How to decorate a bathroom: 22 materials for walls, floor and ceiling

High-quality finish will ennoble any bathroom, regardless of its size and other parameters. The bathroom should be not only clean, but also well renovated. High-quality repair does not always require large cash investments. When choosing the option of finishing the bathroom should focus on repairs in other areas of the house or apartment. Bathroom, kitchen, hall and other rooms should be performed in the same style. It is better to choose some specific colors (yellow, red, blue, violet) as the base and only change the shades during the repair of the corresponding room. The walls and the floor in the bathroom can be dark in color, but due to the lack of windows in the bathrooms in most apartments, additional artificial lighting should be taken care of so that the toilet does not look too gloomy.

Features of the bathroom

Finishing the bathroom requires special attention because of the constant humidity and frequent temperature changes. Only moisture-proof and wear-resistant materials are suitable here. An ideal solution for wall decoration will be tile, but you will have to forget about wood paneling. As for the color range, it is better to use light shades. In typical apartments, bathrooms are usually small, and dark color visually reduces any room. If there is a window in the bathroom, then for obvious reasons it should be curtained with thick curtains or blinds. Plumbing equipment must be of high quality, because the functionality of the bathroom is more important than its appearance. If the budget is limited, it is better to save on materials and buy an inexpensive tile or panel. Faucets, showers, toilets are regularly used, so they must be reliable and of high quality.


    

Requirements for bathroom finishing materials

It is better for the bathroom and the whole apartment to choose finishing materials that will be easy to install. This is true even in the case of repair of premises by hired workers. If the tile or panel in the bathroom is damaged, it will be better if the owner of the house can fix it without resorting to expensive repairs. The materials used for the bathroom should have moisture resistance and antisepticity. The air in the bathroom is saturated with a huge amount of water vapor, which can gradually destroy the finish. In bathrooms, fungus can easily form due to dampness and poor ventilation. To avoid this, you should buy special antiseptic materials. During a hot shower or bath, the energy of the water is automatically transferred to the air, which makes it very hot and destructively affects the lining. Also the materials should be different:

  • ease of care and operation;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • chemical resistance;
  • high strength, etc.

Options for finishing the floor

Most often, the flooring in the bathroom is finished with linoleum, floor tiles, laminate flooring or natural stone. Linoleum is the cheapest material of all listed. It is also easiest to stack, i.e. Even a non-professional can handle the installation of linoleum. But under this material is easily formed fungus and mold. Floor tiles are the most popular way to design a bathroom. It is moisture resistant, relatively easy to install and durable. But this material has poor thermal insulation, so it is necessary to lay mats on the floor of the tile so as not to step after the shower on the ice floor. If you lay laminate, you need to choose its varieties with high moisture resistance. But it is easy to use, durable, wear-resistant and has good thermal insulation. Natural stone floor is expensive and looks stylish.

This material is durable and safe due to the porous structure of the surface.

Ceramic tile

For the floor in the bathroom take several types of tiles. Ceramic tile is the most selectable because it is affordable, durable and looks good. It is distinguished by many shapes and colors. It is better when choosing this material to focus on the manufacturer and brand. Also, buyers choose durable clinker. It is smooth and smooth. Cotto is a tile with enhanced porosity characteristics. Because of this, they are as safe as possible and are suitable for homes that have young children and the elderly. On such a tile is almost impossible to slip. Porcelain tile is an extremely durable material that perfectly tolerates temperature changes characteristic of bathrooms. All these tiles are matte and glossy. It is better to trim the floor with matte products, as they are easy to clean.


    

Linoleum

A special type of linoleum, which could be used only for the floor in the bathroom, no. Manufacturers do not strive to make this material with improved characteristics of moisture resistance and wear resistance. Due to improvements, linoleum will cost more, and therefore the main advantage of linoleum will disappear - its low cost. There are many types of linoleum, but for bathrooms it is better to take PVC material or marmoleum. PVC linoleum is the simplest material, but marmoleum is an innovative material created entirely from natural ingredients. Ordinary linoleum is slippery, and therefore special models should be chosen for the bathroom, the top layer of which contains corundum chips. Also for the bathroom it is better to choose models that include antibacterial substances.

