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Accent wall ideas for bathroom


40 Eye-Catching Bathroom Accent Wall Ideas

Bathrooms have become the stage for some of today’s most incredible interior designs, and accent walls are often the stars of the show. Learn where to put accent walls in your bathroom and what to put on them as we walk you through 40 of our favorite accent wall ideas.

Can You Put an Accent Wall in a Bathroom?

Yes!

Visual design choice is personal. Even if you read 100 blogs telling you you shouldn’t do something, even if I tell you you shouldn’t, the aesthetic decisions you make in your home are yours to make (keyword: aesthetic, listen to your contractor when it comes to anything structural or functional). Doing things differently is how design progresses and new trends are born.

Tile Shown: Iron Ore 3x9 // Design: Tera Janelle Design // Image: Tera Janelle Design

When it comes to bathroom accent walls though, no one would dissuade you. Accent walls add intrigue and focal points to these small spaces. And with fewer square feet to work with compared to the living room, for example, a single accent wall distills a big statement into a tightly contained canvas.

Which Wall Should Be the Accent Wall in a Bathroom?

Again, these choices are wide open and whichever wall is speaking to you, go for it. But there are a couple of common walls you’re likely to consider first.

Behind the Vanity

The vanity is in many ways the de facto focal point of a bathroom. We’re constantly facing our vanities, and backing one with an accent wall makes perfect sense.

Tile Shown: Caribbean 3x12 & White Wash 6x6 // Design: Leslie Murchie // Image: Leslie Murchie

In the Shower

Showers are like a room within your bathroom and the place where many designers pull out all the stops. An accent wall allows you to add a visual element you wouldn’t commit the whole shower or room to or adds icing to the cake of a showstopping shower.

TIle Shown: Magnetite 3x9, Daisy 2" Hexagon, Daisy 8" Hexagon & Daisy 2x4 // Design: Destination Eichler // Image: Destination Eichler

What Should I Put on my Bathroom Walls?

At Fireclay, we’re partial to handmade tile, but once again, the choice is yours. Just be considerate of where you’re placing the accent wall and the likelihood of it getting wet. Wallpaper in the shower for instance is an obvious nonstarter.

Ceramic Tile

Monochromatic Materials

An accent wall doesn’t have to be radically different from the rest of the room. Switching up the material is enough to make a pronounced accent.

Tile Shown: Caspian Sea Ogee Drop // Design: Buck Moorhead Architect // Image: Marcus Brooks

Tile Shown: Nautical 2x8 & Alpaca Kite // Design: Tiffany Thompson, Duett Interiors // Image: Marni Mervis

Tile Shown: Frost Chaine Homme // Design: Edwards + Mulhausen Interior Designer // Image: James Johnson

Tile Shown: Quartzite Picket & Carbon Picket // Design: Chipman Design Architecture // Image: Ballogg Photography

A Pop of Color

A brightly colored accent wall in a room with a neutral color palette is instantly eye-catching and influences the vibe of the bathroom without committing the color to the entire space.

Tile Shown: Glacier Bay 4" Triangle // Design: Annie Hall Interiors // Image: Michael J. Lee Photography

Tile Shown: Flagstone 3x6 // Design: Curio Design Studio // Image: Samantha Elizabeth Collin

Tile Shown: Navy Blue 3x9 // Design: Lyons Studio // Image: Kyle Caldwell

Tile Shown: Evergreen 6x6 & Tusk 6x6// Design: Alicia Davenport // Image: Besea Photography

Tile Shown: Nautical 2x8 // Design: Chora Studios // Image: Beth Perry

Specialty Shapes

Often times accents are less about the color and more about the pattern or texture. Specialty shapes up the ante of bathroom design whether you choose a multicolored pattern or a single color accentuated with contrasting grout lines.

