Bathroom wall coverings

The traditional choice between paint and tiles has some serious competition (although there are some seriously creative tiled bathrooms out there). The options now include alternative wall surfaces that are low maintenance and highly decorative.

Available in brilliant colour schemes and patterns are new-generation laminates that have been specifically designed for walls. For example, according to Kym Little from Laminex, the iconic company's new Visage range is popular in the bathroom, where it's used for the whole room or just a shower recess.

"A number of the designs such as Limestone and Roman Marble would be ideal to cover an entire room, whereas other, more striking decors such as Fusion Carbon Lace or Ornamental White might only be used as a feature wall," says Kym. "There are also a number of embossed tile options in the range that give the illusion of a tile, without the work."

Is it difficult to add these wall coverings to my bathroom?

Installation of such bathroom materials is relatively uncomplicated, and although it's usually done by a tradesperson, competent DIYers should have no trouble. Best of all, unlike bathroom tiles, it's very easy to replace the laminate if you decide you want to change the look in a few years time.

Another distinctive option for your bathroom walls is glass panelling, which has traditionally been popular for kitchen splashbacks. The colour choice is almost unlimited and can be matched to virtually any shade of paint. "You can put metallic finishes or sparkles in it and in bathrooms you can actually get pictures done as well, now, like a screenprint on the back of the glass," says Paul Drabick of The Glass Guy.

What about glass wall panels?

Although Paul has recently fitted out an entire bathroom with glass panelling, he admits that this can be a little pricey, so people tend to opt for feature panels or shower enclosures instead. "A lot of people use tiles around the rest of the bathroom, and then do the shower enclosure in glass to match the tiles," Paul says.

As glass panels are custom made, there are no limitations in size, so some stunning looks can be achieved. But it's also a very precise process and the glass cannot be altered once it's measured, cut and toughened, so it has to be exactly right and should be installed by a professional.

How much are these bathroom surfaces?

As for price, both surfaces are quoted per square metre and vary depending on the selected designs. As a general rule, laminate can cost $70 to $165 per square metre, though it's cheaper and faster to install than tiles, while glass panelling is at the higher end of the scale at around $400-$500 per square metre, including installation.

Contact an interior designer in your area to find out how you can increase the appeal of your bathroom with wall coverings: