wall Tiles

Designed by the interior designers at Collective Designs, this bathroom fitted with a rain shower has clearly demarcated spaces using white marble and red mosaic wall tiles.

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White Wood Wainscot + White Wallpaper

In this bathroom designed by JQ Ong of The Association,, the wainscoting (wooden panels on the bottom half of the wall) is made of wood designed for marine use and can withstand moisture. The wooden wainscot is juxtaposed against smooth white wallpaper, creating texture within the same colour.

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Exotic Patterned Wall Tiles

In this Scandinavian-Industrial HDB in Tampines, the interior designers, The Scientist, came up with a bathroom feature wall using exotic patterned wall tiles against plain white bathroom tiles.

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Matte Black + Glossy Pebble Tiles

Designed by Yvonne from interior design firm Space Sense, this HDB master bathroom clashes matte-finish black tiles against glossy pebble-wash tiles.

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Trompe L’Oeil Floor Tiles + Brick + Mosaic Wall Tiles

Go big or go home!

This home by Museum Homes expounded on the homeowner’s eclectic taste with mix-matched tiles and surfaces: marble countertop, graphic trompe l’oeil floor tiles, white brick wall tiles, and mosaic white wall tiles.

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Moroccan Wall Tiles + Black Floor Tiles

A HDB bathroom designed by D’Haus, the feature wall is clad in the same Moroccan-print tiles as the living room flooring for visual continuity. Windows let in more light to brighten up the space.

6 Bathroom Wallpaper Waterproof Tips

Can I use wallpaper in my bathroom? Yes, you can. Be sure to use solid vinyl wallpapers, or vinyl-coated wallpapers that will be able to withstand high moisture and humidity levels that are often found in wet bathrooms.

Use waterproof vinyl wallpapers for the bathroom

Solid vinyl wallpaper is made completely of vinyl, while vinyl-coated wallpaper is made of paper but has a protective coating of arcylic vinyl or polyvinyl chloride. They are hardy, resistant to mildew and moisture as compared to fabric wallpapers or those without the coating.

Despite using solid vinyl wallpaper or vinyl-coated wallpaper, constant changes to the temperature in the bathroom cause the wallpaper to warp and develop air bubbles underneath.

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Get it installed by experts

“The use of inappropriate adhesive is usually the cause of peeling wallpapers in humid environments. To prevent this, installers should prep and fill the walls well, use a high-quality primer, sealer and non-woven lining paper, as well as an adhesive treatment which allows the wallpaper to swell and relax naturally without tearing,” says the team from UK fabric and wallcovering brand Romo.

An additional waterproof glaze is also useful.

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Avoid installing wallpapers right beside wet areas

Steam and changes in temperature may cause peeling or bubbling. The entrances of an open-concept bathroom, the bathroom vanity or sink area, or just the powder room, are more suitable.

Keep wallpapers to the vanity area or keep it to a common toilet whereby the shower stall is rarely used.

Good quality wallpaper can last for about five to seven years for paper, and seven to 10 years for vinyl.

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Pick wallpapers with the right backings

“Opt for those with non-woven backings, which are made out of natural and synthetic fibres that allow wallpapers to be washable and breathable. This eliminates vapour lock, making it more resistant to mould and mildew. You can clean it with a damp cloth, too. Vinyl wallpapers, though pricier and in simpler designs, is another alternative,” says Richie Chung of Wallhub.

Clean your wallpaper gently

To clean your wallpaper, use a soft cloth and a gentle detergent to remove stains. Ensure that you avoid exerting excessive force as it may cause tearing or wrinkles.

Maximise the look of your wallpaper by placing large mirrors opposite it, so you’ll have the print on “both” sides!

Ventilate your bathroom and wallpaper

Mounting an exhaust fan in the bathroom, opening a small window when showering, and airing out the bathroom when not in use will help. Install a shower screen to prevent heat and humidity from reaching the wallpapered areas.

If you’re worried that wallpaper near the sink and faucet will get wet, a wainscoted or tiled bottom half and wallpapered upper half is a clever alternative.

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14 Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas

Though not always the largest space in the house, the bathroom does offer the most potential in terms of achieving a stunning or radically different look.

Start by adding interesting textures onto the walls with a fancy wallcovering. Here are five popular bathroom wallpaper ideas:

Textured Wallpapers

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Photo: Lomasi by Romo from Tatum

If eccentric prints are not your thing, or you’ve procured statement-making faucets or washbasins and prefer a simple backdrop, opt for textured wallcoverings.

Not only do they give bathrooms a depth that most 2-D prints cannot, texture will make even a dark hue pop.