Tile Shown: Rosemary Ogee Drop & White Wash 3x12 // Design: EFE Creative Lab // Image: EFE Creative Lab

Tile Shown: Salton Sea Picket // Design: Destination Eichler // Image: Destination Eichler

Tile Shown: Amalfi Coast Ogee Drop // Design: Pamela Pennington Studios // Image: Michelle Drewes Photography

Tile Shown: Basalt Chaine Homme // Design: Hatch Works // Image: Robert Gomez

Tile Shown: Sunflower, Calcite, Dusty Blue, Driftwood 6" Triangle & Sunflower 6x6 // Design: Silent J Design // Image: TC Peterson Photography

Ombre Ensembles

Whether soft and tonal or bold and splashy, ombre is a style that's sure to capture the attention of anyone who steps into a bathroom featuring it. Ombre creates intrigue to keep the eye moving across the accent wall and can help you combine separate colors of your bathroom into one cohesive design.

Tile Shown: Painted Sky, Frost & Evening Glow Chaine Homme // Design: Simply Situated Interiors // Image: Simply Situated Interiors

Tile Shown: Tomato Red, Haystack, Bryce Canyon & Gypsum 3" Hexagon // Design: Jackson Design & Remodeling // Image: Jackson Design & Remodeling

Tile Shown: Feldspar, Dolomite & Calcite Picket // Design: Nest Design Co. // Image: Thomas Kuoh Photography

Learn more about Ombre Tile Design

Handpainted Tile

Every handpainted tile is a unique work of art, making this decorative choice perfect for accent walls. Not only are these among the most eye-catching tile options, but they are also often the most costly, and reserving them for a single accent wall gives your bathroom the dramatic effect of featuring handpainted tile while cutting down on the total cost compared to a full room of this precious one-of-a-kind tile.

Tile Shown: Custom Old Cairo // Design: Debra Szidon // Image: Debra Szidon

Tile Shown: Neutral Motif Ripple // Design: Stonewood Kitchen and Bath // Image: Megan Gery

Tile Shown: Neutral Motif Kasbah Trellis // Design: Annabode + Co // Image: Brandon Lopez

Tile Shown: Neutral Motif Harvest // Design: KS Designs LLC // Image: KS Designs LLC

Tile Shown: White Motif Interlaced Leaves & White Wash 3x6 // Design: Asquared Studio // Image: Tony Garcia, AIA

Tile Shown: Fresco Motif Roundabout 2 + 4, 4x4 Jade, and 4x4 Oyster Shell

Brick Tile

An exposed brick wall is one of the most classic accent walls, and thanks to brick tile, you don't have to luck into living in a historic building to achieve this look. Even better, Glazed Thin Brick is substantially lighter than traditional glazed brick, resulting in potentially an 85% cost and emissions reduction. There are a few ways you can go with brick.

Dark Colors

A black accent wall in a powder room adds a dimension of depth to the small bathroom.

Tile Shown: Black Hills Standard Brick Tile // Design: Caren Rideau // Image: Meghan Beierle

Light Colors

Light colors accentuate the traditional features of brick and match paints and finishes you're more likely to use throughout the rest of the bathroom.

Tile Shown: Big Horn Standard Brick Tile // Design: Chelsea Sachs Design // Image: Meghan Bob Photography

Tile Shown: San Gabriel Standard Brick Tile // Design: Sara Combs + Rich Combs // Image: Margaret Austin Photography

Tile Shown: White Mountains Standard Brick Tile // Design: Ramsey McDaniel // Image: Ramsey McDaniel

Colored Brick

It's easy to get creative with brick by combining the variety of colors of ceramic tile with the texture and character of brick.

Tile Shown: Appalachian Standard Brick Tile // Design: Vivian Johnson // Image: Anja Michals Design

Mosaic Tile

Whether choosing a uniform color or creating a pixilated masterpiece, mosaic tile takes small tiles and creates a big accent in any bathroom. They also come sheeted for easier installation.

Tile Shown: Dust Storm 3x3 // Design: Claire Thomas // Image: Claire Thomas

Tile Shown: Gypsum 1x6 // Design: Amanda Jane Jones // Image: Amanda Jane Jones

Glass Tile

Glass tile makes for a refined and modern look wherever it's installed and using it for an accent wall in a bathroom makes more than just aesthetic sense. Glass tile is impervious to water, making it the most waterproof tile, perfect for wet environments like the bathroom.

Tile Shown: Rosy Finch Gloss 3x9 // Design: Handsome Salt // Image: Jenny Siegwart

Wallpaper

A simple way to create an accent wall in your bathroom is to use wallpaper. This is a great option if the rest of your bathroom features tile walls. Floral wallpaper or other patterns complements the color of your tile with artistic detail.

