The bathroom is a room which is universally seen & known specifically designed for personal grooming apart from the obvious use, & as such, there are specific challenges in decorating the appearance of the bathroom which needs to be taken into consideration, including the use of chemical agents as well as exposure to constant moisture & humidity. Resilient material is an absolute requirement when considering renovations for your bathroom. Let’s explore some of the most common bathroom renovation material in the market nowadays, shall we?

1.   Paint – No hassle, nothing exceptional

No introduction is needed for this timeless classic. Paint can be used virtually on any surface in the bathroom, from the shower walls to the washbasin. There’s virtually an unlimited array of paint colours to choose from, & it’s relatively easy to apply. Maintenance is also easy as long as you clean it from time to time, & if you want to change the style, it’s just a matter of painting the walls to another colour. However, using paint in your bathroom renovations comes at many a cost. Firstly, paint is a very traditional option, so it’s not going to be anything to write home about, no matter what colours you use. Secondly, it’s important to select a good water proof, high quality paint, to withstand the moisture & various chemical agents used in the bathroom, or you’ll be dealing with constant mould or faded paint. Finally, you’ll most certainly want a professional to apply the paint to apply a symmetrical coating of paint, & also to do a neat job.

2.   Tiles – The obvious choice with limits

Tiles are nothing new to use in a bathroom renovation, not to mention that tiles are ideal for damp rooms & go hand in hand with bathroom claddings. Tiles are relatively durable, waterproof, & help in keeping the appearance of the bathroom with easy & occasional cleaning. There’s also a large variety of tiles to select from, with different sizes & colours. You can also choose to tile your bathroom on your own, especially if you’re a DIY enthusiast. However, there are a few things you need to consider too. Tiles, like paint, are very common to use in a bathroom, & your bathroom will never be anything more than unremarkable to your guests or visitors. Also, tiles, while relatively durable, can be chipped or cracked, especially if used on the bathroom floor. Finally, while you can choose to install tiles on your own, if you don’t do a good job on your own, you can be sure that the tiles won’t have a good fitting.

3.   Tadelakt wall – Natural & neutral

The tadelakt wall is among the most natural claddings which you could apply in your bathroom, being made of water, lime & marble powder. The different shades that the material offers are, therefore, more natural looking, & the neutral colours will match with the bathroom fixtures too! There are a few drawbacks, though. Mostly, even though there are a few easy to apply coats which are similar to tadelakt, the original one still requires technical knowledge to install, so it’s most definitely not a DIY product & installation can be costly.  Also, the colours are not that vibrant in comparison to other options.

4.   Waxed concrete – The “waxed” option

Waxed concrete gives a more modern look to your bathroom when compared with tiles, paint & even tadelakt. It is also relatively durable & water proof. However, one of the biggest snags about this is that installation will definitely have to be undertaken by a professional. If not properly done, waxed concrete will be neither durable, nor water proof.

5.   Wallpaper – A timeless classic with a few “buts”

Using wallpaper in any kind of household renovation is certainly not uncommon, & using it in the bathroom is more common than you’d think. If you use special wallpaper, you can use it in a bathroom with more moisture. It’s easy, it’s quick & you can create your own vibe. There’s a caveat – it’s not the easiest to apply, & either needs a lot of patience & experience, or a professional. Besides, using wallpaper will not add any protection to the layer below, & it’s certainly not going to be a crowd-pleaser. Also, unless you use the best quality wallpaper, there’s a likelihood that it won’t do well with cleaning products & frequent moisture which you’d expect in a bathroom.

6.   PVC cladding – Practical but an imitation

PVC cladding is light-weight, has a good thermal insulation, easy to maintain & has a wide range of appearance, from glossy to wood-like. It’s generally known as an inexpensive way to substitute the more expensive materials since it can imitate most of them. However, the keyword here is “imitate”. Imitations don’t always bring to the table the most of the original product. For starters, PVC claddings are toxic, it’s not biodegradable, & it cannot be recycled, so you can ensure that it’s hazardous to the environment. It can look cheap, even though it’s expensive, & if you’re guests can guess it’s artificial, it’s certainly not flattering.

So, we’ve explored the good, the bad & the ugly. Could there be an alternate solution for bathroom renovations & claddings that we haven’t explored so far?

7.   Sketch Australia flexible stone veneers – Elegant & durable

Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers are extracted from 100% natural stone, resulting in a durable, flexible, easy-to-install thing stone sheet. Sustainably extracted with a minimum carbon footprint, Sketch Australia’s flexible stone sheets are water & heat resistant, thanks to the surface being natural stone. Installable on virtually any flat surface, it can be attached on top of cement, glass, wood, tiles, brick & render. It goes on walls as well as floors. One of the best things about Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers is that it’s a DIY product, so you can make it a weekend project to do it on your own without the help of professional installers. It’s also much cheaper than using the options such as stackstone or actual stone slabs. The finish of the stone will take after the actual stone it was extracted from, whether it be marble, sandstone or slatestone. There are no discolorations since it’s natural stone, & if proper installation & aftercare is done, it will last a lifetime.

Using Sketch Australia’s flexible stone panels in the bathroom is a great option if you’re looking for a durable yet elegant renovation solution. It’s not as common as using wallpaper or tile, it’s definitely not bad for the environment as using PVC, nor does it look cheap, which is what PVC can sometimes come across. You can also use it on the floor as well as the wall. In terms of durability, it’s more durable than tile, since no man-made cladding can come close to natural stone in terms of durability. It’s not as complicated to apply as waxed concrete, & it’s not as neutral looking as tadelakt. Overall, one of the best options that you can consider for your bathroom renovations happens to be Sketch Australia’s flexible stone veneers.

After all, you do deserve the best!