Posted by Wall Panels World on 9th Jan 2025
Bathroom Wall Panel Ideas 2025 | Shower Panelling Inspiration | Wet Room
Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house, most of us only have one or two bathrooms in our property!
So making sure that the bathrooms look and feel good, as well as sanitary and moisture-resistant are paramount!
British bathrooms also tend to be small, on average the size of a king sized bed! But by using bathroom wall panelling, you can make the most of such a small space. Read on to learn more.
Whether you want to create a spa-like bathroom with warm lighting and slat wall panels, a modern-futuristic retreat with 3D panelling or a traditional abode with handcrafted panel mouldings.
Be inspired by this collection of bathroom wall panelling ideas to elevate the ambience and gravitas of your bathroom.
1. Modern Contemporary
A striking composition that exudes both warmth and timeless elegance. Seamlessly merging 70s-inspired wooden slat wall panels with marble panelling. This design offers a spa-like bath experience and the shower draws inspiration from the ambience of a Turkish bathhouse. This aesthetic is best for spaces with lots of natural light or with full spectrum lighting coverage.
2. Herringbone Neutrality
With contrasting shades, these Herringbone panels are perfect for a modern and minimalist aesthetic. Best suited for a neutral palette with lots of lighter hues. Herringbone wall panel sections add weight to a wall when spaced apart. The unique diagonal shaping provides structure to a room and ties in the inconspicuous features together, bringing them out of the shadows.
3. Cosy Half Wall Panelling
A cosy option for smaller spaces. Half wall panelling is a traditional style that complements traditional elements. Utilising panel mouldings topped by dado rails, and with a satin paint finish. (Opt for a gloss finish for extra moisture resistant properties.).This theme features earth and tan colours with natural fabrics and wooden panelling. A warm light complements the natural colours and creates a welcoming atmosphere. A room like this needs a plant, the bigger the better.
4. Hexagonal Rustic Urban
Urban aesthetic meets farmhouse with this bathroom. Rustic wood panels are the main feature, hosting a mirror with LED lighting and integrated washbasin storage. A hexagonal panelled shower wall contrasts from the rustic wood panels and creates an interesting fusion of old and new. Every aspect of this design holds its own prestige and carries its own personality.
5. Marble Everywhere
It's marble, and it's everywhere. Bright lights and sharp colours are the life of this room. With total light coverage, every shadow is eliminated and every surface is illuminated. Chrome elements on the shower screen and faucets bounce the light around the room to achieve a sparkling intensity. This room has excellent moisture resistant properties and competes with the city of Carrara in Italy in marble. But you won't have to pay a fortune by choosing acrylic marble wall panels.
6. Jacobean Half Wall
Jacobean wall panelling is overlayed and integrated into these coconut husk walls, little contrast is given between the wall surface and wall panelling. This aesthetic opts for a seamless transition, offering contrast with skirting and architraves instead. Traditional elements are prominent with the mini chandelier and chrome faucets. This design offers a lot of free space and freedom to experiment.
7. Brutalist Bathroom
This bathroom has nothing and everything. With extra large, unpainted, undecorated concrete panels on the walls and flooring, take inspiration if you want a retreat where you can clear your thoughts. Little colour is offered, leaving plenty of space for imagination. If you desire more colour or decoration, this design can act as a blank canvas for your creativity.
8. 3D Wall Panelling
Immersive futurism is the theme here, with 3D pop out wall panelling. These panels steal all the attention, giving your walls more attention than they deserve. Abstract decorations and art are welcome in this aesthetic to offer depth and character to the room. Bear in mind, 3D wall panelling requires more maintenance and a lot more dusting, due to the increased surface area and edges.
9. Sleek Trapezoid Wall Panels
Sleek and contemporary defines these bathroom wall panels. The elements of this bathroom offer symmetry, with floating mirrors and a dual wash basin. The interlocked trapezoid shaped panels create chemistry and interest in what would otherwise be a quite boring and bland minimalist aesthetic. Matte finishes are the key here, by avoiding gloss and its sheen, the room has a distraction free, sanitised and sleek vibe.
10. Natural Stone Wall Panels
Natural stone and stained wood feature heavily in this bathroom. Inspired by nature, this bathroom achieves a careful balance with wooden panels for the shower wall and natural stone panels for the main area. The wood is best stained to bring out the darker grains to match the streaks in the stone panelling. The laminate flooring offers moisture resistant properties, making it suitable for a bathroom and creating a unique aesthetic, as bathroom floors most commonly use tiles.
Get Panelling!
Wall panelling can add sophistication to any bathroom. There are many different styles of wall panels to choose from, so you can find one that suits your taste. Wall panelling can help to create a focal point in your bathroom, or it can be used to add texture and interest to a plain wall. Wall panelling is a relatively easy way to update your bathroom, and it can add value to your home.
Here are some of the key benefits of wall panelling:
- It can help to create a focal point in your bathroom.
- It can be used to add texture and interest to a plain wall.
- It is a relatively easy way to update your bathroom.
- It can add value to your home.
