Below, we’ve highlighted the bestbathroom wall optionsto help you handle humidity.
Paper wallcoverings degrade in moist environments.
Modern vinyl wallpaper has evolved to offer sophisticated styles, patterns, and colors.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
However, vinyl-coated wallpaper has drawbacks.
It is less sticky than permanent wallpaper and will not stick to matte, flat, or rough surfaces.
Also, most vinyl wallpapers work best on walls away from the sink, shower stall, and tub.
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Purchase one roll or sample for your walls to try out the pattern before committing.
Bathroom Paint
Bathroom paintis specially formulated for high-moisture spaces.
These premium paints include mold-killing additives and come in various sheens for your bathroom.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Bathroom paint is affordable, though more expensive than regular latex interior paint.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tileis a classic choice for bathroom walls.
When properly installed and maintained, moisture will not be a problem.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
you’ve got the option to choose a color grout to add style to the tile.
Often a bathroom will have partially tiled walls that come up about 36 inches from the floor.
The rest of the wall is either painted with bathroom paint or wallpapered.
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Beadboard
Beadboard typically provides partial coverage for the lower half of a bathroom wall.
Semi-gloss or glossy paint protects the beadboard from moisture damage.
For easier installation, consider beadboard panels that are 8 feet long by 4 feet high.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Installed lengthwise, these longer boards lay down quickly with construction glue and finish nails.
For a more refined and historically accurate look, choose individual beadboard planks.
Tileboard
At first glance, tileboard looks like ceramic tile.
Better tileboard looks closer to real ceramic tile and the wear surface is coated, so it repels moisture.
The tileboard rapidly swells and will not recover its original dimensions if water reaches the back of it.
Avoid this problem by sealing all seams and edges with bathroom-grade silicone caulk.
Wipe them down regularly to keep dust and hair from accumulating, particularly in extremely humid bathrooms.
Clean them with a safe cleaning solution specific to your wall material to prevent mold from growing.
Acrylic sheeting on your bathroom walls is a durable, cost-effective option.
The cheapest option is painting your bathroom walls.
Choose a semi-gloss paint for a finish that stands up to moisture and is easy to clean.
Prefab acrylic shower wallsare easy to install professionally over existing tile, clean quickly, and resist damaging cracks.
However, they are prone to scratches, fading, and limited aesthetics and styling.
