29 Stunning Bathroom Beadboard Ideas

Is your bathroom looking boring? Beadboard is the fastest way to add charm and protect your walls from splashes.

It’s cheap, easy to install, and looks amazing in any home.

Ready to ditch the plain drywall? We’ve got the best ways to use this classic paneling right now.

1. Standard 3-Foot Wainscoting

The classic height for beadboard is about 36 inches off the floor. This traditional wainscoting look protects the lower part of the wall from water damage and cleaning supplies. Cap it with a simple chair rail trim piece.

• Measure exactly 3 feet up.
• Use a level for the cap piece.
• Caulk all seams after painting.

Pro Tip: Use a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint finish. It makes cleaning easier and provides better moisture resistance than flat paint.

2. Tall 5-Foot Board

Extend the beadboard higher, up to 5 or 6 feet, especially in a powder room or behind a pedestal sink. This creates a cozier, more enclosed feeling, almost like a library or study. It also visually raises the ceiling.

• Great for small, narrow rooms.
• Keeps walls cleaner longer.
• Paint the top wall a light color.

Pro Tip: If you go this high, use a simple, thin cap molding. A heavy trim piece can make the room feel too heavy or bulky.

3. Beadboard Up To Ceiling

If you have a tiny bathroom, running your beadboard paneling all the way up to the ceiling is a major cheat code. It makes the room look way taller and way more custom, plus it hides any weird texture or damage on the upper walls. It’s a bold look that keeps everything feeling clean and crisp.

• Measure the height of your door frame and use that as your minimum height goal (usually 7 feet).
• Choose a semi-gloss paint for the beadboard. It handles humidity better than flat paint and makes wipe-downs super easy.
• For the biggest height boost, paint the beadboard and the ceiling the exact same bright white color.

Pro Tip: This idea works best in powder rooms or small guest baths. If you go this high in a main bathroom, make sure the top edge is caulked perfectly, or your ceiling line will look wobbly after you paint it!

4. Cottage Style Ceiling

Don’t forget the ceiling! Applying beadboard overhead adds unexpected architectural interest and texture. This is a very popular look in coastal and farmhouse designs.

• Run panels across the shortest width.
• Use white paint only.
• Nail into ceiling joists securely.

Pro Tip: To make installation easier, use liquid nails along with a few finishing nails. This holds the paneling up while the adhesive dries.

5. Deep Navy Blue Paint

Use a dramatic color like navy, charcoal gray, or forest green on the beadboard. This provides a striking contrast, especially when paired with a bright white sink and toilet. It looks very sophisticated.

• Keep the color below the chair rail.
• Pair with brass hardware.
• Use matte black lighting fixtures.

Pro Tip: Dark colors absorb light. Ensure you have good overhead lighting or a vanity light to balance the intensity of the deep paint color.

6. Beadboard with Shelf

Instead of using a flat trim piece to cap the beadboard, use a wider piece of lumber (like a 1×4 board). This creates a functional, small shelf perfect for holding soaps, small plants, or decorative items.

• Make sure it is level.
• Keep the shelf clutter-free.
• Use a waterproof sealant.

Pro Tip: Drill small holes in the shelf cap corners. This prevents moisture from sitting on the wood and causing mildew or warping over time.

7. Vanity Wrap Around

Upgrade a plain, boring bathroom vanity by applying beadboard sheets directly to the sides and front panels. This turns a builder-grade cabinet into a custom piece quickly and cheaply.

• Measure panels precisely.
• Use wood glue and small brad nails.
• Paint the entire vanity one color.

Pro Tip: If your vanity is laminate, rough up the surface lightly with sandpaper first. This helps the adhesive grip better and prevents the beadboard from peeling off later.

8. Soft Mint Green Walls

Choose a calming pastel shade like blush pink, seafoam green, or light blue for the panels. Pastels look fresh and clean, perfect for a cheerful guest or kids’ bathroom space.

• Pair with white trim.
• Use chrome fixtures.
• Add simple floral art.

Pro Tip: When using pastels, keep the upper wall color a bright, crisp white. This prevents the overall look from feeling dull or washed out.

9. Inside the Shower Niche

If you have a built-in shower niche for holding shampoo bottles, line the back of it with waterproof PVC beadboard. It adds an unexpected layer of texture inside the tiled area.

• Only use waterproof PVC.
• Seal edges with silicone caulk.
• Keep the color very light.

Pro Tip: Use a construction adhesive designed for wet areas instead of nails. You want a strong, sealed bond that water cannot penetrate.

