Whether you’re embarking on a big home renovation or simply zhushing up an existing area, interior designers agree that the powder room is a space where you can have a little fun. Whereas bold wallpaper, decorative light fixtures or a high-octane paint color might be a bit too daring for a larger room in your home, channeling this fun factor into a powder room is the perfect option.
“Powder rooms are a place not to take yourself too seriously — break your aesthetic mold and take some risks,” says Trish Lynn, founder and principal director of New Jersey-based Colette Interiors. “Focus on one statement accent, whether that be a fun wallpaper, bespoke lighting, a statement mirror or unique accent tiles.”
Something else to keep in mind is that powder rooms aren’t just for your family. (Read: Make it nice!) “When guests visit a home, the powder room is part of that first impression,” says Natalie Rebuck, founder of Brooklyn-based Re: Design Architects. “You may prefer neutrals for the kitchen, living room and dining room, but I have always thought it was fabulous to walk into the powder room and find something unexpected.”
Keep reading to discover all the products you need to reinvent your powder room, from simple home décor details to essentials like vanities, faucets and lighting.
Powder room décor
Nothing ruins the vibe like a garish tissue box pattern, but thankfully this faux-leather cover will mesh better with your powder room aesthetic. It comes in 12 colors as well as square and rectangular shapes.
“This wall-mounted soap dispenser is a little pricey, but in a tiny space it will make all the difference keeping counters uncluttered,” says Rebuck. Available in sleek finishes like matte black and polished chrome, the dispenser is also covered by Kohler’s limited lifetime warranty.
Another must-have is a quality towel for drying hands. “Linen bath and hand towels offer elegance and function for powder bathrooms, luxurious towels elevate a bathroom space,” says Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Fort Worth, Texas-based Urbanology Designs. Woven in Portugal, this linen-and-cotton blend option from The Company Store is equal parts soft and absorbent.
“The delicate details in any space are a chance to balance functionality and beauty,” says Curtis. “A simple tray can be used to hold powder room necessities while adding a warm modern touch.” This affordable option from Threshold has on-trend ribbing detail and will expertly corral your vanity items.
Trash has to go somewhere, and we prefer a lidded can to mask the mess. This option from mDesign has a compact design that makes it perfect for sliding in between a wall and a toilet in small spaces.
There are lots of elements that go into a powder room, but Curtis says mirrors will always have a big impact. “Incorporating a beautiful mirror into your design will enhance the overall aesthetic,” she says, adding, “They create an inviting atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.”
This one is Boston-based designer Bryn Hilts’ go-to: “It comes in a bunch of great finishes, sizes and shapes, so it can work in even the smallest of spaces,” she says. The Hamilton Hills has a minimalist design, making it a great choice for powder rooms that are busy and subdued alike.
Storage bins and baskets meet at the intersection of form and function. Available in multiple styles and sizes, these handwoven and ultra-durable bins from The Container Store have open handles for easy carrying, can be wiped down and are great for storing everything from guests’ hand towels to extra toilet paper.
“I love a wall-mounted sink or vanity for small powder rooms,” says Hilts. “It creates the feeling of more space because more floor is exposed.” Her current favorite is this floating white oak option from Moreno Bath that comes fully assembled, with a sink and two roomy drawers.
Asymmetrical mirrors are having a moment, and Rebuck is on board with the trend. “The asymmetrical wall mirrors are another element of fun that can add drama to the powder room design,” she suggests, adding that this one from West Elm is her top pick. Available in three finishes, the acacia wood frame can be hung vertically or horizontally and is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
Powder rooms are often low on natural light, which makes faux florals like this tulip bundle from Afloral a great pick. “Place faux florals or succulents in a side vase on the vanity,” suggests Lynn. This tulip bundle has lifelike blooms (that will have your guests thinking they are the real thing!) and plastic, bendable stems that make arranging the bouquet a cinch.
Keep your powder room smelling as pretty as it looks with this elevated mist from Lafco. Available in a slew of delicious-smelling scents — we’re partial to Sea & Dune and Fresh Cut Gardenia — the mists target the stinky molecules in odor and replace them with the most luxurious of scents. Housed in a glamorous glass bottle, the room mist is chic enough to keep out on display 24/7.
Everhem is making custom window treatments accessible to the masses via its highly curated selection. Bursting with personalization options, the Woven Woods shades are a great option for a powder room because you can customize them to fit your space. You can add privacy or blackout liners, for instance, and the controls can range from corded to motorized. Plus, they come in five colors and can be inside or outside mounted. If this sounds daunting, don’t worry: Everhem offers free one-on-one consultations to help you measure and pick the best window treatment for your powder room.
Whether you’re opting for a bold wallpaper, a splurge mirror or maybe this eye-catching rug, the answer is clear you need at least one bold choice in your powder room. Inspired by the ocean, this Egyptian cotton rug will add warmth and depth to your space.
If you’ve got the wall space, consider adding some artwork to your powder room. This photo print from Austin, Texas photographer Shawn Thomas is great for adding sea- and boating-inspired vibes to your space, and it comes framed (you can choose from three finishes).
Not all artwork needs to break the bank, and this framed canvas from Threshold is proof. It features an ornate frame, making it look much more expensive than it is! We love the dreamy prairie vista, and its petite size makes it perfect for smaller powder rooms.
It’s always nice to give your guests a spot to hang a purse, jacket or hand towel, and Hilts is a fan of Room & Board’s Crew Hook. “One can never have too many hooks,” she says. “These are modern and sculptural.” Available in two sizes and 18 colors (ranging from a neutral taupe to a bright tangerine), the Crew is made of steel and crafted by artisans in Minneapolis.
