How to wallpaper a bathroom

Wallpapering a bathroom requires careful planning and the right materials to ensure long-lasting results in a humid environment. Start by choosing moisture-resistant wallpaper types like vinyl-coated or non-woven wallpapers, which are designed to withstand humidity. Prepare the walls by cleaning, smoothing, and priming to ensure proper adhesion and mould prevention. Use a bathroom-specific adhesive and apply a waterproof sealant at the seams to protect against moisture damage. This simple process adds character, texture, and style to your bathroom without the need for a full renovation and works for small bathrooms. We'll cover how to navigate bathroom windows, doors, sinks and pipes for the perfect bathroom wallpaper installation.

Table of Contents

What is the best wallpaper for bathrooms

The best paper for bathrooms relates to the type of wallpaper material:

Vinyl wallpaper gives the highest moisture resistance for bathroom environments. I use this material for its waterproof surface coating, which blocks steam and water splashes—essential qualities in showers and next to basins. Solid vinyl, vinyl-coated and fabric-backed vinyl all resist peeling, mould and stains.

Fibreglass wallpaper and silver foil metallic wallpapers withstands humidity and heavy use due to its tough fibres and washable finish. I see these wallcoverings succeed in high-traffic bathrooms, especially where condensation persists. Fibreglass options resist bacterial growth and regular scrubbing.

Non-woven wallpaper handles moderate moisture with breathable synthetic and natural fibres. I recommend these for well-ventilated powder rooms and less humid situations, as they avoid shrinking and stretching better than paper-based types. House of Londinium luxury wallpapers are non-woven.

Examples of suitable finishes for bathrooms include embossed vinyl for texture, matte vinyl for subtlety, and patterned fibreglass for durability and style.

Table: Bathroom wallpaper types and features

Type	Water Resistance	Durability	Cleanability	Example Use Cases
Vinyl	Very high	High	Wipeable, scrubbable	Showers, splash zones
Metallic	High	Very high	Stain, mould resistant	Family bathrooms, heavy use
Non-woven	Moderate	Medium	Spongeable	Guest toilets, cloakrooms

Selecting the best wallpaper for bathrooms involves prioritising moisture resistance and durability, especially near water sources.

Preparing bathroom for wallpaper

Cleaning bathroom walls forms the foundation of any successful bathroom wallpaper prep process.

• Remove surface dust and grease using a sugar soap solution and rinse thoroughly with clean water for bathrooms with lingering residues. Drying walls completely helps prevent adhesive failure if moisture remains.
• Smoothing bathroom surfaces enhances wallpaper adhesion and appearance. Fill small holes or cracks with a fine filler and sand rough patches flat for uneven walls. Removing flaking paint in humid, old bathrooms avoids uneven results.
• Priming bathroom walls increases wallpaper adhesion and blocks stains. Apply a mould-resistant primer in high humidity rooms before wallpapering near showers or sinks. Allowing primer to cure prevents bubbling once wallpaper covers the surfaces.
• Masking delicate or non-wall surfaces protects tiles, taps and sanitaryware from adhesive splashes. Tape off edges with painter’s tape if wallpapering close to bathroom fixtures.
• Removing fittings or hardware improves accuracy around obstacles. Unscrew towel rails, light switches and socket covers to access wall areas behind. Labelling and keeping screws together simplifies reinstallation after wallpapering bathrooms.
• Checking for mould or mildew ensures wallpaper longevity. Treat spots using a diluted bleach solution if visible marks appear on walls, then allow full drying before further preparation in moisture-prone bathrooms.

Where to start wallpapering a bathroom?

Identifying the best starting point improves wallpaper alignment and finish in bathroom spaces. Begin on the least noticeable wall, usually behind a door or in a concealed area, so seams or pattern mismatches are less visible. Selecting a vertical plumb line as the initial guideline ensures that each strip follows a true, upright path even if the room has uneven edges.

Mark this vertical reference line with a spirit level and pencil, keeping it away from corners where walls may be out of square. Overlapping tricky areas, such as corners, windows, or alcoves, can disrupt neat results if tackled first. Tackle these sections after establishing steady alignment on a plain stretch, minimising visible joins.

Common starting points and why they suit bathroom wallpapering:

• Hidden wall segment: behind a door or tall fixture hides initial mismatches
• Straight wall section: flat surfaces maintain pattern integrity
• Near a major light source: enhances pattern visibility once confident in technique

Synchronising the starting point with wallpaper type and bathroom layout delivers professional results. If working with bold patterns or motifs, align the first drop for best visual impact along the chosen focal zone.

Step-by-Step: How to Install Bathroom Wallpaper

After choosing the right wallpaper paste follow the steps below to start hanging wallpaper in your bathroom.

1. Mark Your First Panel

• Pre-cut your first drop of wallpaper to size.
• Use a level to draw a straight vertical line on the wall.
• Add paste to the wall (only enough for the first panel).

2. Hang the First Drop

• Roll the wallpaper with the back facing out so paste doesn’t touch the printed surface.
• Line it up to your pencil mark and smooth from top to bottom, pushing out air bubbles.
• Leave 1–2 inches overlap at ceiling and skirting in case walls aren’t perfectly level.
• Trim excess neatly with a sharp knife and straight edge.

3. Add the Next Panels

• Apply paste for the next strip and hang with a butt joint (edges meet “like they’re kissing”) unless your wallpaper specifies an overlap.
• Smooth out bubbles and trim top and bottom.

Follow the detailed breakdown in our guide to hanging wallpaper.

Wallpapering Bathroom Corners (Inside & Outside)

Never simply fold wallpaper around a corner. This causes crooked patterns and peeling. Instead:

1. Measure the wall at top, middle, and bottom; cut the panel to the widest measurement + ¼ inch.
2. Hang that piece into the corner, overlapping slightly onto the next wall.
3. Use the trimmed-off section for the adjoining wall, overlapping just enough to match the pattern.
4. Draw a new plumb line for the adjoining wall so the rest stays straight.

Wallpapering Around Bathroom Windows & Doors

Follow these steps for wallpapering around windows and doors

1. Hang the strip as usual, pressing it onto the trim.
2. Make relief cuts (small diagonal cuts) into the corners of the frame to release tension.
3. Fold wallpaper neatly into the recess.
4. Trim away excess with a knife and straight edge.
5. Add smaller pieces above and below the frame, matching the pattern.

Wallpapering Around Sinks & Vanities

• Roll the wallpaper down until it meets the backsplash.
• Use clips to hold the excess roll up while cutting.
• Press paper against the backsplash edge, then make diagonal relief cuts so you can wrap the paper smoothly.
• Trim around the countertop, vanity edges, and tuck excess under gaps.
• Always wipe away spare paste with a damp rag immediately.

Wallpapering Around Toilets & Pipes

• If possible, remove the toilet (or at least the cistern) before wallpapering.
• You only need about 1 inch of clearance to tuck wallpaper neatly behind.
• For pipes, make relief cuts and wrap wallpaper snugly around, trimming away excess.

Finishing Touches

• The final piece usually lands in a discreet corner where the pattern mismatch is least noticeable.
• Carefully trim top and bottom edges for a seamless look.
• Seal seams and edges with a clear waterproof sealer to protect against steam.
• Reinstall any fittings, rails, or covers removed earlier.

Maintaining Bathroom Wallpaper

Wipe gently with a damp cloth to remove steam residue or splashes.

Keep ventilation strong with an extractor fan or window to prevent mould.

Avoid harsh scrubbing chemicals unless wallpaper is labelled scrubbable.

Inspect seams periodically and reseal if necessary.

Read more about wallpaper maintenance here.