10. Only Behind the Toilet

Create a simple focal point by installing beadboard only on the wall directly behind the toilet or pedestal sink. This works well in tiny powder rooms where you don’t want to panel the whole space.

• Use a framed, defined section.
• Hang a mirror above the panel.
• Keep the height at 4 feet.

Pro Tip: Add picture frame molding around the edges of this single panel section. It makes the installation look intentional and finished, not just like you ran out of material.

11. Tile and Wood Combo

Mix materials by running subway tile halfway up the wall, then capping it and switching to beadboard above the tile line. This adds depth and makes the bathroom feel custom designed.

• Ensure surfaces are flush.
• Use a bullnose tile cap.
• Paint beadboard a soft gray.

Pro Tip: Measure carefully so the tile cap and the beadboard cap molding line up perfectly. Consistency in height is key for this look.

12. Shelf Backing Beadboard

If you have open shelves above your toilet or vanity, plain drywall looks boring. Slap some beadboard behind those shelves! It makes your whole shelf unit look fancy and custom-built, but it’s way easier than doing the whole room. It also hides any wall imperfections really well.

• Measure the exact box where your shelves sit. You only need to cover the space inside the shelf frame.
• Cut your beadboard piece to fit that box perfectly. Make sure to use the moisture-resistant kind if your bathroom gets steamy.
• Use construction adhesive (like Liquid Nails) to stick it right to the wall. No complicated framing needed for this small area.
• Paint the beadboard a color that pops, like light blue or soft green, to make your white towels and baskets stand out.

Pro Tip: If your shelves are already bolted up, cut your piece of beadboard into two halves. Slide the top half in, then the bottom half. The shelf will hide the line where the two pieces meet, so nobody will ever know you cheated!

13. Distressed White Wash

For a rustic or farmhouse look, lightly sand the installed beadboard and apply a thin white wash or gray stain. This allows the natural wood texture to show through slightly.

• Works best on real wood.
• Wipe stain off quickly.
• Seal with matte varnish.

Pro Tip: If you are using MDF, you can achieve a similar look by dry brushing a light gray paint over a darker base coat, wiping it immediately before it dries.

14. Quick Vinyl Sheets

Use peel-and-stick vinyl beadboard wallpaper or thin adhesive panels. This is the fastest, easiest way to get the look without using any power tools. Perfect for renters or quick upgrades.

• Clean walls completely first.
• Smooth bubbles with a squeegee.
• Overlap edges slightly.

Pro Tip: Use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to cut the panels. Dull blades will tear the vinyl instead of giving you a clean line.

15. Framing the Mirror

Cut thin strips of beadboard to create a custom frame around a plain, frameless builder mirror. This instantly upgrades the mirror and ties the paneling into the rest of the room’s design.

• Miter the corners (45 degrees).
• Glue the strips directly to the glass.
• Paint the frame a dark color.

Pro Tip: Before mounting, paint the back edges of the strips that touch the mirror glass. This prevents the light from reflecting through the seams and showing unpainted wood.

16. Updating Flat Doors

Cut rectangular sections of beadboard and glue them into the flat center panels of a plain bathroom door. This mimics a custom shaker-style door for very little money.

• Measure panels carefully.
• Use wood filler on seams.
• Paint the whole door one color.

Pro Tip: Make sure the beadboard pieces are thinner than the door frame. They should sit recessed inside the panel area, not sticking out past the door surface.

17. Horizontal Placement

Install the panels horizontally instead of vertically. This is an unexpected, modern twist on traditional beadboard. It makes the room feel wider and less formal.

• Use a slightly wider cap trim.
• Looks great in gray or black.
• Start installation from the bottom.

Pro Tip: When installing horizontally, pay close attention to where the panels join. You may need extra wood filler or caulk to hide the seams running across the wall.

18. Contrast Molding Trim

Keep the beadboard white, but paint the cap molding (chair rail) a very bold, contrasting color like deep red, bright yellow, or even metallic gold. This adds a unique pop of color.

• Match trim color to towels.
• Use painter’s tape carefully.
• Keep the trim thin and clean.

Pro Tip: If using a metallic paint (like gold), use a small artist’s brush for the application. This gives you more control and a smoother finish on the tight trim area.

19. Defining the Panels

For a bold look, paint the wall behind the beadboard panels black before installing them. The black paint shows through the small seams, mimicking dark grout lines for an industrial feel.

• Only works with planks, not sheets.
• Use a flat black paint.
• Looks amazing with white planks.