Vinyl Wallpapers

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Photo: Delicate Raw, from Wallhub

Also check out different types of wallpapers like vinyl wallpapers, which do well in humid spaces, as well as the diverse range of Muratto cork wallpapers from Beltiston.

Vintage Wallpapers

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Photo: Kabuki by Florence Broadhurst, from Bode

If you imagine your life as a Wes Anderson movie, apply a nostalgic filter to your bathroom by opting for wallpapers with retro motifs in soft shades of pink, mustard or olive green.

Match it with run-of-the-mill fittings and off-kilter accessories that play up this intentionally kitschy vibe.

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Photo: Liberty, from Wallpepper

Other stylish vintage prints include the damask pattern from the Renaissance period and Art Nouveau prints from the 1890s.

Bold Colours & Printed Wallpapers

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Photo: Damask, from Wallhub

If your personality allows, don’t be afraid to go for bold colours and prints!

Aquatic Wallpapers

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Photo: Fishes by De Gournay, from Tatum

Because the bathroom is where you unwind with a good long soak or a luxurious rain shower, it’s only natural that aquatic prints have become the complementary wallpaper choice of bath sanctuaries.

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Photo: Archetti, from Wallpepper

Create an ocean-inspired atmosphere with illustrations of crashing waves, playful fishes and sea turtles, and a garden of corals.

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Photo: Fishes (Dark) by De Gournay, from Tatum

There’s no need to stick to ocean blue hues, too. This dark-themed Koi fish wallpaper is honestly an auspicious vibe for the Feng Shui believer.

Nature Wallpapers

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Photo: Mural, from Wallhub

Whether it’s in the style of a photograph or a watercolour painting, nature is a big inspiration to wallpaper designers.

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Photo: Naturalmente, from Wallpepper

Create a rustic spa-like atmosphere with scenic prints of a tropical jungle or imbue the elegance of a luxury hotel with prints inspired by marble, agate and other natural materials. 

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Photo: Reflect, from Wallhub

Don’t forget to add elements of nature, such as hanging plants and stone floor tiles.

Geometric Wallpapers

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Photo: Essentials, from Wallhub

Instead of herringbone-laid tiles, why not a herringbone or chevron print? Create a visually arresting scene by choosing wallcoverings with interesting geometric configurations, and add visual height with cleverly placed stripes. 

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Photo: Tresillo, from Wallhub

Consider elegant and Art Deco-style streamlined forms for powder rooms, and quirky and colourful patterns for the kids’ bathrooms.

Most Popular Bathroom Wall Paint Colour

Which colours are best for the bathroom?

When it comes to bathrooms where spaces are small, nook and crannies are damp, the global public seems to prefer to keep thing white.

White is the most popular bathroom wall paint colour

Unsurprisingly, white is the most popular bathroom wall paint colour of choice – especially so for female homeowners.

Why white for the bathroom? “An all-white bathroom is very clinical, clean and spacious, but lacks character and can be uninspiring, especially for females, studies have shown,” says Lee Chambers.

However, according to Shower Enclosure Experts and Lee Chambers MSc MBPsS, psychology and wellbeing consultants, there are several other bathroom wall paint colours that may be worthy of your consideration:

  • Light Grey, Blue, Green: Gives you a sense of assurance
  • Red, Orange, Yellow: Energising colours
  • Black: Enclosed, uninviting
  • Stone, Wood, Metals: Natural materials are grounding

“When it comes to helping us find a calmer moment of serenity in the evening, or as you rush around in the morning, cooler colours that still have vibrant elements, such as light greys, blues and greens, can help us feel assured in ourselves and convey a message that we can handle the day’s challenges,” Lee Chambers continue.

Do you have a red, orange, or yellow wall in your bathroom? That’s because you prefer a stimulating morning to wake and ready yourself and sense.

Here’s what the psychology experts have to say: “If you want to start the day with a stimulating boost, bold shades of warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows have the power to make us feel energised, and this can be incorporated through accessories and decoration on a more muted colour palette if preferred.”

Finally, when it comes to the natural colours and materials, “Consider patterns and textures; natural materials are grounding, such as metallic, stone and wooden elements, and they can help us to feel more connected to ourselves.”

Choose a wall paint that feels right to you

Alas, at the end of the day, the bathroom is yours. You are the owner and the person who will be stepping into the shower every morning and night. Be sure to listen to no one but you and yourself only.

“The last thing to consider is your colour preferences. If there’s a particular shade that you feel expresses you, you have a personal connection, and that is powerful when deciding what colour to use. Just ensure that the colours you choose let you have that moment of peace in a place that feels like home,” Lee Chambers conclude.