When it comes to remodeling or building a bathroom on a budget, choosing the right materials for the walls is crucial. The walls take up a significant portion of the room, so picking an affordable wall covering can make a big impact on the overall project cost. There are several inexpensive options to consider for bathroom walls including paint, wallpaper, tile, and paneling.
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Paint
Paint is often the most budget-friendly solution for bathroom walls. There are several types of paint to consider:
- Latex paint – This is the most common and affordable option. Latex paint is water-based and dries to a matte or eggshell finish. It’s easy to apply and touch up.
- Enamel paint – More durable and scrubbable than latex paint, enamel provides a glossy finish that stands up to moisture. Oil-based enamel paints are the most durable for bathrooms.
- Mold resistant paint – Formulated to resist mold and mildew growth, this is ideal for humid bathroom environments.
When choosing a paint, opt for light colors that will make the small space appear brighter and more expansive. For the lowest cost option, select a cheaper grade of paint in a flat or matte finish. High quality acrylic latex paint can cost $20-$50 per gallon. On the low end, basic latex or enamel paint can cost as little as $10-$15 per gallon.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is another budget-friendly option for adding color and visual interest to bathroom walls. Choose one of these affordable wallpaper types:
- Peel-and-stick vinyl – Easy to apply without glue, peel-and-stick wallpapers come in many colors and patterns. This is the cheapest wallpaper option at $5-$20 per roll.
- Prepasted wallpaper – Featuring a paste layer on the back, prepasted wallpapers simply require soaking in water prior to hanging. Prices range from $15-$50 per roll.
- Removable wallpaper – Reusable and designed to peel off easily, removable wallpaper allows you to change up the look. It runs $25-$75 per roll.
Make sure any wallpaper you choose is designed for high-humidity bathroom environments. Look for moist-proof, mildew-resistant products.
Tile
Tile can provide an elegant, waterproof finish for bathroom walls. To save money on tile:
- Use a smaller tile size like 4-inch tiles rather than large tiles which require more material.
- Select standard white, beige, or gray grout which is cheaper than colored grout.
- Choose ceramic tile rather than more expensive porcelain, marble, or stone.
- Look for tiles on clearance or discontinued stock.
- Tile a shorter accent wall or tub/shower surround rather than the entire bathroom.
With these strategies, tile can cost as little as $1 per square foot. Focusing on a tub/shower surround area rather than full bathroom coverage can further reduce the price.
Paneling
Pre-fabricated panels can create a finished look for bathroom walls at an affordable price point. Options include:
- PVC panels – Waterproof and low maintenance, PVC panels attach directly to walls. Prices start at around $0.50 per square foot.
- Bathroom wall boards – Made from moisture-resistant materials like polymer, wall boards provide a tile or wood look. Panels run $1.50-$4 per square foot installed.
- Fiberglass sheets – Easy to clean and mold resistant, fiberglass sheets offer a seamless look. Prices are similar to PVC at $0.50-$2 per square foot.
Panels allow creating a finished bathroom look while spending the least on materials and labor. Focus paneling on one or two feature walls to further reduce cost.
Cost Comparison
Here is an overview of the approximate per square foot costs for various cheap bathroom wall options:
| Bathroom Wall Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Paint | $0.15 – $1.25 |
| Wallpaper | $0.50 – $2.50 |
| Tile | $1.00 – $5.00 |
| Panels | $0.50 – $4.00 |
Based on these averages, paint and panels tend to be the least expensive bathroom wall options per square foot. Wallpaper provides great visual impact at a low cost as well. Tile is more expensive to install, but focusing on one accent wall can reduce the overall budget.
Lower Cost Bathroom Wall Ideas
Here are some ideas for achieving stylish bathroom walls while sticking to a tight budget:
Paint Accent Wall
Add a pop of color on one wall. Paint the other walls a simple white or light gray for contrast. Try using a deeper tone like navy blue, charcoal gray, or emerald green to create an accent wall that draws attention.
Stenciled Wallpaper Accent
Choose one focal wall for peel-and-stick wallpaper with a pattern or faux finish look. Use simple paint on the surrounding walls. Place the wallpaper behind the vanity or toilet to highlight that area.
Faux Tile Paneling
Use budget-friendly PVC or other panels to mimic the look of ceramic tile. Place the tile-effect panels strategically around the tub/shower rather than floor-to-ceiling for a big visual impact at a lower cost. Paint the remaining walls.
Textured Paint Techniques
Add depth with textured paint finishes like sponge painting, stippling, or rag rolling one or two accent walls. Maintain the other walls with flat paint. This adds striking dimension without much added expense.
Wallpaper Border
Run sheets of peel-and-stick wallpaper trim along the top portion of walls or tile surrounds to incorporate color and pattern without covering large areas. Pair with inexpensive flat paint on the bottom portions of walls.
Final Considerations
Focus budget bathroom wall finishes in strategic areas for maximum visual impact. The most important areas to highlight are:
- Tub/shower surrounds
- Behind sinks/vanities
- Around the toilet area
Placing wallpaper, tile, or accent paint only in these zones rather than floor-to-ceiling can dramatically cut costs. Choose moisture-resistant, mildew-proof materials since bathroom walls endure a lot of humidity.
With smart product choices and selective use of decorative finishes just in key areas, you can achieve beautiful, budget-friendly bathroom walls for under $5 per square foot. Carefully combining paints, papers, panels, and tiles allows even small bathrooms to look pulled together and polished.
Conclusion
When searching for inexpensive bathroom wall options, paint and wall paneling provide the lowest cost solutions at $0.50-$1.25 per square foot. Strategically using wallpaper offers great visual impact for $0.50-$2.50 per square foot. Full tile can run $1-$5 per square foot, but limiting tiling to shower surrounds or a single accent wall provides savings. Choose moisture-resistant paints and wallpapers designed specifically for bathrooms. Focus budget finishes only in key visual areas and use cheaper flat paints on remaining walls. With smart planning and selective use of decorative touches only where needed, it’s possible to design beautiful, thrifty bathroom walls on a budget of $5 per square foot or less.