We spend an overwhelming amount of time in the bathroom. Ritualistic hair-washing routines, dutifully rehearsed skincare application and long leisurely baths ensure that the bathroom is one of the most lived-in rooms of the house.
Which means there’s no need for the space to be dull. As they are one of the most functional aspects of a home, bathrooms tend to be the most visited. Guests bob in and out when they pop over, meaning you need to bring your A-game when it comes to bathroom decor.
Peppering the walls in art is key. Bathrooms can be injected with personality via art, family photographs or certificates. Unlike larger living spaces which tend to be more meticulously curated, bathrooms can be a playful cabinet of curiosities within the home.
There are a few factors to consider when selecting art for your bathroom. First is the issue of humidity. Moisture can get trapped under the frame of an artwork and damage the piece. If this is a concern, it’s best to stick to inexpensive prints or canvases. Be sure to switch on the exhaust fan and open the windows on a daily basis to allow the art to breathe.
Sculpture is another medium that can help to elevate your bathroom interior. With less risk of damage, a sculpture can provide an intriguing focal point for guests to admire as they go about their business.
It just so happens that bathing is a storied visual trope in the history of art. Revered painters from Edgar Degas to Mary Cassatt have depicted bathers in their work. The topic was a vehicle for exploring physical and natural beauty, in addition to carrying allegorical and sensual meanings. The act of bathing has been depicted across multiple art historical movements, including the Renaissance, Pointillism, Cubism, Surrealism and more. Both female and male bathers included.
Essentially, you have the art world at your disposal. Discover the best artworks to hang in your bathroom and transform your bog-standard lavatory into a beautiful gallery.
Shop below
Woman Bathing by Mary Cassatt Print
Mary Cassatt’s Woman Bathing is a late 19th-century piece to add a sense of calm to your bathroom. The meditative work showcases a woman washing herself at her basin in an abstract, linear style.
Buy now £12.07, Etsy
The Pink Nude by Henri Matisse Print
If there’s any room that’s perfect for housing a nude, it’s the bathroom. Considering the space calls for nudity, this iconic 1935 work seems like a highly appropriate choice. An exaggerated nude woman reclines against a blue-white tile print backdrop, inviting the spectator to admire the curving lines and painterly design of the scene.
Buy now £5.99, Etsy
Kate Moss Reading in the Bathtub Print
Allow Kate Moss to accompany you as you lounge in the bathtub. Fashion followers will covet this retro black and white print that showcases the supermodel reading in a bathroom, cigarette in hand.
Buy now £15.84, Etsy
Les Grandes Baigneuses by Paul Cezanne Print
Opt for a decorative mural to adorn your bathroom with seascape pigments. Les Grandes Baigneuses (c. 1895) by Paul Cezanne depicts a cluster of female nudes in the open air, painted in melancholic hues that mirror the aquatic theme of the water closet.
Buy now £16.49, Amazon
Catchii Tile Panel Garden Of Eden
Tiles are a core pillar of bathroom design. They aren’t affected by moisture and make for dazzling mosaic focal points. Catchii’s tile collection is a must-browse array. Depictions of underwater sea creatures, jungles and the Garden of Eden make for escapist pieces to whisk guests away as they freshen up.
Buy now £230.00, Wolf & Badger
After the Bath by Edgas Degas Print
Tapping into the bathroom theme is Edgas Degas’ work After the Bath. Hailing from the late 19th century, the calming reproduction showcases a nude woman facing away from the viewer in the act of drying herself after a leisurely bath. Chartreuse, pale pink and yellow undertones will add a subtle touch of colour to your space.
Buy now £25.00, National Gallery
The Bath by Pierre Bonnard Print
Say hello to your new bath buddy. The Bath by Pierre Bonnard Print is a 1925 painting that allows viewers to share a moment of serenity experienced by the female subject of the work. Lying nude and deep in thought, the woman shown in the print is swathed in rich colours to bring an overriding atmosphere of quiet calm.
Buy now £165.00, King and McGaw
Lines with Black, Blue and Yellow by Georgia O’Keefe Print
Georgia O’Keefe is a legendary painter known for her quietly sensual floral works. Black, Blue and Yellow from c.1923 resembles the female body in all its glory via musical layers of lilac, blue and honey tones. After all, we do tend to be naked in the bathroom, so what exactly do we have to hide?
Buy now £30.00, Tate
A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse Print
If you’ve ever seen Splash or H2O Just Add Water, you’ll be familiar with the mermaid in the bathroom trope. A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse depicts a siren seated on the shore, combing her hair and looking out of frame. Inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem The Mermaid (1830), this print is perfect for those who use the bathroom to execute their well-rehearsed beauty routines.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Graham & Green White Faux Coral on Stand
Art draws the eye up, but sometimes it’s fun to fill the space with sculpture to create a myriad of focal points. Graham & Green’s White Faux Coral on a stand transports viewers to the vibrant ocean floor. The piece is made from resin and acrylic, meaning it will stand the test of time against moisture and steam.
Buy now £85.00, Graham & Green
