Walls in the bathroom (44 photos): choice of finishing material. Wall decoration in the bathroom: old and new materials Inexpensive finishing materials for the bathroom

The issue of wall decoration in the bathroom is always relevant. If everything is not so difficult with other rooms within the dwelling, then the bathroom requires a special approach - you need to be able to combine the aesthetics, beauty, hygiene and durability of the selected materials in such a way that it all looks holistic and natural. Even having abandoned the most original and expensive ways, choosing how to decorate the walls in the bathroom is not so easy - there are several options, and each of them certainly has its own advantages. Let's try to figure out what are the positive qualities of common design solutions.

The most popular options for wall decoration in the bathroom

Let us immediately outline the scope of the studied materials. We will not talk about all sorts of aristocratic delights that are available only to the most wealthy families - only those coatings that can be found in any average bathroom are in focus. When evaluating the options for finishing the walls in the bathroom, we will start from several main criteria, such as durability, aesthetics, installation complexity and cost. If the option being evaluated has some special qualities that cannot be ignored, we will also dwell on them in more detail.

Ceramic tile

You can start with the eternal classics - ceramic tiles, used for such needs since ancient times and not losing their relevance even today. Tiled walls in the bathroom are criticized by some fellow citizens for their lack of originality - they say, everyone does this, but you can do something completely original, since the assortment of hardware stores allows you to select the most unexpected combinations.

According to the criteria proposed above, we obtain the following characteristic:

  1. In terms of durability, tile is the obvious leader. Even in harsh bathroom conditions, this coating is able to last for decades, while maintaining a decent look and functionality. If you invest in just such a repair and do everything right, then you can not think about replacing the interior for a very long time.
  2. Visually, the tile looks great, and most importantly, it allows the owner to express himself. You can choose from the entire palette of colors and shades available to the human eye, glossy and matte solutions, not to mention the fact that all this can be combined with each other. The appearance is preserved for a long period of time, and it is almost impossible to spoil the tile with improper care.
  3. Installing tiles is a rather complicated procedure, so it is better to call specialists. Of course, a skilled owner can try to do the work on his own, but it will take a long time to tinker, and most importantly, it’s hard to make sure that there are no noticeable distortions. In any case, the task is not for one day.
  4. Despite the fact that ceramic tiles are included in our list of publicly available materials, such repairs will be quite expensive - we are talking about the material itself and the services of tilers.

Wall decoration with ceramic tiles is the most practical and durable way to design a bathroom.

Thus, ceramic tiles are the best option for people with good taste and a sufficient supply of money, if they want to get results for many years to come.

Dye

When deciding how, many ignore the idea of ​​coloring, and completely in vain. Naturally, in the version as it was done in Soviet times, decorating a bathroom is now simply a shame, but we are not talking about ordinary oil dyes purchased at the lowest price. If you choose coloring materials carefully, then the result can exceed even the best expectations.

You can describe the properties of a painted bathroom as follows:

  • The term of permanent operation of the coating is highly dependent on the quality of its application. With proper observance of the procedure and the purchase of high-quality consumables, you can remove questions about repairs for several years. In a relatively short period of time, you can also find a positive - this will definitely appeal to people who like to change the situation often.
  • The aesthetics of a painted wall also greatly depends on the attitude to the matter. If you have creative abilities, you can create a real masterpiece, almost a fresco in your own bathroom, which will certainly impress any guest. At the same time, aestheticism can be seen in a simply well-painted plain wall.
  • Actually painting is a process to which professionals are often not attracted, because everyone can roll up a wall with a roller. The procedure itself does not take too much time, and modern dyes can also dry quite quickly. Another thing is that if the wall is not perfectly flat, then it will need to be prepared by filling all the irregularities. The duration of this stage can vary significantly depending on the situation, and it is not always possible to achieve the required evenness without the help of professionals.
  • In terms of cost, coloring is definitely among the leaders - the cost of such repairs will be minimal. Those who choose paint specifically for the sake of saving should be warned that it is not the economy that matters, but the result. Even if you use the most expensive paint, it will come out cheaper than laying tiles, but the cheapest dye will be the height of bad taste and fragility.

Therefore, paint can be attributed to the most affordable option with good prospects for creativity.


If you have creative abilities, you can inexpensively and originally design a bathroom

Wallpaper

Want to stand out? Then decorating the walls in the bathroom with wallpaper is exactly what you need! And do not think that this is unrealizable or pointless - today even decorating a bathroom with wallpaper no longer seems unrealistic! Judge for yourself the benefits:

  1. Wallpaper is relatively short. Vinyl and acrylic varieties are recommended for pasting the bathroom, which will last for several years, and paper ones, of course, should not even be considered. Even for vinyl and acrylic, there are recommendations that will allow them to last a little longer - it is advisable to glue them only if there is a closed shower, or to enclose areas in close proximity to plumbing with more practical material.
  2. But in terms of aesthetics, this is an absolutely gorgeous solution! No finishing material exists in such a variety of colors, shades, patterns and images as wallpaper! For the bathroom, photo wallpapers will turn out to be especially relevant - you can place a beautiful landscape on the wall in such a way that it helps to relax.
  3. According to the complexity of installation, the wallpaper is classified as middle class - you can glue them yourself, but the same photo wallpapers, where the accuracy of the coincidence of the segments is extremely important, it is advisable to glue them by the efforts of the masters. If the wall does not require additional preparation, then the repair can be completed within a few hours.
  4. The difference in the cost of individual items of the assortment is so great that it is not necessary to speak in detail about the price of the issue. Given that paper wallpapers are not applicable, gluing will definitely cost more than painting, everything else depends on the choice of the customer.

