Decorating a bathroom can be a hassle sometimes, especially when there's not much space available. The bathroom is a hostile environment for wall art because moisture and humidity are among the biggest enemies of the materials typically used in paintings and frames. The lack of space only makes things worse. However, some hidden, risk-free spots can still be reserved for your artwork, making your small bathroom comfortable and your decor impactful.

We are here to provide 5 bathroom wall-hanging ideas that will display your artwork with minimal risk of damage while keeping it visible.

Print Placement Guide for Your Bathroom 

1. Above the Toilet

This is the first space in your bathroom where you might want to hang your wall art, as it is open and usually free from furniture. It's a functional space for art, but not so functional for cabinets or shelves; nobody wants to bang their head when getting up. 

Because the eye is already drawn there, it serves as a focal point rather than a space filler. It helps the toilet fit into the overall room design. The only trick you need here is measuring height. Don’t measure from the floor up. Act smart instead and start measuring from the top of the cistern. If you do so, you'll avoid the risk of a huge, blank gap between your wall art and the toilet, which is exactly what we intend to prevent. Also, your decor is safer from moisture in this space; no direct splashes are expected. 

Here you can choose among some big bathroom prints, colourful ones, or just an eye-catching abstract print. It's better to opt for a sealed canvas or moisture-resistant materials.

2. The Wall Opposite the Mirror

This is the option with the highest aesthetic impact. If you go to a thoughtfully designed bathroom, perhaps in a fancy restaurant, do you only see yourself in the mirror? It was maybe like this before social media spread and mirror selfies became popular. 

Hanging a decoration on the wall opposite the mirror creates an impressive visual effect, lets you enjoy the piece from two perspectives, and makes it a natural spot to look at while you brush your teeth or wash your face. The trick suits a small bathroom perfectly: it creates a sense of depth that makes the room feel larger.

A couple of tricks make this placement successful. First, avoid text; your brain would instantly start to read and imagine how painful it can be in the early morning, reading backwards. Secondly, place the piece so that it reflects well in the mirror; make sure it is not too centred, but naturally appears next to you in the reflection.

3. Above the Towel Rail

To create some geometric harmony in your bathroom, you can also choose a horizontal piece, parallel to the towel rail. It can catch the eye and create another focal point, giving your bathroom the feel of a curated room rather than a neglected service space, especially if it's small.

For a better visual effect, make sure the piece is not too large, ideally no more than two-thirds of the towel rail. Since this is a high-risk area, usually next to the basin, opt for glazed acrylic pieces or moisture-proof frames.

4. High Above the Bathtub

Hanging wall art high above the bathtub reduces the risk of direct splashes and adds visual impact in small bathrooms. When the ceiling is low, playing with height extends your visual field upward, making the room look bigger.

Moisture, though, matters in this placement. Make sure your wall art is not an original piece. You can safely choose a lean-on framed canvas, an inexpensive, well-framed reproduction, or an aluminium print. If you are unsure, a piece of furniture, such as a shelf, can help raise your sightline so you don't have to worry about potential damage.

5. Fill Corners and Nooks

When you think you've finished decorating a bathroom, make sure you take one more look around. Spot any empty spaces. If the space looks unfinished or empty, it probably deserves a little extra consideration and more ideas for wall placement. Perhaps that spot is exactly a corner away from steam and direct water drops.

The plumbing pipes and the toilet are focal points, but neither is particularly attractive. In that case, create a new one. If the place still looks cold and sterile, play with other materials like porcelain, which works well with the environment, or with warm-coloured sealed prints or canvases.

A Few Tricks for Your Wall Placement Ideas 

These few tricks don't apply only in the bathroom; they are general fundamentals to keep your art looking right and lasting longer:

• Hang at the eye-line: A centre height of around 145-152 cm suits most people's eye level.

• Hang away from water: The further from the water sources, including showers and pipes, the better for your artwork.

• Use renter-friendly solutions: If you're renting your house, there are plenty of options that avoid making holes or damaging walls. Adhesive strips are just one.

Your Small Bathroom Isn't a Limit

The size of your bathroom isn't a limitation; it's an opportunity. What at a given moment appears to be an empty spot in a sterile space can become a focal point or an opportunity to create depth. Our print placement guide offers versatile options that work in rooms of any size.

Some spaces are more effective than others for protecting your paintings from potential damage and creating impactful visual effects. Others, even though aesthetically pleasing, are more exposed to splashes and humidity. In that case, choose carefully what material you intend to hang on your bathroom walls or consider framing or sealing your piece.

You don't have to try all the placements at once. You can try with one and see how it goes. Then, if your first one worked well, play around with it. Consider height and proportions, depending on your furniture size. If you do so, you can turn the most functional room in your home into the most impressive. If you haven't chosen your wall art yet, check our selection!