What Type of Wallpaper Is Best for Bathrooms? Real Advice From Wallpaper Installers

Yes, but you need the right material, strong adhesive, and careful placement.
Bathrooms build up heat and moisture quickly. So if the wallpaper isn’t made for that environment, it won’t last. It may lift at the edges or begin to discolor.
Start with the surface. Vinyl and vinyl-coated wallpaper are five-star choices. They create a sealed barrier, so steam doesn’t soak through. They also wipe clean without damage.
Avoid paper-only wallpaper. It absorbs water and breaks down quickly.
Pay close attention to the install. Use an adhesive that’s built for steam-heavy rooms — something thick, strong, and slow to break down. Press seams with intent, seal every edge, and give it time to cure before the room sees use again.
Placement isn’t just cosmetic. Wallpaper belongs on the walls that stay dry — above the mirror, away from daily splash zones. For walls that take regular hits from heat or water, don’t push your luck. Tile the bottom half, paper the top, and skip the cycle of peeling seams and patch jobs.
That balance gives you both function and finish.

You can, but it’s not a free-for-all. Where you locate it (and what type you put up) makes a staggering difference.
Bathrooms with showers are basically steam rooms in disguise. The air gets thick, and surfaces stay damp way longer than they should. So if you’re set on wallpaper, go for something that can take a hit. Vinyl’s your best bet.
Now, if the wall is right next to the shower — like, close enough to splash when you drop the shampoo — we’d recommend tiling the bottom half and using wallpaper above.
If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan that moves steam out of the room, not just makes a lot of noise, wallpaper may not hold up. You could still use it in drier areas — for example, above the mirror or behind the door. Choose spots where moisture doesn’t collect.

Start with the right material. Use vinyl or vinyl-coated wallpaper in areas exposed to steam.
Apply heavy-duty adhesive made for humid conditions. Seal every edge to keep moisture from getting underneath.
Before you kick-start install, double-check that your walls are ready and dry.
In some cases, you can also apply a matte decorator’s varnish as an extra protective top coat, but only if the wallpaper is rated for it. Test first.
Most important? Keep humidity under control. Use your exhaust fan regularly, and don’t let water sit on wallpapered surfaces.

You can, but only in low-moisture areas.
Peel-and-stick might look the part, but it’s not up for the challenge of steam and moisture. In a full bathroom — the kind where the mirror fogs up before you’ve even turned on the hot tap — the adhesive can start to let go.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper works well in powder rooms or on a dry accent wall. If it’s far from the shower and stays out of the splash zone, it generally stays in place.
If you plan to use it in a main bathroom, test a sample first. Place it where you want to install, and watch how it reacts over a few days.

Measuring for wallpaper isn’t hard, but it’s definitely one of those “slow is fast” kind of jobs. Use a tape measure and jot down your measurements somewhere you won’t lose it.
Multiply height by width to get your square meters or square feet. Then subtract the space taken up by doors and windows… but don’t get too precise. Leave yourself a buffer. Patterns don’t always line up like you think they will, and walls are rarely as straight as they look.
Check your wallpaper roll’s coverage. It usually says how many square meters or feet it covers.
Bathrooms often have more cutouts, too. Precise measuring and extra material for trimming are key.

If you want to remove old bathroom wallpaper, here’s how:
First up, start with a clean work area. Move away anything leaning up against the wall. You need full and easy access. If the wallpaper is vinyl, start by peeling up a corner. If it comes off easily, you might be able to pull away big sections. If it’s stubborn, no worries. Give it a gentle score and use a bit of warm water to start the process. It’ll loosen up in no time.
You can also use a scraper with a flat edge. Carefully place it under the edge and start to lift the paper in small sections. Work slowly in strips. If you rush through the process, you could end up making a mistake and damaging the wall.
Once the wallpaper is off, wash down the wall with warm water and a drop of dish cleanser. Rinse with clean water. Then leave it alone until it’s fully dry.
If the surface feels gritty or has glue remnants, sand it down just enough to smooth it out. A coat of primer finishes the job and gets the wall ready for paint or a new layer of wallpaper.