Natural and artificial stone
Also an expensive, but extremely effective solution. Using stone (or its polymer imitation), you can recreate walls of marble or granite in noble colors in the bathroom. This gives the interior an extraordinary zest.
Artificial stone is very affordable, so purchasing it will not be associated with large costs. In addition, it helps to recreate various surfaces, such as brickwork.
Decorative plaster for bathroom walls
Nowadays finishing with decorative plaster is gaining popularity. It is more modern than tiles and has more options. The composition of plaster consists of gypsum, resins, lime, minerals and dyes. A wide variety of reliefs and designs can be created from acrylic-based material. Using colors and application techniques, walls can be finished to look like stone, marble or textiles.
In order for such material to please the eye for a long time, the surfaces on which the plaster will be applied must be properly prepared. Before applying decorative finishing, it is recommended to cover the walls with sanitizing plaster. Such a solution will create a waterproofing layer and will absorb excess moisture well, thereby regulating the microclimate of the room. Sanitizing plaster is easy to apply, does not crack when dry and is non-toxic.
Venetian plaster for bathroom walls
The most common type of decorative finish in bathroom design is Venetian plaster. This finish imitates marble and looks expensive and stylish. When finishing with plaster, you can use special stencils with which you can make original patterns.
Using textured plasters, you can achieve a variety of surface types. The walls can be made rough with grooves, uniformly rough, and also modeling, on which any ornament can be applied.
Terrazzo
This is a trendy finishing option, very popular this year. The material is a mixture of glass, pebbles and small fractions of natural stone, therefore, with perfect polishing, an unusually beautiful surface is created. On the other hand, some may find this finishing option too colorful, so we recommend that you familiarize yourself with other options as well.
How to install drywall?
Let’s focus on one of the options that is quite optimal in terms of cost and reliability – plasterboard sheets. To decorate the walls in the bathroom with this material, you first need to decide what exactly you will use for coating, that is, choose drywall (necessarily moisture-resistant). You also need to purchase galvanized metal profiles for the frame and materials for puttying (serpyanka, primer mixture and putty).
Having decided what to use during the renovation, you need to decide how to finish the walls in the bathroom with plasterboard: you can glue the sheets directly onto them or install a metal frame onto which the plasterboard is sewn. The first method allows you to maintain the dimensions of the room (with a frame, the material “takes up” about 5 centimeters of space on each side), but for this the surface must be perfectly flat. Installing profiles is considered a more reliable option and, in addition, allows you to hide communication systems: pipes, wires, etc.
To glue the sheets, the walls are first primed, and then gypsum glue is applied in heaps to the drywall. The sheet is carefully glued and its evenness is checked using a level. If you decide to install a frame, then the profiles are driven in with dowels, forming a lattice on which plasterboard sheets are sewn with self-tapping screws.
Painting a plasterboard wall in the bathroom
Having installed the gypsum board using any of the described methods, you need to decide how you can finish the walls on the surface: paint or surround the bathroom with tiles.
When painting, it is necessary to take into account that first the surface is primed and the seams are sealed (sealed with sickle tape and puttied in several layers). Then the starting and finishing putty is applied to the entire coating so that it is as even as possible. Only after this can you think about painting.
When choosing a paint, be sure to check that it is suitable for bathrooms: this is usually indicated by a symbol on the packaging.
Wallpaper and glass wallpaper
Paper wallpaper in the bathroom is a dubious choice, but non-woven wallpaper is a different matter. They are more resistant to moisture and have a porous structure, so they “breathe” and mold does not form under the surface. Another alternative is glass wallpaper. They are difficult to apply, but they create a noble, beautiful coating that will last for many years. Materials can be combined to create a variety of styles.
Glass tiles
Glass tiles look attractive and add chic to the bathroom. With its help, zones are separated and aprons are created. You can print photographs of any complexity on glass, so your design will definitely surprise your friends, and your bathroom will look original.
Glass tiles are more expensive than regular paint, but you can create a laconic and exclusive design.
Photo: pinterest.com
MOSAIC KERAMOGRAD GLASS MIRROR
202 rub.*
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*Price may change
PVC film
Polyvinyl chloride is an elastic, waterproof material. Films come in different colors, shades and types of coating, which allows you to bring almost any idea to life. Their advantage is accessibility and ease of installation, and their disadvantage is sensitivity to damage. Scratches, cuts, holes are common defects of PVC films, so you need to be careful with them.
Porcelain stoneware flooring
One of the best bathroom flooring options is porcelain tile. It is wear-resistant and durable, so it is suitable for rooms that usually have high humidity. Construction stores sell many colors and shapes of porcelain stoneware.
This material has an anti-slip effect, which helps to avoid injuries that are often caused by wet floors.
