Many people are scared to tackle the repair of the ceiling in the bathroom due to the wide selection of building materials, the properties of which they know almost nothing about. More often than not, in the store, you have to trust the sales assistants, but they are only concerned with selling the goods that are most profitable for them. Someone, choosing ceiling options, relies on the experience of friends and acquaintances, but there is a risk that the material will not be suitable for a particular room. Therefore, it is worth spending your time studying the properties of a possible ceiling decoration in a bathroom.
Ceiling suitable for the bathroom
A good bathroom ceiling must meet the following requirements:
Do not be afraid of a high percentage of moisture. Bathing, washing, cleaning - all this contributes to the emergence of dampness in the room, and even the most technologically advanced ventilation will not be able to completely save the room from water vapor. Therefore, before finishing your ceiling, you need to make sure that the material is sufficiently resistant to moisture and does not become moldy.
The ceiling in the bathroom should be easily cleaned of possible dirt. Few people manage to carry out a full-fledged cleaning in this room: the space is limited not only by the footage, but also by various shelves where household chemicals and hygiene products are stored, a washing machine (for most residents) and, of course, the bathroom itself. It is unreasonable and traumatic to climb onto equipment or on enameled sides, so it is better to take care in advance that the finish does not need complicated maintenance.
Should be aesthetically compatible with the appearance of the room. You need to make a ceiling in the bathroom, relying on the existing original interior. If you ignore this requirement, then the contrast will be defiantly striking.
The material must be environmentally friendly and not emit harmful vapors into the air. The repaired ceiling should not have any foreign unpleasant odors, including when the temperature and percentage of humidity in the air rise.
The small dimensions of the room complicate the work, therefore, do-it-yourself repairs to the ceiling in the bathroom must be done from a finish that is easy to install. It is also worth considering the future need to mount light sources upstairs, and the material should not interfere with this.
Adequate cost. Finances are rarely in excess of anyone, so you need to navigate the prices and not overpay for nothing.
It would seem that everything is obvious, but it will not hurt to remind you of the minimum requirements.
What is undesirable to decorate the ceiling in the bathroom?
There are materials that are not suitable for bathrooms for one reason or another. They are short-lived and will only spoil the existing repairs. Here is a list of unsuitable materials for finishing:
- Lime whitewash is an outdated bathroom ceiling design. In comparison with modern options, it looks dull and dull. In addition, it is better to use whitewash in rooms with moderate humidity, since it does not tolerate dampness well. And also, in order for the lime to retain its attractive appearance, you need to periodically apply new layers, and this is very tedious.
- Chalk whitewash is not suitable for bathroom ceilings for the same reasons as lime wash. In addition, it is an excellent medium for the spread of fungus on its surface.
- Bathroom ceilings do not accept enamel or oil paints. Exposure to water can negatively affect even the highest quality formulations, they can crack, tarnish and crumble.
- Paper wallpaper is not the best option to renovate the top of a room, as it will swell up due to high humidity, or even come off completely. It is better to pay attention to other types of wallpaper.
- Before finishing the ceiling with plasterboard in the bathroom, it is recommended to make sure that it is resistant to the aquatic environment. Not every material in this category is suitable for damp rooms. The classic version of drywall, when exposed to moisture, can deform and lose its quality and aesthetic properties.
- What you don't need to do the ceiling in the bathroom with your own hands, so from chipboard and fiberboard. This material is susceptible to moisture and may form repellent stains and smudges on the surface.
Unfortunately, many options for finishing ceilings in the bathroom disappear, but do not despair: there are many other possibilities to make the top of the room attractive and modern.
What to make an inexpensive bathroom ceiling
How to decorate the ceiling in the bathroom so that it is beautiful, high quality, and relatively cheap? Prices "bite" in most building materials, and inexpensive analogs cause concern: what if they are short-lived? But budget repair options do exist! Below are the available solutions for each.
Coating the ceiling with high quality acrylic paint
The color scheme of waterproof paints is very extensive, therefore it will not be difficult to choose a shade that suits the existing appearance of the room. However, it is possible to cover the top of the room with paint only if the ceiling does not have pronounced irregularities and defects. Otherwise, you need to level the surface with a primer and putty and, therefore, spend money on additional materials. But, fortunately, their price is also low.
The ceiling in the bathroom, painted with your own hands, has a number of advantages:
- it is easy to take care of it - dust and dirt are easily removed from the surface;
- it can serve for quite a long time - up to 10 years in the absence of force majeure circumstances (for example, flooding from above);
- the ability to create a unique design by combining various colors - you can draw anything you want;
- the ceiling can become dull over time and darken from exposure to dampness, but this problem can be eliminated by re-painting the top of the room, and acrylic can be applied to the existing layer without scraping it;
- most modern formulations contain special substances that prevent the spread of mold.
One of the few disadvantages of paint coating is the fact that you cannot hide engineering communications under it. However, this will not affect the interior as much.
In addition to acrylic, bathroom ceilings can be finished with latex or water dispersion paint.
Pasting the top of the room with vinyl wallpaper
Another optimal and budget option is to decorate the ceiling with vinyl wallpaper. A special synthetic film protects this material from moisture and gives it extra strength. Among the advantages of vinyl wallpaper are the following:
- the texture of the material can repeat wood, stone, bamboo stems, brick, velvet and much more, which guarantees its ability to "get along" in any interior;
- low level of wear - like paint, vinyl wallpaper can serve its owner for ten years;
- affordable cleaning - the ceiling in the bathroom with your own hands, made from this coating, can be washed with a sponge and even a brush, without fear of damage.
