Art in the bathroom: Why the washroom is a good place for your private collection

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 wet rooms

Be sure to protect your photos and images against condensation. These days, there are various materials that are suitable for wet rooms and showcase the works highly effectively: 

• Acrylic glass impresses people with its shiny colours and high-gloss look. Gallery prints that use Alu-DIBOND as a base look upscale here.
• Black and white photos look beautiful when laminated on Alu-DIBOND. There will be no annoying 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 when there are other wood elements in the room.
• Protect originals by presenting them under glass in a high-quality metal frame. Wooden frames can also be used in well ventilated rooms. 

Only an Old 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 Viennese 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.

Art doesn’t necessarily mean paintings

Hanging pictures on the walls is one way to present 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 plenty 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 wet rooms and the size is right. Once that’s sorted, you can enjoy your private gallery between the wash basin and bath tub to the fullest.