17 Small Bathroom Wainscoting Ideas to Modernize Your Space
This post shows you the best small bathroom wainscoting ideas to try today.
There’s something uniquely refreshing about starting your day in a space that feels both stylish and personal.
For me, the bathroom is my sanctuary—a place where I can unwind and recharge.
If you are like me and your bathroom feels a bit dated or lacks character, it might be time for a makeover.
How about transforming it with some stunning wainscoting ideas?
Whether you’re aiming for a sleek modern look or a cozy vintage vibe, there is an option for you.
Join me as I share small bathroom wainscoting ideas to modernize your space and elevate your daily routine.
Table of Contents
1. Rectangular-framed wainscoting paired with floral wallpaper
Instill an elegant feel in your bathroom with white, rectangular-framed wainscoting paired with modern floral wallpaper on the upper half of the wall.
This combination of traditional wainscoting and modern wallpaper creates an inviting space.
2. Small-grain Herringbone wallpaper-over wainscoting
Use small-grain white-and-black wallpaper over bright white wainscoting to instill elegance and contrast in your space.
Add framed artwork and hanging shelves in the upper half of the walls to increase warmth and captivating visuals.
3. White ambiance look
Install sparkling white ceramic tiles for your wainscot to achieve an elegant, minimalistic, clean, and serene white ambiance on your bathroom walls.
For maximized wall protection, execute a floor-to-ceiling installation of these tiles in the shower room.
4. Pair a Blue floral wallpaper with a white wainscot
Pair a blue floral wallpaper with a delicate pattern with white wainscoting for eye-catching results.
Engraving sunken rectangular patterns on the wainscoting boards combined with a white finish offers texture and character to the space.
If you have a vanity desk, add an arched mirror on a wooden frame the same color as your wainscoting to complement the white theme.
5. Soft grey wainscoting
Incorporate a calming effect in your bathroom with a soft, grey half-wall wainscoting.
Cover the remaining half with white wallpaper with red, yellow, and green designs.
Use golden door handles and sink faucet fixtures to match the yellow patterns on the wallpaper.
6. Pair subway tile wainscoting with critter-themed wallpaper
If you love animals, go for a critter-themed wallpaper paired with a stylish subway tile wainscoting to customize your bath space.
Although ceramic tiles can get the job done on the wainscoting, going for wooden tiles with shiplap joints will incorporate a more natural and organic look in your space.
7. Dark green wainscoting panels with floral wallpaper
Incorporate a serene feel in your bathroom with light grey wainscoting panels.
Compliment the soft grey theme extended by the wainscoting panel by adding wallpaper with palmate leaf designs on the upper half of your bathroom walls.
Your vanities and cabinets should also adopt grey to avoid extreme color contrast.
8. Pair a grey wainscoting with a huge graphics tropical wallpaper
Since grey wainscotings combine with almost any finish, pair your grey-paneled wainscoting with a tropical wallpaper with huge leaves and flower motifs.
These vibrant colors will instill a cheerful theme in your space.
9. Jungle theme
Instill a calming jungle theme into your bathroom with jungle green wainscoting panels on the lower half of your walls.
Complement this theme by adding blooming flower motifs wallpaper on the remaining wall sections.
10. White wainscoting and a teal-blue wall profile
For a minimalistic design, pair white wainscoting with a teal-blue wall profile.
Instead of wood panels for the wainscoting, go for wood battens.
This offers an aesthetic parallel arrangement that is more eye-catching than wood panels.
11. Teal green batten wainscoting on a white wall
Expel blandness from your plain white bathroom walls by installing a teal green batten wainscot on the lower half of the wall.
To complement the green wainscot color, shelf a potted green plant in the white section of the walls.
12. Beige walls with white wainscoting
Paint your bathroom walls beige and pair them with white batten wainscoting to create a warm, minimalistic design.
To further enhance the minimalist design, install a huge unframed mirror on the wall adjacent to your pedestal sink.
13. Wainscot-ceiling color-match
Match the color of your wainscot to the color of your ceiling to create a warm, symmetric space in your bathroom.
Paint your window frames the same color to attain a perception of continuity between the wainscot and the ceiling.
14. Black-and-white theme
Execute a black-and-white theme by installing a black wainscot on a white wall to match your checkered black-and-white floor.
To further the theme, use white pedestal sinks with silver faucets paired with black lighting fixtures.
15. Go for a girly touch
If you’re aiming for a girly touch, consider installing pink batten wainscot on bright wall finishes.
Install white fixtures, ranging from mirror frames to suspended light chandeliers, to avoid color contrast in the white section.
This will make the pink section of the wall remain conspicuous.
16. Crisp white subway tile wainscot on a deep green wall
Embrace a bold color contrast design with a crisp white tile wainscot executed with a subway pattern on a deep jungle green wall.
Incorporate luxurious metallic accents on faucets, plumbing, and mirror frames to expel blandness in the monochromatic wall sections.
17. Wooden bathroom wainscot and tiled shower room
Incorporate nature’s tranquility in your bathroom with green wainscot panels on the lower half of the wall.
Substitute these wooden panels with ceramic tiles of the same color in the shower area.
This way, you prevent your wooden wainscot from being destroyed by backsplash water.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is wainscoting, and how can it benefit a small bathroom?
Wainscoting is a decorative wall treatment that typically covers the lower portion of walls, adding texture and style to any room.
In a small bathroom, wainscoting can create visual interest without overwhelming the space.
It can also help protect walls from moisture, making it both a practical and aesthetic choice.
By choosing the right wainscoting style, you can add character and modernize your bathroom without taking up valuable space.
2. What are the best materials for wainscoting in a bathroom?
The best materials for bathroom wainscoting are those that can withstand moisture and humidity.
PVC, vinyl, and moisture-resistant MDF are excellent options, as they are durable and easy to maintain.
Tile wainscoting is also a popular choice, offering both water resistance and a sleek, modern look.
Wood can be used as well, but it should be properly sealed to prevent water damage over time.
3. How can I choose the right wainscoting height for a small bathroom?
In a small bathroom, the height of your wainscoting can significantly impact the room’s overall feel.
A common rule of thumb is to install wainscoting at about one-third the height of the wall, typically around 36 inches.
However, if you want to create a more modern look, you can extend it higher, even up to two-thirds of the wall height.
This can draw the eye upward and make the space feel taller and more expansive.
4. Can I mix wainscoting with other wall treatments in a small bathroom?
Yes, mixing wainscoting with other wall treatments can add depth and personality to your bathroom.
For example, you can pair wainscoting with wallpaper or a bold paint color on the upper portion of the wall.
This combination can create a striking contrast that modernizes the space.
Just be sure to keep the design cohesive by sticking to a complementary color palette and style.
5. What colors work best for wainscoting in a small bathroom?
Lighter colors are typically the best choice for wainscoting in a small bathroom, as they can make the space feel more open and airy.
White, soft gray, or pastel tones are popular options that can brighten up the room.
If you prefer a more dramatic look, consider a deep navy or charcoal, but balance it with lighter walls or fixtures to avoid making the space feel cramped.
If you love these ideas, don’t forget to pin the above image to your “Home Décor” board.
