Bathroom Renovation Vol.18: Wallpaper Finishing Pt.1

u270fufe0f Originally published: 2016-12-10 / ud83dudd04 Rewritten: May 8, 2026

u270fufe0f 2026 Update from DIY Dad: Finishing Touches on the Bathroom/Laundry Room

We’re in the finishing stretch of the bathroom/laundry room renovation. Wallpaper and vanity installation are the phases that demand the most precision.

Wallpaper Tips for Wet Areas

Unlike the rest of the house, wet areas need mold- and moisture-resistant wallpaper u2014 no exceptions.

DIY Dad’s wallpaper selection criteria

• Anti-mold and antibacterial treatment
• Wipeable surface (vinyl wallpaper is ideal)
• Light color u2014 white to light gray
• At least 1.0mm thick

Vanity Installation Key Points

Level, connect, caulk. The most common problem is a drain trap mismatch u2014 check before you buy.

Landlord’s Perspective: Cost vs. Return

Materials-only cost: approx. 250,000 yen. Contractor price: 800,000 to 1,200,000 yen. Every renovation builds skills and deepens knowledge of your property.

ud83dudebf For Anyone Considering a Wet Area Renovation

Confirm pipe types and dimensions before you start u2014 that’s the most important rule.

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Continuing the first-floor bathroom/laundry room renovation u2014 time for the finishing work. Starting with wallpaper.

Tools and materials used: pre-pasted wallpaper (nori-tsuki), joint caulk (joint coke), smoothing brush, putty knife, roller, utility knife, damp cloth.

A note on sequencing: while this post is about the bathroom/laundry room, this space was actually where DIY Dad hung wallpaper for the very first time. Still a complete beginner back then and not thinking about proper order u2014 I somehow started with the hardest part: the ceiling.

I went at it cautiously, one strip at a time.

My very first piece of wallpaper. I left way too much overhang on both ends u2014 wasteful. And I immediately tore a corner. Beginner’s tax u2014 just have to live with it and move on.

The second strip goes up and I tackle the seam. To finish a seam, you overlap the two strips and cut through both layers with a utility knife, then peel away the excess.

The dark line at the seam. I pressed too hard with the knife u2014 cut all the way through and left a visible groove. That’s what happens your first time. But joint caulk (acrylic filler) rubbed into the line makes it almost disappear.

After joint caulk u2014 you can barely tell. That’s all for today u2014 see you next time!

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