Is the bold powder bathroom the new status symbol?
There’s always a certain feature in interior design that feels like the pinnacle of luxury. In the past, kitchen islands, walk-in closets, and spacious pantries have made their mark, but is a new status symbol taking over this year?
Que the bold powder room – moody colors, maximalist wallpapers, and unexpected tile designs have all become the staple of a well-executed, elevated powder room. So is it the new go-to space to showcase a more luxe design style?
From dark, dramatic color palettes to statement stone sinks and high-quality wallpapers, we’ve asked designers why the bold powder room has become the new desirable feature – and find out if it really is the latest status symbol in interior design.
Is the bold powder room the new must have feature?
(Image credit: West One Bathrooms)
The smallest room in the home, most newly built and recently remodeled homes have at least one powder room. They’ve been considered the room for experimentation, a space where you can try out your more extravagant and daring design ideas with less commitment – and it seems to have triggered a new design trend for bold powder rooms.
‘The powder room has become a space where clients are willing to ‘splash out’ (pardon the pun!), embracing bold choices that make a lasting impression. As one of the most frequently visited and visible areas of the home, it’s the perfect canvas for expression,’ says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.
It’s perhaps also thanks to the evolving bathroom trends of this year and last, where styles have evolved to embrace more color, pattern, and personality-filled schemes. It’s a trend that’s caught on and shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.
(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)
‘Clients are increasingly embracing color, pattern, and bold finishes, transforming their powder rooms into true experience spaces. This room often departs from the style of the main living areas, allowing clients to experiment with a different atmosphere – whether it’s rich, dramatic tones or intricate, artistic patterns,’ adds Louise.
It’s also an incredibly accessible way to introduce more luxurious design elements. In a kitchen or master bathroom, introducing high-end stone, quality wallpaper, and elegant accents requires a larger scale of materials, making it a more expensive feat. But in a powder room, the small footprint makes it far more achievable.
‘Advances in luxury finishes have expanded options, with luxury metals such as bronze and aged brass in high demand – they’re finishes that offer a touch of elegance with a difference. The powder room acts as a canvas for creative expression – a space that is not only functional but also an immersive experience,’ she explains.
(Image credit: West One Bathrooms)
But there’s also that never-ending desire to impress guests – and the powder room is usually the bathroom of choice for people visiting your home. So introducing bold, luxurious design feels like a no-brainer for most homeowners.
‘Much like the elegance seen in exclusive restaurants and luxury hotels, powder rooms are now evolving into sophisticated, statement-making spaces within the home. No longer just functional, they’re designed to impress and spark conversation amongst guests,’ Louise suggests.
How to design a bold powder room to wow your guests
If a bold powder room is on your DIY to-do list this year, we’ve got you covered. a daring scheme can feel daunting, but designers have plenty of tips, tricks, and advice on how to get these spaces right.
‘A bold powder room feels intentional and curated, making it a statement that reflects the homeowner’s personality. Importantly, bold doesn’t need to mean garish; it’s about creating a space that feels layered, thoughtful, and slightly unexpected,’ says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.
From colors and elegant finishing touches to creating a perfectly layered, textural space, here’s how the experts design a bold powder room that will become the talking point of any home.
1. Go bold and moody with your color choice
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Color is the obvious element to create a bold powder room design. It’s time to ditch the minimalist, white hues and opt for something more daring and moody.
‘Being a small, enclosed space, you have the freedom to explore colors that you wouldn’t normally use for a main living area,’ says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore.
‘Like a jewel box, get creative with unexpected hues. Deep inky hues add depth and can give an illusion of an expanded space. Or bring in saturated hues, like teals or moody reds, to add personality.’
This powder room has been given a bold makeover with Benjamin Moore’s Carter Plum CW-355, which offers the perfect balance of moody and elegant. ‘Bold and daring, this deep, inviting shade of plum is full of character,’ explains Hannah.
‘It instantly elevates the space, taking you on a color journey in the small guest bathroom.’ To give the walls more dimension, classic wall paneling has been introduced, instantly adding that extra bit of interest to the space.
2. Wallpaper
(Image credit: Future)
For a more textural, patterned design, bathroom wallpaper feels right at home in a bold powder room. You don’t have to contend with the same damp conditions here as you would in a bathroom, so you can experiment with wallpaper ideas and designs.
‘A powder room is a great opportunity to have fun with design and bring in a real sense of personality. It’s a space where homeowners have the freedom to be more daring,’ says Lauren.
Think of wallpaper as another layer to your design – paired with the right colors and finishes, it can give your scheme a truly luxurious feel. But beginning with the wallpaper will give you a great starting point for curating your palette.
‘I always recommend starting with a strong visual focus, such as a beautiful wallpaper or a piece of artwork, and building the color palette around it. Painting the ceiling in a complementary color from the wallpaper creates a cocooning, cohesive feel,’ Lauren explains.
3. Focus on powder room flooring
(Image credit: Simply Bathrooms/Ca’ Pietra)
A powder room might have a small footprint, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t focus on flooring. In a small room you have less space to make an impact, so choosing the right floor tiles is an important step.
‘Powder rooms lend themselves to having a bijou decor as they don’t get used for hours on end so you can go big on color and pattern as seen here, but done so in a way that is both comforting and nurturing,’ says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra.
Because you’re tiling a more compact space, smaller tiles are your best bet if you want to create a bold, statement floor. ‘Choosing a mosaic floor is a great way of instantly creating a pattern that adds visual texture, and here it’s been laid with a brick border that almost makes the mosaic feel like a rug,’ explains Grazzie.
‘The umber red wall paneling breaks up the two contrasting patterns of the room to create a space that more than handles the combination. It is timeless and elegant but with enough personality to make plenty of impact on visitors.’
4. Invest in quality finishing touches and accessories
The best way to make a bold powder room feel more elevated and luxurious is to focus on the smaller details. The final decorative touches, hardware, and finishes are the secret to a successful design.
‘Little details can make a great impact in a small space. Consider all materials and finishes in the room – the floor, the sink, and the hardware are also colors that will contribute to the overall mood of the room,’ explains Hannah.
Even if you don’t have a luxury budget for your bold powder room makeover, designers have clear areas where to save and where to splurge, ‘Invest in hardware like taps, switches, and lighting – these details make all the difference,’ says Lauren.
‘At the same time, you can save in areas like paint, wallpaper, or even cabinetry. For example, we’ve repurposed antique cabinets as washstands in past projects, which is both sustainable and adds a sense of character,’ she adds.
‘That said, balancing this playfulness with touches of luxury is key. Quality hardware, elegant lighting, and a seasonal scent can elevate the room. I always recommend warming amber fragrances for autumn and winter, and something fresh like fig or citrus for spring and summer.’
So, is the bold powder bathroom the new status symbol? In many ways, it is. A room that has become a space for experimentation, design expression, and daring schemes to wow guests, it seems no home is quite complete without a daring cloakroom for everyone to enjoy.
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