Wallpaper is not the most practical and durable material for bathroom decoration, but the variety of options allows you to create a truly unsurpassed interior.

Wallpaper in the bathroom is an indicator of originality, and often a high aesthetic level of the owner.

Plastic panels and waterproof drywall

Two materials of different origin have quite a lot of common characteristics, so let's put them together. Such a solution is not yet very common, therefore it is considered original in a good way, and also allows you to completely transform the walls of the room.


Plastic panels - a fairly popular and affordable option for finishing the bathroom

Speaking about the properties of such a finish, the following should be highlighted:

  • In terms of withstanding high temperatures and humidity, both materials are quite good and can last a decade or more. A comparative disadvantage is the relatively low tensile strength, that is, the wall can be ruined with one inaccurate movement.
  • Using drywall, you can achieve the same level of comfort as in the living room. Plastic panels are slightly inferior in this sense, but now their range is quite large - they are presented in different colors and textures, allowing you not to worry about further design, which cannot be said about drywall, which often requires additional painting or wallpapering.
  • It is generally accepted that any skilled owner, armed with the necessary fasteners and a drill, can handle the installation. The statement is true if the man is diligent and accurate, otherwise distortions cannot be avoided, and then it is better to ask for help from the outside. Drywall in some cases is glued directly to the wall, which is easier, but then one of the main advantages is lost - you will have to pre-prepare the surface of the wall.
  • Plastic panels can be attributed to the cheapest ways to finish the walls in the bathroom, which cannot be said about drywall.

If you are puzzling over how to finish the walls in the bathroom so that you do not have to prepare a completely curved and battered surface for a long time, then plastic panels or moisture-resistant drywall are the best option.

Linoleum - an original approach to decorating bathroom walls

Linoleum for walls in the bathroom is not yet the most common solution, although it finds more and more supporters every year. It should be noted that, theoretically, ordinary flooring can also be used, but there is a special wall linoleum that is much better suited for such purposes. Briefly, the nuances of such originality look like this:

  1. Linoleum is, in principle, a very durable material, so its use for a long period of time is very likely. Another thing is that it needs to be properly fixed in an unusual position, otherwise the repair will deteriorate due to peeling of the finish.
  2. The use of flooring on the wall is not recommended due to insufficient aesthetics, however, a special wall linoleum was developed in order to have a beautiful appearance. Most often, it imitates some common finishing material.
  3. In terms of installation complexity, linoleum is quite comparable to wallpaper, that is, you can complete the task yourself. The main thing is to monitor the tightness of the seams, which are useful to additionally treat with a sealant.
  4. The price of such a finish is highly dependent on the quality of the material chosen. The cheapest floor varieties are comparable to good wallpapers, but it is not advisable to choose a floor option - give preference to a more expensive, but adapted wall one.

Bathroom wall decoration with linoleum is extremely rare, but is a great option for those who want to stand out, moving away from stereotypes.

Linoleum for bathroom walls is a useful combination of great originality, low cost and good durability.

When acquiring a new home or living in an old one for a long time, it becomes necessary to repair it. Any updates are associated with costs that even the most economical person cannot always afford. In the absence of a significant amount of money, it is not at all necessary to postpone the replacement of a damaged finish on the back burner. It would be wiser to plan a budget repair using inexpensive, but high-quality materials. And you should start with the bathroom, which is one of the most important rooms in the house.

Repair, like any change, begins with getting rid of the old and unnecessary. And this process can be called the most pleasant and easy part of the work: coatings that have become obsolete can be safely removed from walls and ceilings without worrying about their safety.

Cleaning of the premises is carried out in several stages:

  • Disconnecting plumbing;
  • Removal of old coating from walls, floors and ceilings;
  • Removal of previous layers of plaster, screed and waterproofing residues;
  • Cleaning the room from dirt and dust.

After getting rid of debris, all surfaces must be leveled with cement mortar. Slots must be sealed with sealant.

An obligatory stage is the waterproofing of the room. For the floor, you can use a coating composition, which is applied to the screed in one or two layers.

Cheap do-it-yourself bathroom renovation: material requirements

The bathroom is characterized by a special microclimate, which leads to rapid wear of materials. Therefore, when making even low-budget repairs, it is worth choosing a finish whose performance meets the requirements.

The materials used must have the following properties:

  • Resistant to high humidity;
  • The presence of antiseptic additives that prevent the appearance of fungus and mold;
  • Resistance to aggressive compounds used to clean the bathroom;
  • Ease of maintenance.

The best option for the bathroom - smooth surfaces. Due to the absence of irregularities and various volumetric patterns, the material does not accumulate dirt on itself, retaining its original appearance for many years.

