What luck! You’ve found a house with a small powder room or half bath! That’s a great gem in the world of small house real estate. It’s the ideal guest rest room and the perfect little spot to try out some decorating schemes that can nudge you out of a comfort zone.

The trouble is, it’s probably looking a bit dated or shabby, right?

The great news about little powder rooms is that you can make them over in a short time and with relative ease and less expense.

I like to think of these rooms as a sort of jewel box. They don’t have to match the rest of the house at all, and they can be a real wow moment for guests. Because of their smaller size, they’re the perfect place to go bold and be fearless with decorating.

So, if you’re powder room needs a refresh, here’s 10 of my all-time favorite ways to add a stylish and functional pop to your small powder room or half bath.

Wallpaper can do wonders!

First, wallpaper is not the least expensive product to decorate with. However, most small powder rooms consist of a toilet and sink. That means you’re probably working with a room the size of a hall closet.

If that’s the case, I say go wild with a wallpaper pattern that you love!

Pick one that would make you nervous to put up anywhere else in the house. That’s a great gut check for how to choose a bold, statement wallpaper for a small bathroom. Play with color, paly with pattern. This is the space to experiment in.

You might even try a wall mural if the mood strikes you!

Tip: Play with the style of the house. If your home was built in the 1920’s, try going with an art deco pattern. If it’s from the 1950’s or 60’s, maybe a funky Mid Century pattern will work. Or go against the time-period of the house. That’s why this option is such fun, there’s no wrong answer!

2. Tile for a little texture

Tile can also be expensive in large rooms, but it is quite affordable to do in smaller power rooms. You can go from floor to ceiling and the room will look amazing.

Floor to ceiling tile in a bathroom — Max Rahubovskiy

Like wallpaper, don’t be afraid to choose a pattern that makes you a little nervous.

Say you find a tile pattern that is bold and dramatic. You get a little nervous about making the commitment. That’s a perfect feeling because that’s how you’ll know that it will add that pop you’re looking for. Perhaps you’ve always wanted a pink tiled bathroom. Well, the half bath or small powder room is the perfect place to let that inspo fly!

Tip: if you’re super nervous about the application of a bold tile, just install it on the vanity/ sink wall. That is likely to be the focal wall of this small room. You can add a complimentary paint color to the other 3 walls to make it feel more scaled back.

3. Statement lighting for dramatic effect

Just like in your full bath, the powder room must have light. It needs to be adequate for you or your guests to see clearly and to touch up makeup or hair. The one thing it doesn’t need to be is boring!

Perhaps choose vanity lights that you wouldn’t put in other rooms. These are likely to be bold and slightly over the top.

A stunning, but smaller chandelier for sparkle and shine

Tip: An LED vanity mirror that has a motion sensor. Maybe it turns on gently was someone walks into the room.

These are special little touches that add a wow factor. Remember, this is the place to make fun choices, so be fearless!

4. Statement plumbing fixtures:

Do you have a plumbing fixture that you love, but you think it won’t look right in your house?

Have you always wanted a golden swan sink faucet but thought it might be a bit much? Nonsense! If you want gold or black faucets, add them into your powder room. This is the perfect little spot to add the special touch that you would shy away from in the kitchen or full bath.

Tip: Experiment with a different style of faucet. Maybe you love the look of a contemporary faucet, but your home is more transitional or traditional. The powder room is the place to try the look out.

5. Say no to a pedestal sink:

It seems that every small powder room has one, but I’d rather see something a little more adventurous, with a tad more storage.

You’d be surprised to find that even the smallest, micro half bath can have a proper vanity with a little planning.

There are small cabinets that mount to the wall. These are great because you can see under them. That’s a great point for any cabinet you choose for a small bathroom. It’s best if you can see under it because that makes a super small room feel bigger. It provides a sense of roominess that a cabinet that goes all the way to the floor will not provide.

Tip: So, before you commit to buying a sink cabinet or bathroom vanity that might not fit, you should always have the measurements of the room with you. This simple and easy bit of prep will save you a tremendous amount of frustration later.

6. Add a statement mirror:

There’s nothing like a beautiful focal mirror in a small powder room.

This is also an ideal place to play around with shape. If the room has a lot of sharp angles, try adding in a round or oval mirror for a different variation of shape.

I also like to go a bit oversize with a powder room mirror as well – reflection will make the room look and feel larger.

Tip: if you want to be really bold, apply mirror to the entire wall behind the vanity. Then install the lighting through the mirror for even more drama. You’ll immediately see that size of the room will visually double by doing this.

Now let’s switch gears a little and talk about the things that you don’t ‘see’ that make a small powder room pop.

7. There must be a fan vent:

You need to keep the air flowing in a bathroom, especially small half baths like these. So, don’t forget to add in a vent.

Venting can be integrated into the lighting in stylish ways. Try to find ceiling fixtures that look amazing and also have the functionality to move air in a stealth way.

Tip: the quieter the fan vent is, the more relaxing the bathroom experience will be.

8. A signature scent can be gorgeous!

I love a soothing candle in a small powder room, but if you’re afraid to leave it burning unattended, try adding in some potpourri in a decorative bowl on the vanity.

You might also like to add a plug-in room scent that will fill the space with a gentle and pleasing scent. That’s the right phrase too, “gentile and soothing.” You don’t want to add in an overpowering scent that will be too much for your guests. A subtle, fresh smell is the right choice.

Tip: Perhaps you can match the scent in the diffuser or plug-in to the hand soap to create a cohesive scent experience. That way, when your guests wash their hands, they bring the scent back with them when they return. Listen as the compliments roll in!

9. A subtle sound or music

This might seem like overkill to some, but I’m gonna tell you that the details matter more than you think. A soft bit of music playing in the powder room will make it feel like a special experience.

Every department store and restaurant has pleasing music piped into the rest rooms. Why? Because it enhances the experience and offers a bit of privacy.

Tip: Place a wireless speaker in a drawer on the vanity or underneath the sink cabinet. If you have shelves, place it a speaker on the top shelf to play some soft music. You don’t have to keep it on when company isn’t there, but you might also like it so much that it becomes part of the way you want to experience your house.

10. In floor heat is luxury!

If you thought that lite music was the epitome of luxury in a small powder room, think again! I’d like to recommend taking it one step further by adding in some in floor heating.

Hear me out on this one…

If you’re already replacing the floor, then consider adding in some in-floor heating as an upgrade. For small rooms, it can be less expensive than you’d think. Not only that, but a “luxury” type upgrade like this is a great investment in your home from a resale perspective.

There’s nothing like warm tootsies on a cold night. If you live in a colder climate, you know this all too well.

Tip: You don’t have to have the in-floor heating on all the time. If you’re entertaining friends or family, put it on the lowest setting a few hours before they get there, and you’ll see how toasty and delightful that room will feel.

So, there you have it. 10 of my favorite ways to upgrade a small half bath or powder room to look and feel like a special little jewel box.

I’d love to hear if you have a favorite tip from this list. Is there one you would love to try? Is there one or more that you think are too kooky to even think about? Curious minds want to know! Leave me a comment below. I read them all and answer each as quickly as I can.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.