Photo: pinterest.com
PORCELAIN TILE KERAMA MARAZZI ROSEWOOD SG210800N GRAY LIGHT 30X60
RUB 776*
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*Price may change
Wall panels
This is an extremely interesting and effective option for decorating a bathroom. Wall panels are ready-made blocks that are mounted on special guides. They significantly speed up interior decoration and help bring to life very ambitious design projects. And, most importantly, wall panels are inexpensive and are available for sale in a wide range.
Chipboard and fibreboard panels
Frankly speaking, this is not the best option, since fiberboards are very sensitive to moisture and readily absorb it. However, you can use panels with increased water resistance. This will help recreate the Victorian style in the bathroom, making it majestic, regal, and incomparable.
MDF panels
This option is more expensive than chipboard, but this is due to its high quality and excellent performance. MDF panels are considered more durable, and they incredibly accurately imitate the surface of natural wood, repeating the pattern of the fibers. Thanks to this, MDF panels have become actively used for bathroom decoration.
Gypsum vinyl panels
We are talking about sheets of drywall, on the surface of which a special layer of vinyl is applied. The result is beautiful wall panels with an attractive pattern. There are many design options available using gypsum vinyl panels, so they can be an excellent choice for interior trim. In addition, this material is resistant to moisture and various damages.
3D panels
An excellent choice for those who appreciate modern interior solutions made in the spirit of minimalism and with clearly defined geometry. Three-dimensional panels help to recreate the relief structure. They take up a lot of space, so they are more suitable for large rooms, but they create an incomparable effect.
Plastic panels
A simple, fast and economical option for finishing a bathroom. These panels are not afraid of moisture, so they do not swell, but it is not recommended to save money and buy products made from cheap plastic, since they can quickly become unusable (increased fragility affects them).
Paint is a quick way to transform the interior
Surface painting is, as they say, “cheap and cheerful.” And one cannot but agree with this statement. Firstly, the use of modern materials makes it possible to reliably protect walls from moisture and fungus formation. Secondly, by combining different colors, you can achieve unusual effects. Today no one uses oil paints, as was done in the days of our parents. They have been replaced by modern paints and varnishes that are environmentally friendly and wear-resistant:
- latex;
- acrylic;
- water-based.
The advantage of using paints is obvious. Painting walls does not take much time; you can do it yourself, and it is much easier to do than replacing tiles in the bathroom. You can change the color of the walls at any time if you wish.
Such an interior can never be called banal and can be updated as soon as your soul desires something new. If the required shade is not on the shelves of shopping centers, then you can always create it yourself by adding the desired color. The painted surface is wear-resistant, easy to care for and does not require the use of special products.
More expensive alternatives
If you have a solid budget or are willing to spend more than average on decorating your bathroom, we recommend taking a look at natural materials. They are more expensive than those listed above, but they have a lot of undeniable advantages, including:
- excellent strength;
- immunity to moisture;
- resistance to sudden temperature changes;
- long service life;
- aesthetic appeal.
A variety of materials are used for this purpose, with natural stone being the leader. This is what is worth considering first.
Marble
It is lighter (relative to granite) and has a beautiful structure with clearly visible veins. In addition, the variety of marble is unusually large, which helps you choose a wide variety of shades. For example, white, yellow, pink or red marble may be suitable for finishing a bathroom. With the right approach, finishing with natural stone turns out to be almost eternal.
Glass panels
They are spectacular and absolutely not afraid of moisture. For production, special tempered glass is used, which is highly resistant to shock and external influences. To create a beautiful effect, you can apply curly engraving to the surface of the glass panels, which will make the finish unique.
Mirror walls
Many people will find this option very attractive. Firstly, glass walls visually expand the space, helping to transform even a small bathroom. Secondly, they fill the room with light, making it more comfortable. This is why mirrors are very popular in the market.
Now you know much more about bathroom finishing options. As you can see, not a single example used tiles, so you can safely move away from established stereotypes and create a designer finish that will please the eye day after day.
Walls in the bathroom - review of finishing materials
Tile
Perhaps we can start the review with the traditional classics - tiles, which at all times do not lose their relevance. And, despite all the criticism from skeptics, with a huge variety of assortments, you can choose the most original combinations.
In terms of durability, tiles can be considered leaders among finishing materials. Even specific room conditions will allow you to maintain a completely aesthetic appearance and functional qualities for quite a long time. If everything is done correctly, then you won’t have to think about a new renovation for a long time.
Externally, bathroom tiles look beautiful, and most importantly, they allow you to add individuality and originality to the design. A variety of colors and shades, glossy and matte surface finishes of the tiles - all this can be combined into one whole. This material is easy to care for and will not lose its qualities, even if it is not properly cared for.
Laying tiles is quite difficult, and if you don’t have the skills to do this kind of work, it’s better to invite professionals. To prevent distortion, be sure to use a level when installing tiles. The adhesive composition must correspond to the special conditions of the room.
Despite its availability, ceramic tile finishing is considered expensive. After all, the cost of tiler services is equal to the cost of laying tiles.
Tile for finishing bathroom walls