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41 Bathroom Accent Walls to Energize Your Space

Transform your bathroom with paint, wallpaper, statement tile, and more

bathroom accent wall

Louis Duncan-He Designs / KM Photography Interiors

A bathroom accent wall is a simple way to energize what can be a bare-bones functional room. You can add color, contrast, or a focal point in your bathroom with a feature wall that uses materials such as paint, permanent or removable wallpaper, patterned or colorful statement tile, wood, stone, or other materials to make an impact. These wide-ranging bathroom accent wall ideas of varying styles, sizes, and budget levels will help inspire you to make your bathroom more exciting.

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    Graphic Tile Accent Wall

    graphic tile bathroom accent wall

    JK Interior Living

    Patterned tile has had a major revival in recent years. Using patterned tiles instantly personalizes a space, and is a perfect material choice for a stylish backsplash or a floor-to-ceiling accent wall. JK Interior Living used graphic patterned black-and-white statement tile to create a hybrid backsplash and accent wall that adds a bit of oomph to an understated, neutral-toned bathroom.

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    Tonal Pink Accent Wall

    two-tone pink bathroom accent wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Christy Q. Photo

    The simplest and fastest way to create an accent wall in the bathroom—or any room—is to paint the wall in a bright, dark, bold, or contrasting color. Cathie Hong Interiors upped the ante by using two shades of pink to create a tonal accent wall in this California bathroom that adds color and feel-good vibes to a minimal space. The look is easily achievable with two cans of paint and some painter's tape to get a clean line.

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    Stone Accent Wall

    bold bathroom accent wall

    Design by CW Design / Photo by Lara Kimmerer

    Many modern bathrooms feature large showers that dominate the space and serve as a natural backdrop for an eye-catching accent wall. A dramatic slab of black-and-white stone with heavy veining creates a focal point in the walk-in shower on the far wall of this neutral-toned bathroom from CW Design. The lack of grout lines makes it easier to clean, and the wall looks like an abstract piece of art while doing its job of keeping the shower watertight.

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    Ceiling Wallpaper Accent

    bathroom ceiling wallpaper

    Noelle Ryan Interiors

    Bathroom wallpaper is an easy and surprising way to add style to a simple bathroom with color, pattern, or texture that creates a unique look. Noelle Ryan Interiors chose to focus on the fifth wall—the ceiling—in this compact bathroom by covering it with colorful patterned wallpaper. The color and pattern make the room feel loftier and provide something to gaze at when you're soaking in the tub.

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    Natural Wood Accent Wall

    natural wood bathroom accent wall

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Accent walls don't have to be flashy or loud to make an impact. Kate Marker Interiors kept it subtle and modern farmhouse-friendly with a natural wood shiplap wall behind the sink. The pale wood with its visible grain and knotty appearance adds warmth and texture and serves as a backdrop for brass wall sconces and a modern black-framed mirror.

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    Lime and Clay Wash Brick

    brick bathroom accent wall

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls

    This powder room from Leanne Ford Interiors features a lime and clay-washed gray brick accent wall that adds texture and interest to the small space. The gray brick wall has a lived-in finish that is complemented by a vintage sink and exposed copper piping that gives the space some industrial flair and a sense that it has always been there.

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    Faux Green Wall

    faux living accent wall bathroom

    Brexton Cole Interiors

    In a windowless bathroom, bring the spirit of the outdoors in with an accent wall covered in faux plants or grass, like this D.C. bathroom from Brexton Cole Interiors. The faux living wall adds contrast to the black-and-white bathroom and adds zest to the modern space.

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    Wallpaper Accent Wall

    bathroom wallpaper accent wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

    If your powder room is located at the end of a hallway or otherwise on display from another room, use wallpaper or paint to create an accent wall that will add color and take focus away from the less-than-enchanting view of the toilet. Bold wallpaper in shades of blue, green, and orange creates a bathroom accent wall that is visible from the hallway in this cheerful powder room renovation from Cathie Hong Interiors.

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    Patterned Tile Niche

    bathroom accent wall niche

    Tyler Karu Design and Interiors / Photo by Erin Little

    An accent wall doesn't have to be one-note. Mixing materials, colors, and finishes can add depth to a bathroom accent wall, even in a small space. A marble-framed, patterned tile niche adds functionality to this historic Maine home bathroom from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors while creating a pretty focal point against the royal blue wall.

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    Coastal Wallpaper

    bathroom accent wall mural

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / KM Photography Interiors

    Another way to mix materials on a bathroom accent wall is to combine wainscoting with wallpaper. Louis Duncan-He Designs hung wallpaper in soft shades of blue on the top half of this bathroom wall to create a coastal-inspired accent with an abstract watercolor design.

