21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

9 captivating powder room design ideas that add drama and depth to a small space

A powder room may be a small space in your home, but the decor and design choices you make can pack a big punch. There are so many unique and stunning powder room ideas depending on your design style, from modern to boho to farmhouse inspired. Here are nine half bathroom decorating ideas to consider when remodeling or redecorating your space is on your winter schedule.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Go maximalist

Don’t let square footage get in your way when thinking about how to decorate. The true maximalist doesn’t let space dictate design. For a powder room, this could mean bold wallpaper, a large metallic mirror, wall shelves with vases filled with soaps and lotions, and a luxurious rug underfoot.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Use luxury accents everywhere

A small bathroom is the perfect place to go nuts with luxury items. This could mean a thick, vintage-inspired gold or brass metallic mirror, wainscoting on the walls, heavy metallic lighting over the mirror, or luxurious drawer pulls and faucets. In terms of flooring, choose a rich marble or statement tile that will impress any guest.

Recommended Videos

Draw the eye up

In a small bathroom, you want to use all the space you have. This means drawing the eye up and out, especially if you have taller ceilings in the powder room. You can achieve this by adding a tall mirror over the sink or vanity, like this brass one from Pottery Barn. You can also choose a large statement chandelier that gives off plenty of light as well as adds style and draws your eye in.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Consider a tiled wall

If you really want to make the most out of the space, consider tiling one wall. You can either use the same tile from the floor and bring it up or, if you have a wood floor, choose a patterned tile like this one from Tile Bar. Not only will it be easier to clean off any water stains, but it will create character and movement in your powder room.

Add a skirted sink

If you are really low on real estate and don’t have room for a vanity, think about adding a patterned skirt to a pedestal sink. This offers a bit of charm and allows you to hide necessities like toilet paper and towels. This is a great option for a country or farmhouse-inspired powder room.

Offer a fun surprise

Powder rooms don’t need to be boring. One way to give the room a little personality is to add an element you wouldn’t expect to see. Add a built-in bookshelf to the corner, and fill it with books or decor. Add an expensive piece of art from a country you’ve recently explored. Let your imagination be your guide.

Ground Picture / Shutterstock

Pick a bold color

Powder rooms are the perfect place to go bold with color. Choose a blue vanity like this cobalt blue option from Wayfair (we love the gold hardware). Add a colorful vanity mirror or choose a pop of pink like this circular shag rug, also from Wayfair. You don’t want to make it too busy, but adding one or two statement colors will turn the room from drab to fab.

Kick it back a few decades

Everyone has a favorite decade, so why not use the powder room to celebrate it? Find movie posters, memorabilia, and wall decor from that era to create a bit of nostalgia and character in the room. It’s a fun way to pay homage to the past and entertain your guests.

Siwakorn TH / Shutterstock

Transform the room into an apothecary

We love this idea to really bring the drama to a small space. To pull off the look, consider painting the walls black (if that’s too dark, you could always add lighter beadboard to the bottom half of the walls). Then, fill vintage medicine cabinets with soaps, lotions, candles, and medicine bottles — the older, the better. Antique stores are the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gems.

Because powder rooms don’t have showers or tubs, they have space to add a statement vanity or elegant pedestal sink as well as walls to fill with character items that will draw the eye up and out. It may not be a ton of space, but that’s the fun part of decorating a powder room. You really can’t overdo it when it comes to decor, so find a theme that works for you and buy items around it. You can afford higher-end products like flooring, hardware, and wallpaper because it is such a small space, so go ahead and get started making your decorating dreams come true.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
2024 home design: 9 gorgeous living room decor ideas the experts swear by
Living room design ideas to consider for the new year

As we look forward to the new year, many homeowners are itching to uncover the living room decor trends that we can expect to dominate our spaces. From biophilic designs to artisanal pieces, 2024 home decor is all about curating a space that feels “lived-in,” eclectic, and reflects each homeowner’s individual taste and style.

We spoke to the experts to get an idea of the trends entering our living room designs as the year progresses. Here’s what we learned.

Read more
5 clever Christmas tree decorating ideas that will wow your friends and family
Your guests will be impressed with your unique Christmas tree

If you want to shake things up with your Christmas tree decorations this year, then we’ve got just the list for you! Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the things we look forward to the most during the holidays. It’s a chance to show off your personality and blend tradition with items passed down through generations. So, if you’re struggling to come up with the perfect way to wow your friends and family this year, check out our top five Christmas tree decorating ideas.

Add your holiday cards to your Christmas tree
Each year, families receive holiday cards by the dozens. This tradition has transcended the digital age and proven to be a nostalgic and heartwarming experience for many. If you have a few holiday cards sitting around on your table or mantel, why not put them to use as part of your tree decoration?
Place them on your tree
One simple way you can use holiday cards on your Christmas tree is by nestling them between the branches. Scatter them around the tree alongside ornaments and garland to create a beautiful and cohesive look. This option is excellent for those who are running short on time but still want to add something special to their tree. And just think, when your family and friends come around for a holiday get-together, they’ll be overjoyed that you put their cards on display.
Turn them into ornaments
If you'd prefer something smaller — or are looking for a way to repurpose the beautiful cards you got last year, you can always turn them into ornaments. Pick up some flat wood discs from your local craft store, some glitter, glue, and twine. Cut the card a bit smaller than the disc, glue it, and trim the edge with glitter. Once you glue a loop of twine to the back, it'll be ready for your tree.
Create garland
Alternatively, you could create a fun garland out of your holiday cards. If you want to get crafty (and have plenty of cards and a little time on your hands), gather up the necessary supplies to create a holiday card garland.

Read more
What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home
Make gray walls work for your home decor with complementary colors

Neutral colors like gray and taupe are always popular options for your home's interior design. Both are versatile shades that can go with a plethora of other hues, which means you can easily change up the look of your decor with gray walls and a rotating rainbow of accessories like colorful throw pillows. With all the different shades of gray paint available, from matte to glossy, warm to cool, and brownish to blueish, it's certainly possible to find the one that's perfect for you and your home.

Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While gray can be a sophisticated and elegant shade, too much gray can wash out a room or make it feel dull and dingy or cold and unwelcoming. Think of gray as the neutral backdrop on a canvas that lets your color palette shine, and you can't go wrong. So, it’s important to incorporate other colors into the decor, whether it be with pieces of furniture, art, or throw blankets -- but what colors go with gray? If you're looking for the best options to brighten up your current decor, keep reading to find out how to accent this elegant tone.

Read more