When choosing a finish, you should also pay attention to the possibility of self-assembly. A simple do-it-yourself repair will cost less (approximately twice).

How to paste over a bathroom cheaply: we decorate the walls

A significant part of the costs falls on the design of the walls, which have the largest area when compared with the rest of the finished surfaces. Wallpaper is one of the options for the economy class, but before you paste over the bathroom with them, you should think carefully. This type of finish is very unstable to high humidity in the room.

Painting with a water-repellent emulsion is the cheapest way to decorate walls. For finishing, a special composition is used on a polyester or acrylic basis, which is applied to the surface after it has been leveled. The paint lasts for 5-8 years.

Among the budget options, the following types of finishes also have the necessary properties:

  • plastic panels;
  • Ceramic tile.

PVC panels are an inexpensive material that saves not only finances, but also time. Plastic strips fastened together do not require preliminary alignment of the walls and removal of old finishes. The installation of the panels is quick and can be done even by a non-professional.

If you want to decorate a small bathroom inexpensively, you can consider laying wall tiles. This material is resistant to moisture and mechanical damage, has a huge number of colors. The tiled bathroom looks nice and neat. A small budget in this case will not be a problem: you can purchase domestic products that have more affordable prices.

Bathroom renovation options: how to finish the ceiling and floor

The ceiling can be decorated in the same way as the walls. For example, paint with white paint or install plastic panels. This option is the most economical and practical.

For a small bathroom, installing a stretch fabric can be an ideal solution. The cost of such a finish depends on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, so installing a false ceiling in a small restroom will cost less than other options. Especially if you abandon the idea of ​​​​a designer canvas and make it matte white.

Finishing the floor is the most important task on which the safety of using all plumbing equipment depends. That is why experts recommend that the first step is to update the waterproofing in the room, and only then repair the coating itself.

For finishing the floor in the bathroom, two materials with high durability and a variety of designs are suitable:

  • Linoleum;
  • Ceramic tile.

Linoleum will cost less than tiles, but if we are talking about a small bathroom or toilet, there will not be much difference in their cost. Therefore, the choice of coverage in this case depends on personal preferences. However, it should be borne in mind that the installation of linoleum is quite simple and is done by hand, which also significantly reduces costs. Having given preference to the tile, you will have to work hard with its installation. Or finish the floor with the help of a specialist.

Renovation of a small bath: updating plumbing

Buying a bathtub and sink is the biggest expense in a renovation. However, you can save even in this case. The solution to the problem will not be the acquisition of new equipment, but the restoration of the old one.

The update is done in two ways:

  • Application of two-component polyester enamel on the inner surface of the bath (the cheapest option);
  • Restoration with liquid acrylic (it will cost more, but the result will be more durable and beautiful).

If the bath is in a very poor condition, you can purchase an acrylic liner. This is a special insert that is attached inside the bowl with a sealant.

The listed methods may not seem budgetary, because. are not very cheap. However, in any case, it will be more profitable to restore an old bath than to buy a new one.

Quick budget do-it-yourself bathroom renovation (video)

Self-renovation of the bathroom can be carried out at almost any income. It is only important to carefully plan the whole process and acquire the necessary materials. The modern market offers a variety of finishes, so choosing a high-quality coating of low cost is not difficult. The main thing is not to get carried away, trying to save as much as possible: you need to pay attention not only to the price of the material, but also to its properties.

List of materials suitable for finishing the bathroom, their advantages and a brief description. Tips on how to properly design a bathroom, interesting design options.

The best finishes for the bathroom

A home is unimaginable without a bathroom. This is a room that should be both functional and cozy. Wall decoration plays a key role here.

Material characteristics

The most important condition is that the materials must be resistant to moisture and temperature changes. In addition, it is recommended to choose smooth surfaces that do not require careful maintenance. Attention should be paid to such qualities as durability and environmental friendliness.

What wall coverings to make: requirements for the base


The alignment of the walls in the bathroom depends on what material will be used for decoration. The ideal wall is smooth, without deep depressions, cracks. But more often the walls have many defects. If you decorate the room with tiles, then it is enough to level the wall with cement mortar or drywall.

What modern finishing materials are used for sheathing

You should not be limited to ceramic tiles, because the market now offers a huge variety of suitable materials.

Tile


The classic and most common material. The following advantages stand out:

  • resistance to water and temperature difference;
  • reliability and durability;
  • there are different types of tiles that can be combined;
  • huge assortment;
  • acceptable price;
  • easy to clean;
  • if the tile is cracked, it is easy to replace it with a new one.

The main disadvantage is that it is better to entrust the installation to a professional (and this is not cheap), because it is quite difficult to carry them out yourself.

cover with plastic

Plastic refers to plastic panels. They are moisture resistant, do not require special care, do not emit any odors. Installation is quite simple and can be done in one day. In addition, this finish allows you to hide the irregularities of the walls; various structures can be placed behind it.

This material is very fragile, so it requires special care. Not suitable for small rooms, because it takes up a lot of space. It is recommended to ventilate the room so that the panels do not become moldy.

Coating putty


For the bathroom, you need to select a special putty, which has a long service life, is resistant to water and various temperatures. A bathroom decorated with putty looks quite neat and presentable, but the finishing process itself is not so easy.

