26 Bathroom Wall Decor Ideas

Get inspired to add a splash of pattern or personality to your bathroom walls with these fresh ideas for decorating a blank space.

Whether you have a small bathroom or you're designing a large primary suite, add style and function with unique wall decor. Your bathroom walls provide a great opportunity to get creative and infuse the space with personality and character. With projects such as dramatic wallpaper, classic subway tile, statement wall lighting, and practical shelves, we're sharing lots of ideas for decorating a bathroom wall that will give your bathroom a refreshing makeover.

Create a serene oasis with a neutral color palette and elegant artwork, or go bold with a striking wall covering and an eclectic floor-to-ceiling gallery wall. Whatever your style and budget, this inspiring collection of bathroom wall decor ideas has a little bit of everything.

Add Warmth with Wood Accents

Two floating shelves, a rustic vanity, and a driftwood heart add warmth to this white bathroom. A matte black mirror, faucet, and hardware introduce a new material and color contrast for a touch of modern industrial style.

Related: The 8 Best Bathroom Vanities of 2023 for Style and Storage

Create a Gallery Wall

A bold black and white wallpaper is a dramatic backdrop for a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall in this striking powder room. A collection of photographs, sculptural pieces, typography, and line drawings come together for a collected feel and an eclectic look.

Incorporate an Accent Wall

A patterned gray and white tile serves as a highly detailed accent wall behind a modern bathroom vanity. When working with a small-scale pattern, keep the rest of the elements—such as the mirror, sink, and hardware—simple. This will allow for visual balance without individual design components competing with each other.

Divide the Wall with Beadboard

Divide your bathroom wall into sections by installing beadboard on the lower portion. Paint it a bold color and use a different paint color, tile, or wallpaper on the upper half of the wall for contrast. If you're installing wallpaper and want to cut down on cost, supplementing it with beadboard is a great design trick.

Add Vintage Wall Decor

Infuse your bathroom with charm and character and hang vintage finds on the walls. A mix of portraits, drawings, and animal prints give this small space instant personality, as does an antique-style gilded gold mirror that dresses up a wood-top vanity.

Install Bold Wallpaper

A bold red and white wallpaper makes a splash in this modern powder room. Accented with warm brass tones and a cool gray vanity, it packs a punch and eliminates the need for any additional bathroom wall decor ideas.

Say It with Artwork

Instead of a gallery wall, hang one large statement piece of art such as this colorful portrait. A beautiful brass wall sconce highlights the oversized framed piece while a subtle blue and white abstract print wallpaper is a soft and understated backdrop that allows the artwork to shine.

Go Blue

Blue is one of the most commonly used bathroom colors, but this powder room puts a modern spin on the traditional pastel blue bathroom walls. When you're predominantly using one color, incorporate it as a solid and in a pattern to create a more interesting effect. In this case, blue and white medallion print wallpaper covers the walls and a solid navy blue vanity both carry the color but in varied ways.

Hang Floating Shelves

Maximize storage space and add a decorative surface by hanging floating shelves in your bathroom. These chunky wood shelves bring in warmth and provide a spot for practical items such as towels and cotton balls, as well as an opportunity to display seasonal flowers or cute storage baskets. This is one of our favorite ideas for decorating a bathroom wall when bathroom storage is limited.

Use a Statement Light Fixture

Dramatic floral wallpaper forms a vibrant backdrop for an antique-style iron wall sconce with a pleated fuchsia shade. Lighting is a great way to make a big design statement, so opt for a unique fixture. When using a fabric shade, pick a color that's used somewhere else in the space, whether it's tile or wallpaper, to incorporate it in an intentional way.

Add Picture Molding

Picture molding instantly elevates this green bathroom and looks like an architectural feature that's always been there. For a traditional look, paint the molding the same color as the walls and trim and use it to frame artwork or floating shelves, as can be seen here.

Choose an Arch Mirror

An arch mirror with a chunky wood frame elongates this narrow powder room and creates the illusion of height. Its frame ties in a floating wood vanity and rustic crate used to hold extra towels, while a leaf print wallpaper and candle-style wall sconces emphasize the mirror's vertical design.

Build a Ledge

Build a narrow ledge with decorative tile extending halfway up the wall. A two-tone design featuring seafoam green subway tile and white walls sets a serene tone in this bathroom and creates a ledge for layering framed artwork and fresh (or dried) cut flowers.

Stick with Neutrals

Brown subway tile, a marble-topped wood vanity, and light gray walls give this small bathroom a warm and serene feel. When working with a neutral color palette, keep it interesting with a variety of textures and materials, and mix hardware metals for an added layer of interest that doesn't depart from the limited color palette.

Play with Wall Tile Arrangement

Subway tile continues to be one of the most popular and timeless choices for bathroom walls. Give the classic an updated twist and play around with its arrangement. Here, a dusty pink subway tile is stacked horizontally for a fresh and modern design.

Set the Scene

A pastoral scene mural-style tile is an unexpected detail in this black and white bathroom. Use unusual design elements sparingly for an elegant finish and pair them with more traditional features such as this classic white subway tile to allow them to stand out.

Create a Patterned Backdrop

A colorful geometric pattern is an extra decorative layer behind these floating wood shelves. It highlights the small alcove and turns it into an intentional design feature, perfect for styling towels, potted plants, and rustic pottery.

Mix the Old with the New

A 1930's bathroom gets a modern update with a vibrant leaf print wallpaper. The bold colors and abstract design are in stark juxtaposition with the traditional wall tile and vanity, which makes for a playful and dramatic space.

Go for the Unexpected

Unexpected design choices are what makes a room memorable. In this cool-toned bathroom, artwork is both hung and leaning, white subway tile covers the bottom instead of the top portion of the wall, and a vintage-style wall sconce and unique stool all add unique touches for an elevated, more personalized space.

Draw the Eyes Up

A soft blue and white wallpaper, hanging mirrors, and tall wall sconces all point the eyes up toward the ceiling to emphasize its height and create the illusion of space. Using the same wallpaper throughout the entire bathroom helps maintain continuity and keeps the room bright and open, while adding subtle pattern.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication, as this stunning bathroom proves. A modern landscape painting serves as a pop of color against gray walls and a modern accent next to a traditional crystal chandelier and freestanding bathtub.

Opt for Calming Grays

A cool and calming color palette of gray, black, and white is neutral, yet provides depth and contrast. This classic wallpaper is accented with a less traditional wall mirror and sconces that echo the black penny floor tile and baseboards.

Paint the Ceiling Trim

Deep brown paint on the ceiling trim in this eclectic bathroom instantly captures your attention and draws the eyes. Set against white walls, a classic tree print wallpaper, a bold red abstract canvas, and an oversized wall mirror offset the trim's dark color for a balanced and harmonious look.

Install Floor-to-Ceiling Tile

Vertically arranged floor-to-ceiling tile is an elegant backdrop in this contemporary bathroom. A marble border lines the top and a rectangular mirror and two ultra-modern sconces break up the all-tiled wall.

Layer Decor Styles

Layer contrasting decor styles for a visually interesting and designer-like effect. A traditional wallpaper adds a base of repeated pattern while an abstract piece of art brings in a contemporary touch. An ornate wall mirror and sconces continue the neutral color palette and two colorful throw pillows on an accent bench bring in a splash of color that's easily switched out from season to season.

Update a Bathroom with a Monochrome Design

A monochrome color palette of black and white gives this small bathroom a modern and updated look. A round wall mirror on a leather strap adds an extra decorative element, as do the floating shelves that hold layered artwork and plants that enliven the space.

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