13 of the best wallpapers for bathrooms

The WET System range from Wall & Decò is totally waterproof and can be applied to concrete, plasterboard, glass or tiled surfaces, meaning you can use it in shower areas or anywhere that’s in direct contact with water. There are countless prints to choose from, but we were struck by the intriguing ‘Flânerie’ which has the appearance of squares of crumpled paper that have been stitched together. £155 per square metre, wallanddeco.com

Tie dye’s organic feel is replicated on this moiré embossed vinyl wallcovering. The rich surface texture makes it look just like fabric while the vibrant cobalt blue is perfect for creating a fresh, energising backdrop to a bathroom scheme. £76.80, designerwallpapers.co.uk

With a tonal geometric print made from ink on straw, Pierre Frey’s ‘Paillotte’ wallpaper will bring a touch of understated luxury to modern and classic schemes alike. It’s printed on embossed vinyl making it tough enough to withstand bathroom humidity. £337 per roll, selectedwallpapers.co.uk

Sydney-based textile studio Shibori referenced the imperfect aesthetic of Japanese tie dye in this rolling mountain scene. This paper is happiest avoiding direct contact with water, but a few coats of decorators varnish will give it a waterproof finish. £128.40, miltonandking.com

Little Greene took a fragment of a border design found at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk and blew up the pattern to this impactful mural. The silhouetted stems have an Art Nouveau feel that will make an impact in a pared back scheme. £228, littlegreene.com

Washable vinyl wallpapers are ideal for spaces where the risk of spillages and splash is high. ‘Koruku’ has a textured cork-like embossed finish with the subtlest sheen to add an extra dimension to walls. Perfect if you’re wary of bold prints but still want something visually engaging. £24 per roll, grahambrown.com

There’s a sense of restrained energy in this design of interlocking lines by Matthew Burrows for Dado Atelier which finds inspiration in the landscape surrounding his East Sussex studio. £123 per 10m roll, dadoatelier.com

Inspired by the landscape around the Castle of Trematon, this design is hand-illustrated with mythical beasts and fantastical foliage in the style of an ancient tapestry. Try using it in a compact cloakroom for maximum impact. House of Hackney has partnered with the World Land Trust and will purchase and protect 35 square metres of forest for every roll sold. From £185, houseofhackney.com

Inject a touch of theatrical flair into a powder room with Mind the Gap’s ‘Coquillage’ wallpaper. Seashells and coral sit on a broad, deep blue stripe, with the pattern appearing across three rolls to evoke traditional conchology plates. £195 for 3 rolls, mindtheg.com

From a distance this wallpaper appears to be a classic paisley print, but closer scrutiny reveals there’s a lot more going on in this design from Dado Atelier. The classic teardrop motif appears in stripe form on a textural polka dot background, giving it a relaxed charm. £123, dadoatelier.com

The crisp geometry of the grid is softened by hand-drawn lines – the work of Patricia Shen, founder of Our Heiday, an LA-based company which created this design for Chasing Paper. Available in traditional and peel and stick forms for ease of installation. From £72.96, chasingpaper.com

Bathrooms should be tranquil spaces and this wallpaper from Paint & Paper Library will certainly help create a sense of calm serenity. Originally a watercolour artwork, it depicts island silhouettes surrounded by rippling water with subtle metallic detailing adding an extra dimension to the design as it catches the light. £110, paintandpaperlibrary.com

This fresh, small-scale stripe takes inspiration from the floral motifs found on the folk embroideries of Eastern Europe. Ideal for finishing a sunny, light-filled bathroom. £138 per 10m roll, dadoatelier.com