Paste wallpaper

Properly selected wallpapers can boast many advantages. Among them: an acceptable price (wallpaper can be cheaper than tiles), ease of finishing (it is not necessary to call the master to paste the wallpaper), a wide selection that allows you to choose the right option for any style. Wallpapering takes about one day, if any area deteriorates, or you get bored with the design, the wallpaper is easy to replace.

When choosing wallpaper, pay attention to the following tips:

  1. You need to choose only moisture resistant wallpaper. These include cullet, washable and liquid wallpaper.
  2. It is not recommended to glue wallpaper next to a bath or shower.
  3. Choose a special adhesive that is suitable for the bathroom.
  4. Give preference to smooth wallpaper, with minimal texture. Otherwise, the wallpaper will quickly lose its attractiveness, the dirt will constantly accumulate, it will take more time to clean.

Some wallpapers, for example, washable ones, require ventilation of the room so that mold does not form on the walls.

Wall linoleum


Linoleum is a suitable option that does not deteriorate from water and detergents, is easy to clean, is durable, so it is difficult to spoil it. It is not difficult to decorate the walls with this material on your own, and the variety of designs allows you to create an imitation of various textures. Perhaps the only negative is the high price.

stone

Stone finishes create a different atmosphere in the bathroom, make the room sophisticated and create the effect of high cost. You can finish the room with marble, onyx or granite, which are incredibly durable, but artificial stone is also suitable. This is a universal option, because it costs less than natural stone and opens up space for decoration. With it, you can decorate the wall without seams. Differs in simple installation, easy replacement of damaged areas, resistance to water, different temperatures and vibrations. Durable, reliable and easy to clean.

Wood: the best coating options


For the bathroom, wood species such as bamboo, ash, larch and others are suitable. In addition, for use in the bathroom, they must be coated with a protective impregnation, then varnish or wax.

The main advantages are complete environmental friendliness, which is important for the bathroom, and a warm, cozy atmosphere. The tree is used in the form of lining, panels, glued boards or solid wood.

Tile alternative

MDF panels, which are made from wood chips, do not deteriorate from exposure to water, are a hygienic, easy to clean and neat option in the interior.

Paint is suitable for those who want to save money. Among the advantages, there is a wide range; special skills are not required for painting.

The paint is applied to smooth and pre-sanded walls. Choose options that are water resistant, such as acrylic paint.

How can walls be lined: a list of water-resistant materials


Other suitable options:

  • embossed panels;
  • mirror tiles;
  • mosaic;
  • gypsum boards;
  • stained glass windows.

Bathroom renovation: design options, what to make the walls in the apartment

The above materials open up a huge scope for imagination. Various combinations and unusual combinations allow you to create a unique interior design. Wall decoration affects the atmosphere of the room, and the bathroom no longer needs additional decorative elements in this case. In this room, it is the decoration that plays a key role.


The bathroom will look impressive if you choose contrasting colors of the tiles or take a pattern or a small detail as a basis. The main thing is not to overdo it with paints. A room, on the contrary, decorated in one tone, will delight with elegance and elegance.

Don't forget about style. Even the bathroom needs a unified style in which it will be decorated. So, for a classic style, natural stone trim, stucco molding is suitable, for Provence and country - wood, and for minimalism - glass, mirror surfaces and metal parts.

A large selection allows you to choose a practical finish and at the same time take care of interesting design solutions. Therefore, try, create, use the above recommendations in practice.

Useful video

No wonder the people there is a proverb "Cheap fish - a bad ear." You and I need to find a middle ground so that the renovation in the bathroom turns out to be excellent, and we had to pay for it at a minimum. This article will consider budgetary and at the same time successful options for repairing a small bathroom.

Before proceeding with the decoration of the walls and floor, we need to find out what condition the bathroom is in. Do walls need to be leveled? Leave the floor as it is, or do you want to tweak it a bit? What is the condition of the ceiling? After evaluating the premises, we draw up a specific work plan and begin its phased implementation.

Economical option for wall decoration in the bathroom

We do not forget that we are very limited in the area of ​​the room. This is not a royal mansion, but a compact room that was built in the era of Nikita Khrushchev or even earlier. This means that for wall decoration we will choose methods that “steal” the already modest space in the room to a minimum.

  • Tip 1. It is better to cover the walls in the bathroom with plaster than to sheathe them with some kind of drywall.
  • Tip 2. What to choose: tiles or wall panels? Of course, the first option, since the panels take away a lot of free space, which is already lacking.

Of course, each case is individual. Well, if you swung at a major overhaul and want a nice bathroom, you can donate free space.

To begin with, you and I will need to clean the walls of the old finish. If this is an old tile, the easiest way is to knock it down with a perforator, although you can get by with the old-fashioned way by picking up a chisel. The paint is well cleaned with a special brush having a metal pile.

After the trim has been removed, we boldly proceed to replace all communications. We will not dwell on this aspect in detail. We only note that after it you start leveling the walls (if necessary). Of course, there is a more economical option - to sheathe the walls of the bathroom with some kind of moisture-resistant plasterboard. Alternatively, you can try cement boards. Just do not forget to treat the wall with a good antifungal agent.

