Wallpaper vs. Painting?

Question

Spouse and I are redoing bathroom. I think wallpaper will stand up better in the conditions of a bathroom (ie. steam) she thinks we should paint. Which do you think is better?

Answer 1

Absolutely paint! The steam will loosen the seams to the wallpaper and possibly cause bubbling.

Answer 2

Wallpaper will not stand up as well as paint in the bathroom because of the steamy conditions that comes with the hot water. We have been in some homes that believe that if you turn on the air conditioning while you take a shower it helps to prevent the wallpaper from becoming loose.

Answer 3

I'd paint the room. Wallpaper is not really popular right now and a pain to remove when you need a change. I'd be worried about paper peeling due to the extra steam. You can also wash a painted surface easier then a wallpapered one.

Go look at the different ways to faux paint a room to make it look like wall paper. They have some neat ideas that go way beyond basic sponge painting.

Answer 4

I recently took down wallpaper in my bathroom because it was peeling off from the moisture. Painting is the way to go. There are specialty paints for use in the Kitchen and Bathroom that are resistant to the steam and possible mildew, but they are quite a bit more expensive and any paint will work. Stay away from flat paints. Use a minimum of satin or semi-gloss and get an additive to inhibit mold when you are having the color mixed. It is less expensive that way.

Answer 5

I personally have always had wallpaper in the bathrooms, but I just really love wallpaper and the hanging of it. The fact that I am a terrible painter probably has something to do with it.

We bought Our second house about 35 years ago from an interior decorator. He had wall paper in all of the baths including one of the ceilings.

Ours has always held up well and I always use a high end stripable paste, so later I have no problems getting it off.

Good Luck in your decision.

Answer 6

No body wallpapers anymore. it's a pain in the butt to remove when you change your mind and with the colors available today... you can almost paint to look like wallpaper. Tape it off and use different colors. Perhaps a decorative wall paper trim along the ceiling will curb your appetite for the 70's appeal, lol! besides... the best thing about paint... if you don't like the look, you can paint over it! This becomes particularly useful when your children age and their tastes in colors change. Let your 9 year old choose her colors... it'll be fun and a great bonding experience for the two of you designing and painting her room!

Answer 7

Absolutely paint, and semi-gloss so it can be washed easily. We have no problem with our bathroom being painted. Wallpaper will possibly peel from the moisture, and when you get tired of it it is a real pain to take off and clean the walls to paint them. I personally have done all the wallpaper I ever want to do.

Answer 8

Without a doubt, I think you would come off better painting the bathroom. But you can get the look of wallpaper with the use of paint. Or one of the things I think looks awesome in bathrooms is wainscoting.

Answer 9

Paint. Bathrooms are full of moisture and if you get any type of mold it will be MUCH easier to clean from the walls if they are painted. Also, painting can be re-done much easier if you don't like the color or just want a change in a year or two. Wallpaper also runs a risk of peeling due to the high moisture in bathrooms.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Unless you use some sort of industrial wallpaper paste & lots of it, the steam will bring it down. Paint is the better option.