Bathroom Inspiration: Geometrics and Abstracts or Botanical Wallpaper?

Bathroom Inspiration: Geometrics and Abstracts or Botanical Wallpaper?

There is a lot more to theming bathrooms than siding with the nautical. Admittedly, marine influences will never go out of style, but stepping outside of that tried-and-tested blue and white colour palette and toward something that makes full and unique use of the space is a good way to bring your home to the next level.

We’re going to lay our cards on the table – our ducks on the side of the bath? – from the off and state our love for a wallpapered bathroom. True, it may not be the most conventional part of the home for wallpaper, but it’s not out of the question, and the results are out of this world.

We’ve talked already about creating a dreamy space for the bedroom, and it’s just as important for the bathroom – a place for a quieter, slower, more relaxing pace, and, in the case of a good bath, a little escapism, too.

Embrace natural vibes with a botanically inspired room…

There is something about the bathroom that just seems to suit a botanical style of décor. The vivid colours of nature bring warmth and vibrance to an otherwise bland and practical space, and images of foliage and florals pair nicely with the scents of soaps, bath salts, perfumes and skincare found in any bathroom.

Tying a few sprigs of eucalyptus to the showerhead is a fan-favourite for bringing a sense of nature into the morning routine, while flowers on the windowsill help to breathe new life into the room every week or so. It’s fresh, natural, and brings a sense of renewal into a space that tends to be overlooked more often than any other part of the house. 

Florals are actually much more versatile than the floral naysayers tend to think. While they can be very traditional, they don’t have to be. Our Begum Wallpaper, for instance features a floral design with a twist. Heavily inspired by medieval artworks, these florals create a very different effect, and utilise an earthier colour palette for something a little different. 

Remember that botanical doesn’t necessarily mean floral, and that the traditionally feminine feel of a floral wallpaper finds the perfect counterpart (or complement, if you’re open to mixing and matching wallpaper prints) in wallpapers inspired by the foliage and leaves rather than the blooms themselves. The warmth of a bathroom lends itself to a ‘glass house’ kind of atmosphere,

Tropical vegetation is a popular theme, but just as effective are prints inspired by flora found a little closer to home. Our Flowerberry wallpaper captures the beautifully chaotic and organic structure of wild-growing foliage.

…Or bring elegance and timelessness into the powder room with geometrics and abstracts

Don’t underestimate the power of a geometric. While, in general, geometric prints feature less intricate detail and imagery than the florals, that’s not to say that you’re limiting your choices – or the impact your wallpaper will have.

Geometrics aren’t anchored to the Art Deco movement; they can be inspired by traditional art styles from all over the world, like our Nankeeng Green wallpaper. Another great thing to keep in mind when you’re looking at geometrics is that they’re often easier to mix and match, since you’re not trying to throw together an assortment of complex and conflicting shapes, but the most basic shapes out there: circles, rhombuses, hexagons, and triangles, to name just a few.

Or, Alternatively, Don’t Choose – Combine

If you really feel stuck between a marshmallow and a happy place, then don’t despair. Geometrics are some of the most versatile patterns out there for combining with other patterns, and you might be surprised quite how well a floral will pair with a well-chosen geometric.

Most bathrooms are not big enough to justify two contrasting wallpapers, but there is more than one way to bounce once print off another. Consider introducing that difference in your curtains or any other linens that belong in the room – or, alternatively, a convenient chair placed at the side of the bath – instead of settling on just one.

Florals generally have very organic, rounded or irregular shapes (for obvious reasons), and the fact that geometrics tend to represent the perfect opposite of that (featuring very regular shapes, straight lines, and orderly patterns) is the reason for their ability to harmonise, rather than clash.

If you don’t want to limit yourself to an either/or situation, then don’t. There is more than one way to decorate a space.