Wall painting

This finishing method is the least expensive. In principle, everything is simple here - they chose the paint, applied it to the walls, waited for a while. Even if the paint is not ordinary, but textured, it will still turn out inexpensively. Wall tiling or paneling is much more expensive.

Perhaps the only drawback of painting the walls in the bathroom is the final result. He is not even an amateur, he is a rare gourmet. By the way, if you decide to paint the walls, you will need to align them very well, since any curvature will be very noticeable.

Summarize. Wall painting is the cheapest way to renovate a bathroom. It can be recommended to people who operate on a limited budget or are fans of minimalism.

Wall paneling

Wall panels are sometimes called plastic lining. This name is quite understandable. Plastic panels for wall decoration will be offered to you in any, even a small hardware store. The economical option is white, the more expensive panels are laminated on the outside. Their cost is not too different from natural wood.

The plating process is as follows. The panels are mounted on a frame, which is a wooden beam. Before that, it is treated with all sorts of means: antifungal, water-repellent, bactericidal. This helps prevent rotting. The frame is attached to the walls with dowels.

Wall panels are glued with the help of “liquid nails”, they are easily connected to each other in a lock.

By the way, under the plastic you can hide a couple of massive boards. It is very convenient to screw in the fasteners of numerous shelves and cabinets that you will hang in the bathroom.

To sum up, paneling bathroom walls will cost you a bit more. Another drawback is that it takes up free space in the room. However, this material looks much better than ordinary painting.

Wall tiling

This method of finishing is considered the most practical. Here is a little step by step guide:

  • First, markings are applied to the wall to determine the lines vertically and horizontally. Required tools: plumb line, level of sufficient length.
  • Tile glue is applied to a flat wall. To do this, you can use a spatula or a special grater.
  • Grooves will need to be formed on the adhesive composition. They must be the same depth.
  • The tile is applied to the adhesive layer, pressed by hand as tightly as possible. In this way, 3-4 tiles can be laid. After that, it is better to pick up the level and once again check how correctly and evenly the material was laid. Mistakes made at an early stage of laying are much easier to correct than trying to do it at the end of the repair.
  • The final stage of finishing will be grouting the joints between the tiles. To do this, you will need to purchase a special composition at the hardware store.

The cheapest option for finishing the floor in the bathroom

If you repair the floor from the very beginning, you will need to remove the old material. The ancient screed and trim are removed with a perforator. Waterproofing materials are laid on top of the cleaned base. A new screed is poured on top.

The most economical and simple coating option is linoleum. Today, this material is relatively inexpensive and practical. Moisture is not afraid, it is easily replaced in case of damage. In addition, if linoleum was laid in the kitchen or in the hall, you probably still have a couple of squares left. You can safely take it and put it in the bathroom.

An alternative estimate for repairs in the bathroom with the involvement of a team of craftsmen

Of course, ideally, it is best to buy a waterproof laminate. Its modern versions are not afraid of moisture and do not swell.

As in the case of walls, ceramic tiles have been and remain unchanged classics here. But here, too, you can save money. Just don't buy oversized tiles - you end up with a lot of unnecessary waste.

The cost of the cheapest bathroom renovation - estimate

  • Removal of old plaster - 500-600 rubles
  • Plastering, wall leveling (from 450 rubles per sq. meter)
  • Laying tiles - about 400-500 rubles per square meter.
  • Screed on the floor - the same.

Prices do not include the cost of the materials themselves. According to the most conservative estimates, renovating a bathroom from scratch will cost you 150k (~$3500-$4000) if everything is done from scratch, including replacing the door and wiring. It's great if a person has even hands and at least part of the work he can do on his own. Then the repair really turns out to be economical, really cheap.

Video: economical / budget bathroom renovation

The video briefly and clearly indicates the points where you can save a lot when renovating a bathroom.

In a crisis, you especially want to save on repairs, but the requests remain the same: beautiful, original, elegant. Like any other renovation, the decoration of the walls and floor in the bathroom has its own nuances. Consider them at the planning stage - and you can save more than one thousand rubles, and all work will be completed on time.

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Bathroom wall decoration: 6 ways to satisfy the sophisticated artistic taste of the chief of the district police

September 2, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works (laying the foundation, erecting walls, constructing the roof, etc.). Internal construction works (laying of internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communication, high technologies, computer equipment, programming.

I recently received a new order for a bathroom renovation and. I would not have told you about this case if it were not for the fact that the owner, who, by the way, is in charge of the district police unit, before concluding an agreement with me, did not decide how to finish the walls in the bathroom. That is, he, of course, said that it was possible to tile the surfaces, but he asked me to help pick up alternative options for finishing the plumbing room.

I told him in detail what materials exist for wall decoration in the bathroom, what are their pros and cons. Those finishing options that I offered him, I will describe in detail in this material, so that everyone who is interested can also choose something for themselves.

Well, in the end, I will tell you which wall covering my client chose. You may want to decorate the walls of your own bathroom with them with your own hands.

Existing finishing materials

To begin with, I will tell you what materials in general can be used for decorating sanitary facilities, and then together we will decide what is the best way to finish the bathroom. I will immediately warn you that it will not do without subjective assessments, so if you do not agree with my opinion, you can express your own in the comments.

