Art in the bathroom: Why the washroom is the perfect place for your private collection
The bathroom is a very personal zone. When designing it, you have plenty of room to make statements that are personal to you – through art. Art is perfect in the bathroom because it can add effective splashes of colour in what is usually a ‘clean’ environment. Which works work best? That depends on your taste and the room’s architectural features.
An expression of special individuality
Art above the bath tub: The image very effective at echoing the greenish blue of the free-standing bathroom furniture.
The bathroom is just like any other space: Large works of art work well in large rooms because their full effect can only be seen from a distance. By contrast, small images really come into their own when viewed up close. This is why they look great grouped together on gallery walls.
The materials should be suitable for damp conditions
Be sure to protect your photos and images against condensation. These days, there is an array of materials suitable for damp conditions, which also spotlight your art works effectively:
Acrylic glass impresses people with its shiny colours and high-gloss look. Gallery prints that use Alu-DIBOND as a base look especially upscale.
Black and white photos look beautiful when laminated on Alu-DIBOND. There will be no distracting reflections in sight here.
Forex boards are lightweight, so they can even be displayed in difficult places. They combine a matt surface with bright colours.
Prints on pinewood boards look natural and exude vintage charm in the bathroom. But there needs to be sufficient ventilation in this room. They look even better in combination with other wood elements in the room.
Protect originals by presenting them under glass in a high-quality metalframe. Wooden frames can also be used in well ventilated rooms.
Only a major master should make it onto the bathroom wall
Art is a subjective experience. It’s only good if you like it. Works by modern painters and photographers may still be unknown. The benefit: You can hang the original by your wash basin. When it comes to the classics, source high-quality prints. There are a few famous masters whose works are perfect for the bathroom. Masterpieces that you can use to round off your style:
Is pop art your world? Being able to see Andy Warhol’s “Marilyn” in hot pink in a grey, minimalist bathroom is sure to wake up even the sleepiest soul in the morning.
Do you love the French Impressionists? The original “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet stands at two metres high and six metres wide in New York’s MoMa. Downsized as a print, it’s probably the most impressive thing you could display in a blue bathroom.
Gustav Klimt was the founder of the Vienesse Art Nouveau movement. In his Golden Phase, he captivated the viewer with his glittering paintings. “The Kiss” is perfect as a glamorous highlight in a luxurious bathroom with gold elements.
Early Renaissance works round off opulent retro bathrooms. With Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” on the wall, you’re sure to feel reborn after a soak in the free-standing clawfoot bath tub.
Claude Monet was a French painter and founder of Impressionism, the predecessor of Modernism. Recording nature as he saw it was what characterised his works.
Art doesn’t necessarily mean paintings
Hanging pictures on the walls is one way of presenting art in your bathroom. But there are other ways – and they don’t have to be analogue, either:
With digital picture frames, you can decide which private collection you want to exhibit there and then, based on the mood, the time of day and the viewers.
Art in the bathroom can also take the form of motion pictures. Video installations have an avant-garde feel, especially in austere-looking bathrooms featuring faux concrete.
Culture doesn’t just go on the wall. Marble or bronze sculptures – modern works or replicas of old masters – can fit in with your style and are in good hands in wet rooms.
First editions of major literary works may not be art in the classical sense, but they are still artistically valuable. Presented on an elegant sideboard in your bathroom, they are a testament to your own personal style.
A valuable floor vase can become an eye-catcher in a spacious room. Other antiques would also look great here, too.
Impressive design element with lots of personality
Modern works of art or old masters, photos or sculptures: Art in the bathroom is an expression of your own personal taste – and an impressive design element. Make sure the item is suitable for damp space and the size is right. Once that’s sorted, you can enjoy your private gallery between the wash basin and bathtub to the fullest.
Frequently asked questions about art in the bathroom
Is art suitable for the bathroom?
Definitely. It’s a way of expressing your personal style. But it’s important that the art is moisture-proof.
What else do I need to take into consideration?
The size needs to be just right: Large pictures belong in large rooms, whereas gallery walls consisting of several small works look fantastic in less spacious bathrooms.
Which materials are suitable for wet rooms?
Acrylic glass, Alu-DIBOND or Forex if you want to go frameless. If the ventilation is just right, pinewood boards make a great base and classic metal or wood can be used for the frame.
Are there famous artists whose work would look particularly good in the bathroom?
Our tip: Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Gustav Klimt and Botticelli.
Do I have to hang pictures on the wall, or could I do something else?
You have several options here: digital picture frames, video installations, marble or bronze sculptures, first editions of major literary works, valuable vases and other antiquities.
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