However, as is the case with paint, to decorate a room with vinyl wallpaper, the surface on which they will be glued should not have any deformations. If they are present, then it is necessary to align the ceiling.
In addition, pasting with vinyl wallpaper should be as accurate and accurate as possible, the seams should fit snugly to each other to eliminate the possibility of gaps. The free space between the sheets threatens the accumulation of water droplets on the surface, and hence the growth of mold. 
Ceiling decoration with expanded polystyrene tiles
The question of which material to choose for the ceiling in the bathroom, if there is no desire to further level the surface, is answered by expanded polystyrene tiles. Yes, they will not differ in any design originality, but they will hide all existing defects under themselves. Main positive characteristics:
- before gluing with tiles, the surface does not need any preliminary preparation, except for treatment with an antifungal solution;
- ideal for new buildings - the flexibility of the material allows it to survive the shrinkage period without deformation;
- most of the products made of expanded polystyrene copy the graceful plaster molding, and if the renovation in the bathroom is done in the style of the classics, then the tiles will look very harmonious.
Decorating the ceiling in the bathroom with this material is quite simple. The tile is attached to the ceiling of the room with all-purpose glue or liquid nails. 
PVC panels - modern option
PVC panels are perfect for those who asked themselves how to make a ceiling in the bathroom on their own. A relatively cheap material that is available in various colors, which makes it versatile in application to various interior options. The panels are mounted on a wood or metal frame. Which one is better to choose? Given the high humidity in the room, metal will definitely hold the lead. But wood is also suitable if it is pre-treated with an impregnation that protects against moisture.
The indisputable advantages of PVC panels are:
- easy installation - even a beginner can install;
- no need to level the ceiling - the panels will cover everything;
- the surface easily gets rid of dirt with a regular damp cloth without the use of chemicals;
- durability and long service life;
- the ceiling will "fall" by only a few centimeters;
- the lamps installed in the panels look very stylish and modern.
It is better to make the ceiling in the bathroom from glossy PVC panels, then the room will visually expand and become more spacious. 
What are the best ceilings for the bathroom
The above were considered budget types of ceilings that many can afford. However, if money was initially set aside for repairs, then you can afford more expensive work. What is the best ceiling in the bathroom in this case?
Slatted ceiling - a symbiosis of beauty and practicality
Glossy metal plates are not suitable for every interior: it is advisable to use them in medium and larger rooms. But, if the dimensions of the room allow, then the rack ceiling is one of the most successful solutions. It is better to choose aluminum from metal, since its waterproof and anti-corrosion qualities are at a height. The seams of the slatted ceilings provide a stylish contrast, so it blends perfectly with the two-tone bathroom interior.
The advantages of this finish:
- a wide range of colors - you can at least cover the ceiling in the bathroom (from monochromatic, gilded to patterned and chrome options, as well as their combinations);
- easy to assemble - slats are adjusted to each other, like a designer;
- material flexibility - it is possible to make a curved surface that will look very impressive;
- the glossy finish creates the illusion of spaciousness and makes the room more comfortable.
The only slight inconvenience is the fact that you need to regularly wipe the seams so that they do not darken and mold does not form on them. 
Suspended ceilings - the embodiment of any form in practice
What kind of ceiling to make in the bathroom if the height of the room is quite large? A suspended version made of plasterboard, metal or mineral plates is suitable - your imagination is not limited by anything! As they say, there would be funds! Positive characteristics of such a surface:
- the ability to create a ceiling of several levels, which will perfectly fit the walls;
- all electrical wiring will be hidden under the finish, no unnecessary parts that can spoil the appearance of the room;
- you can forget about repairing the top of the room for 15-20 years - wear will be very slow;
- the possibility of combining materials will allow you to create an exclusive designer ceiling.
The price of finishing, of course, will be quite high, but the result and the updated interior will bring genuine moral satisfaction. 
Mirrored and glass ceilings - bathroom in all its splendor
A relatively new finish is mirror and glass plates. When installing this option, small rooms will immediately transform and appear larger than their size. How to decorate the ceiling in the bathroom with mirrors? Immediately you need to warn that without professional knowledge and experience, it is almost impossible to install with reflective plates, so you will have to contact specialists. The ceiling will need additional reinforcement to support a decent weight of the material.
But you can stop at this solution, because:
- the mirror surface looks grandiose and impressive, and very few people can find such a finish, it is quite rare;
- you can save on lamps - the coating reflects light, spreading it throughout the room;
- the atmosphere in the bathroom will be magical and cozy.
The main difficulty after installing a glass ceiling is taking care of it. The surface will constantly fog up, and water droplets will leave unsightly stains. Therefore, you will have to clean up the top quite often. 
Stretch ceiling - a popular option of our time
If you answer the question, which ceilings are better for the bathroom, then the stretch coating definitely holds the lead. It's all about its protective properties against possible flooding - the water of such a surface is not terrible.
What are the advantages of a stretch ceiling?
- the material is able to hold in itself up to a centner of liquid, protecting the floor, walls and household appliances - then the water can be simply drained, and the coating will take its previous forms;
- the stretch ceiling is environmentally friendly and does not emit harmful vapors into the air;
- monochromatic, patterned, glossy, matte shades and even photo-coatings - you can adapt to any interior.
In the case of a stretch ceiling, just like with a mirrored (glass) ceiling, you cannot do without the services of specialists. And the surface will need to be protected from sharp objects, since it is easily damaged. 
In conclusion, we can say that any type of ceiling has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice will have to be based on your own aesthetic tastes and characteristics of the bathroom.