Add Interest With These Decorating Ideas for Above the Toilet

The wall space above the toilet is often overlooked and underutilized in bathroom design. But this area presents an excellent opportunity to add visual intrigue, storage, or just a bit of personality to your bathroom's look. With a little creativity, you can transform that blank toilet wall into a focal point that gives your whole bathroom a stylish lift.

From bold accent walls to attractive floating shelves, we'll cover popular decorating ideas that can work in any bathroom. We'll also share design considerations to keep in mind as you plan your toilet wall makeover. Let's look at how to make the most of this unused wall area and allow your decorating style to shine through.

Why Decorate the Space Above Your Toilet?

You may have never thought about decorating the wall space above your toilet. After all, it's just a necessary utilitarian area, right? But by leaving it blank, you are missing an opportunity to enhance your bathroom's aesthetic.

Decorating above the toilet serves many purposes. It fully utilizes the empty wall space, allowing you to expand your design vision. Clever decorations can provide handy storage for toiletries or linens. The toilet wall is also a great spot for infusing visual interest through wall art, tiles, or an accent wall. Finally, decorating over the toilet is an easy way to add a bit of your personality into the room.

Planning Your Toilet Wall Decor

Before picking out specific decor items, it helps to have a plan for your toilet wall makeover. Consider the overall look you want for your bathroom. Do you want to tie into contemporary, vintage or traditional decor? Neutrals or bold colors? Simple accents or more of a feature wall? Determine how the toilet wall can complement your bathroom's existing or desired aesthetic.

Next, look at the physical space you have to work with. Measure the wall area's dimensions. Is it a small, confined vertical space or do you have a larger area to decorate? Pay attention to the wall location, sightlines from the vanity or shower, and proximity to the toilet below. Also assess if you'll need to work around plumbing, vents or existing toilet hardware.

Decide how involved you want your toilet wall project to be. Are you looking to just hang a few key accessories for visual interest? Or do you want to create a full accent wall with dramatic wallpaper or a bold color? Consider your time commitment, skill level and budget. Simple upgrades like framed art may suffice, while a tiled backsplash requires more planning and work.

Having a vision and plan for your toilet wall will make it easier to choose decor items and styles that work cohesively together. It also ensures you have a decorating roadmap to follow versus just randomly picking pieces.

Popular Toilet Wall Decorating Ideas

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a favorite way to decorate the wall above toilets. Mounted directly on the wall, floating shelves provide both style and function.

Shelves give you a perfect spot to store extra toilet paper, rolled towels, tissue boxes, candles or baskets holding toiletries. They keep these essentials organized and within reach but off cluttered counters. The open design keeps the items visually appealing, unlike closed cabinets. Floating shelves are available in myriad colors and finishes like natural wood or sleek metal.

Mix up your floating shelf arrangement to best suit your space. Stagger multiple shelves at different heights in a column. Or position them asymmetrically at angles for interest. Coordinate shelf colors with your bathroom style, like rustic woodgrain shelves for a cottage bathroom or matte black metal shelves lending an industrial vibe.

If space is tight, floating shelves still offer storage solutions. Try a set of narrow stacked shelves or compact wall-mounted towel racks. DIY floating shelves from reclaimed wood is also a budget-friendly option for small bathrooms needing extra space.

Wall Art

Wall art is an easy way to decorate a toilet wall with personality. Framed prints, paintings and photos transform boring walls into focal features.

When selecting art, look for pieces that reflect your decor style. A set of colorful abstract prints pairs well with modern rooms, while still-life paintings suit traditional tastes. Black and white botanical prints or architectural drawings work universally. For a special touch, display vacation photos, family portraits or your children's artwork.

If wall space is limited, make an impact by grouping art together in a tight formation or gallery wall above the toilet. Include a variety of sizes, colors and frame styles for interest. Unify the look using same-color mats or similar frame finishes. Wall decals and removable wallpaper allow you to refresh your wall art look over time.

Mirrors visually expand a small bathroom by reflecting light. Lean one large statement mirror against the wall for a dramatic look. Or creatively hang a salon-style mirror collage going across and down the wall. Incorporate round, oval and rectangular mirrors in the mix.

Cabinets

Wall-mounted cabinets provide concealed storage that makes toiletries, extra rolls and cleaning supplies disappear. Yet everything remains conveniently accessible right over the toilet.

Choose cabinet styles that complement your bathroom's decor, ranging from vintage apothecary-style to crisp Shaker cabinets. Customize with drawers, open shelves or closed cabinets in different configurations. Build in functionality with interior hooks, pull-out baskets and adjustable shelves. For a mirror and storage combo, medicine cabinets are useful over-toilet options.

Keep the visual weight up top with wall cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. This draws the eye up, expanding space perception. For rustic or cottage style, open wood shelves have casual appeal. Glass-front cabinets lend a refined ambiance while neatly showing off colorful towels or ceramic vessels.

