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An accent wall is a great way to add a little oomph to your bathroom and give it a fresh look. But how do you go about it? Do you just pick a medium and cover a blank surface? While it may seem as simple as that, being intentional will reflect your style better and make the space look planned. So, start by choosing a wall you’d like to decorate. The one opposite the door is a popular option. This is because it’s visible as soon as someone enters the bathing chamber. You can also choose other walls, depending on the feature you’d like to highlight. For instance, if you want to draw eyes to your gorgeous vanity, regal bathtub, or luxurious shower, you can frame the surfaces behind them, too.

Once you finalize the wall, it’s time to choose a medium. Common options include wood, wallpaper, tile, paint, artificial panels, and natural stone. Your selection will determine the final appearance of your accent wall as well as the cost. It’ll even decide if you can recreate accent wall ideas using simple Dollar Tree DIYs or if you’d have to hire professionals to take care of the installation. Need a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing? Here are 20 statement feature wall ideas for your next bathroom upgrade.

Do you know the easy way Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines brings texture into a boring room? The answer is wainscoting. Basically, you add some wood paneling to the bottom part of a wall in your home. This trim adds some texture and fun to your otherwise boring bathroom and draws the eye. Paint it in the same shade as the rest of your wall for a subtle finish or choose a complementary color to create an interesting accent wall. Finally, pick accessories and fixtures that go with your picture frame molding.

Although an accent wall’s primary purpose is to boost the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom, no one said it can’t be functional, too. This is especially true if you have a small space and can’t dedicate an entire wall to decor. Under such circumstances, try out a board-and-batten-style accent wall. It’ll add some much-needed personality to your bathroom and let you showcase decorative elements. You can even avoid the bathroom storage mistakes everyone makes and position a few pegs or hooks over the boards to house your bath towels.

It can be boring to stare at the same walls day-in and day-out. But if you don’t plan on renovating your bathroom anytime soon or giving them a fresh coat of paint, shake things up (a little) with wallpaper. Match the base color of the paper with your existing color scheme to break the monotony and add some visual interest. This will also anchor the two elements and ensure they gel together. Go with peel-and-stick options to give your bathing chamber a fresh look without incurring heavy costs.

What do you do when you and your partner (or roommate) have distinct tastes and can’t agree on one shade or design for your bathroom’s accent wall? Instead of finding ways to get them to agree with you or thinking about compromising, opt for a two-toned and dual design geometric accent wall. This way, you’ll both get your heart’s desire. However, before you get to work, ensure the shades and patterns work well together. Otherwise, your genius plan will backfire since the finished wall will stand out like an eyesore.

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to achieve an accent wall in your bathroom is to hand-paint a blank surface. You just need to pick a wall and let your creativity loose. It’s as simple as that. Give the wall a fresh coat of paint or let the current color serve as your backdrop. Then, dip a paintbrush in a complementary tone to DIY a pattern you like. If you aren’t a pro DIYer or aren’t confident in your drawing skills, test out the pattern on a blank cardboard first.

Looking for an accent wall to match your interior’s farmhouse or rustic style? Pick shiplap. You just need a few planks of wood to achieve the desired look. After you install it, let the wood’s natural grain add beauty to your bathroom. Or, stain it to ensure it matches the rest of your decor with ease. Alternatively, paint it in your preferred shade so it pairs nicely with the modern fixtures and design scheme of the room. Screw in hooks to help it double as storage solutions.

If you want your accent wall to be the focal point in your bathroom, you must ensure it grabs the eye naturally. So, think outside the box and design a custom geometric wall for your space. Play around with different patterns and textures along with color schemes to find the right fit. Once you’re happy with the blueprint, put your plans into action and get a few MDF boards. Cut them to fit the design you have in mind, affix them to the wall, and paint them.

Nothing beats a brick wall when you’re hoping to lend your bathroom an industrial touch. However, if you don’t want to knock down a wall and incur additional expenses, DIY an artificial brick wall to give your bathing chamber a rugged finish. You just need 3D wall panels, like IZODEKOR’s Brick Effect Decorative Wall Panels. Once you have them, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install them correctly. Ta-da! You could even spray paint them if you don’t like their current tone or it clashes with the other decorations.

A genius way to make one of the walls in your bathroom stand out is to paint it. Yes, it’s as simple as that. You just need to ensure you pick a shade that’s lighter or darker than the color on the rest of the walls. This will create contrast and make it easier for your accent wall to stand out. Get color swatches and monitor how they look against your wall at different times of the day. This will help you get an idea of what the painted wall will look like and make the right decision.