Tile Shown: Rainy Day 2x8 // Design: Banner Day Interiors // Image: Collin Price Photography

Tile Shown: Frond 2x8 // Design: PS212 HOME // Image: Dan Chavkin Photo

Tile Shown: Adobe 2x8 & Front Range Standard Brick Tile // Design: Kim Cornelison // Image: Kim Cornelison Photography

Conversely, if your primary wall finish is wallpaper, a tile accent wall breaks up the design with a durable backsplash behind your vanity.

Tile Shown: Salton Sea 2x4 // Design: Benita Cooper Design // Image: Benita Cooper Design

Tile Shown: French Linen 2x6 // Design: Sanabria & Co, Old City Design Studio // Image: Stacy Zarin Goldbery

Windows

Sometimes the most impressive accent is the natural environment around us. If you find yourself in a breathtaking setting, set the tone of the bathroom with an accent wall of big windows to savor the views. A wall of windows is the perfect spot for a soaking tub to relax and take in the scenery from.

Tile Shown: Gypsum & French Linen Picket // Design: EJ Interior Design // Image: Brad Knipstein

Ready to add an unforgettable accent to your bathroom design? We're here to help! Fill out our quick Design Assistance Form and you'll be connected with one of our friendly Design Assistants who will guide you every step of the way with free personalized assistance.

25 Visually Stunning Bathroom Accent Wall Ideas

25 Visually Stunning Bathroom Accent Wall Ideas

Accent walls can breathe new life into a boring or outdated bathroom. Be it a fresh coat of paint, or sticking some peel-off wallpaper, a few simple changes and thoughtful curation can transform your space.

A bathroom accent wall offers the perfect canvas for you to experiment with different ideas. Create a focal point with mirrors or install some open shelves to turn your bathroom into a relaxing retreat.

Take a look at these gorgeous bathroom accent wall ideas for some style inspiration.

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Flower Power

You can always depend on floral wallpaper to add instant visual interest. This floral wallpaper accent wall looks dramatic and feisty, with the blue flowers popping out against the beige background. The accent wall ties in well with the vanity while the stunning circular brass mirror adds to the swoon factor.

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Team Shiplap and Floral Wallpaper

If you’re aiming for an elegant aesthetic in your powder room, pair a beautiful floral wallpaper with shiplap. Divide your accent wall into sections. Cover the top half in the floral wallpaper, and use shiplap in a similar shade on the bottom. Subtle yet elegant, your accent wall will wow guests each time they visit.

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Stenciled Tiles

If you’re looking for something bold and dramatic, use stenciled tiles to add patterns and textures for a fabulous accent wall. Simple and easy to use in peel-and-stick form, stenciled patterns will take your wall from drab to daring. Pair your tiled wall with some greenery to add a touch of nature to your space.

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Board and Batten

Whether have a farmhouse or modern bathroom, a board and batten accent wall will add subtle texture and elegance to the space. In this gorgeous space, the board and batten pattern—both in the vanity and the accent wall— make the room look bigger. The soft floral touches from the wallpaper draw the eye upwards, extending the chic appeal of this neutral room.

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Painted Decals Against a Dark Wall

Sticking painted decals on an accent wall is an easy way for you to try out different patterns before committing to one. Choose a pattern in a color that will pop out against your wall and space the decals out to keep the wall from looking too cluttered. You can build on your accent wall with open wooden shelving and other bath accessories. Paired with chic and cozy elements, your powder room will look dainty yet stylish. 

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Faux Wood Wall

A wood wallpaper accent wall adds a unique texture and understated look to your bathroom. Black accents and cozy farmhouse elements dotting the room take the rustic flair of this neutral bathroom to the next level.

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Classic With Stripes

Take a trip back in time with this vintage-inspired striped wallpaper for your accent wall. The black and white striped walls dotted with gold hardware add intrigue and class to this space.

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Natural Touch

Natural imagery is a classic for a reason! So if you love the idea of a wallpaper accent wall that will stand the test of time, choose from floral or leafy patterns for a charming aesthetic in your bathroom. Besides complementing most styles, wallpaper depicting flora also calms the mind. You could even add a tiny planter on the vanity for a real pop of nature!

