20 Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas to Inspire Your Next Design

Bathrooms are a great place to install wallpaper because you can create a large impact in a small space. And because the bathroom is oftentimes a closed-off space from the rest of the home, you have the opportunity to play with bold design choices that you may not typically go for in other spaces.

Wallpaper is a wonderful way to play with pattern, print, and color to make the bathroom feel like the jewel box of your home. Here are a few of the many ways you can create a special wallpaper moment in your bathroom.

1. Add some color to a neutral space

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x David Quarles Ruth’s Garden

Mix and match textures to create a lot of movement and depth in the space. Pairing sleek tile in a neutral color with a colorful, heavily printed wallpaper will keep the eye moving and make the space feel interesting.

2. Embrace one color

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Inslee Fariss for Neely & Chloe Climbing Vine

To make a space feel cohesive and impactful, pull a color from the wallpaper of your choice and paint the trim, bead board, etc. in the bathroom to match. This will add a monochromatic element that doesn’t feel flat and instead, ties the space together in a bold way.

3. Create a black background

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Shadé Akanbi Warri Palms

If you’re afraid to use black in your bathroom, try opting for a wallpaper that also has brighter, colorful elements to it. The black background feels neutral, but the print will break up the darkness and make it feel playful.

4. Shades of blue

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Lewis Seaweed

For a smaller pop of pattern, try installing beadboard on the majority of the wall and then wallpapering above the beadboard. This method is a great alternative to a single accent wall, as it requires less than a 4-wall project, but still adds pattern to each wall.

5. Geometric patterns

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x New Hat Rising Sun

Geometric prints paired with sleek gold or brass finishes will give the space a mid-century feel. If the print has warm colors, select accents that also incorporate similar warm hues to pair with the wallpaper (and vice versa for cool-colored wallpaper prints).

6. Use pattern to create depth

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x New Hat Ladder

A smaller-scale repeating pattern is a great way to add texture and depth with wallpaper. If you want to incorporate color that keeps the bathroom feeling neutral, add an earth tone such as olive green.

7. Embrace stripes

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Pehr Stripes Away

Stripes are one of my favorite “neutral” prints, as they can come in many forms and never go out of style. To make this classic pattern feel modern, accent the space with the same color in different hues.

8. Create a kids-themed space

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Pehr Life Aquatic

An elevated kids-themed print can make a bathroom feel sophisticated and whimsical at the same time. The mostly neutral print adds a touch of blue and fun aquatic creatures that don’t overwhelm the space.

9. Bring the outside in

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper Greenleaf

Take a maximalist approach with a bright and bold wallpaper that brings the outside in. To finish the space, add houseplants and natural wood accents to enhance the nature-like aesthetic. 

10. Rich blue patterns

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper Indigo Batik

For a modern twist on a traditional design, select a vertically oriented pattern in a rich hue. The deep blue will create a calming atmosphere in the space and can be brightened with natural accents such as a straw basket.

11. Black and white

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Team Woodnote Lady Body

Black and white doesn’t have to mean boring! Instead, cover all four walls with wallpaper, and opt for flooring with a bold black-and-white pattern to make the space feel thoughtfully designed.

12. Create contrast

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Carrie Shryock Tree Toile

Make the wallpaper stand out by incorporating a contrasting paint color on the lower half of the room. To make the transition feel natural, use a natural wood tone to break up the two and create a transition that joins the two colors together.

13. Opt for soft colors

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x E. Frances Spring Leaves

Adding natural elements to the bathroom will help make it feel bright and alive. Although this is a large-scale print, the soft watercolor design and light background give it impact without feeling like it is overpowering the design.

14. Mix dark and natural colors

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x I Spy DIY Fresh Cut

For a bathroom with traditional features, try combining elements of beige and tan with black accents and navy paint. The darker colors lend themselves to the traditional design, while the natural earth tones ensure the space doesn’t become too dark.

15. Create a focal point

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Max Humphrey Cowboy Toile

A little wallpaper can go a long way. Sometimes, its best to select a smaller space or nook to wallpaper instead of every wall. When doing this, you create a focal point that shines and adds an interesting detail to the overall design.

16. Lean into a monochromatic design

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Kelly Ventura Botany

Lean into a monochromatic design with a warm color such as pink. Start by covering all walls with the wallpaper of your choice for a cozy feel, and then finish the space with accents of pink, red, and yellow in the artwork and linens to make it feel complete.

17. Toned down maximalism

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x I Spy DIY Forest

This is a great example of how a maximalist print can be toned down when put in a monochromatic color scheme. The wallpaper is still an impactful element of the space but also allows other elements such as the metallic hardware and painted vanity to shine.

18. Tan and brown

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Kelly Ventura Climb

Play with different hues of tan and brown to make the design feel earthy and warm. When you add in the same color but with different textures and formats throughout the space, you are able to add depth while keeping the overall feel neutral.

19. Choose large-scale print

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Ampersand Design Studio Floral Cut Out

Installing a large-scale print with a cool color scheme allows you to add print as a background detail instead of as the main focal point of the bathroom. This allows the other elements such as the mirror and tub details to have their moment in the space.

20. Keep it simple

Wallpaper: Chasing Paper x Carrie Shryock Crossing Lines

In a bathroom without windows, opt for a white wallpaper with a streamlined print. You will still get the impact that wallpaper can bring to the space while ensuring that the room doesn’t become too dark in the process.