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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Tongue and groove wood paneling in bathrooms - yay or nay?

19 replies

Popsicle30 · 03/04/2019 14:26

So we are looking at updating our bathroom and although the modern bathrooms look nice and shiny I've noticed some more traditional bathrooms with the tongue and groove panelling on the walls (in lovely white or grey). I'm really liking the look of this with a beautiful freestanding bath but is this outdated?!

OP posts:

Alexalee · 03/04/2019 14:58

If you have a period house it will always be fine.
If not then it's a bit naff imho

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 03/04/2019 14:59

not in grey, for god's sake. White would be OK. Agree that if you are in a modern home it would look very odd.

Beebumble2 · 03/04/2019 16:06

It’s lovely and warmer than tiles, but I agree only in a period house. We had it in a previous house, make sure it’s sealed on the wall side otherwise it will warp.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 03/04/2019 17:03

Absolutely not. Our builder told me horror stories of clients with small children installing it against his advice. The correct stuff was used and it was properly sealed. However it is not 100% resistant and he has ripped it out after about 18 months as it eventually stank of piss after their sons obviously missed the loo a bit in the middle of the night. Plus it is harder to clean than smooth tile

senua · 03/04/2019 18:10

I'm really liking the look of this with a beautiful freestanding bath but is this outdated?!
I think the term you are looking for is 'classic'.
It's what we have (in case you haven't gathered!); we have a cross between period and sea-side-y.
We've had it for years and none of the problems mentioned above.

bilbodog · 03/04/2019 18:53

I agree - in a period house. Ive done it in 2 houses with no problems at all.

Giggorata · 03/04/2019 19:04

I did mine in a period house with yacht varnish and it still looks fab after years... this is in a bathroom, mind, not a loo.

Ihuntmonsters · 03/04/2019 19:28

We had a half wall of tongue and groove in a previous bathroom, painted blue with white walls and navy and white tiles. I really liked it, and it made the bathroom feel a bit more cozy. Period house but the bathroom was a modern extension. We didn't have any issues with keeping it clean or warping but the wall it was on only had a radiator and a cupboard at the end of the bath, so not much direct exposure to water. I'd do it again.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 03/04/2019 19:29

Looks gorgeous in the right kind of house. Needs to be quite a large bathroom too imo.

RocketSurgery · 03/04/2019 19:30

Not grey! But otherwise, yes they do look nicez

muckydogpaws · 03/04/2019 19:32

I loved it when we had it in a (period) house and the very best thing about it was that if you needed a quick update you can change the colour by painting it, no grout or tiles or that expensive stuff, just paint it. I'd have it again like a shot.

Peterpiperpickedwrong · 03/04/2019 19:36

Nay.
We ripped it out of both of our previous houses. One had varnished wood, one painted grey. Both were sporting fetching black mouldy patches and stank.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 03/04/2019 19:47

It’s not the age of your house that dictates the decor, it’s the style of the house, if it’s a new build built with a period style facade, which many are, then of course you could have freestanding bath etc. If it’s a 60’s style house then a period look would be wrong because it’s not in keeping. Its the design/style of the house not the age that dictates.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 03/04/2019 20:04

For example these new houses would suit a freestanding bath etc

Tongue and groove wood paneling in bathrooms - yay or nay?

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 03/04/2019 20:05

This one not so much......

katseyes7 · 03/04/2019 20:07

The first house we ever bought was a Victorian town house. We put a 'period style' suite in the bathroom, and put tongue and groove panelling (it was described as wainscot) and dado rail on the lower part of the walls. l don't know if l'd like it in a modern house though.

justasking111 · 03/04/2019 20:09

A friend has done it in a bathroom a nautical blue and white theme it is gorgeous.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 03/04/2019 21:07

We have a fully timbered loo and washbasin area and a half timbered bath area. Honestly I wouldn't recommend it. If water gets in the wood warps and splits. The tongue and groove joints can crack as well. If you have a big bathroom it can look lovely but it needs maintenance and care. Much cheaper than tiling though, if cost is a consideration.

Original poster

Popsicle30 · 04/04/2019 09:14

Thank you everyone. Certainly food for thought.

Bettyboo i'm with you on this. We don't have a period house in terms of age but our house looks similar to the two first examples you shared and I can envisage it going well with the house. The kitchen (already in when we moved in) is cream country style and suits it well. It's a large bathroom which has space for a separate walk in shower as well as a bath. I can see a freestanding bath being central at the end of the bathroom and would certainly be the show piece.

Whether we decide on that being a traditional freestanding bath or not is certainly still on the cards and whether we go for tiles or tongue and groove (will note acceptable colours) is to be decided. Don't worry it will certainly be tiles in the shower area .

My DH has already started ripping everything out as we are having general plumbing issues in there so this is the start of the journey...wish us well!

Thanks again everyone

OP posts:

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