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    Textured Wood Tiles

    bathroom accent wall

    Design by Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions / Mackenzie Merrill Photography

    Interior designer Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions added warmth and texture to this spacious shower with a wood tile accent wall. The wall adds some variation and dimension in the large space and is outfitted with towel hooks for convenience. The lower half of the wall is tiled in the same large format marble effect tile as the rest of the shower, but a small wood bench echoes the wood tones for a cohesive look.

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    Matte Black Gallery Wall

    black bathroom accent wall

    Brexton Cole Interiors

    Brexton Cole Interiors added depth to a white bathroom with a matte black painted accent wall. A selection of framed art and photos turns it into an eclectic bathroom gallery wall. This is a fun way to hang all of your random pieces of framed wall art in one place; just be sure that the wall is protected from splash zones.

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    Pink Tile Accent Wall

    bathroom tile accent wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

    An accent wall doesn't have to be bright or loud to have an effect. In this minimalist bathroom from Cathie Hong Interiors, a pale pink backsplash functions as an accent wall that adds a splash of color. Towels in a darker shade of pink and pink shampoo decanters in the shower opposite tie the room together while keeping it subtle.

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    Hand-Drawn Accent Wall

    hand drawn bathroom accent wall

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly

    Who says only children have the right to draw on the walls. In this black-and-white bathroom from Leanne Ford Interiors, hand-drawn details complement the textured wall to give the space a personal feel. It's your bathroom—don't be shy about letting your creativity flow.

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    Shades of Gray Accent Wall

    gray tile accent wall

    Design by Jean Liu Design / Photo by Stephen Karlisch

    This bathroom from Jean Liu Design features a striking, extra-tall gray tile backsplash accent wall that adds interest and texture to the wall behind the bathtub, all while maintaining the soothing gray-and-white palette of the space.

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    Botanical Wallpaper Accent

    botanical wallpaper bathroom

    Louis Duncan-He Designs

    Louis Duncan-He Designs used leafy botanical wallpaper to create a side accent wall in this bathroom that adds fresh color and pattern to the room.

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    Subtle Ombre Wall

    bathroom ombre accent wall

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Alexandra Ribar

    Leanne Ford Interiors added a wash of pink ombre to the wall above this bathroom sink that adds a note of color and interest without stealing focus from the dynamic black floor paint design.

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    Geometric Wood Tile

    wood tile bathroom accent wall

    Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

    Interior designer Rhianna Jones of Tidal Interiors added warmth to a modern black-and-white bathroom with wood-effect tiling in an overlapping diamond pattern to create a subtly geometric organic shower accent wall and a focal point.

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    Flowered Wallpaper

    flowered bathroom wallpaper

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls

    A slim wrap-around band of flowered wallpaper on the top of this cottage bathroom from Leanne Ford Interiors adds vintage charm and defines the area surrounding the showstopping copper garden tub.

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    Bold Black-and-White

    black and white bathroom accent wall

    Alvin Wayne

    Interior designer Alvin Wayne added high drama to a small NYC apartment bathroom using bold, abstract black-and-white wallpaper.

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    Collage Accent Wall

    collage accent wall

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls

    Leanne Ford Interiors created a retro-inspired collage accent wall in this basement bar bathroom that is lively, personal, and one-of-a-kind,

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    Concrete Accent Wall

    concrete bathroom accent wall

    White Sands

    White Sands added a textural concrete accent wall to this bathroom that brings out the brass and copper elements and adds contrast with white walls and subway tiles.

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    Stacked Tile + Shower Niche

    stacked vertical tile bathroom accent wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

    Cathie Hong Interiors added an extra-wide shower niche to the far wall of this spacious shower, turning it into a subtle accent wall that adds dimension to the quiet space.

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    Sunny Yellow Paint

    yellow accent wall

    Dazey Den

    Sunny yellow paint on the wall behind the sink adds brightness and cheer to this midcentury modern Palm Springs bathroom from Dazey Den while serving as a backdrop for colorful art and accessories.

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    Herringbone Wall Tile

    herringbone tile bathroom accent wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

    Cathie Hong Interiors used dark gray herringbone patterned tile as both a backsplash for the bathtub and an accent wall that grounds the long, narrow space. The tile spills down onto the flooring for a seamless look.

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    Tray Ceiling

    bathroom tray ceiling

    Marie Flanigan Interiors

    Marie Flanigan Interiors added an elegant tray ceiling that doubles as an accent wall in this luxurious bathroom. Carved detailing on the walls adds texture to the neutral space.

