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If you have a larger bathroom that never feels quite finished, a feature wall can be a great addition.
Also known as a focal wall, statement wall, or an accent wall, a feature wall not only creates a focal point for your space but also helps you add interest to boring walls in a fresh, modern way.
Basically, a feature wall is a wall that adds character, interest, and energy through color, texture, contrast, or its architectural or natural style.
It can be used to liven up a neutral bathroom palette or help draw focus to a show-stopping feature in your bathroom, such as a classic soaking tub or stylish vanity.
Especially in a large bathroom, you can have a feature wall as it stands out from all the other walls to significantly impact the mood and personality of your bathroom, reinforcing your design style and creating a visual impact.
If you decide to add a feature wall to your bathroom, take careful consideration of which wall to showcase, ensuring its features and the decor around it are interesting to look at, colorful, textural, or visually appealing.
Also, if you are selecting a bold pattern, tile, or bright wall color, be sure the other walls are more subdued and complement the focal point wall [instead of] competing with it.
Also, if you choose a busy pattern, tile, or bright color for the focal point wall, make sure the other walls are more muted and complement rather than compete with it.
If you’re still undecided, choose the wall that is immediately in the line of sight from the door.
Note…
Not every bathroom needs or should have a feature wall.
While a designer can help to identify the potential for a feature wall in your bathroom and help you create a wall that will enhance your space, and not become an epic fail, we have a few tips to ensure you do it correctly:
- Add feature walls to large bathrooms since their walls offer a large canvas for statement displays. However, if your bathroom is small, go minimalistic on the feature wall to ensure it doesn’t look cramped (scroll below for ideas)
- If your bathroom has a jaw-dropping exterior view, consider using that wall as your feature wall-no need to create another one using decor. Just enjoy the view!
- Create a cohesive bathroom theme by matching the color or your feature wall with other decor items around the bathroom to ensure your bathroom looks unified.
Feature walls can be distracting if done incorrectly. They can appear out of place and be confusing. They can also make a space feel smaller and closed in.
Before creating one for your bathroom, think carefully about the style and material you want to use for your feature wall. After all, it’s going to be a part of your bathroom for some time.
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12 Ideas & Tips To Create A Feature Wall In Your Bathroom
If you’re looking for ideas to introduce a feature wall in your bathroom, scroll down and learn…
1. Start with a Boldly Painted Wall
A bathroom with all the walls decorated in one color or pattern can create a sense of unity and cohesion. But, after a while, the interior can appear a bit plain and uninspiring.
By identifying one wall and giving it a different, bolder color, you can change the mood and personality of your bathroom. Now, accent this wall with a stunning round mirror and your wall-mounted vanity.
2. A Natural Stone Wall
Natural stone feature walls can give your bathroom an organic texture, warmth, and sense of sophistication.
With so many different stone formats, colors, and finishes, you can easily find your preference that will offer a unique appearance for your bathroom.
You can install free-form stone-walling or linear walling in your bathroom.
Essentially, freeform walling delivers a natural split surface and chipped edges to fashion a wall with a rugged, organic, and textured look while linear walling fashions a contemporary aesthetic with a flat finish that reveals a clean architectural aesthetic.
If you’re simply searching for bathroom tile ideas, linear walling is the best way to make a design statement but if you’re looking to create a Zen-inspired bathroom, then freeform walling is good for you.
3. A Wallpapered Wall
Wallpaper is an easy way to transform your bathroom since it doesn’t take up any useable space yet instantly injects personal style. This makes it perfect for use in small bathrooms also.
Go for waterproof wallpaper that is recommended for the bathroom and while applying such a feature wall to your bathroom, complement with the accessories and furniture in the space for a cohesive interior style.
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4. Statement Wall Tiles
Why not add some character to your bathroom with feature wall tiles?
They help introduce playful patterns into the bathroom so choose from textured décor tiles, patterned tiles, or hexagon tiles, the possibilities are endless!
You can create beautiful geometric patterns across walls using one tile range or mix and match different tile ranges in different geometric styles during installation to create a visually appealing design and stunning focal point in your bathroom.
Just remember that before selecting bathroom wall tiles, consider the tile’s performance and how it will react under stress. As we know, water is very prevalent, and we get plenty of it in the bathroom.
