5 Nature-Inspired Wallpaper Styles for a Blissful Bathroom
Add a calm, relaxing feel to your bathroom with wallcoverings that feature birds, leaves, flowers and more
When you think of your home’s bathroom, blissful might not be the first word that comes to mind. The truth is, when many of us think about our bathrooms, we probably conjure up images of scrubbing the tub, emptying the rubbish bin or rushing around in the morning before we hurry off to work. But a bathroom can be as beautiful and relaxing as it is functional, and wallpaper can play a big role.
Spending time in nature makes us feel peaceful, relaxed and happy, which is why nature-inspired prints are my go-to for wallpaper. If you want to make your functional bathroom a more fun and enjoyable place, consider incorporating one of these nature-inspired wallpaper styles into its design.
Birds & Butterflies wallpaper: Schumacher
Birds & Butterflies wallpaper: Schumacher
1. Let the birds fly
If you want to add some colour and visual interest (without making a massive statement), a bird wallpaper pattern might be ideal. Whether in design or in real life, there’s something whimsical and freeing about birds. The airiness of a bird print can give your bathroom a design feature as well as a happy feel.
Daydream wallpaper: Hygge & West
If you want to add some colour and visual interest (without making a massive statement), a bird wallpaper pattern might be ideal. Whether in design or in real life, there’s something whimsical and freeing about birds. The airiness of a bird print can give your bathroom a design feature as well as a happy feel.
Daydream wallpaper: Hygge & West
Like birds themselves, bird wallpapers come in a plethora of sizes, shapes and colours, which means you have lots of choice when it comes to finding a wallpaper that works for your personal style.
Choosing a paper that highlights the birds – as well as other complementary aspects of nature – will make the room feel more playful and energised.
Birds in ‘Midnight’ wallpaper: Galbraith & Paul
Choosing a paper that highlights the birds – as well as other complementary aspects of nature – will make the room feel more playful and energised.
Birds in ‘Midnight’ wallpaper: Galbraith & Paul
Because the background of many bird wallpapers is light (like the sky), a bird-inspired wallcovering can be a subtler option than other nature-themed prints.
Inspiration: The light and fun wallpaper in this bathroom creates a soft and whimsical feel. The choice to cover the top portion of the wall gives a subtler effect, adding character but also maintaining a calm and neutral vibe in the space.
Wading Flamingos wallpaper in ‘Blue’: Anthropologie
Inspiration: The light and fun wallpaper in this bathroom creates a soft and whimsical feel. The choice to cover the top portion of the wall gives a subtler effect, adding character but also maintaining a calm and neutral vibe in the space.
Wading Flamingos wallpaper in ‘Blue’: Anthropologie
2. Go on a vibrant tropical trip
Do we love tropical prints because they make us think of a warm breeze blowing by as we sit under a palm tree by the sea? Whatever the reason, tropical patterns are hot right now.
Martinique wallpaper: Beverly Hills Wallpaper
Decorating Schemes Turn Over a New Leaf
Do we love tropical prints because they make us think of a warm breeze blowing by as we sit under a palm tree by the sea? Whatever the reason, tropical patterns are hot right now.
Martinique wallpaper: Beverly Hills Wallpaper
Decorating Schemes Turn Over a New Leaf
Tropical prints are a bolder choice when it comes to wallpaper, as they often feature the bright and luscious colours of tropical plants and wildlife. This can create an intoxicating, energising feel in a space.
Blue Sunbird wallpaper: Matthew Williamson
Blue Sunbird wallpaper: Matthew Williamson
Palm wallpaper prints are a great option if you’re looking for a bold statement but want to stick to a simpler colour palette. Many combine vibrant green palm leaves with a white or other monotone background.
Palm Jungle wallpaper: Cole & Son
Palm Jungle wallpaper: Cole & Son
If you’re aiming for a bigger impact in your bathroom, look for more vibrant and complex patterns that include other tropical flowers and wildlife.
Inspiration: This colourful pattern paired with an otherwise white palette makes a real design statement in this bright and airy bathroom.
Fontainebleau wallpaper: Cole & Son
Inspiration: This colourful pattern paired with an otherwise white palette makes a real design statement in this bright and airy bathroom.