So, in my practice, during repairs in bathrooms and toilets, I used these types of finishing materials, which are listed in the diagram above. Not all options gave an excellent result, and in each case you need to choose based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bathroom, the presence of a window, height, installed plumbing equipment, and so on.

Features of individual decorative materials

I will talk about the pros and cons of the most common options, and you are free to choose for yourself how to paste over or clad the walls yourself.

Method 1 - Ceramic tiles

  1. Long service life. Despite significant temperature fluctuations and high air humidity, ceramic tile cladding will serve you for several decades. If, of course, you glue it correctly.
  2. Antiseptic properties and hygiene. The tile has a smooth and dense surface without pores, so dust and dirt do not stick to it, and it can be washed without any effort, using ordinary household detergents.
  3. Aesthetics. In construction stores you can find such a wide variety of tiles that even the most sophisticated buyer in this matter can make his choice.

Tiles come in a variety of colors, sizes and textures. You can make plain walls, lay out some kind of ornament and even a drawing (for example, from a mosaic).

The same applies to cost. The price of a tile depends on many factors, so you can always choose an affordable option. But here I advise you to pay attention to one nuance. To the cost of the material, you need to add the amount of remuneration to the workers who will clad the walls.

Of course, you can do everything yourself, but for this you need to have certain skills.

As I said at the beginning of the article, the repair customer just wanted to move away from the classics in the form of tiles, so I won’t focus on this either, moving on to a description of alternative wall decoration options in the bathroom.

Method 2 - Wallpaper

So what can I say about the wallpaper. First of all, the usual paper varieties will not work here. If you are looking for something to glue the bathroom with, you should immediately pay attention to moisture-resistant wallpapers that tolerate exposure to humid air well.

Despite the seeming unusualness, this finishing material for a sanitary room has certain advantages, although it is not without drawbacks. So that you can objectively decide how you can glue the walls of the bathroom, I propose to compare the pros and cons of the option in question.

pros Minuses
The wallpaper itself costs a little, as does the work of pasting the walls with them. Moreover, there is hardly a person in our country who has not glued wallpaper himself at least once in his life. That is, if you are looking for the most economical option - you do not need to look further, you have found it. Paper, no matter how well protected, deteriorates when wet. Therefore, no matter how much your grandmother wants, who has a large supply of wallpaper from the last repair, I strongly do not recommend gluing them in the bathroom.
The wallpaper is easy to put on and take off. Therefore, if your soulmate is sharply tired of the appearance of the bathroom, within one or two days you can radically change the design of the room. After gluing, glue may appear on the wallpaper, which, under the influence of moisture, increases in size. As a result, your ingenious design idea will be hopelessly spoiled.
A large variety of options makes it easy to combine different wallpapers, which gives the room a truly unique touch. You can do the same with tiles, but in this case there is simply an unlimited field for imagination. Paper is a hygroscopic material. Therefore, if you paste over the walls with such wallpaper, during operation they will absorb water vapor dissolved in the air, which sooner or later will cause them to collapse.

But, if you have firmly decided to use wallpaper for decorating the bathroom, I will give you some recommendations on how to glue the walls in it so that they look perfect and do not change their appearance during operation.

So, I suggested to my client (and I suggest you) to use this wallpaper:

  1. washable. They have a protective coating that does not allow water vapor to penetrate into the deeper layers of the paper. Such wallpapers during operation do not increase in size and do not swell. They have a relatively long service life.

Another benefit is ease of cleaning. Dust and dirt are easily removed from the surface of the protective layer, and in case of appearance, mold and fungus. At the same time, after processing, the pattern of the material remains intact.

  1. Vinyl. Ideal for wall decoration in rooms with a high level of humidity. They withstand not only water vapor, but also direct contact with the liquid (though short-term).

The main disadvantage of this material, I think the high cost. Usually wallpaper is chosen to save on interior decoration. And in this case, it won't work. But in defense of vinyl wallpaper, I can say that they have a huge lifespan. In the coming years, you definitely won’t have to decide how to glue the walls in the bathroom.

  1. Self-adhesive. This wallpaper, in truth, is a kind of vinyl, but I decided to separate them into a separate block.

They differ in the method of gluing. Adhesive has already been applied to their back surface. You just need to moisten the surface of the wallpaper with water, then press it to the surface to be treated.

  1. Liquid. These wallpapers, on the contrary, are not wallpapers in the classical sense of the word. They are a dry powder, from which a kind of decorative plaster is then made, with which the walls are processed.

This material has a long service life, tolerates moisture well and is easy to clean. In addition, I can say with confidence that with the help of liquid wallpaper you can decorate a bathroom very effectively.

  1. Glass fiber. A unique type of finishing material that looks like wallpaper and sticks the same way, but is completely immune to moisture. Therefore, they are just perfect for arranging the bathroom.

Another huge plus is the ability to paint the surface on which the wallpaper is pasted. That is, you can combine any colors, patterns, shapes, and so on. And the special texture of the wallpaper will only add sophistication to the interior of the plumbing room.

By the way, changing the look of the bathroom is very simple. Take a brush or roller and repaint the walls. Your soulmate who wants to feel like a designer will really like it.

