
Can you hang artwork in the bathroom?
Hanging family photos or elegant art prints in the bathroom can brighten up the room, but putting artwork in the bathroom presents its own set of problems. Moisture can damage fine art and photographs, so the high-humidity environment of a bathroom spells trouble over time.
Can you put pictures in a bathroom?
Adding pictures in a bathroom can upgrade your space's look and feel, but before you start shopping, it's important to note that you shouldn't hang original artwork and expensive pieces or you run the risk of them getting damaged.
What should not be hung in a bathroom?
When hanging artwork in your bathroom, refrain from hanging anything priceless and most importantly, try not to hang paper-based pictures or wood-framed pictures. Paper-based artwork is super popular, but try not to hang in your bathroom limited-edition prints, vintage movie posters or original artwork that can't be replaced.
Can you hang a wood frame in the bathroom?
Although wood frames are appealing, if you hang a wood frame in your bathroom, the frame will expand and contract due to the constant temperature changes. When a wood frame expands and contracts, the frame will sustain damage.

Can I hang a painting in the bathroom?
“Most art can work in your bathroom as long as you can keep steam buildup to a minimum,” Miller says. “So make a habit of using your exhaust fan and keeping the windows open whenever possible, to let your artwork breathe.”
Can you hang canvas paintings in a bathroom?
Generally speaking, it's okay to display your canvas prints in the bathroom, but you should avoid putting your canvas art too close to the source of humidity. As long as your canvas is a fair distance away from the bath or shower, it will last a good number of years.
What kind of art can you hang in a bathroom?
In general photographs, prints, and other works that are professionally framed, with a sealed back, will fare well as bathroom wall hangings, unlikely to mildew or warp. Ceramic and glass plates or sculpture pieces, as you might imagine, also make durable bathroom art choices.
Where is the best place to hang an oil painting?
The best way to avoid humidity is to place paintings in dry rooms with minimal moisture in the air. This means that paintings should never be placed in a bathroom, near a kitchen sink, or in sunrooms or patios.
Can you hang an oil canvas in a bathroom?
The short answer? Yes, you can. Canvas prints will look fantastic in any room where they're displayed.
How can I protect my oil painting from moisture?
Save Money On Oil Paints – 8 Methods For How To Keep Oil Paints From Drying OutMethod #1: Put your palette in the freezer.Method #2: Put your palette under water.Method #3: Transfer your paint to a plastic box with compartments and add water.Method #4: Put plastic wrap on your palette.Method #5: Plastic wrap and freeze.More items...
How do you protect a canvas painting in a bathroom?
If you are concerned about the canvas being exposed to humidity, then a protective varnish applied by professionals at a framing store or art shop could help. Alternatively, you could have a replica of the art made to hang in the bathroom and keep the original in a safer place. You can also apply the varnish yourself.
Is it OK to hang pictures in a bathroom?
Choosing The Right Artwork You don't want to hang an irreplaceable work of art in a place where there is a high probability of it becoming damaged. Bathrooms, no matter how well ventilated, are subject to steam being circulated and create an environment that isn't kind to your artwork.
What can I hang on bathroom walls?
Here are our picks for the best bathroom wall decor to spruce up your space.01 of 15. Mix Wainscoting + Wallpaper. ... 02 of 15. Hang Framed Art. ... 03 of 15. Install Printed Wallpaper. ... 05 of 15. Play With Floor-to-Ceiling Tile. ... 06 of 15. Bring in a Beauty Product Shelfie. ... 07 of 15. DIY a Gallery Wall. ... 09 of 15. ... 11 of 15.More items...•
Is humidity bad for oil paintings?
Extreme or unstable environmental conditions, particularly temperature and humidity, can be detrimental to an oil painting. Temperatures over 75 degrees Farenheit will cause the support to expand and the paint layers to crack and flake away.
Should oil paintings be behind glass?
If an oil painting is painted on canvas, panel, or board, there is no need to frame it under glass. Glass is used in framing to protect artwork from moisture and UV rays, which can fade colors.