Fontainebleau wallpaper: Cole & Son
3. Wander into the forest
There are so many soothing elements to a forest that it’s no wonder many of us are drawn to it in design. Forest-themed wallpapers (as well as murals) have become more popular in recent years, which means there are lots of options to choose from when creating your bathroom design.
Woods & Pears wallpaper: Cole & Son
See more grey-toned bathrooms
There are so many soothing elements to a forest that it’s no wonder many of us are drawn to it in design. Forest-themed wallpapers (as well as murals) have become more popular in recent years, which means there are lots of options to choose from when creating your bathroom design.
Woods & Pears wallpaper: Cole & Son
See more grey-toned bathrooms
A forest theme can be a subtler way to create a nature-inspired feel, as the tree images make for a soft, linear aesthetic. Forest prints often come in neutral colours, mirroring nature’s palette, meaning they’re perfect for those who love a rustic vibe.
The crisper the forest print – and the more neutral the colour palette – the more soothing and subtle the space will feel.
Woods wallpaper: Cole & Son
The crisper the forest print – and the more neutral the colour palette – the more soothing and subtle the space will feel.
Woods wallpaper: Cole & Son
As a designer who loves using wallpaper to create unique and beautiful designs, I find that forest wallpapers never fail to create a calm, relaxing and refined feel in any room, but especially the bathroom.
Wintertree wallpaper: Larsen
Wintertree wallpaper: Larsen
Inspiration: This long and linear forest print is the perfect backdrop to a reclaimed-wood benchtop and ornate mirror, creating a rustic and beautifully curated look in a small space.
4. Pick a bouquet of flowers
Flowers are beautiful, whimsical and lush. Use them in a wallcovering and you can create a peaceful and traditional vibe (with pale rose wallpaper) or something bold and contemporary (with a vibrant bird of paradise print).
Floral Wood Panelling wallpaper: Albany
Flowers are beautiful, whimsical and lush. Use them in a wallcovering and you can create a peaceful and traditional vibe (with pale rose wallpaper) or something bold and contemporary (with a vibrant bird of paradise print).
Floral Wood Panelling wallpaper: Albany
Going bigger or brighter with the floral pattern only ups the drama. If you’re looking for a more lush and luxurious feel, consider an oversized or dark floral.
Wallpaper: Ellie Cashman Design
Spotted! Blooming Huge Floral Wallpapers
Wallpaper: Ellie Cashman Design
Spotted! Blooming Huge Floral Wallpapers
Flower prints can also add to a contemporary and streamlined feel. Using a simple, repetitive or more monochromatic pattern, which looks less overtly floral, will result in a sleeker, more refined look.
Petal Pusher wallpaper: Hygge & West
Petal Pusher wallpaper: Hygge & West
Inspiration: This traditional-style floral paper makes this bathroom feel peaceful, relaxing and luxurious. Adding other traditional elements such as the chair, gold mirror and pedestal sink push the design beyond blissful.
Wallpaper: de Gournay
Wallpaper: de Gournay
5. Fish wallpaper
I love it when I see trends that are a little outside the box, and this is why I love fish wallpaper.
Acquario wallpaper: Cole & Son
I love it when I see trends that are a little outside the box, and this is why I love fish wallpaper.
Acquario wallpaper: Cole & Son
A fish motif can be a colourful and playful addition to a practical – dare I say boring – space. For a family bathroom, it can make a fresh and fun design statement while still creating a distinct and lovely look.
Aquarium wallpaper: Nina Campbell
Aquarium wallpaper: Nina Campbell
Fish may be fun, but they can still work in a refined space. Fish prints range from pale to sophisticated to bold and bright, and even to dark and dramatic. Choosing the appropriate style, colour, size and vibe for your bathroom and your personality is key. It’s all about finding the right fish for you.
Trust what you’re drawn to in terms of patterns, because you’re the one who’s going to be living with it every day. When it comes to design, it’s always best to choose what makes you happy.
Wallpaper: de Gournay
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Trust what you’re drawn to in terms of patterns, because you’re the one who’s going to be living with it every day. When it comes to design, it’s always best to choose what makes you happy.
Wallpaper: de Gournay
Your turn
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more whimsical wallpaper
Bird and Thistle wallpaper: Brunschwig & Fils