Bathroom tiling alternative

Two reasons: 1. Im too lazy to tile and grout.

1. I've seen bathrooms with just a paint finish, which look very 'clean' - the effect of no tiles is to increase the apparent size of an otherwise petite bathroom.

I guess I'm asking if anyone's used a paint that would be suitable - someone mentioned the type used in hospital operating theatres, because it wipes down without any damage!

Otherwise mounted panels of melamine? KEVIN BRADY, Oxford

Wallpaper can be varnished to stop the water getting at it. A good Polyurethane Varnish or Yacht Varnish is best for this. Once you varnish the walls, you have to seal the bottom with silicone to stop the water getting in behind it and climbing up the paper.

I think someone did this in our house before we bought it (it was varnish or some other semi-matt treatment over the wallpaper, in a half-tiled bathroom). That was 15 years ago and for 10 of those the house was let out. The paper is still in astonishingly good nick.

It does work really well surprisingly. I thought it would have bubbles and blistered with the hot water splashing on it, bit it doesn't when you make sure every inch is covered and sealed.

bathroom.

I used to have a bathroom that was only tiled above the bath and sink, two/three courses. The remainder was painted.

Crown do mid-sheen for kitchens/bathrooms - it has more vinyl in it and resists condensation/scuffing. No doubt Dulus etc do similar.

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