Can you use wallpaper in a bathroom? Find out what the experts say

You may be wondering can you use wallpaper in a bathroom if you're choosing finishes for your new bathroom design. Although paper and water generally don't mix that well, the answer is surprisingly, yes.

But, before you rush to the shops, be warned that this doesn't mean you can simply grab a roll of wallpaper in any finish with a design you love and assume that it will work.

Instead, it comes down to the type of wallpaper you choose, the way it's applied and the extra measures you should take to guarantee a good end result. 

Choosing the right wallpaper type

"Bathroom wallpaper ideas have become a popular choice," says James Mellan-Matulewicz, CEO and creative director at Bobbi Beck, "but there are some important things to consider before doing so.

"Because the room will regularly fill with steam and moisture, you should look for wallpapers that are non-breathable. These are often vinyl coated wall coverings that don’t take in moisture, preventing them from shrinking or warping over time."

Steve Jenkins, Homebuilding's DIY expert agrees, telling us when asked can you use wallpaper in a bathroom: "If you are going to use wallpaper in a bathroom use a vinyl wallpaper as this will repel moisture. 

"Personally, I wouldn't use a paintable paper like Anaglypta or lining paper in a bathroom as it's susceptible to moisture," he adds, "unless it is away from a direct source of moisture like a shower or bath, or in a downstairs bathroom idea in which case you might be okay."

James Mellan-Matulewicz

James Mellan-Matulewicz is the founder and Creative Director at design and print studio Bobbi Beck. He has spent over 10 years in a variety of roles across design and creative industries and is an expert on everything related to wallpaper.

Steve Jenkins

Steve is Homebuilding's resident DIY expert with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating homes. He specialises in painting and decorating, and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to getting a professional finish on your DIY jobs. 

When not to use wallpaper

However, knowing the answer to can you use wallpaper in a bathroom, is more than just picking the right type of wallpaper warn the experts.

"While vinyl coatings and varnishes will prevent steam from getting behind the wallpaper once installed," says James Mellan-Matulewicz  "it’s not recommended to install wallpaper on a bathroom wall that already suffers from damp.

"This is because the moisture is not coming from the outside, but from inside the wall itself," he explains. "Because of this, there’s a high likelihood that the underside of the wallpaper will end up mouldy, which can make for a nasty surprise when you take the wallpaper down.

"If the wall has a long-term history of damp that has been difficult to overcome," advises James, "your best bet is to probably opt for painting a wall, rather than wallpapering it.”

How to apply bathroom wallpaper

If your walls are new or are deemed healthy enough to wallpaper, then there are also some additional steps you can take for a professional and long-lasting finish.

As well as understanding that wallpapering new plaster is a DIY job that needs extra care and attention, and any wallpapering job needs the right wallpaper tools, using the right adhesive in the bathroom is as important as picking the right paper.

“Wallpaper is incredibly effective in the bathroom and can be used to add impact and character," says Tim Dixon, managing director of family-run wallpaper brand, Beautiful Walls. But it’s important to make sure you take some essential steps to ensure it can withstand humid conditions.

His top tip when you're searching for bathroom wallpaper ideas? “Ensure wallpaper is hung using a mildew-resistant wallpaper adhesive, created especially for bathrooms."

Steve Jenkins agrees. "Making sure you use a suitable adhesive to put up the wallpaper is very important, " says Steve. "An extra strength paste with added PVA glue like this Ready Mixed Wallpaper Paste Adhesive from Amazon offers added adhesion and will help to stop the growth of mould in bathrooms."

Then, with the right paper, adhesive and tools to hand, follow our guide on how to wallpaper for a job to rival the pros.

Tim Dixon

Tim Dixon is the fifth-generation of family-run wallpaper business Beautiful Walls, which started life in 1854 as The London Paper Hanging Company. He prides himself on the company's commitment to great design and exceptional customer service.

Some vinyl bathroom wallpaper options

How to use a non-vinyl wallpaper

Although all our experts agree that vinyl based papers are the most suitable for bathrooms, if you do wish to choose an alternative option that doesn't contain vinyl, there are other steps you can take to protect your paper from moisture ingress.

"If you have found a wallpaper you like and it’s not made with vinyl, then you can still install it," says James Mellan-Matulewicz, "but make sure you coat it with a decorator's varnish afterwards. 

"This will help create a waterproof layer over the top. It’s important to check with the wallpaper supplier that the paper is suitable to be used with a varnish and maybe even do a patch test before you apply it to the wall to make sure the varnish doesn’t affect the inks.

"However, in most cases, we would generally recommend a paper-backed vinyl as it's the most water-resistant. If you wanted to choose a different version, such as our premium range or peel and stick papers for example," he adds, "then these are non-woven and breathable, so a decorator's varnish is generally recommended after install."

You can find a range of different decorator's varnishes at Amazon, but be sure to check they are suitable for wallpaper before you buy one and still use a bathroom specific adhesive to apply your wallpaper.

The importance of ventilation

Even with the right paper and adhesive in place, it's still vitally important to ensure your bathroom ventilation – both natural and mechanical – is effective before you can use wallpaper in a bathroom. 

"If your bathroom creates a lot of moisture, then it makes sense to have the best bathroom extractor fan installed in order to remove as much from the room as possible," says Steve Jenkins. 

"This will help keep your bathroom moisture-free and prohibit the growth of mould on your wallpaper and other surfaces."

“Ventilation is key," agrees Tim Dixon.  It's important you allow moisture to escape, not only to prevent mould from growing on the surface, but to also stop it from dislodging the wallpaper."

"Proper ventilation is also key when applying the wallpaper," says Chelsea Clark, head of marketing at I love Wallpaper. "Keep windows and doors open or use an extractor fan during and after application to prevent peeling."

If we've answered your question – can you use wallpaper in a bathroom, but you aren't sure what colour or design you want to use. Check out our pink bathroom ideas and green bathroom ideas where you'll find a range of ideas and options to suit a variety of homes.