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Up in the Clouds

Channel your love for blue skies in your accent wall by embracing a blue color scheme. In this bathroom, wallpaper depicting tree branches in shades of blue envelop the walls. A matching vanity echoes the color scheme and adds to the soothing, calming vibes. Matte gold hardware and a rounded gold mirror brighten up the room and complete the look with elegance.

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Garland on Round Mirror

Most bathrooms are dominated by hard, straight lines. A round mirror looks modern and chic and helps to soften the look of the room by breaking up those sharp angles. Top the mirror with a breezy garland to add more texture and color to your space.

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Round Mirror With Textured Open Shelf

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Black Floral Wallpaper

Black is a powerful color that commands your attention. In this breathtaking bathroom, a black and white floral wallpaper energizes the room and becomes an instant focal point. Paired with a stunning gold-rimmed round mirror and elegant matching gold hardware, this accent wall is sure to have everyone swooning.

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Herringbone Wall

Photo: theredfernhome

Looking both sophisticated yet homey, this bathroom features a blue-patterned herringbone wall paired with classic white wainscoting. The brass rimmed arch mirror breaks up the herringbone pattern and adds a classy touch. The blue and white color scheme dotted with brass accents makes the room look divine.

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Freehand Wall Art

This half bath is proof that you can DIY anything, even an accent wall. The freehand herringbone wall art takes this charming accent wall to the next level. Adding a chic mirror, gold hardware, and a few succulents makes this wall look perfectly adorable. The wall art also echoes the colors of the vanity, creating a cohesive look.

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A Combination of White and Gold

This bathroom puts a stylish twist on classic white and gold by adding textures, patterns, and finishes into the mix. While the floral wallpaper adds a feminine element, the rectangular mirrors and gold hardware help ground the look. The quartz countertop vanity ties the look together.

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Hang Some Art

Floral touches from the wallpaper and framed artwork bring delicate, feminine vibes to this bathroom. Beautifully detailed and curated, the accent wall looks picture perfect.

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Vertical Shiplap

If you want to make a small bathroom feel bigger, add some vertical shiplap to your accent wall. The shiplap gives the impression of a bigger space and adds a rustic touch. The clean, crisp look from vertical shiplap fits into most interior styles and looks timeless. Add some floral wallpaper into the mix to keep it from looking too plank-y.

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Clean, Coastal, and Classy

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Modern Tiled Wall

A tiled wall filled with geometric shapes and muted colors adds a ton of personality to any bathroom. In this beautiful space, fixtures in matte finishes and neutral colors create a modern look. While the tiled accent wall is definitely a showstopper, the round mirror will also make an unforgettable impression.

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Cozy and Vintage

This cozy and charming bathroom gives the perfect lesson on how to add a vintage aesthetic to your accent wall. Featuring an exposed-brick wallpaper with a wooden arched frame topped with a simple wreath and flanked by candlesticks, this accent wall makes a dramatic statement. The rough and rustic wall evokes nostalgia and looks dreamy.

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DIY Accent Wall

When in doubt, DIY! The paint job on this accent wall looks easy and fun, and effortlessly adds a lot of character to the space. The color scheme complements the design elements, creating a cohesive look. Textures from the fluffy wheatgrass on the rug and the vanity make this space look wow-worthy.

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Open Shelves Accent Wall

Besides their functionality, open shelves offer an excellent blank canvas for displaying your favorite décor. The open shelves in this bathroom showcase chic planters and signs that complement the tiled starburst walls. Fun and feisty, this accent wall commands attention with its charming style.

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Subtle and Stylish

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A Tale of Two Mirrors

Two mirrors are better than one, as proven by this stunning accent wall. Hung against Sharpie-stenciled herringbone walls, this pair of gold-rimmed mirrors cast a striking look. Besides making the space appear larger, the round mirrors also add a calming, soothing vibe to this space.

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Itch for the Beach

Featuring nautical bird wallpaper, a knotted rope, and pops of greenery, this coastal-inspired accent wall sails high with its beachy vibes. The pristine white vanity with silver hardware looks stunning while being lit by the natural light. With the stunning play of wood and whites, the coastal style in this bathroom is mesmerizing.