Can You Hang Canvas Prints in the Bathroom?
You’ve decorated your living room, bedroom, and foyer. The bathroom is the only room that has been left untouched. You’re considering hanging a canvas print in there, but you’re aware that the restroom is one of the most humid rooms in the house. So, you’re left wondering: Are you able to hang a canvas print in the bathroom?
It is okay to hang your canvas prints in your bathroom as long as it is not close to the shower or sink, as they are a source of humidity. Use an acrylic sealer to waterproof your artwork, and set it into a fully sealed glass frame for maximum protection. Do not hang valuable or expensive artwork in your bathroom.
If you’re still unsure about trying to hang a canvas print in your restroom, this article is for you. We will discuss canvas prints and how they stack up against humidity. We’ll even give you some pointers on keeping your canvas artwork safe when wanting to hang it in the restroom.
How Well Do Canvas Prints Resist Bathroom Humidity?
The bathroom is one of the most humid places in the house. When you take a hot shower, the steam builds up, causing the humidity to sit in the air. Even if you have air vents, the humidity can take up to 20 minutes to dissipate.
If you hang the canvas print in your bathroom without any protection, it will eventually grow mold and mildew on it.
Therefore, you will need to finish it with a barrier protection spray, such as acrylic. However, it’s better to hang it in a room with less humidity.
When Is It Appropriate to Hang Canvas Art in the Bathroom?
Since the humidity in the bathroom is intermittent and not constant, it’s usually okay to hang canvas art in the bathroom. The only exception is if the artwork is extremely valuable or sentimental.
While the humidity in the bathroom is unlikely to destroy canvas, there is still that risk. If you want that particular picture in your bathroom, you can always consider having it transferred into an aluminum print.
Then, take the original and hang it in a different room in the house that’s less humid, such as the living room or the hallway.
Does Canvas Do Well in the Bathroom?
Canvas can do well in a bathroom; however, it’s highly recommended that you refrain from doing this as there’s a chance you can ruin your artwork.
Your canvas will most likely be okay if your bathroom has immaculate venting and never has humidity issues after taking showers. But, we suggest steering clear of this as you don’t want to risk your beautiful painting.
Should You Hang Artwork in a Bathroom?
No matter how well vented, restrooms are subject to steam circulation, which creates an environment unfriendly to your artwork. Moisture can quickly become trapped beneath the glass.
So, if your artwork is on canvas or paper, it’s not a good idea to hang it in the bathroom. You will want to stick to something such as aluminum instead.
How Do You Waterproof a Canvas Print?
If you absolutely cannot imagine your bathroom without this canvas artwork, there is something you can do to waterproof it.
You will need to spray some clear Modge Podge sealer all over the artwork. Make sure you cover both the front, back, and all of the corners and edges. (It doesn’t necessarily need to be Modge Podge, you can choose any acrylic sealer).
Check the directions on the can and follow those so as not to ruin your artwork. If your bathroom is very humid, you may want to cover it in two coatings and then put it in a fully sealed glass frame. However, make sure it’s completely dry before doing this.
Can You keep Canvas Print Safe in the Bathroom?
If you’ve decided you would still rather have the canvas print hung up in your bathroom, then there are some things that you can do to keep it safe.
Don’t Leave Your Canvas Untreated
If your artwork didn’t come already varnished with a preventative spray, you’d want to do it yourself. This spray is part of what protects against the effects of moisture, such as mold, mildew, and sulphuric acid.
While mold and mildew prefer wood and paper, bacteria thrive in whatever surroundings are the warmest. That is your bathroom, complete with the canvas print that is vulnerable in this warm space.
Keep The Print Away From the Source of Humidity
If you have a particularly large bathroom, then you’re going to want to be strategic with where you hang the canvas print.
The shower or tub generates the majority of the humidity in your restroom, so keep the work of art as far away from the shower as possible.
This may not be conceivable in smaller bathrooms, and we are aware of this. The other tips in this segment are applicable regardless of the size of your bathroom.
Keep Space Between the Print and the Wall
The way you hang your canvas print on the wall is important. You want to make sure that the back of the print never touches the wall directly. It may take some fiddling to get the print lined properly, but this gap is critical.
Warm air can now travel past the wall without becoming trapped around the canvas print, thanks to the extra space created behind it. Because the artwork does not retain as much warm air, mildew and mold are less likely to form.
Put Your Print in a Full Seal Glass Frame
Seeing a canvas frame from all sides is part of its appeal. However, in the bathroom, you might want to think about using a glass frame for your art. This layer of glass further protects your canvas print.
You want an all-encompassing frame for the best results. This allows it to form a seal all around the entire print, preventing warm air from entering.
Do NOT Put valuable Artwork in the Bathroom
At the end of the day, all of the methods in this article simply slow the degradation rate, which will occur over time if your art is exposed to sufficient humidity.
As a result, if you have a canvas print that means a lot to you or one that you won’t be able to replace easily, we don’t recommend putting it in your bathroom.
What Type of Artwork is Best to Hang in the Bathroom?
Using aluminum prints in your bathroom is a better idea than canvas as it ensures that the finished product will last longer.
Furthermore, the printable images and text are not scratchable or peeled off. Aluminum prints are your best choice if you want a long-lasting image!
Some people believe that text, graphic elements, and photos can only be printed on paper or vinyl. On the other hand, metal printing can be used to create stunning art backdrops!
What Are The Advantages of Metal Prints?
Aluminum prints have become increasingly popular in recent years. Below, we give you a glimpse of some of the advantages of choosing this type of artwork instead of canvas.
Image Does Not Fade Quickly
We are all aware that visuals and text on paper can fade when exposed to direct sunlight or high humidity and heat for a longer length of time.
However, the image can take a long time to fade with an aluminum print. With the proper care and placement, it may not fade at all.
Scratch Resistant
The dyes are transferred beneath the aluminum’s exterior coating during the transfer process (sublimation). It ensures that the finished product lasts longer than traditional document and canvas prints.
Furthermore, the printable graphics and text are not scratchable or can be peeled off. Therefore, if you’re worried about scratching, aluminum print is the way to go.
Different Styles
The advantage of artwork being displayed on an aluminum base is that it can be framed in standard frames. That is, they will look “at home” with the other artwork on your walls.
Of course, you can go for a more modern look by suspending them from the wall with floating wall hooks! There are lots of things ways you can hang your aluminum.
They Can Withstand Heat
If a fire breaks out on your property, the results could be disastrous. Aluminum has a better chance of withstanding the heat of a fire as opposed to canvas.
The aluminum is also great to hang outside in your outdoor space. Most of them come with UV protection and will not fade when sitting directly in the sunlight.
Easy to Clean
The issue with having to clean some printable surfaces is that you end up wiping away text and graphics as well! The wonderful thing is that you won’t have to deal with this issue with aluminum.
Fingerprints and other stains can be easily removed from the surface. You won’t be able to erase anything because the dyes are beneath the surface coating. If your child decides to add to the artwork with crayons, this is usually easy to remove.
Lightweight
People are concerned about trying to hang larger art pieces on their walls. They are worried that the wall will collapse under such heavy loads. As a result, some people do not display their favorite works of art on their walls.
Aluminum is a relatively light metal. That means you can admire your wall art without worrying about it falling! Furthermore, you don’t have to go through the process of trying to find wall studs that will support the weight of your art.
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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