Exotic stones will make your master bathroom feel like a luxury oasis. But you shouldn’t use them willy-nilly. For a truly enchanting display, plan the stones you want to use and how. If money isn’t an issue, commission them for your accent wall. However, ensure they match the rest of the space since it’s not a temporary solution. Opt for white and black for a classic look or combine different textures and styles for a bespoke finish. In case you’re on a tight budget, mimic the look with porcelain tiles.

Tired of the same ‘ol wallpaper accent wall ideas? Try covering your ceiling for a novel twist. This will make your fifth wall less boring and give you a pretty surface to stare at when you’re in the tub. That being said, this project will require significant time and effort, with your back, legs, and neck aching from the strain of bending at awkward angles. You’ll also need your family or friend’s help if you don’t want to constantly move up and down the step ladder. Plus, you’ll have to account for the light fixtures, vents, and smoke alarms.

Arabesque tiles are perfect if you want to strike a balance between traditional and contemporary designs. They’ll let you create a one-of-a-kind accent wall for your bathroom due to their shimmering finish and geometric shape. Plus, they’re available in multiple shades, so you can match them to the room’s existing interior design without undertaking renovation. You can either order samples and buy the tiles that strike your fancy prior to installing them yourself, or, you can contract a professional to achieve the desired results with minimal effort.

If you love the idea of DIYing your bathroom’s accent wall but don’t trust yourself to hand-paint it, get a sponge from your kitchen. Then, grab a piece of paper and sketch the design you like with crayons to get a feel of the real deal. In case this seems like too much work, head over to your Pinterest board for inspiration. After you’re sure, cut the sponge in your chosen shape, don some rubber gloves, and dip it in paint to create a beautiful and unique accent wall.

Looking to install an accent wall in a heavy-traffic area of your bathroom? Use tiles. They’ll handle moisture like a pro and make your room stand out. But to achieve the latter, you must choose the design, texture, and color carefully. For instance, a too bold finish might clash with your current decor and turn your bathing chamber ugly. On the other hand, a pattern that blends in with its surroundings might make you regret your decision later. In case your accent won’t get splashed regularly, grab some peel-and-stick tile-like wallpaper for an economical finish.

Although shiplap is a popular accent wall choice, you may have gotten tired of seeing it everywhere. Under such circumstances, go with the shiplap alternative Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines absolutely adores: skinnylap. A not-so-distant cousin of the wide planks design, skinnylap stays true to its name and basically uses thinner strips of wood. Leave it as is for a boho finish or stain it lightly for a bit of rugged charm. You can even paint it in a jewel or pastel shade for a modern or underrated appearance.

Stone veneer is an excellent exterior siding option that will instantly add value to your home. But what if you added it to your interiors? More specifically, to your bathroom as an accent wall. This fresh take on the traditional stone siding will give the room a rugged charm and a fantastical aura (if done right). In case you inhabit an old house or are trying to add an antique touch to your interiors, pair the stone veneer accent wall with warm lights and wood furniture.

Painting a wall in a bold shade to conform to the trends is a common way of creating an accent wall. However, things take a turn for the worse when the shade falls out of favor or you just get bored with it. In case you don’t want to go through the hassle of scraping the paint and putting on a fresh coat, revive your accent wall with a striking piece of art. Visit an estate, yard, or garage sale to score eye-catching pieces for a fraction of their actual value.

While you may automatically discount the wall with the window to ensure your accent design remains uninterrupted, sometimes you can use these fixtures to your advantage. Frame the portals in wood panels (think solid, board and batten, geometric trim, or shiplap design) or color them in a gorgeous shade to set them apart. You can even try wallpaper if you don’t mind cutting the sheets based on your window’s design. Whichever idea you like, don’t forget to consider how the sun reacts with the feature before making a final decision.

Want the look of wallpaper on a budget? Grab some stickers and stick them to one of your bathroom’s walls. The final look will depend on the stickers you pick. For instance, adhering small 3D flowers will help you bring your blooming garden indoors whereas an abstract piece will make way for a contemporary accent wall. If possible, try placing the stickers (with their backing intact) against your wall to determine whether they look good before you buy them in bulk. Moreover, the process might seem simple in theory, but it’s an effort- and time-intensive project.

Even though common ideas to bring the biophilic design to your bathroom include plants (both real and artificial), green paint, and nature-inspired wallpaper, these are not the only ways. If you want to give your bathing chamber a personal touch and love sketching designs, paint murals on a wall to bring the outdoors in. The designs can range from your favorite flowers to ones you’re the most adept at drawing (appearance matters, after all). To ensure you get the theme and colors right, sketch the design on paper before you pick the wall as your canvas.