A natural stone

Natural stone is infrequently used for decoration of bathrooms, because it is quite expensive. Its use is justified only in the case when the rest of the apartment is also decorated pompously and loudly-chic. For bathrooms, you can use many varieties of natural stones, but most often taken unpolished porous marble. This material perfectly transfers thermal and mechanical loads, and also does not become slippery when water hits it. It is strong and durable, in fact, such floors are mounted for centuries. But natural stone should be chosen by a professional, since not every material of such a plan is suitable for use in a bathroom. If there are small patches of iron in the stone, over time they can lead to the formation of rust.


    

Self-leveling floor

Bulk floor - one of the most stylish solutions for the floor in the bathroom. It is a monolithic structure with some image. It is thanks to this material that the floor in the bathroom can be turned into a 3D picture. Those. the image on the floor will look as realistic as possible even without special 3D glasses. This material is strong and durable. It is highly resistant to abrasion. Bulk floor is resistant to moisture. It can be washed by any chemical means, and at the same time it will not lose its original qualities. This material is well resistant to temperature changes and has a high thermal conductivity. But the cost of installation of self-leveling floors is high enough, and preparation for the installation of this material may take about a month. At the same time it is necessary to properly prepare the concrete slab - the base.

Wooden floor

The floor of the usual wood in the bathroom is difficult to do, but with the right approach and careful selection of a certain material, you can try. The best for bathrooms is teak wood, which used to be used for building ships. Such material is wear-resistant and does not deteriorate under the action of chemical reagents. To the touch such wood is rough, thanks to which the floor is non-slip. Also for the floors in the toilet, you can use a thermotree. This material is wood that is thoroughly steamed at very high temperatures. From this wood becomes moisture resistant. On such material does not form a fungus or mold. But it is better to treat any wooden floor with moisture-resistant substances and cover it with a special yacht varnish.

Moisture resistant laminate

In most cases, moisture resistant laminate is made of compressed wood sawdust. For bonding these sawdust used special epoxy resins and sometimes paraffin. The thicker such a material, the greater the load it can withstand. Also depends on this and the maximum lifetime of the laminate. This material is not designed for prolonged direct contact with liquid. If you accidentally spill water on it, it will not foam immediately, but it is better to wipe the floor dry to reduce the risk of deformation of the moisture-resistant laminate. Also, moisture-resistant laminate can be made entirely of plastic, because of what it is called completely waterproof. When installing such a material, one should adhere to the technology and strive for complete sealing of the joint points in order to exclude the possibility of liquid entering there.

Vinyl floor

A standard vinyl floor may consist of several tiles or be sold on a roll. It is better to use a tiled installation method. If during operation one of the tiles deteriorates, it can be replaced later. It is durable and reliable, and also looks stylish. Vinyl floor consists of several layers of different components. And the decorative (most beautiful) layer is always at the top. This material is extremely durable and moisture-proof. It does not absorb water and does not spoil from hot water vapor. Vinyl floor is warm and non-slip. This material has a pronounced anti-static. Vinyl floor is not environmentally friendly because it is made from synthetic substances. When burned, it can release hazardous and harmful substances.

Materials for walls

Professional wall decoration in the bathroom is a serious event. First you need to choose a quality material. Such a material should be moisture resistant, environmentally friendly and hygienic. It should be easy to use and install. Its color should be in harmony with the general condition of the bathroom. The colors of the walls and the floor may differ. This will make the room even more interesting. When finishing the bathroom is most often used tile. She is not afraid of dampness and looks quite stylish. But not all interiors will be appropriate tiles on the walls. That is why various materials have been used to repair the walls of bathrooms: plasterboard, decorative plaster, self-adhesive film, etc. This variety allows you to choose the best products for your bathroom.