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    Wall Mural

    bathroom accent wallpaper

    Caroline Brackett Studio of Design / Ariana Clare Photography

    In this spacious bathroom from Caroline Brackett Studio of Design, a wallpaper mural in shades of blue, green, and cream highlights the shape of the room and makes the bathtub a destination and a focal point.

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    Wood Effect Porcelain Tile

    wood effect porcelain tile bathroom accent wall

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Heather Dunbar Photography

    Louis Duncan-He Designs added warmth to this modern bathroom renovation with a porcelain wood-effect tile accent wall that passes for the real thing and is easy to maintain in a humid environment.

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    Double Accent Walls

    curry yellow bathroom accent wall

    Dazey Den

    Double accent walls—a yellow painted wall behind the sink and patterned golden mustard and white wallpaper on the wall opposite—play off of one another in this white bathroom from Dazey Den.

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    Illustrated Wallpaper

    illustrated wallpaper bathroom

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Genevieve Renee Photographie

    Louis Duncan-He Designs created a subtle accent wall in this bright basement bathroom by hanging delicate black-and-white illustrated wallpaper with a fish-in-the-sea motif that reinforces the coastal theme.

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    Jewel-Toned Tile

    backsplash tile accent wall

    The Residency Bureau

    Interior designer Amy Vroom of The Residency Bureau added gleaming emerald green backsplash tiles behind the sink of this powder room that complement the dark stained wood, dark stone countertops, brass fixtures, and gilded vintage mirror.

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    Japanese Tiles

    minimalist bathroom accent wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo

    Cathie Hong Interiors remodeled a midcentury model Eichler home in Willow Glen, California, infusing it with Japandi elements like a wall of small stacked Japanese tiles that create subtle texture on the far end for a quiet take on the accent wall.

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    Shades of Gray

    subway tile accent wall

    Design by Jean Liu Design / Photo by Stephen Karlisch

    Jean Liu Design used tile to create a backsplash and accent wall in this bathroom that is otherwise covered in light neutral patterned wallpaper.

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    Textured Navy Paint

    dark blue accent wall

    White Sands

    White Sands added a textural navy accent wall to this coastal bathroom that evokes the deep blue sea and marries well with white and wood details.

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    Vibrant Wallpaper

    colorful bathroom accent wall

    Mocha Girl Place

    Mocha Girl Place added a vibrant accent wall in a small water closet off the bathroom that distracts the eye and complements the green paint on the other walls.

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    Low Contrast Accent Wall

    farmhouse bathroom accent wall

    Marie Flanigan Interiors

    Marie Flanigan Interiors used a pale gray shiplap accent wall behind the sink of this farmhouse bathroom that complements the adjacent shower tile and allows decorative aspects like a vintage cabinet-turned-sink-vanity to stand out.

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    Subtle Gold Accents

    floral bathroom accent wall

    Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona

    Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona hung illustrated floral wallpaper in a subtle gold pattern to add dimension and a touch of shine to this neutral bathroom.

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    Triple Accent Walls

    rustic wood accent wall

    House 9 Interiors

    House 9 Interiors treated each wall of this long, u-shaped bathroom in a different material, effectively creating three separate accent walls in one space. The zigzag tile, painted green-blue shiplap, and reclaimed wood walls play off of one another to create a sense of dimension and texture in the rectangular space.

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    Abstract Wallpaper

    bathroom wallpaper accent wall

    Alvin Wayne

    Alvin Wayne hung abstract black-and-white wallpaper in this NYC apartment bathroom to create a striking accent wall in an otherwise unassuming space.

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    Whole Wall Tile Accent

    bathroom tile accent wall

    White Sands

    White Sands tiled this coastal accent wall with bold blue triangular tiles in a slightly off-kilter pattern that adds color and dimension to the space and contrasts with the weathered wood floating vanity.

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    Bold Wallpaper Accent Wall

    bold bathroom accent wall

    Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs

    A black-painted ceiling and a wraparound bathtub accent wall covered in green-and-black patterned wallpaper make a bold statement in this bathroom from Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs.

Should you put an accent wall in a bathroom?

When it comes to decor, there are no shoulds. If you want to try an accent wall in the bathroom, go for it. You can feel free to add an accent wall to your bathroom using paint, permanent or removable wallpaper, patterned or colorful tile, or reclaimed wood. 

What wall should be the accent wall in a bathroom?

The best wall to use as an accent wall in the bathroom depends on the room’s layout. A bathroom accent wall can be used to define the bathtub area; add a decorative element to the wall behind a toilet; highlight tall ceilings on the far wall of a long, rectangular room; or be used to create a focal point on an otherwise blank wall (including the fifth wall otherwise known as the ceiling) to name a few possibilities.