Proper lighting is key for actually using your storage. Under-cabinet puck lights illuminate contents without casting shadows. Sconces or pendants flanking the cabinet provide both task lighting and decorative flair.

Accent Walls

Make a dramatic statement by dedicating the wall over your toilet to a bold accent wall. This design move maximizes the decorative impact of the often overlooked space.

Play with texture and patterns by installing shiplap planks, decorative 3D tiles or subway tiles. Natural stone and marble mosaics exude luxury, while penny tile patterns add vintage flavor. Wood-look porcelain planks create a reclaimed wood accent wall minus the maintenance.

Wallpaper offers countless ways to personalize with color, prints and textures. Try painterly murals, tropical prints or tone-on-tone patterns. Modern graphic prints, faux bricks and removable wallpapers are all fair game. For [decorating ideas for above the toilet] with flair, wrap wallpaper across adjacent walls too.

Paint is the most budget-friendly route for an accent wall. Opt for rich hues like emerald green, navy blue or eggplant purple. Include painted vertical stripes, geometric patterns or a stenciled design. Freshen up builder-grade bathrooms with techniques like textured paint, ombre gradients or painted wood grain.

When executing your accent wall, tailor the scale of patterns and designs to the size of your toilet wall so they are not overwhelming. Tie it into other bathroom finishes for a cohesive look. Proper prep and priming ensures your wallpaper or paint job withstands humidity.

Design Considerations

While decorating your toilet wall, keep in mind the inherent moisture and cleaning needs of this high-use bathroom space.

Prioritize moisture-resistant and durable materials that can handle steam, splashes and condensation. Natural fibers like jute or sisal are prone to mildew and disintegration. Materials like moisture-sealed wood, synthetic fibers, metals and glazed ceramics hold up better. Laminate your wall art prints for longevity.

Proper bathroom ventilation and a bath fan limit moist air stagnation that breeds mold and mildew. GFCI electrical outlets are crucial for safety near plumbing. LED lighting works in humid zones and provides bright, shadowless illumination.

When decorative items sit close to water sources, condensation can make surfaces slick. Position accessories completely out of splash zones or opt for pieces with stable bases. Avoid fragile objects prone to falling or breaking. Items extending into the toilet area get soiled quicker, so keep embellishments more wall-focused.

Lastly, select decorative materials that are easy to clean and durable enough to regularly wipe down. Smooth finishes like glass shelves or ceramic wall tiles clean up easier than porous textures. Prioritize closed storage to reduce dust-catching crevices. Removable wall decals allow for quick refreshing between deep cleanings.

Decorating on a Budget

You can decorate your toilet wall stylishly without breaking the bank. Secondhand and dollar stores are great sources for affordable wall art and accessories.

Browse thrift stores and garage sales for vintage mirrors, wall art and unique toilet wall elements. Repurpose old window frames, chippy shutters or salvaged doors as bathroom wall art. Add character by displaying found objects like antique farm tools, dried botanicals or collecting colorful glass bottles.

Dollar stores carry basic wall shelves, affordable towel bars and organizer baskets to mount above your toilet. Framed art prints and canvas paintings are available here in the $5-$10 range. Pick up a few and arrange a budget-friendly gallery wall.

Instead of full-wall tile or expensive wallpaper, use removable decals and contact paper with patterns and faux textures. These offer the look of higher-end materials for less. Similarly, try removable wallpaper panels just on the toilet wall instead of papering the whole room.

For [decorating ideas for above the toilet] with maximum visual impact for minimal cost, paint is your friend. Painting just the toilet wall a bold color costs under $50. Use painter's tape and creativity to create dazzling accent walls with geometric paint patterns or ombre color gradients.

With some creativity and planning, you can take your often overlooked toilet wall from boring to beautiful. The key is deciding on a decor approach that excites you and fits the room.

Browse magazines and bathroom images online to discover toilet wall decor ideas that match your style. Compile inspiration photos to reference as you shop for your wall makover. Keep practical needs like storage and moisture-resistance in mind too.

Mix up your materials, colors and textures for visual interest. Incorporate metal shelves, natural fiber baskets, framed photos and ceramic vessels together for eclectic style. Or stick to two complimentary materials for a more cohesive look.

Layer in function alongside aesthetic appeal. Floating shelves stow toiletries attractively. Cabinets conceal but allow access. Pretty jars hold Q-tips and cotton balls. The toilet wall presents opportunities to merge form and function.

Most importantly, let your personality shine through in the toilet wall decor you select. Showcase your favorite travel mementos, display kids' colorful art projects or exhibit collections you've curated. The designs you choose for this very personal space should spark joy and reflection every time you enter your beautifully decorated bathroom.

You can elevate your bathroom's style with a toilet wall makeover. No longer will the space over your toilet be a forgotten afterthought. Instead, a well-decorated toilet wall becomes a highlight that your guests will compliment and remember. So go ahead, get creative with this blank canvas and let your unique decorating style shine through!