Before you say it, Gentle Readers, let me beat you to the punch. If you have a vintage bathroom that requires a bathrobe sleeve to wipe the steam from your mirror post-shower, then yes, you should avoid hanging your Picasso in there. (Works on paper especially will die a slow death, but we’re talking years, not months…)
HOWEVER! A steamy bathroom does not mean you’re doomed to unadorned walls! Unframed postcards, replaceable enlarged photographs, non-precious framed art…those will work just fine.
Go on Etsy for vintage pieces or inexpensive originals, and don’t forget to check your closets. I know you have something.
If your bathroom has been renovated recently (and therefore has excellent ventilation),
or if we’re talking about your powder room, a recent LA Times article (apologies for the paywall) by the wonderful Dina Cheney unpacks the art of bringing beauty to these spaces.
Here are my favorite tips:
Go big or curate small.
A huge piece can be hugely effective in a small room, but if you just don’t have the wall space (or the right piece), try a mini gallery wall of 3–5 pieces. You can hang more, of course — cover the walls if you like! — but odd numbers are easiest to work with ;)
Keep it cohesive: similar frames (all gold, all stained wood, etc.), a consistent theme (dogs or another beloved animal, maps), or the same medium (watercolors or black and white prints, for example).
Embrace elegance.
Everyone talks about whimsical powder rooms, but elegance is another option. English prints are my favorite way to formalize, especially in sets hung in a grid: flowers, birds, buildings, bridges…you name it, those Brits have put it in a frame. (Bonus points for putting them on a dark wall. Pop!)
Ditto for the oil-painted portrait you picked up at a flea market that isn’t quiiiiite nice enough for your living room. It will elevate the space — and add a touch of humor, too.
Lean in.
ZERO wall space? Lean a framed piece on your vanity, shelf, or tub ledge to add character. As with a steamy space, you have to be prepared for some damage over time (or instantly if takes takes a plunge), but if the picture isn’t precious, the reward outweighs the risk.
I hope this helps, Gentle Readers. When you think about how much time we spend in our bathrooms, isn’t it worthwhile to make them interesting?
Annie is an interior designer based in Washington, D.C. Her book, My Neighbor Saw Me Naked, and Other Reasons You Need Drapes; The Essential Decorating Handbook, will be released by Artisan Books on August 12. You can pre-order your books now — from wherever you like — and they’ll be on your doorstep before you can say “wallpaper.” (You notice we’re saying “books,” plural; they’re the perfect gift!)