When it comes to bathroom wall coverings, most people consider one of three basic options: paint, wallpaper, or tile.
Of the three options, painting your walls is by far the easiest of your options. It is also the least expensive. Painting a bathroom can easily be accomplished on a Saturday morning before lunch. The most time-consuming part of painting is masking off the areas you don’t want to paint on, such as window frames, shower screens, tiles, etc. Once you’ve used your masking or paint tape to separate the areas and laid out your paint canvas on the floor, painting itself is a doddle.
If you want to add texture to your wall, you can add sand to your paint before you start. However, you can’t just add sand that you scoop up from your child’s playground. You’ll want to purchase silica sand, which is a special type of sand created specifically for mixing with paint. You can find it at most home maintenance centers. Follow the instructions on the bag and you won’t have any problems. The more sand you use, the more texture your wall will have. If you just want a smooth textured look, just limit the amount of sand you put into the paint.
But adding sand to paint isn’t the only way to add texture to a wall. Another method is to add a latex varnish to the paint. Doing this creates a texture and look that can often mimic the look of wallpaper. By using scratching techniques you can create some spectacular faux finishes that would rival the look of some of the best wallpaper you can buy.
Furthermore, applying this type of technique will personalize your bathroom wall and set it apart from the normal, conventional wall coverings found in most home bathrooms. Ripping techniques, while they may seem intimidating, are actually not that difficult to master. The best way to learn is to start in a small area, get your bearings, and then move on to the rest of the walls.
The best type of paint for your bathroom walls is a water-based latex paint. Specifically, look for paints that are advertised as washable, scrubbable, and moisture resistant. This is particularly true if you have children, as it will allow you to clean many of their fingerprints and hands with a simple wash with soap and water.