Tiled and ceramic tiles

The range of such materials is quite wide. The client can buy tiles of different shapes, sizes and prices. There are many factories for the production of tiled and other tiles, but when you design one room it is better to stay at one manufacturer. In this case, it will be possible to harmoniously decorate the walls in the bathroom, since they will be made in the same style. The tile does not allow moisture, so that the wall will be protected from excess moisture. Under the coating will not start mold or fungus. Wall tiles made of tile or ceramic are easy in daily use. They are easy to clean, just wipe the surface with a sponge with water or detergent. However, this material does not have high mechanical strength, i.e. it's easy to break. To make such a tile look good on the wall, professionals should be involved in its installation.


    

Mosaic

Mosaic is a type of ceramic tile to which elements from other materials are sometimes added. At the same time there are many various forms of material. It is customary to divide the mosaic into 2 varieties. The first are those that are laid out on a special basis with individual pictures and elements. The second can be attributed to those elements that are laid out manually. The mosaic looks interesting and unusual. Its hard to break. It does not form mold or mildew. This material has a long operational life. If you follow the masonry technology, you can mount any surface without visible joints. But it is better to get a mastic consisting of similar elements. A mixture of ceramics and metals will look stylish until the first rust appears, and even in a mosaic picture, the glass can be easily broken.


    

Natural and artificial stone

Natural stone is an expensive material that is justified to be used only in emphatically luxurious interiors, where there is already a stone floor. In other cases, it is better to veneer the walls with artificial stone. This material is very heavy, because of which its installation requires additional work. In this case, use the stones in the interior of the bathroom should be as careful as possible. The material significantly reduces visually the bathroom. And this applies to artificial and natural stones. That is why this material is contraindicated for small bathrooms and separate bathrooms. It does not absorb moisture and in most cases has a porous structure. Because of this, the stones are able to "breathe." They are environmentally safe and completely harmless even for small children and allergies.


    

Natural wood trim

Ordinary wood absorbs water very easily (including the one that is in the heated air), therefore it is necessary to use it for finishing bathrooms very carefully. Because of this, wood requires additional moisture-resistant impregnation, so that it will be able to stay in damp conditions for a long time. You can burn and handle wood panels yourself, but it is better to buy finished products and start to sheathe the bathroom walls with them. These panels are expensive, although they give the bathroom an extraordinary atmosphere of a country house. Also, such wood panels can be used if the bathroom will be home bath. At the same time, the decoration of the bathroom walls with natural wood (even clapboard) implies the presence of specific accessories (mirrors, hangers, partitions, sanitary equipment) that will emphasize the style created.

Flexible stone

The flexible stone became known to the public relatively recently, but during this time it has managed to become extremely popular around the world. This is a thin facing material that makes it convenient to decorate the walls of various rooms. It consists of three layers. The first one is a universal fabric base, the second one is an adhesive agent, and the third one is a fine crumb of some kind of stone (marble, granite, quartz, etc.). At the same time, the patterns in which small particles are laid out on the surface resemble the appearance of large natural stones. From a distance, the material can be confused with natural stone. The flexible stone is practical and durable; it can even be used in very damp and poorly ventilated bathrooms. The surface is rough to the touch, because the outer layer of the material is stone chips.

Marble

Marble - a unique material that can be used for any design ideas. Today it is used in decorating bathrooms, because the porous structure of this breed makes it moisture resistant. Also because of this, marble can be called a breathable material, and under it there is no mold or fungus on the walls. Marble bathroom finish looks luxurious, elegant and stylish. At the same time, such material is characterized by durability, impact resistance and relative ease of maintenance. It can be cleaned with conventional detergents, although at the very beginning of operation it is better to treat it with a special protective substance. Marble is also immune to extremely high temperatures and does not crack when all sorts of temperature drops occur. However, marble is expensive, and therefore very expensive.


