Bathroom cladding feature wall

I decided to add a feature wall to my bathroom, using wooden cladding. I had been to a restaurant and seen a nice example of a wooden cladding wall in the bathroom there. This had given me an idea, so the goal was to create a focal point for my own bathroom.

Studies have shown that having natural wood in the home can help to reduce stress and have a positive effect on wellbeing. This felt like a good opportunity to see if this was true!

A feature wall would help to match everything in the room together and finish the style I was going for. I’d recently installed a laminate wooden floor, and previously made a wooden vanity unit and mirror frame for the sink. I’d also added some wooden panelling around the bath. I enjoyed using wooden cladding previously and this felt like an achievable project.

I started off by measuring the space, and cutting pieces of the cladding (which I bought from Wickes) to size. Next, I installed an inner frame to the wall, which I could attach the cladding to. I did this using a combination of nails and wood glue to make sure the structure was sound. I also drilled some small holes around the inner frame, that would act as a basic form of air ventilation. This would help to avoid getting moisture stuck behind the wood and potentially damage the wall behind.

I wanted to match the style of the wood I had already used in the bathroom and the rest of my flat in general. So, I used the dark oak beeswax to finish the cladding and give it a lovely natural finish. I also applied a varnish to help protect the wood from the moisture that would arise from the shower.

Once I finished installing the wall, I hung an old painting, and decided that there was some additional space for a small shelf. Fortunately, I had previously made a pair of matching shelves using reclaimed old bits and bobs that I had lying around, and one of these fit perfectly underneath the painting (the other is in the living room).

Once finished, I feel like the wall matches the rest of features in the room. I think it compliments the flooring quite nicely, as well as matching the existing bath panelling. The beeswax brings out the grain of the wood and I think this creates some nice patterns to catch the eye. It has been a welcome addition to the room.