How To Add Instant Drama To Your Bathroom In 2026

Your bathroom needn't be functional but boring. Fancy tile and upscale plumbing fixtures aren't the only way to add some pizazz to the small space, though they're certainly more interesting than white walls, a white sink, and a white tub. A design feature that was introduced to the U.S. in the mid-18th century — wallpaper — adds instant drama to the bathroom. Not the fancy flocked papers of the Victorian era or the tiny florals of your grandparents house, but bold, colorful wallpaper that makes a statement. If wallpaper isn't a design choice you'd make, striking paint treatments bring the drama. Unlike when designing other living areas, wallpaper or paint in a bathroom doesn't have to compete with all of the other style elements. It doesn't have to match the furniture or complement the carpet. It's the star of the show while still being a budget-friendly choice. 

You do, however, have to consider the humidity in a typical bathroom when using wallpaper. Having proper ventilation and cleaning up puddles help with maintenance, but you still should use a waterproof or water-resistant paper. The difference between traditional and peel-and-stick wallpaper matters in a bathroom. Vinyl peel-and-stick doesn't contain any actual paper, so it's unlikely to deteriorate. It's also easier to remove if you decide to redesign. If you do use traditional wallpaper in a full bath, add a coat of decorator's varnish to protect it from humidity. Since a powder room doesn't have a shower or tub, you'll have fewer problems with moisture and can probably get away with standard paper without the varnish.

Dramatic wallpaper makes the room look larger, so don't be afraid to use bold designs in a bathroom. Do all four walls with an oversized floral or an asymmetrical geometrical pattern. Your powder room doesn't have to match your house, but if it's primarily used by guests, maintaining the style of the rest of the public areas adds continuity of design. If your dining room has a chair rail, for example, add one to the powder room and paper the wall above it, or match the wallpaper with the color that appears most often in the living room. You may also choose to paint a single solid hue for the walls, moldings, ceilings, and even the radiator to drench the room in color. Ombre is a painting technique that can be either elegant or playful, depending on the colors you choose. Varying shades of a single color blend from dark to light, adding intensity and depth. 

The demand for biophilic design has been increasing over the past few years as homeowners seek out a grounding connection to nature in their homes. This extends to the bathroom, where you might find humidity-loving plants or a living wall. Wallpapers with patterns that recall forests or vining plants and earthy paint colors appeal to this desire, as do murals depicting pastoral scenes.

Add even more drama with a pastel sink, toilet, and bathtub once common in midcentury homes. Traditionally they were matched with tile, but midcentury wallpaper or paint design with a repeating, geometric pattern is more visually striking. Add a midcentury window treatment and shower curtain to complete the look.