Bathroom Wall Panelling Gallery
Vertical Rhythm
Contemporary bathroom wall panels with vertical slatting create architectural depth while maintaining visual elegance. Perfect for modern bathroom spaces seeking vertical emphasis.
Integrated Storage
Clever fusion of bathroom wall panelling with functional storage demonstrates how modern bathroom design can blend aesthetics with practicality in compact spaces.
Anti-Inspiration
Shows a mismatch in bathroom wall panel materials and combinations. Ensure cohesive integration between different bathroom panelling textures and wall finishes.
Design Note
Luxe Contrast
Bold marble bathroom wall panelling complements black and gold accents to create a sophisticated luxury bathroom interior with timeless appeal.
Terracotta Warmth
Traditional half-height bathroom wall panelling in warm terracotta tones brings Mediterranean charm to contemporary bathroom spaces.
Pure Minimalism
Essential bathroom wall panel design elements create a calm, uncluttered aesthetic perfect for contemporary bathroom spaces.
Architectural Integration
Stone bathroom wall panels contrast with white painted ceiling, creating a harmonious architectural dialogue in this modern bathroom design.
Contemporary Wood
Modern interpretation of wooden bathroom wall panelling brings natural warmth to contemporary bathroom interiors and spaces.
Timeless White
Classic half-height board and batten bathroom wall panelling in crisp white creates enduring elegance in traditional bathroom design.
Marble Rhythm
Luxury marble bathroom wall panels meet modern slatted design for sophisticated impact in contemporary bathroom spaces.
Floating Elements
Modern bathroom wall panels complement floating vanity design for a weightless aesthetic in minimalist bathroom spaces.
Natural Stone
Organic textures in natural stone bathroom wall panels bring timeless elegance to luxury bathroom spaces.
Essential Forms
Minimalist bathroom wall panelling focuses on essential forms and clean lines for contemporary bathroom design.
Dynamic Pattern
Herringbone pattern PVC bathroom wall panels create sophisticated movement in modern bathroom interiors.
Brutalist Beauty
Raw concrete bathroom wall panels bring bold architectural character to contemporary bathroom spaces.
Geometric Fusion
Hexagonal bathroom wall panels combine wood and marble for striking visual impact in modern bathroom design.
Marble Purity
All-white marble bathroom wall panelling creates an atmosphere of timeless luxury in modern bathroom spaces.
Heritage Detail
Traditional Jacobean bathroom wall panelling brings historical elegance to period-inspired bathroom design.
Textural Depth
Subtle textured bathroom wall panels in neutral tones create sophisticated visual interest in modern bathroom spaces.
Geometric Innovation
Trapezoid bathroom wall panels create dynamic geometric patterns and visual movement in contemporary bathroom design.
Anti-Inspiration
Consider visual harmony when combining different bathroom wall panel patterns and materials. This bathroom design lacks a consistent theme in its wall panelling.
Design Note
Contemporary Marble
Modern interpretation of marble bathroom wall panels brings fresh perspective to classic bathroom design.
Vertical Flow
Slatted wooden bathroom wall panels create natural rhythm and vertical movement in modern bathroom spaces.
Industrial Heritage
Exposed brick bathroom wall panelling pairs with traditional elements for an industrial-traditional fusion in unique bathroom design.
Material Selection
Natural Materials
Wood panelling introduces tactile warmth through oak, cedar, or teak options. Each timber variety offers distinct grain patterns and ageing characteristics. Oak provides pronounced grain suitable for traditional spaces, while cedar offers subtle patterns ideal for contemporary bathrooms. Treatment with modern sealants ensures longevity in moisture-rich environments.
Engineered Solutions
Water-resistant panels specifically engineered for wet areas eliminate grout lines while providing seamless protection. Modern manufacturing enables authentic replication of natural materials, from marble effects to concrete textures. These surfaces maintain their appearance without the maintenance requirements of their natural counterparts.
Decorative Elements
Three-dimensional panels and slatted designs create depth through shadow play. These options prove particularly effective in spaces requiring visual interest. Pattern repetition establishes rhythm while maintaining practical water resistance.
Application Techniques
Height Considerations
Half-height installations suit period properties, particularly when finished with architectural mouldings. This approach protects walls while maintaining period authenticity. Full-height applications create uninterrupted surfaces, ideal for contemporary spaces or wet areas requiring complete protection.
Surface Integration
Modern panels enable direct application over existing tiles, eliminating lengthy removal processes. This approach provides efficient renovation solutions while ensuring proper moisture protection. Preparation requirements vary by substrate condition and panel type.
Spatial Enhancement
Visual Effects
Panel orientation influences spatial perception. Vertical arrangements extend perceived ceiling height, particularly valuable in standard-height bathrooms. Horizontal installations can visually widen spaces, though this effect requires sufficient room width to prevent overwhelming the space.
Light Interaction
Surface finish affects light reflection and space perception. Matt finishes prove forgiving in varying light conditions, while subtle sheen helps bounce light in darker spaces. For detailed guidance on maximising space through panel selection, explore our spatial enhancement guide.