Pro Tip: This trick works best if your beadboard is made of individual planks or panels that have visible gaps between them, rather than large, seamless sheets.

20. Tub Surround Panel

Use waterproof PVC beadboard to cover the side panel of a built-in bathtub. This is an inexpensive, charming alternative to using tile or plain plastic panels in this area.

• Must be fully waterproof.
• Seal the bottom edge with silicone.
• Ensure access panels are still usable.

Pro Tip: When cutting the tub panel, trace the exact curve of the tub lip onto the beadboard before cutting. This ensures a tight, professional fit against the tub.

21. Sunny Yellow Panels

Choose a bright, cheerful yellow on the beadboard for a sunny, coastal, or beach house feel. Pair this with light blue or sand-colored accessories for a fun vibe.

• Great for bathrooms with no windows.
• Use white trim and ceiling.
• Keep fixtures simple and white.

Pro Tip: Test the yellow paint color on a scrap piece first. Yellows can look harsh or neon when applied to a large area, so choose a softer, buttery shade.

22. Access Panel Cover

If you have an ugly access panel for plumbing or electrical lines, cover it with a piece of beadboard that is hinged or magnetically latched. It hides the panel while making it easy to reach the plumbing.

• Use light-duty hinges.
• Install magnetic closures.
• Keep the panel flush with the wall.

Pro Tip: Cut the beadboard slightly larger than the access hole. This overlap helps hide any gaps and makes the panel look more like a natural part of the wall.

23. Modern Farmhouse Gray

Paint the beadboard a mid-tone warm gray color. This is a staple of modern farmhouse design and looks clean, sophisticated, and less stark than pure white.

• Pair with matte black hardware.
• Use shiplap above the beadboard.
• Add a rustic wood mirror.

Pro Tip: If using warm gray, choose a light, soft white for the trim and cap molding. Avoid cool grays, which can sometimes look blue in certain lighting.

24. Accent Wall Only

Install beadboard only on one wall—the one you see first when you walk in. Use a slightly textured or colored board here to draw the eye and create a statement.

• Use behind the vanity.
• Hang a large piece of art.
• Keep other walls plain.

Pro Tip: To make the accent wall stand out, try using beadboard with wider grooves. The larger pattern will draw more attention than the standard narrow type.

25. Transition Area

If your bathroom is off a small hallway, extend the beadboard treatment slightly into the hall. This creates a smooth visual transition and makes the spaces feel connected.

• Match the height exactly.
• Use the same cap molding.
• Paint the hall and bath the same color.

Pro Tip: Stop the beadboard exactly at an inner corner, not in the middle of a flat wall. This creates a natural stopping point for the paneling.

26. Custom Cabinet Doors

Use beadboard as the recessed center panel insert for custom linen closet or storage cabinet doors within the bathroom. This adds texture without covering the whole room.

• Build a simple door frame.
• Insert the thin beadboard sheet.
• Paint the frame and panel together.

Pro Tip: This technique is great for adding character to a built-in storage area that might otherwise look too plain or flat next to the paneled walls.

27. Hooks and Hangers

Install the beadboard, and then mount heavy-duty towel hooks directly into the paneling. This is a great way to add function and keep towels off the floor.

• Use hooks with two screws.
• Pre-drill holes carefully.
• Install hooks at varying heights.

Pro Tip: If you are installing hooks, choose wood beadboard (or MDF) over thin vinyl sheets. The wood holds the screws much more securely for heavier items.

28. Two-Tone Panel

Paint the beadboard itself two different colors, split horizontally near the middle of the panel height. Use a thin strip of trim to separate the colors for a unique, layered effect.

• Use colors in the same family.
• Darker color on the bottom.
• Use a quarter-round trim separator.

Pro Tip: Make sure the two colors you choose have a similar brightness level. If one color is too dark, it can make the panel look unbalanced and choppy.

29. DIY Groove Look

If you can’t find traditional beadboard sheets, achieve a similar vertical groove look by installing thin, evenly spaced MDF slats or wood strips. This gives a custom, modern vertical texture.

• Space the slats evenly (2 inches).
• Use a nail gun for speed.
• Paint all slats one solid color.

Pro Tip: Measure and mark your vertical lines very carefully before nailing the slats. Any inconsistency in spacing will be very noticeable once the wall is painted.

Beadboard is truly a DIY hero for bathrooms.

Whether you go classic white or bold navy, it adds character and protection instantly.

Which idea are you pinning first? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share these tips with your friends!