jazz it up

From habitat magazine - issue 38, bathrooms

A bathroom can reflect your love of interiors just as much as a bedroom or lounge. Wallpaper, with its beauty and versatility, could become your new go-to.

Wallpaper packs a punch in every room, whether you use it to liven up living rooms or set the scene in a dining space. Bathrooms and powder rooms are no exception. Wallpaper might not be the first thing that springs to mind when decorating wet areas – think humidity, splashes and mould – but plenty of options in the Resene Wallpaper Collection work well in damp conditions.

Squeaky clean

Wet rooms need all the help they can get to withstand moisture, so strong vinyl wallpapers, which can be cleaned if soap, shampoo or any moisture sticks to their surface, are your best friends. Keep an eye out for your wallpaper’s washability rating – look for the squiggly wave symbols on the design’s label – when considering options for damp areas. Depending on the material, your design may be spongeable, washable, extra-washable or scrubbable. Opt for extra-washable and scrubbable varieties, and you can’t go wrong.

Add personality

Bathrooms and powder rooms, usually much smaller than living areas and bedrooms, are among the less-daunting rooms to decorate, which makes them ideal for experimenting. If you have a bathroom without natural light, invite light in with a pop of brightly patterned wallpaper. Large-scale prints will open and expand your space. Go bold and try florals – create a lush garden with botanical wallpaper. Perhaps create a holiday vibe with designs such as Resene Wallpaper Collection 220100? Palms and parrots will surely bring a slice of paradise to your bathroom.

Talking point

Wallpaper is a fantastic conversation starter. Vibrant wallpaper patterns add an element of surprise to a home and will pop against a neutral hallway. Complement any cabinetry by drawing on a hue inspired by the wallpaper. For example, try pairing a deep wall colour such as Resene Coast with a blue-toned wallpaper – designing with a monochrome palette adds understated glamour.

top tip  After installation, plenty of ventilation and wiping off excess moisture are your best bets for keeping your wallpaper looking fresh. Pair wallpaper with trims painted in Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom and the ceiling painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom for extra protection.

Words: Nicole Barratt

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