    

PVC panels

Universal PVC panels are often used to repair bathrooms, but they require additional protection during installation. Under such panels, in a wet and damp environment, a mold or a fungus easily forms, although polyvinyl chloride is a waterproof material. However, in case of errors during installation, you can leave large gaps between the wall and the panel, which will lead to unpleasant consequences. However, this material is cheap, it can afford every homeowner. Polyvinyl chloride panels can be painted in absolutely any color, they will be able to fit into the most unusual interior of the bathroom. Some of these panels imitate natural stones, wood, tile or decorated with photo printing. This material is durable, has good sound insulation and retains heat well.

Moisture-proof wallpaper

Making wallpaper in the bathroom looks original, but you need to carefully select this material. Ordinary wallpapers are not suitable for a bathroom, because they will instantly become unusable due to constant humidity and high humidity. In bathrooms, they usually use special moisture-proof wallpaper, glass wallpaper or wallpaper (the latter is less common). Они дают возможность воплотить в жизнь самые необычные дизайнерские решения, поскольку имеют огромный ассортимент, при этом отделка будет долговечной. Обои стоят относительно недорого, если сравнивать их с натуральным камнем или керамической плиткой, поэтому этот материал часто используют в целях экономии.Before starting to repair the walls in the bathroom will require minimal preparation. Moreover, the walls can be prepared by yourself, and then begin to glue them on with selected wallpapers.

Decorative plaster

For bathrooms, a special moisture-resistant decorative plaster is used. With it, you can create a completely unique design of the room. The pattern for decorating the bathroom can be anything. Practically any person can put decorative plaster on a wall, even the nonprofessional will cope with it. But this stuff is not very cheap. Some types of decorative plaster are extremely expensive, so their use in the framework of the usual redecoration in the apartment (including in the bathroom) is impractical. Sanitary plaster, moisture resistant plaster or facade plaster (most specific synthetic substances that help to cope with dampness and high humidity) are most often used to finish sanitary facilities. These materials normalize the microclimate in the bathroom, absorbing excess moisture.

     

Paint the walls with waterproof paints

There are many varieties of moisture-resistant paints that can be used to finish the bathrooms. Emulsion paint is one of these materials. Moreover, it is better to take water-based emulsion with special additives that prevent its blurring. But it is undesirable for her to paint those parts of the wall that the water gets on with an absolute guarantee. Oil paint is used very rarely today. It dries for a long time, and with extremely strong temperature drops it can begin to flake off. Alkyd paint can be called one of the most popular, but it smells a lot. And the unpleasant smell remains even several weeks after the repair work. That is why now most often the walls in the bathroom are covered with acrylic paints. They are non-toxic and durable. Acrylic paints are easy to apply to the walls, even those who have never made repairs in their life can handle it.


    

Self-adhesive film

Finishing film looks original and unusual. This material does not pass moisture, so the possibility of the formation of fungus or mold is minimized. Self-adhesive film is cheap, although it looks spectacular. There is a huge range of colors of this product. And today on sale there is a film with a relief. It costs more, but it looks very interesting. This material is very easy to apply on the wall, so the repair does not even need to hire professional builders. You can handle on your own. In this case, the film is easy to change, if the picture on it is tired or no longer harmonizes with the sanitary equipment. This material is easy to maintain. You can simply wipe it with a damp cloth. However, self-adhesive film has a low strength. Its easy to break.

Ceiling decoration

You can make the ceiling in the bathroom by inviting for this professional, or independently. Moreover, the second method will be cheaper, but it will require significant time and the presence of certain skills. You also have to choose the material for the ceiling. It should be strong, moisture-proof, durable, beautiful and easy to clean. Also, this material must withstand temperature extremes. It is better to select it on the basis of already selected materials for the walls, but it is not always possible, for example, it is not considered a good idea to glue wallpaper to the ceiling of the bathroom. You also need to remember the features of the structure of bathrooms and it is desirable to choose such a material for the ceiling so that it can stop the sudden flow of water, if suddenly a pipe in the bathroom breaks from the top of the neighbors and they begin to fill the apartment located under them. But not every ceiling can cope with such a test.

