Decorating a small powder room can be challenging, but with some clever design tricks you can make your petite space feel grand. A powder room is often a guest bathroom or half bath, used mainly for hand washing and freshening up. Though diminutive in size, a powder room’s design carries a lot of impact as it offers guests their first impression of your home’s style. With creative ideas and spatial illusions, you can transform your modest powder room into a little jewel box that feels expansive and special. Follow these tips to go big in your small powder room.
Choosing the Right Layout
Careful planning of the powder room’s layout and circulation is key to maximizing the sense of space. Consider the following layout ideas:
Open Up the Entry
If possible, remove the door to open up the powder room to the adjoining space. An open entry makes the room feel more expansive. Add a textured curtain or beaded strands for privacy and visual interest.
Angle the Door
An angled door takes up less visual space, opening up the room. Floating the door a few inches off the floor enhances the lightness.
Use a Pocket Door
Pocket doors slide into the wall, saving precious floor space in a small powder room. Track lighting in the pocket highlights this clever door.
Add Mirrors
Strategically placed mirrors visually enlarge the space. Align mirrors across from windows and doors to reflect light and views.
Float the Vanity
Floating the vanity off the floor lightens up the look underneath. Add a skirted sink or pipework to fully expose the floating effect.
Recess the Toilet
Recessing the toilet into an alcove hides it from view while still providing room to walk past it.
Skip the Shower
Since powder rooms don’t require a shower, use the saved space for a larger vanity or decorative fixtures.
Selecting Stunning Surfaces
The materials you choose for the floors, walls and ceilings have a big impact in a petite powder room. Aim for light colors, glossy finishes, large patterns and minimal grout lines to make the space appear bigger.
Tile Floors
Small tiles like mosaics make the floor appear larger due to their grid-like pattern. Glossy tiles also reflect light.
Bold Wallpaper
Choose a vibrant, large-scale print wallpaper. The bold patterns make the walls recede.
Mirrored Walls
Full mirrored walls are a dramatic choice. Frameless mirrors seamlessly reflect light.
Sheer Curtains
Floating sheer curtains filter light beautifully. They can also substitute for a door.
Glossy Paint
High-gloss paint adds depth and amplifies light, making the room feel open. Try on an accent wall.
Metallic Finishes
Brushed metals, like nickel and pewter, add subtle gloss and dimension.
Glass Shower Doors
Frameless glass shower doors take up minimal visual space. Etch or screen print for privacy.
Stone Surfaces
Natural stone like marble and travertine lend elegance. Large veining helps expand the dimensions.
Incorporating Clever Storage
While you want to avoid clutter, smart storage is key in a powder room. Look for these space-saving ideas:
Wall-Hung Vanity
Wall mounted vanities with thin legs or floating shelves gain back floor space underneath.
Slim Drawers
Narrow vertical drawers tuck beside the sink for towels and toiletries.
Mirrored Cabinet
A mirrored cabinet doubles storage and reflects more light. Recess it to hide.
Corner Shelf
Use wasted corner space for narrow angled shelves. Try glass for transparency.
Medicine Cabinet
Recess it into the wall to gain its storage while hiding it from view.
Decorative Ladder
A leaning ladder with baskets adds vintage charm while storing towels and extras.
Using Scale and Proportion
The scale and proportions of a powder room’s architectural elements impacts how big it feels. Seek an intimate human scale in a small space.
Low Ceilings
A lowered ceiling brings the scale down to feel more intimate. Paint it a dark color to recede.
Narrow Vanity
A vanity with a narrow depth saves space but still fits a classic sink.
Small Mirrors
Several small mirrors make the room feel busier than one large mirror. Cluster them creatively.
Mini Pendant Lights
Petite pendant lights keep the ceiling feeling higher. Go for round globes.
Wainscoting
Adding paneled wainscoting low on the walls expands the height visually.
Chair Rail Molding
A chair rail horizontally divides the wall to make the room feel taller.
Vertical Tile
Long subway tiles or mosaics arranged vertically add height and movement.
Infusing Glamour with Decor
The overall decor you choose conveys the powder room’s style, from Hollywood glam to urban rustic. Select statement pieces and luxe materials to amp up the wow factor.
Crystal Chandelier
Nothing says glamour like a mini crystal chandelier. Hang it low to the vanity.
Antique Mirror
An antique mirror with worn edges boasts old-world charm. Lean it against a wall.
Sconces
Ornate glass sconces with candles add mood lighting and timeless elegance.
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Drape the walls in a chic print. Focalize it on one wall as an accent.
Vintage Furnishings
Powder rooms are ideal spots for that quirky vintage chair or side table you love.
Roman Shade Valance
Luxe ceiling-mounted roman shades feel like stage curtains drawing closed.
