Have you thought of smartening up your bathroom? It may seem an unlikely place for art, but pictures give a bathroom character and personality. The catch is the steam. Here is how to display art in a bathroom so that it looks good and lasts.
Think about the frame material
Moisture is the first thing to consider. Wood takes up water from humid air and gives it back as the room dries, so a wooden frame swells and shrinks. In a steamy bathroom that can lead in time to warping, opening corners and mould.
Metal frames, such as aluminium, cope with moisture and changes of temperature much better, and so do synthetic mouldings. In a well-ventilated bathroom or a downstairs cloakroom a wooden frame with a good finish will usually be fine. In a small bathroom with a shower that is used every day, choose metal.
Protect what is inside
The frame matters less than keeping damp away from the picture.
- Seal the back. A frame with the backing board taped all round keeps most of the moist air out.
- Use a mount. It holds the picture away from the glazing, so that it cannot stick to it if condensation forms.
- Consider laminated or coated prints. A laminate is a barrier against moisture, and many also filter UV light, which slows fading.
- Ventilate. Prevention is better than cure. Use the extractor fan and open a window after a bath or shower. Lower humidity protects the pictures and discourages mould.
Choose the spot
Where you hang a picture in a bathroom makes a big difference.
- Measure the wall space you really have, allowing for cabinets, towel rails and mirrors.
- Keep pictures away from the wettest places. Above the bath, beside the shower and over the basin are where splashes and steam are worst. The wall opposite, or near the door, is better.
- Avoid hanging anything directly above a radiator or heated towel rail.
- Choose pictures that suit the room. Bathrooms are usually small, so simple images in plain frames tend to work best.
Hang artwork you can replace
An original or limited-edition work on paper, whether a print, a document, a painting or a vintage film poster, should not hang in a bathroom. If you want that picture there, hang an inexpensive copy that can be replaced if it buckles or mould appears.
Some kinds of picture stand up to moisture better than paper. Prints on metal do not warp or grow mould, and need no glazing, so there is nowhere for moisture to collect. Canvas prints with a protective coating usually cope well too. You could also frame things that are not paper at all, such as tiles or plates.
Or avoid frames altogether
You do not have to use frames. Ornaments, ceramics and small sculptures are attractive, are less easily harmed by moisture, and can go on a shelf or a windowsill. Wall art with a three-dimensional finish adds texture without taking up floor space.
Conclusion
Pictures in a bathroom need a little thought, but they are well worth having. Keep the room ventilated, choose a frame that tolerates moisture, seal it properly, hang it away from the water, and do not risk anything you could not bear to lose.
Our picture frames are made to measure, and we are glad to advise on the best frame for a bathroom.
Call EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are happy to talk it through even if you do not want to buy.