Stretch ceiling

In modern bathrooms, stretch ceilings are most often installed. They are characterized by high moisture resistance and do not allow water that can leak from above. This material is the most environmentally friendly. It withstands severe temperature drops and high temperatures without evaporating harmful substances. Due to the variety of shapes, textures and colors, stretch ceilings can be integrated into any design project. They can be completely any color, although it is better to choose models of light shades, so that the bathroom does not seem too gloomy and dark. Stretch ceilings are easy to use and do not require special care. They just need to wipe with a damp cloth so that they do not accumulate dust or dirt. But suspended ceilings are unstable to various mechanical damage.

    

Panels

If the walls in the bathroom are decorated with PVC panels, then the ceiling can also be made. Plastic panels are characterized by high strength and moisture resistance. They look stylish and beautiful, while not needing additional processing. They are easy to install yourself, but you need to make sure that the design looks monolithic. The gaps between the panels look unaesthetic. Also in the ceiling of the panels, you can embed spotlights or any other lighting devices, if their presence corresponds to the design idea. Plastic panels are easy to clean, special chemicals are not required to clean them. This stuff is cheap. But it is not suitable for bathrooms with poor ventilation, because its metal frame can easily become rusty even with a galvanized coating.

Paint

The ceiling in the bathroom can be painted: acrylic, latex or silicone. These types of paints are moisture resistant, do not collapse under the influence of water and do not lead to excessive wetting of enclosing structures. Painted ceiling is easy to clean. This paint has a finely porous surface, so it is well ventilated, and it does not accumulate much dirt. These ceilings are easily cleaned with the help of the simplest cleaning agents and sponges. Any paint of this kind can be easily applied to any prepared surfaces: both reinforced concrete, and ordinary concrete, and wood. However, over time, the painted ceiling may fade, and therefore it will need to be painted again. Also, the paint may eventually peel off if condensation forms on the ceiling, which is typical for bathrooms.

    

Drywall

If the ceiling in the bathroom is uneven, it is best to take drywall to repair it. With this material, you can create stylish and original designs, for example, a multi-level ceiling with built-in ceiling lights. It is durable and sufficiently durable, if properly care for it and promptly clean the accumulated dirt. Under the drywall is usually possible to put all the communications in the bathroom, maximally freeing up space. But for drywall you will need to create an additional frame structure that will support the ceiling. And for modern bathrooms it is better to choose not wooden, but metal frames, pre-treated with anti-corrosion compounds. With prolonged use, drywall can fade, which is why it will have to be painted independently.

Lighting in the bathroom

The number of lighting fixtures in the bathroom depends on the size of this room and the availability of sources of natural lighting. If the toilet has a window (albeit a small one), the luminaires will need significantly less. In large bathrooms it is better to provide zone lighting. Usually it concerns the combined bathrooms. In this case, distinguish the zone where the toilet is located, and the zone where there is a bath. The design of the lamps and the degree of illumination affects the style of the interior. Glossy and mirror surfaces reflect light better, so if they are present in the bathroom, less lighting equipment will be required. Lamps can be located on the ceiling, walls and even on the floor, their location is determined by the design decisions. Moreover, the lighting in the bathroom can be integrated into the "Smart Home" system in order to be able to control its intensity.