Covered Ceiling
Take it up another notch by draping fabric across the entire ceiling.
Wainscoting and Molding
Add depth with raised paneled wainscoting and crown molding.
Maximizing Lighting Effects
Proper lighting is essential in windowless powder rooms. Use lighting strategically to make the space glow.
Mounted Wall Sconces
Sconces mounted on each side of the mirror provide essential task lighting.
Overhead Chandelier
A small chandelier makes a huge impact, especially on a dimmer.
Recessed Ceiling Cans
Recessed lighting casts an even glow without taking up space.
Natural Light
Add a skylight, window or glass door to borrown natural light from other rooms.
Mirrored Sconces
Sconces with mirrored backing reflect and bounce light around.
LED Strips
Conceal LED tape lighting to wash walls with accent colors. Outline architecture.
Wall Bracket Lights
Attached directly to the walls without taking up counter space.
Under Cabinet Lighting
Illuminates surfaces and helps open up darker corners of the space.
Incorporating Lofty Style with Ceilings
Don’t neglect the fifth wall! Your powder room’s ceiling offers opportunities for drama and expanding the scale.
Coffered Ceiling
Coffered and paneled ceilings lend an elegant, stately appeal.
Wallpapered Ceiling
Use a lively wallpaper print to make a ceiling focal point.
Exposed Beams
Cross beams draw the eye up and add texture. Try distressed wood.
Complex Moldings
Layer moldings like crown, dentil and bead board for richness.
Metallic Ceiling Tiles
Vintage tin ceiling tiles reflect light in an antiqued finish.
Dramatic Lighting
Make the lighting itself the feature with dangling chandeliers.
Skylight
A skylight instantly makes a powder room feel more open and airy.
Paint It Dark
Painting the ceiling a dark color makes it recede, feeling higher.
Answering Your Questions
What are some small powder room ideas?
- Float the vanity off the floor for an open look.
- Use pocket doors or curtain partitions instead of swing doors.
- Place a skinny console table and framed mirror for the sink area.
- Install wall-hung or pedestal sinks to save space.
- Use wall-mounted faucets and toilet fixtures.
- Look for furniture-style sinks and petite toilets.
- Add a wall-mounted fold-down seat for seating.
- Use wallpaper with light colors and large prints.
- Install recessed lighting around the perimeter.
- Hang a small pendant light or chandelier.
- Finish the space with luxe materials like marble.
How do you decorate a small bathroom?
- Use a muted color palette which recedes to create an airy feel.
- Apply mirror tiles or reflective surfaces to reflect light and views.
- Float the vanity to open up floor space.
- Choose small-scale finishes like mosaic tile and narrow grout lines.
- Install a tall, skinny storage cabinet for towels and toiletries.
- Use glass shower doors rather than curtains.
- Look for small bathroom fixtures and accessories.
- Add decorative interest with wallpaper, patterns, textures.
- Infuse character with vintage or rustic accents.
What colors make a small bathroom look bigger?
- Light, neutral colors like white, light gray, and beige visually expand space.
- Cool-toned colors like pale blue and green give an airier feel.
- Monochromatic color schemes pull the eye, using all one color.
- Watery blues and greens recall expansive seas and skies.
- Avoid dark, intense colors like red and purple which close in.
- Glossy and reflective finishes like subway tile bounce light.
How do you arrange a small bathroom?
- Place the toilet and sink/vanity along the same wall to open up floor space.
- Choose a pedestal sink or float the vanity to open up the look underneath.
- Use glass enclosure showers instead of shower curtains.
- Install corner shelves and vertical storage spaces.
- Arrange items on open shelves neatly to prevent clutter.
- Use a wall-hung vanity and elongated toilet to elongate the room.
- Lay out items in the shower neatly and ergonomically.
What storage solutions work for small powder rooms?
- Built-in vertical corner shelving units in dead space
- A wall-hung medicine cabinet recessed into the wall
- Floating shelves on either side of the sink for folded towels
- A narrow console table behind the toilet with a basket for storage
- Hooks on the wall or back of door for hanging towels or robes
- A tall, narrow storage cabinet tucked beside the vanity
- Under-sink storage containers on rollers or pull-out drawers
Conclusion
You don’t need an expansive space to create a glamorous powder room with tons of style. With the right layout, surfaces, lighting, details and decor choices, even the most petite powder room can feel special and luxurious. Focus on maximizing every inch by floating fixtures, choosing reflective finishes, and opting for multi-functional furnishings. Clever storage solutions like recessed and vertical options prevent clutter without overwhelming. Infuse your own personality into the charming space with vintage accents, dramatic wallpaper or a crystal chandelier. By embracing the powder room’s intimate scale rather than trying to overwhelm it, you can design a memorable space guests will adore.
