Ceramic tiles have long been the go-to choice for bathroom walls, but they aren’t the only option. If you’re looking to create a warmer, more inviting atmosphere, wood panelling is a versatile and elegant solution.
Real wood brings a spa-like ambiance, is pleasant to the touch, and is inherently sustainable. Its natural texture and color transform even the smallest bathrooms into beautifully designed spaces that feel calm and connected to nature.
The short answer: yes, it is.
Design-wise, wood works especially well in small spaces where wall surfaces matter most. While tiles can feel clinical, natural wood softens the space, adds depth, and creates visual warmth without overwhelming it. You get maximum impact with minimal effort.
Of course, practicality matters.
The main concern is moisture. Wood naturally absorbs water, which means in wet conditions it could swell or promote mildew. But this doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. With proper ventilation and the right material choice, wood panelling can perform beautifully in bathrooms.
After all, saunas are built entirely from wood and they withstand constant heat and humidity. The key is choosing the right kind of wood.
Untreated woods and veneers may suffer in bathrooms, but thermally modified wood changes the game.
Thermal modification uses heat and steam to transform the structure of the wood. During this process, wood’s chemical and physical properties are altered: moisture is released, sugars are broken down, and the material becomes far less absorbent.
The result is wood that is more dimensionally stable, resistant to rot, and less likely to swell in humid environments. In other words, the exact qualities you need for a bathroom.
Thermory’s thermally modified wood is designed to excel outdoors where it has to endure constant rain, sun, and seasonal shifts. That means that in a bathroom, it easily holds up against splashes, steam, and changing temperatures.
Bathroom wood panelling isn’t just about performance, it’s also about style. With Thermory’s range of colors, profiles, and finishes, you can achieve almost any look.
Thermal modification naturally enhances wood’s color, producing warm tones ranging from golden brown to deep chocolate. For example, thermally modified ash develops a rich, dark hue, while aspen takes on a light brown with a soft golden shimmer. For even more variety, our Ignite and Drift collections offer painted thermowood options with striking character and pre-weathered aesthetics.
Wood panelling allows you to go beyond flat walls. Choose ribbed or fluted profiles for texture, wide boards for a minimalist look, or mix profiles for subtle contrast. This flexibility gives you freedom to design walls that are simple yet stylish—or bold and architectural.
Bathrooms often require shorter board lengths, especially in smaller urban homes. Our SmartS collection is designed with this in mind. It reduces the need for cutting long boards in tight conditions, saving both time and costs during installation.
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