    

Choosing a color palette

The color palette should be carefully thought out so that the bathroom looks stylish and cozy, and not funny and coarse. Usually the bathroom has a small area, so it is better to draw it in bright shades, because they contribute to the visual increase in the room. Although dark shades can make a room more comfortable, dark design should be designed by a professional. It is better not to use more than 3 different colors or more than 5 shades of the same color. The bathroom is small, so the colors will be too striking. Moreover, it is better to select colors with regard to the palette that was used for repairs throughout the apartment. Monochrome bathrooms look stylish, but to choose materials for decoration and sanitary equipment of one color is extremely difficult. To repair the bathroom, you can use the following color combinations:

  • orange, blue and white;
  • purple, white and yellow;
  • yellow, red and blue;
  • green, orange and yellow.

    

Ergonomics: the proper organization of space in the bathroom

Bathrooms are too small to talk about their good ergonomics. Ideally, the sanitary equipment, door and walls should remain at least 75 cm. The only exceptions are a toilet and a bidet, for them this value can be 35 cm. The distance between the bathroom (shower) and the sink can be reduced to 30 cm. Height the washbasin and countertops of bathroom furniture can vary from 80 to 110 cm. Usually this value is 90 cm, however, today many place special sinks for young children at a comfortable height for them. And between these sinks should be a distance of at least 10 cm. The bathroom layout should be convenient for all family members. This applies to both children and the elderly. And you need to try to save space. In small bathrooms (for example, in Khrushchev's houses) a washing machine is placed under the sink, and a shower cabin is installed instead of a bath.

Choice of plumbing and furniture

Plumbing equipment must be durable, reliable and multifunctional. It is better to buy products that were made from environmentally friendly materials. Color plumbing must be in harmony with the decoration of the room. Usually choose a bath, sink and toilet in the classic white color. They do not have to change if even after a couple of years the owner decides to change the color of the walls in the bathroom. All plumbing equipment should be selected at a time. In this case, it will be possible to choose the most suitable products. Before buying devices, you should decide on the type of their mounting and placement. Plumbing equipment comes in different sizes, and for small bathrooms you need to buy a sink and toilet bowl in a slightly different format than for spacious bathrooms. General features of some types of plumbing are presented below in the photo.


    

Plumbing equipmentFeatures
Shower cabinInstalled in small bathrooms. Modern shower cabins have a lot of additional functions: built-in radio, color lighting, massagers, etc.
BathsClassic plumbing equipment. Baths are steel, cast iron, acrylic and even stone. Their appearance is determined by the overall style of the room.
Toilet bowlsMust be durable, reliable and as silent as possible (meaning the noise level when typing water in the tank).
SinksMay be different sizes and shapes. They refer to the mandatory plumbing fixtures.

Stylistic directions

The style of the bathroom can be anything, but most homeowners adhere to certain ready-made solutions for bathroom design. Most often, the toilet is made in a classic style. This option looks beautiful and elegant. It is especially suitable for large bathrooms with a window. A modern style will be appropriate in small bathrooms. It allows you to install small functional showers in the toilet. The modern color palette, floral motifs and the presence of all sorts of accessories with floral designs are characteristic of modern style. Of the modern stylistic trends is to provide bionics. This design style is characterized by imitation of everything natural. Many decorate bathrooms in marine, ethnic, Scandinavian or Mediterranean styles. They look spectacular and allow you to realize non-standard design ideas.


    

These styles can be combined.

Conclusion

Bathroom design is an important part of repair work in any apartment (in a new building or in the house of an old foundation). It is necessary to choose high-quality materials and decide on the style of the interior. Before the start of repairs, a project should be drawn up in which the type of plumbing equipment, its location in the room and the color palette used should be clearly defined. And you should focus not only on the wishes of homeowners, but also on the total budget for repairs. With a limited budget, you should choose inexpensive materials and, if possible, install everything yourself. But regardless of the cost of materials and plumbing everything should be as practical, convenient and versatile. It is better to choose what can last for a long time without losing the original performance characteristics, rather than focus only on the appearance of materials and plumbing.

Watch the video: Modern Bathroom Design Trends 2019 - See 65 Bathroom Design Ideas (March 2024).

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