Faux Finishes that Work for Bathroom Walls

Although most people think of simply painting or wallpapering the bathroom walls, there are also a wide variety of faux finishes that work well. Not only do faux finishes provide an opportunity to add your own personal touch to a room, but when artfully applied, they can add a lot to the overall style and appearance of the room. They can also be a lot of fun to apply, especially if you enjoy being creative.

Adding Texture with Faux Finishes

Although many faux finishes are smooth to the touch when finished, there are also some interesting faux finishes that you can apply that will add actual texture to the bathroom. These include techniques that simulate popular European wall treatments such as textured plaster walls. When combined with faux painting techniques, textured plaster can be artfully applied to the bathroom walls to add a Mediterranean look. If you don't wish to add actual texture to the walls, you can add just visual texture simply by using different painting techniques. Sponge painting methods that utilize several different shades of paint can often be used to add the illusion of texture on perfectly smooth walls. Of course, if your bathroom has some minor wall imperfections, this faux painting technique is also a great way to hide them. It also is a great way to provide a dimensional backdrop for any wall decor you choose, such as a tree branch wall artor musical wall decor.

Faux Stone Finishes

If you want to add a very elegant look to your bathroom, consider using a faux marble painting technique on one or more of the walls, This can be accomplished by combining ragging and sponging techniques with fine brushing techniques to add the characteristic veins in the faux marble finish. If you've never done this kind of painting technique before, it is a good idea to find some step-by-step instructions with photos, and practice first on a scrap piece of wallboard before attempting it on your actual bathroom wall. You might also choose to simulate other surface finishes, such as stone or brick. Since you are doing the painting yourself, you are limited only by your own creative ideas.

Glazing Techniques for Bathroom Walls

Combining a painted surface with a top glaze surface is also an attractive faux finish for bathroom walls. This technique is generally accomplished by first painting the walls in a solid color. Then, after the painted walls are completely dry, a coordinating glaze color is brushed, sponged or wiped onto the walls. Because glaze stays wet and workable for longer than paint, you will have a longer period of time to create just the perfect surface finish than if you were using paint. Of course, all faux techniques are easier to accomplish in a bathroom, due to the smaller size of the walls.

Artistic Wall Painting to Simulate Other Surfaces

If you have some artistic talent, you might also want to try your hand at creating other types of faux finishes in the bathroom. For example, you paint a wall with a solid shade, add grid lines with paint, and then shade the square areas to simulate a tiled surface. You could also simulate a wooden texture on a bathroom wall for an interesting designer touch.