Powder rooms are meant to make a design statement. These small bathrooms without tubs or showers are ideal for patterned wallpaper, chic decorative mirrors to make them feel spacious and standout vanities or pedestal sinks. The fun is really in the versatility. There's just enough space to go for a modern look that adheres to a black-and-white palette or you can just as easily fill the room with loads of unexpected colors, whether you've always longed for a pink bathroom or a cool green design scheme.
Here, you'll find 20 powder room ideas that will inspire you to rethink your own layout, color palette, tiles and decor choices to create the coziest space ever.
1
Tiled Wall
You might think patterned tile is only meant for flooring, but that's not the case. Take a cue from this eye-catching space, featuring a Moroccan-inspired mosaic design, and try it on a wall instead.
2
Skirted Sink
To prevent a small powder room from feeling cramped with a bulky vanity, simply cover the base of a petite sink with a striped skirt.
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3
Shades of Blue
Believe it or not, bold hues have a place in powder rooms. Go for a trendy look by designing your space around a lively palette of blue and yellow tones, from overhead lighting to tiled walls.
4
Built-in Bookshelves
Any interior can benefit from a delightful element of surprise, and this neutral powder room's built-in bookshelves are the perfect example.
RELATED: 20 Creative Bookshelf Decor Ideas
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5
Chevron Meets Floral
Embrace your powder room's size with a compact vanity balanced with chevron tiles and floral wallpaper, like this layout from Ginny Macdonald.
6
Cobalt Blue Vanity
Boost your powder room's visual appeal with this clever trick from designer Tamara Day. Ditch the medicine cabinet and back a hexagon mirror with geometric tile. Complete the space with a cobalt blue vanity for a touch of glam.
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7
Vintage Flair
Play up your powder room's old-world charm with an array of vintage wall art and vanity mirrors. Don't forget the vintage light fixture!
8
Lovely Lavender
Energize your space with lavender as well as touches of brass — think hardware and decorative accents. Stick to understated flooring like this white and gray chevron look.
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9
Botanical-Inspired
Black and white can be engaging. Showcase a collection of wall art against botanical wallpaper, and round out the look with Roman shades in the same color family.
10
A Dose of Pattern
Covering an entire powder room with wallpaper isn't the only way to bring your design aesthetic to life. Choose wallpaper for just the upper portion of your walls and go for subdued blue wood paneling for the bottom, as Kate Lester showcases in this Manhattan Beach, CA property.
RELATED: 16 Unique Wallpaper Ideas to Make a Bold Design Statement
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11
Gallery Wall
Geometric wallpaper in white and gray tones serves as a stellar backdrop for a gallery wall in this 1970s Dutch Colonial-style home.
12
Scalloped Vanity
Add a feminine touch to your space with a scalloped vanity featuring the prettiest of powder blue shade.
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13
Apothecary Style
Not only do inky black walls (Sherwin-Williams' Tricorn Black) create an apothecary vibe in this space designed by Historical Concepts and Barbara Westbrook— shadowboxes filled with vintage shaving items add to the aesthetic.
14
Black Shiplap
Thanks to an oversized mirror placed directly on top of a farmhouse sink and black shiplap walls, this upstate New York powder room is picture-perfect.
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15
Preppy Look
Put the preppy fashion trend to the test by opting for plaid walls like this space from architect Gil Schafer. Add a few monogrammed hand towels to stay on theme.
16
Nautical Theme
Transform your bathroom into a nautical escape by installing wallpaper that boasts a map design and hanging a round mirror from jute rope.
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17
Floral Delight
In this Harbor Springs, Michigan, summer home by designer Chenault James, dainty floral wallpaper proves to be the perfect match for a distressed teal cabinet.
18
Minty Green
Designer Meredith Ellis chose to work with green in two different color weights to bring this powder room to life. Pops of white and neutrals, including the shower curtain, window treatment and penny tile flooring, are a lesson in restraint.
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19
Farmhouse Vibe
In this Hollywood, Maryland, powder room, walls full of art bring even more character and appeal to the deep blue paint color.
RELATED: 20 Farmhouse Decor Ideas That Blend Modern and Rustic Styles
20
Elegant Neutrals
Introducing an elegant pattern, like the leaf wallpaper design shown here, is an easy way to prevent a neutral space from feeling uninspiring.
Monique Valeris
Home Design Director
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."