How can I update this pebble rock wall in my bathroom?

Anna
by Anna

This accent wall was done by the previous owners, by hand. I would really like to update it, maybe paint it. Possibly a charcoal color? What are your thoughts?

  20 answers
  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Feb 03, 2021

    here is some info for you and it depends on the look you are trying to achieve as to what color to use


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/rooms/q-how-do-i-paint-a-pebble-stone-bathroom-shower-floor-44292087

    How do I paint a pebble stone bathroom shower floor?
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 03, 2021

    Sorry if I am going to hurt your feelings, if you paint it a solid color, it is going to look like a lumpy wall.

    A creative idea would be to paint each individual stone and make it into a kind of mosaic, it may or may not work-that will take some planning and experimentation depending on what you can imagine on that wall.



  • You may want to consider white-washing it.

  • I would do white wash, so it doesn't look like a bumpy wall in all one color. Also, the side walls look like a charcoal/gray color, so I would go lighter on the rock wall.

  • Dee Dee on Feb 03, 2021

    I would paint is a gray white, to go with the walls.

  • Ellis Ellis on Feb 04, 2021

    Is that accent wall in a niche? If so, have you thought of putting some nice shelves across, and using it for decorative sorts of things like baskets of soaps, etc.? Just a thought. I do think painting will make it look like a lumpy wall. Maybe the German schmear technique?

  • Melinda Record Melinda Record on Feb 04, 2021

    I like this rock wall a lot ~ it's cool. And I agree with answer from Ellis to add some nice shelves. At Home Talk and Pinterest there are all sorts of ideas and processes to add shelves ... you'll have fun!

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Feb 04, 2021

    Hi! Would you consider removing the stone? Then you could repair the wall or tile it. Good luck!

    • See 1 previous
    • Louise Louise on Nov 23, 2021

      I agree with Cynthia. Remove the pebbles and just put drywall up and or put a tile there that you like.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 04, 2021

    Hello,

    Paint some of the pebbles maybe Gold or Silver or Bronze!

  • Anna Anna on Feb 04, 2021

    Thank you for all the advice! I would love to tear out the rocks and replace the wall, but that’s above me. LOL I’m not sure I could do it right. I almost have the room/bathroom finished and I’ll post a picture of how it turned out tonight!!

  • William William on Feb 04, 2021

    Remove the toilet. Tear the wall down in chunks down to the studs. Replace with new drywall. Mud any seams. Prime and paint. Only thing to distract from the stone would be dark stained wood shelves

  • Tuula - Color Me Thrifty Tuula - Color Me Thrifty on Feb 05, 2021

    If it were me I would keep it simple by hanging a large piece of art, or several smaller ones. Or, if you like natural materials wicker or rattan trays would look fabulous too. The contrast of the rock and the wicker would look great I think. It just depends what you're into. A wall display of some kind would downplay the pebble wall, which I think is amazing by the way, and make it into more of a backdrop rather than a focal point. And it doesn't have to be expensive.

  • Zard Pocleeb Zard Pocleeb on Feb 06, 2021

    I agree with William...don’t change the stones, change what’s around them. Going darker will give it a completely different look. If, however, you are intent on changing the stones you could pick out three or four colors and paint the individual stones different colors. When the paint has all dried you can come back and paint the grout. It would be very labor intensive, but worth the effort.

  • Anna Anna on Feb 06, 2021

    Ok! So here it is... mind you, I’m a beginner at DIY 😊 I think it looks better for what I could do. Thanks for all the advice and input! We have new dark floors coming next month as well.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jun 30, 2021

    change grout .. paint all completly ?

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 20, 2022

    Leave it as it is and ADD A FRAMED pICTURE OR mIRROR TO THE WALL.

  • Deborah Deborah on Dec 05, 2023

    When I decided to revamp my bathroom, I was contemplating how to update an outdated tiled feature wall. I eventually chose a deep blue paint, which added a contemporary touch to the room. Considering the bathroom's humidity, the process involved using a high-adhesion primer and a moisture-resistant paint. It was a task to get the colour into all the grooves of the tiles, but the result was worth it.


    Amid this project, I also realized my old bathtub didn't quite match the new look I was going for. That's when I stumbled upon https://www.aquaticabath.co.uk/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-freestanding-tubs. This resource was incredibly informative, detailing the benefits of freestanding baths, including their style, comfort, and ease of cleaning. Inspired, I replaced my old tub with a sleek, modern freestanding bath.

  • Janice Janice on Dec 05, 2023

    Anna, thanks for following up with a pic of what you did. I think it looks great! Amazing what one can do when you just go for it!

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Jan 13, 2024

    I think you could minimize the rock by installing shelving or large hooks that would make it less of a statement wall.

  • If you really don't like it, remove the pebbles and refinish the wall. I don't think it would look right painted.