The Unexpected Trend That's Changing Modern Bathroom Styles

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Drenching has become a major thing in decorating trends. Like the ocean pools that drench the bottom cuff of your Capris, the trend gets its name from a room being soaked in something -– stripes, colors, patterns, and even paneling. And while it isn't unusual to see a technique like pattern drenching in places like the living room, one trend -– panel drenching –- has gotten some attention for winding up in a place you might least expect, the bathroom.

This is largely due to the fact that, when it comes to covering the walls in the bathroom, tile typically comes in as the first choice. However, drenching the bathroom in wood paneling makes a lot of sense in certain settings. Think clapboard beach houses where everything is covered in weather-worn wood that's been kissed by sun and mist. If the outside of the house embraces a water-worn style, then why not the inside, particularly the bathroom, where water is a prominent feature, anyway?

And there's an argument for using paneling instead of wood in the bathroom. Given that key features like the sink and the bathtub or shower are made from slick porcelain or tile, wood paneling adds much-needed texture to the space. It's also flexible in that you can use it to envelop the whole wall or just a small area, such as the space above the sink or along the base of the bathtub. Paneling used in a limited fashion like this makes the space look curated, without being overdone.

If it's hard to wrap your head around putting paneling in the bathroom, it might be because your design brain remains stubbornly stuck in the 1970s. Back then, cheap, brown wood often covered the walls of homes as far as the eye could see. Today's paneling is different. It's not the plain, brown, splintery stuff of your youth. Instead, it comes in different styles such as shaker or tongue-and-groove. Like most drenching techniques, it's also meant to be mixed and matched, pulled together visually by a common color. 

It's also something you can use to enhance certain aspects of the architecture or built environment. For example, on tall features (like the walls around the bathtub), vertically patterned floor-to-ceiling (or nearly floor-to-ceiling) paneling can make space look taller and more spacious. Horizontal paneling works well on the side of the bathtub or above the sink — particularly if you go with ribbed paneling. In fact, modern paneling styles encourage home decorators to mix and match panel widths and thicknesses to create more eye-catching displays and better backdrops for any artwork that you might hang on the walls of the space.

This isn't to say that you won't run into issues when you try to bring paneling into your bathroom. It could already be paneled, for example, and in that old '70s splinter-wood paneling, no less. It might also be the case that you rent your apartment or house and can't make the kind of big changes that paneling the room would require. Luckily, there are solutions for these dilemmas that let you test out this trend without crushing your budget or risking your security deposit when you move out.

One of the easiest ways to renovate old paneling is just to paint it. You could try the All-In-One Primer And Paint from Heirloom Traditions Paint Store in a subtle gray or eggshell white. You'd just need to clean and sand the wood a bit before painting the paneling. A can of this paint costs around $35. If you spend $100 on paint and paint supplies, you could make an inexpensive but memorable change to the space without breaking the bank.

The other option you have is to try stick-on versions. This wall paneling hack works great if you're renting or if you're not quite sure it's a look you can't live without. You can go with a smoother texture or bring in a very rustic decor vibe with the Livelynine Removable Wood Contact Paper. If you like it, great. You have a new look in the bathroom. If you don't, not to worry. You're only out a bit of time and maybe $25 to $50 max.