Mosaic tiles are also gaining popularity in bathroom design, specifically, glass and marble mosaics. Mosaic bathroom tiles are robust and have the potential to stand firm against the damages as well as the available chemicals.
They add a unique glam and look to your bathroom and a distinct appearance that creates a different visual pop in the walls where they are installed.
They also require little maintenance, and the only thing you must do is make sure the tiles are clean with the help of a window cleaner and a simple cloth.
- Glass mosaic tiles are well-known for their beauty and ability to provide a pleasing look for bathrooms, and thanks to their ability to reflect light, they have the potential to make your bathroom look brighter and bigger often.
They are also ideal for bathrooms and shower areas because such areas are prone to soap buildup and should be cleaned regularly. Glass mosaic tiles are prevalent due to their durability and hardness, as well as their stain resistance.
- Marble mosaics hardly break, chip, or show any kind of damage which is one of the reasons why people prefer marbles for most of their bathroom projects.
They tend to hold up much better when it comes to scratches and with the proper sealer applications, they can resist all types of stains effectively.
5. A Wood-Panelled Wall
With its eye-catching design, wood paneling is a trend that is perfect for an impressive feature wall in the bathroom.
It provides more texture, hence, an effective solution for bathroom feature walls. Wood bathroom panels offer improved acoustics therefore great when you simply want some peace and quiet in your bathroom.
Whether you opt for tongue and groove wood paneling, the traditional Georgian style wainscoting, shiplap walls, board and batten panels, or the more contemporary wood slat wall, the trend for wall paneling has elevated the outdated paint or wallpaper feature wall to another level.
6. Statement Wall Art
A statement piece of art is a striking way to create a feature wall in your bathroom. However, choosing art for your bathroom can be tricky.
It is important to be selective when it comes to bathroom art, ensuring your pieces can withstand the moist and humid environment.
We advise against unframed artwork like stretched canvases in the bathroom, as well as acrylic or oil paintings. Instead, professionally seal and frame your photographs and prints so they can fare well as bathroom wall hangings, unlikely to mildew or warp.
If this seems like a lot of work, consider other statement art pieces that are more durable. Think ceramic and glass plates, sculpture pieces, metal wall sculptures, and rattan pieces.
Hang your art at eye level above the toilet or above the tub for a beautiful focal point.
To make your art last longer, keep your bathroom well-ventilated by an exhaust fan or even open windows, in order to reduce humidity enough to toss out the rulebook.
7. A Gallery Wall
An empty bathroom wall is a great opportunity to get playful with a gallery wall so create an assortment of smaller framed art pieces and hang them above the tub for a striking effect.
8. Statement Mirrors
A large round statement mirror hung above the vanity or double sinks can make a sophisticated and surprising focal wall.
LED bathroom mirrors, in particular, light up your mirror with a powerful, efficient LED bulb so you can apply makeup, groom, and get ready while seeing clearly!
9. Use Focal Point Lighting
While all the lighting adds to the ambiance of the bathroom, focal point lighting fixtures take center stage.
Many hang a beautiful chandelier or pendant light to elevate the bathroom’s lighting design but playing with accent lighting on your bathroom shelves can add an indirect softness and at the same time create a feature in the bathroom.
You can front-light your shelves with a contour LED strip or back-light them to add depth and drama, especially lighting bathing products on the shelf.
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10. A Large Plant
In the bathroom, a large plant or tree can draw and direct the eye to a wall that acts as its backdrop.
So, choose a plant that is a proven performer and avoid a sickly-looking plant or one that perpetually gets eaten or has mildew.
An evergreen conifer with interesting and instantly striking branches or an exotic flowering tree can create a stunning focal design that will ‘wow’ your guests.
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11. A Bathroom Living Wall
If we haven’t raved about living walls in the bathroom enough, here’s another reason to love them: they deliver a stunning focal point!
While it’s not going to grace every renovated bathroom in the future, it’s definitely a feature to consider if you’re after the wow factor in your bathroom.
It is a great way to add color to a bland white bathroom although it must be carefully chosen as it will need to be regularly maintained.
12. Embrace the Natural View
If you’re lucky enough to have large windows in your bathroom, why not take full advantage of the uninterrupted view? Especially if directly in the line of sight from the door, you can always marvel before starting your ‘me’ time.
Who wouldn’t love to soak in while enjoying such a beautiful view?
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