Powder room lighting
Lighting is a key component in any bathroom, and we love the gleaming Chloe fixture from Lights.com. Available in a warm brass finish, the vanity fixture allows for tons of light to pour through the glass shades and its design is malleable enough to fit into any bathroom aesthetic.
If whimsy is your thing, this is the sconce for you. Part of Anthropologie’s Bumblebee collection — which includes everything from an end table to a trinket dish — the vanity sconce combines bumblebee-bedecked finials and beehive-shaped shades, the result of which is incredibly charming.
Chock full of coastal charm, the Capiz sconce is a stunner thanks to the shell body and all that gold detailing. Serene by day, the sconce emits a warm glow after dark that will add coziness to any powder room it lands in.
Masculine powder rooms demand stately lighting, and the Camden Sconce will fit the bill. Mixing dark brown rattan reeding with antique brass, this fixture would look perfect as a pair flanking a mirror… dare we say on top of a tartan plaid wallpaper?
“Show-stopping light fixtures transform a simple powder bath into a dramatic and sophisticated space,” says Curtis, who loves this Alchemy sconce from Troy Lighting. Retro in design, the fixture’s diffused glass will exude a warm, ambient light in your powder room.
Not ready to commit to permanent fixtures? Opt for this sleek cordless lamp that’s rechargeable and can toggle between three light temperatures. Available in 13 colors, the lamp’s battery lasts six to seven hours on a full charge (which takes three to four hours). Need something even smaller? The Pina Pro is also a great option for the powder room.
Powder room hardware
We’ve seen much of Rejuvenation’s Rigdon collection — which includes everything from knobs to sconces to faucets — IRL and trust us, each piece is nicer than the next. With textural detailing like what you’d find on a coin’s edge, the Rigdon Pull is available in five finishes and four sizes.
Stately enough for a home library, but approachable enough for your powder room, the Paulson Knob is a standout because of its ringed detailing that will add just the right amount of texture to your space. Available in four finishes, the knob can align with the Paulson collection’s coordinating pulls.
Every powder room needs a majestic detail or two, and the Lowell Crystal Knob from Emtek foots the bill. Pairable with a variety of brass rosette shapes, the multifaceted glass knob reflects light from every angle. Ultra-customizable, the set is available in eight finishes and can function as a dummy, passage or privacy knob.
Powder rooms are often petite, which makes a pocket door a great space-saving solution. Emtek’s door pull is among our favorites because it is sleek and modern, and it blends seamlessly with the pocket door. It’s made of solid brass and available in 10 finishes.
If you’re on the hunt for a quiet luxury detail to install in your powder room, look no further than Reggio Registers for your floor, wall and ceiling vents. Handcrafted from premium quality aluminum in Massachusetts, the registers come in dozens of patterns and sizes and will immediately elevate your normally overlooked airways.
Powder room wallpaper
“I have been dying to get a client to install this wallpaper,” says Rebuck. “It’s a bit cheeky, but a total statement piece.” Easy to install and remove, the peel-and-stick paper comes in three sizes and can stay put for up to 20 years.
Inspired by the ebb and flow of the tides, Farrow & Ball’s Aranami Wallpaper will inject a sense of fluidity and movement — and hopefully some tranquility! — into your space. Available in five colors (we’re partial to the navy-blue hue), Aranami is printed with Farrow & Ball paint, which results in a textural finish that is absolutely mesmerizing.
Make your guests feel like they're on cloud nine with this airy and light wallpaper that combines graphic lines and muted tones to portray a moody sky. Available in beige, black and blue colors, the paper is also peel-and-stick and wipeable.
Not all wallpaper has to be loud. Case in point: This subtle basketweave option from York Wallcoverings, which has been manufacturing wallpaper in the United States since 1895. The Double Basket Weave Wallpaper, full of texture and a vertical streaking pattern, comes in six colors and in a double-roll format.
We’ve never met a mural we didn’t like, and that includes this stunning depiction of the northern California coast by Minted artist Amanda Phelps. Printed on matte woven fabric, the peel-and-stick mural comes in five sizes and is repositionable. Yep, that means installing it is a DIY project, folks.
Whimsical and colorful, Rifle Paper Co.’s illustrated wallpaper depicting animals roaming a forest is a feast for the eyes — so it will certainly make a statement in your powder room. The peel-and-stick wallpaper also comes in a traditional format that costs roughly double.
Powder room plumbing
This single-hole faucet from Ancona is a top pick for Rebuck. “This faucet is really stylish, easy to use and the price is great,” she says. “I actually have this in my own home and have been very happy with the unit.” Available in three finishes (chrome, matte silver and brushed gold), the solid brass faucet is ideal for smaller powder rooms so you can optimize the counter space.
While there are places to save in a bathroom, plumbing isn’t one of them. This Kohler faucet is an investment, but it’s worth splurging on the American-made brand. We love the Margaux collection for its subtle detailing and its durable, solid brass construction. Outfit the rest of your space with the coordinating towel ring and toilet paper holder, and you’ll be good to go.
Small space? No problem! "This is a great option for really tight spaces where fitting both a toilet and a sink will be difficult," says Rebuck of this wall-mounted porcelain sink that is less than 10 inches deep.
We love this minimalist widespread faucet from Grohe. In addition to being ultra-durable, it’s also a bargain at under 300 bucks. Like all Grohe products, the Concetto faucet is backed with a limited lifetime warranty and has built-in water conservation details.
If you’re looking for a statement faucet, this oversized option from Hansgrohe is it. Available in five finishes, the Locarno has a tall spout at nearly 5 inches high and flamboyant art deco-inspired design details.