  1. Wall mural. Another way to inexpensively and effectively decorate the bathroom. I advise, as in all other cases, to choose moisture-resistant wallpapers that do not deteriorate from exposure to water or water vapor.

As for sticking, there are no subtleties here. The main thing is to correctly combine the canvases so that the drawing looks solid.

Whatever kind of material you choose, you need to observe a sense of proportion and select wallpaper for the overall interior solution. Otherwise, you get a kind of eclecticism, which will cause surprise, not tenderness.

Method 3 - Paint

Another extremely simple, fast and inexpensive way to finish the walls in the bathroom is painting. As in the case of wallpaper, it is necessary to choose and buy moisture-resistant paints and varnishes. If this is not done, mold spots will soon appear on the treated surfaces.

To avoid such troubles, I advise you to buy a paint that contains fungicides in its composition - substances that prevent the formation and development of microorganisms on treated surfaces.

Most often I had to use water-based paint for bathrooms. If it is properly applied to thoroughly dried surfaces, it penetrates deep into the mineral surface, after which it retains its characteristics and attractive appearance for a long time. However, it is necessary to choose a latex-based water-based emulsion that is more durable, strong and withstands moisture well.

There are a huge number of colors and shades in the hardware stores. If for some reason you do not find a suitable one, you can turn to specialists who will tint the paint on special equipment, adding the necessary pigments there.

Paint, among other things, allows you to significantly save on the finishing work itself. The previously prepared surface is painted with a brush or roller in a matter of hours.

Additional benefits of using wall paints in bathrooms are:

  • high resistance to water vapor and water spray;
  • ease of maintenance of surfaces;
  • lack of abrasion during operation;
  • high hygiene.

It is possible to beautifully paint the walls of the bathroom, as well as to paste over them with wallpaper, only if the surfaces of the room have been carefully plastered and puttied before that. Otherwise, all defects and other shortcomings will be visible.

Therefore, giving preference to the options listed above, immediately decide how to plaster a gas silicate block, brick or monolithic concrete so that later you can easily paste wallpaper in the bathroom or paint the walls with water-based paint.

Method 4 - Plastic panels

Recently, plastic panels have become increasingly popular, which can be used to decorate various rooms, including the bathroom.

Structurally, this finishing material is a rectangular sheet of plastic (resembling a wide lining), which are equipped with a system of spikes and grooves at the ends for a tight fit with each other, as well as a special perforation that facilitates installation.

Panels can be painted in a certain color or have a pattern that imitates a mosaic. Some types of materials are decorated with three-dimensional images that allow you to effectively decorate the bathroom.

This finishing material for bathrooms has the following advantages:

  1. Economy. The material itself is inexpensive, especially compared to tiles or, for example, wood panels. In addition, the process of installing polymer panels does not require any special qualifications from the master (as is the case with tiles).
  2. Ease of installation. To install the panels, a wooden crate is required, with which you can easily align the walls. Therefore, you will not need to plaster and putty them, achieving a perfectly flat and smooth surface. I would say that paneling a bathroom is even easier than painting the walls.
  3. Long service life. Plastic perfectly tolerates the effects of aggressive environmental factors, which are typical for the microclimate in the bathroom. At the same time, it not only retains its technical characteristics, but also does not change its appearance.
  4. Waterproof. The polymer surface does not absorb water even in case of direct contact with liquid. Therefore, humid air in the bathroom in no way affects the operation of plastic panels.
  5. Great variety of designs. In stores, you can find various panels: from simply painted to models with flowers and animals. Therefore, the scope for your creativity will not be limited by anything.

Now for the disadvantages. I consider only one significant disadvantage: poor environmental friendliness. Still, polymers do not have the best effect on human health, releasing substances harmful to humans during operation.

However, modern manufacturers are constantly working on improving the panels and, perhaps, when you read this article, material is already being delivered to the store that has minimal, if not zero, emissions of harmful substances.

I want to give a few words to the choice of colors and ornaments. I have a lot of experience in paneling bathrooms, so even though I don’t have a design degree, I can still give some practical advice:

  1. Choose panels based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200byour plumbing room. If the bathroom is small, give preference to light shades and small patterns. This visually expands the space.
  2. You can make the walls plain or combine several colors. If you bought non-white panels, make sure that their color is combined with the overall design style, as well as with the color of plumbing fixtures.
  3. I advise you to buy bathroom panels with a minimum of flashy flowers and embellishments. Especially if they are embossed. Dirt often accumulates in the folds of the surface, and in case of poor ventilation, mold and fungus start up.

By the way, plastic panels allow you to disguise all engineering communications without any problems. To do this, you need to make a crate above or in front of the pipes. You don't have to resort to additional tricks.

Method 5 - Decorative plaster

The performance properties of modern materials are improving all the time. And if earlier I would not advise you to use decorative plaster for finishing the bathroom, now I not only advise, but recommend it. By the way, my client chose this design option for a sanitary room.

Modern decorative plaster compositions are made on the basis of acrylic with special additives, which makes the materials waterproof. They do not lose their color during the entire period of operation and withstand significant temperature fluctuations in the air in the bathroom.