How do you protect canvas from humidity?
Prepare Your Art To Withstand Humidity To complete this project, you will need either a liquid or spray varnish and a Varnish brush. Just make sure you pay attention to what type of finish you choose, the most popular being satin, glossy or matte. Canvas is usually stretched over wood, which can also be a concern.
How do you protect a canvas painting in a bathroom?
If you are concerned about the canvas being exposed to humidity, then a protective varnish applied by professionals at a framing store or art shop could help. Alternatively, you could have a replica of the art made to hang in the bathroom and keep the original in a safer place. You can also apply the varnish yourself.
Can I hang a canvas acrylic painting in the bathroom?
Canvas artwork is usually a print or paint – both are okay to hang in the bathroom. You can have a professional add a protective varnish, or you can do it yourself. Make sure you use the ventilation in your bathroom and open a window periodically for airflow.
Is it OK to hang pictures in a bathroom?
Choosing The Right Artwork You don't want to hang an irreplaceable work of art in a place where there is a high probability of it becoming damaged. Bathrooms, no matter how well ventilated, are subject to steam being circulated and create an environment that isn't kind to your artwork.
How do you waterproof canvas prints?
Spray the entire canvas, front and back, using Mod Podge clear acrylic sealer (or your acrylic sealer of choice). Make sure to follow the instructions on the can. Spray a second layer after the canvas has fully dried for added protection. And that's it!
How Do You Protect a Canvas Painting In a Bathroom?
If you are not careful with how you put a canvas in your bathroom, it won’t last you very long. You need to protect your canvas if you want to keep it in your bathroom for a long period of time.
How High Do You Hang Pictures in a Bathroom?
If you want to hang the painting behind your toilet, you will want to measure 8 inches from the top of your toilet. If you are hanging more than one picture, you should keep them about 2 inches apart for the best results.
Safe to hang oil painting in bathroom?
A friend of mine wants to do this but she's wondering if the steam will damage it? It's a fairly large picture in a wood frame. The room does have an exhaust fan. Searching online I've been reading yes and no.
Comments (9)
I wouldn't. I've painted a few oils, the canvas is stretched tight in order to paint, all that moisture raising and lowering would probably affect the canvas for sure which would impact the paint (and the frame). Not worth the risk. JMHO.
Where to hang a painting in bathroom?
A large bathroom will allow you to hang a painting on the wall furthest away from the shower.
Why shouldn't I display original art in my bathroom?
Original works of art shouldn’t be displayed in the bathroom because of the frequent changes to the temperature and humidity can damage it. I recommend decorating your bathroom with reproductions because they can be replaced.
Why does my bathroom mirror fog up?
The mirror tends to fog up and so do the metal fixtures. The condensation can form on the front or back of the painting. Exposure to high humidity levels encourages mold to grow. Mold is a common problem in bathrooms. The abundance of moisture encourages it to grow. Mold is very destructive, especially to paper.
What is mold on a painting?
Mold is very destructive, especially to paper. Sometimes the mold is taking hold in places where you don’t notice. It can develop behind the matboard or on the back of the painting. Mold and bacteria can create very distracting spots on the surface of the painting. Art conservators call these stains “foxing.”.
Why is my painting not allowed to touch glass?
The moisture in the air causes the paper fibers to expand and buckle. If it’s in a frame then the paper may even buckle enough to come in contact with the glass. The artwork shouldn’t be allowed to touch the glass because it can damage the surface of the painting.
What is the best environment for art?
The Ideal Environment For Artwork. Art museums provide the ideal environment for artwork. Original works of art are priceless and museums carefully control the indoor environment to protect them. The Philadelphia Museum of Art maintains a steady temperature and humidity level at all times.
Can you hang a painting in your bathroom for years?
You’ll find a difference of opinion on this issue. Some will claim that they’ve had a painting hanging in their bathroom for years without any damage. Bathrooms vary in design and usage so this may be possible. It’s also possible that the longevity of the painting is being affected without any visible damage.
