First things first: bathroom = moisture and humidity. In order to tackle any decorating plans, we have to take into account the environment. It is extremely important to choose a bathroom wall treatment that is moisture-resistant. There are some treatments that have fungicide properties. Choose wisely to keep the bathroom walls free from any moisture related problems.
Bathroom Decorating
In the past, most decorating standards forbade wallpaper in the bathroom. The most obvious reasons were that wallpaper did not hold up well to the humidity in the bathroom and it was an absolute mess to put up. Luckily, those standards no longer apply.
Decorative wallpaper can be an easy way to change the look of a bathroom. Depending on your style and what look you are trying to accomplish, you can go from an accent border along the edge to going for the full Monty and covering all of the walls. Of all the types of wallpaper available, the best ones for bathroom use are common wallpaper and vinyl wallpaper.
Common Wallpaper
Common wallpaper has generally been replaced by vinyl wallpaper. Common wallpaper needs a compound in order to go up on a wall, making it slightly more difficult to work with. It is still available for purchase and tends to already exist in more sumptuous homes. It is best suited for moderate traffic areas such as dining rooms, living rooms and master bedrooms more so than bathrooms.
Vinyl wallpaper is the most common wallpaper type, and is available in any home improvement store. Some types are made with mildew resistant compounds. Vinyl paper comes with self-adhesive backing, making it more durable and easier to install for about the same price as common wallpaper. It can withstand moisture, making it ideal for bathroom use.
Bathroom paint is another alternative. There are now paints available designed specifically for bathrooms. These tend to have semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes that create easy-to-clean surfaces that don’t absorb moisture. Many also contain special additives designed to protect against mildew. Semi-gloss is normally used on the walls, while high gloss is more commonly used on trim. Both are suitable to heavy use and are easy to clean with just soap and water. Also, a good covering can be achieved with just a single coat.
While the finish of the paints gives the look, the base usually contains the additives that make for the moisture resistance. They are usually latex or oil based. Latex paints are also known as acrylic latex. They are cheaper compared to oil based paints, and are also eco-friendly. Their drying time is also faster, a crucial bonus for a high traffic area such as the bathroom
Oil paints are highly resistant paints, which are good for those areas of the household should be waterproof. The drying time of oil based paints is higher as it contains oils or other synthetic resins. Oil based paints also contain toxic chemicals. Avoid oil based paints for a children’s bathroom and consider latex paint instead.
Common and vinyl wallpaper can now stand up well to the humidity in the bathroom. There are now paints designed specifically for bathrooms. What you are looking for in either are easy-to-clean surfaces that don’t absorb moisture. Remember to choose wisely and you will have a bathroom with walls free from any moisture related problems. Happy use!