In addition, I can name a few more significant advantages of this type of material:

  1. High coefficient of vapor permeability. Decorative plaster is able to absorb water vapor in the air and give it back. Therefore, unlike tiles, this finish is able to regulate the humidity in the room, creating a comfortable microclimate.

For example, I like that in stucco bathrooms, the mirror does not fog up after taking a shower, even if you forget to turn on the exhaust fan.

  1. Ease of maintenance. Modern plaster for decorative wall decoration is not the delicate material that I started working with a few years ago. Now the coating has excellent mechanical strength and is not damaged by chemicals contained in detergents.

Moreover, after application, some compositions acquire antistatic properties, due to which they do not attract, but repel dust from the surface.

  1. Ability to create unique designs. Decorative plasters are not only beautiful in themselves, but also able to imitate surfaces from other materials, such as marble.

In addition, if you have the appropriate ability, you can paint the whole picture with this finishing material. But here everything depends only on the firmness of your hand and confidence in the impeccability of your artistic taste.

If I convinced you of the need to use this particular material, then you will learn how to plaster the walls in the bathroom, that is, which particular type of finish to choose.

There are two broad categories of plasters:

  1. Smooth. The most common in this group is the so-called Venetian plaster, which is most often used for finishing sanitary blocks. It has a glossy surface that does not allow water to accumulate on the surface.

Venetian plaster imitates marble with its appearance, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to make your bathtub unique with its help. Only colors and some effects can be varied. For example, I plastered the walls, making them kind of cracked.

Also in my practice, I worked with plaster according to pre-made stencils. With their help, you can create pictures on the walls. But be aware that such a service is quite expensive, as the process takes a lot of time.

  1. Structural. After processing the walls, they form a kind of ordered relief. You most likely know similar materials under the names "bark beetle" or "pebbles".

Before buying such plaster, it is important to know that the textured surface retains liquid. If it's not for long, nothing bad will happen. But if the plaster gets wet all the time, sometimes it can affect its appearance and strength.

Such plaster can be used to finish the walls in the bathroom, but its service life will be much shorter than the operation time of a smooth composition.

Finishing the conversation about this type of finishing material, I will give you a few more tips that once helped me:

  1. Plasters are sold in the form of dry mortars and ready-to-use formulations. Buy dry powders. Ready plaster cannot be diluted by adjusting the viscosity. This often makes it difficult to work on the processing of walls.
  2. If you buy material with a large filler, do not interfere with it with a mixer mounted on a drill. In this case, homogeneity will have to be achieved manually, using a trowel or spatula.
  3. I consider plasters with decorative fillers of various sizes to be the most difficult to use. If you have no experience with this material at all, it is better to hire a specialist or choose another finish option.
  4. Do not buy water-soluble plasters. They are more environmentally friendly, but do not tolerate humid air. If you already had to plaster with such a composition, after drying, treat the surface with protective wax.

Method 6 - Wood

Finishing a bathroom with wood is a very exotic and rare way to design a sanitary room. And we are talking here not only about the high cost of the material, but also about its inability to withstand external destructive factors characteristic of the bathroom.

Therefore, if you decide to use wood to decorate a room, I recommend following a few tips:

  1. It is necessary to choose wood species with a minimum coefficient of deformation. This means that the blanks and parts of the skin will practically not change their original dimensions under the influence of high temperature and humidity.
  2. It is advisable to buy panels or lining made of wood, which has high antiseptic properties. That is, mold and fungus will not develop on its surface. It is best if these are exotic plants, but you can take oak or hornbeam.

In any case, one should not forget about the treatment of surfaces with antiseptics. However, you should make sure that they do not harm a person, otherwise all your efforts to create an eco-friendly bathroom will be nullified.

  1. When choosing a material for finishing, you should check the level of humidity. Only completely dried wood can be used. Otherwise, during operation, it will be deformed, which will disrupt the harmony of the interior.

Remember that wood gets wet differently in the same bathroom. For example, a section of walls located near a sink or toilet will get wet more often. Therefore, for the design of such areas, I recommend using:

  • beech, elm or oak;
  • larch or cedar;
  • merabhu or ebony;
  • bamboo.

In all other zones, you can choose the type of wood yourself.

Remember that no matter how you protect the wood, it will deform in humid air. Therefore, wall cladding should be laid with small gaps. It is better to use the tree fragmented in general.

After installation, surfaces made of natural materials must be treated with varnish or paint. By the way, I advise you to repeat the treatment every 5 years so that the wood lasts as best as possible.

The varnish can also be replaced with oil, which gives the wood excellent hydrophobic properties. However, the instructions for its use suggest that the impregnation of surfaces must be repeated at least once a month.

But on the other hand, a bathroom finished with wood will be truly unique. I can count on my fingers the cases when I used this material for decoration.

Conclusion

The choice of finishing materials is subjective. I told you about the options that I like. You also learned how and with what to plaster the walls in the bathroom. If you are interested in the technology of facing surfaces with plastic panels, you can watch the video in this article.

And if you have decorated your bathroom in some exotic way, it would be interesting for me and my readers to learn about it. In the comments to this material, you can tell what and how you did to create a masterpiece of home design.