What Kind of Art Can You Hang in a Bathroom?
Most bathrooms get used once or twice a day for showers. This is the only time you’re going to get large amounts of moisture in the air. But over time, humidity can affect any artwork you place in the bathroom.
Framed Prints & Photographs
If possible, choose art prints and photos that are printed on acid-free, archival materials because it’s more likely to withstand humidity.
Canvas Prints
Although canvas prints aren’t considered waterproof, they are highly water-resistant.
Canvas Paintings
Before I put framed art prints in my bathroom, I hung 3 canvas paintings in my bathroom for 4 years. They were still in good shape when I took them down.
Metal Prints
If you still don’t want to take the risk with the types of wall art mentioned above, maybe you’ll want to consider aluminum metal prints from Society6 or Redbubble.
Tips for Hanging Artwork in Your Bathroom
The best advice I can give you in choosing art to hang in your bathroom is to choose art that’s inexpensive! This way, if anything goes wrong, you’ll easily be able to afford a replacement.
How to keep moisture out of a room?
Don’t Keep Doors and Windows Closed. Make sure to open up your doors and windows to keep moisture from accumulating. You can also run a fan in order to remove the moisture in the room.
What kind of frames should I use for acrylic art?
When it comes to figuring out how to display your art, I recommend metal, wood, or plastic fram es without frills. Certain types of frames can reduce air flow and starve your acrylic.
Can you protect acrylic paint?
The acrylic paint doesn’t need to be protected, but the card or paper the painting is on will. Another option instead of framing your painting is glazing it. You can purchase a gloss sealant and once you’re done, just spray it over your painting and wa-lah!
Can you hang a painting under glass?
So if you are hanging your painting and framing it under glass, you absolutely must make sure it is 100% sealed. I recommend buying a sealant and using it on the backing of it. This is to ensure no moisture from the bathroom gets in, otherwise your painting will be affected.
Can you hang acrylic painting on a wall?
If you are like me, you probably have every room of your house decorated, but what about the bathroom? With all that moisture and temperature shifts, is it safe to hang an acrylic painting in there? The answer is yes. It will be okay if you have it framed under glass, with backing. You should not just hang it up on the wall without glass protection. It would begin to warp, damage.
Can you put art in the bathroom?
Like I’ve mentioned above, the biggest issue you’ll face displaying art in your bathroom is humidity. Moisture, especially if it gets trapped under the glass—can seriously stain artwork and matting. If you’re at all worried about damage, I suggest sticking with inexpensive pieces, particularly work on canvas or ones without glass or glazing.
Do you need a glass frame for acrylic painting?
While you may want to keep your acrylic painting safe and sound, it may not need a glass frame to protect it. In the section above, I recommend framing an acrylic painting with a backing, if you are looking to hang it in your bathroom, or anywhere that it can be exposed to moisture or steam. However, if you are just hanging it in your living room ...

The Ideal Environment For Artwork
The Risks of Hanging Your Painting in The Bathroom
- Mold
Mold is a common problem in bathrooms because the abundance of water creates high humidity levels. When you take a shower you’ll notice that many of the surfaces in the bathroom have condensation on them. The mirror tends to fog up and so do the metal fixtures. The condensatio… - Buckling
High humidity can cause paper to buckle. The moisture in the air causes the paper fibers to expand and buckle. If it’s in a frame then the paper may even buckle enough to come in contact with the glass. The artwork shouldn’t be allowed to touch the glass because it can damage the s…
Bathroom Design and Usage
- Nobody can guarantee that your painting won’t get damaged in the bathroom because there are numerous variations in bathroom design, layout, and usage. Below are brief descriptions of the many variables that determine how harsh your bathroom is on your artwork.
Reproductions Are Replaceable
- I’m not suggesting that the bathroom should be free from artwork. Artwork can liven up what could otherwise be a dreary room. Many artists make prints of their original paintings and offer them for sale at a fraction of the price of what the original would cost. Prints are made by photographing or scanning the original art. A high quality ink jet printer is used to print the imag…