Accent walls are a great way to add character and charm to your bathroom. Whether you are going for a funky eclectic vibe or timeless look, there is a bathroom accent wall idea for you.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read our full privacy policy.
Table of Contents
Types of Accent Walls For Bathrooms
- Painted Walls: from painted designs to just bold colors, paint is a simple way to get a budget-friendly accent wall.
- Wallpaper: Whether traditional or peel-and-stick there are so many different varieties of designs to fit your style.
- Hand-Drawn Accent Walls: If you don’t want the hassle and mess of wallpaper, you could make your own faux wallpaper by drawing on a painted wall. We love the black and white design below that was done for under $10.
- Tiled Accent Walls: A popular choice in bathrooms, you can find a design or style that will create a timeless look in your bathroom with subway tiles, ceramic tiles and more.
- Wood Walls: wood panels, shiplap, board and batten or reclaimed wood can make statements in your bathroom. Just note that certain wood walls may not withstand the moisture in a bathroom if you do not have proper ventilation. That being said, with proper care and maintenance, a wood accent wall can add a unique and cozy touch to a bathroom.
- Stone or Mosaic Tiles: Natural stone or faux stone panels can be used to create a more modern look for your space.
Tips For Choosing Colors
When choosing a paint color for your bathroom, consider the layout, size and amount of natural light your bathroom gets. You also want to consider coordinating with existing design elements to create the mood you want.
Lighter colors can help make a small space feel more spacious, while bold colors can create a cozy atmosphere in a larger room. It’s always a good idea to test the color before committing to a new color scheme. Colors will always look different in your own lighting and environment.
Do you need help deciding what color of paint to use?
We recently just tried Samplize and it totally beats having to buy individual paint samples. These 9″ x 14.75″ samples will get shipped directly to you and save the hassle of clean-up (we loved that).
See our review to also get answers to frequently asked Samplize questions.
Options For Layouts
One of the biggest questions is about which wall should be an accent wall. The images below will show you that you can choose any wall that works for you. Normally people consider the wall behind the toilet and vanity, but it is a personal preference about which feature you would like to draw attention to.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
There are times that you would consider do-it-yourself and other times it might not be worth it. In a bathroom, a lot of the accent walls from wallpaper to painting projects are great DIYs.
However, if using tile in your bathroom you may want to consider hiring a professional. Tiling in small spaces is an art form and the right professional may end up saving you time and materials in the long run.
We have done tiling as a DIY project, you just want to fully know what you are getting into before starting.
Bathroom Wall Inspiration
Get DIY bathroom accent walls inspiration from real-life projects. These are some of our favorite accent walls you can try no matter what your style is.
DIY Paint Pen Accent Wall (Cheapest Faux Wallpaper Ever)
This is probably the most budget-friendly accent wall idea. All you need is a few paint pens and your imagination. Don't worry if you don't want to draw this freehand in your small space, you could always make a design that traces a stencil.
By having white walls this small space appears bigger, but not boring. Add gold accents like this budget mirror and you have a completely fresh feel.
Bold Bathroom Makeover Using Floral Wallpaper
The vibrant color of this wallpaper really gives a unique look and bold statement in this bathroom makeover. You can find all different patterns to fit your design style.
Neutral Boho Vibes
This tiny powder room makeover is amazing. Would you believe that this accent wall is not tile? It is actually wallpaper that gives off a completely different vibe than the other dramatic examples in this post.
Paint A Geometric Design
A can of paint and painter's tape can really go a long way in a bathroom space. Make a design to fit your personal style. Add fun decorative shelves to increase storage and complement your chosen painter's tape pattern.
Trim Wood Accent Wall
This wall is the perfect place to hang those towels. Painting it a neutral color and adding bright-colored accents really gives this bathroom a cohesive look.
Make Your Own Faux Wallpaper
Use removable indoor vinyl to add different designs to a white bathroom. This unique pattern of geometric shapes is a fun way to add character on a tight budget. While you are at it, don't be scared to paint your bathroom cabinets a fun color.
Bathroom Wallpaper Accent Wall DIY
You don't even know the rest of the room with this gorgeous black accent wall. This powder room just shows that you can still add a decorative element in smaller space and that you can feature any wall.
Paint A Faux Concrete Bathroom Accent Wall
A faux concrete technique makes the perfect focal point for this bathroom design. The unique part of this feature wall is that it is on a blank wall and not behind the vanity, toilet or shower. It just proved you can put an accent wall on any of the bathroom walls.
Rustic Painted Paneling
Painting beadboard, wood paneling or shiplap can add a lot of visual interest to your bathroom. This color scheme is the perfect complement to this DIY vanity. This modern bold color is such a great choice for this small bathroom.
Cozy Blue Vertical Shiplap
The mix of a wood vanity and blue painted shiplap are a wonderful addition to this bathroom makeover. You won't believe this is the same bathroom when you click to see the before images.
Paint A Botanical Mural
If you like to paint, add a funky touch with your own botanical mural. This one-of-a-kind accent wall sure will make people smile.
Follow us on Pinterest, Youtube or Facebook for more DIY inspiration!
Related Reading
- 14 Unique DIY Bathroom Vanity Makeover Ideas: Don’t stop by just adding an accent wall to your bathroom. Get inspiration for those bathroom cabinets next!
- How To Paint Tile
- 27+ Cheap Bathroom DIY Projects To Try
There is no wrong way to add an accent wall to update your bathroom and showcase your personality. Have fun choosing a wall that complements your existing design to let your style shine through. Whether you prefer bold wallpaper or rustic wood paneling, the possibilities for accent walls are endless.