One option is to tile the wall behind the sink. I would consider getting a vanity that is the width of the area, because you clearly need more counter space than you have. Your mirror overwhelms the sink. A better size and more interesting shape would go a long way.

Then, I'd get some colorful towels and a colorful outdoor runner rug.

If your budget is limited, I'd find an attractive narrow shelving unit to put to the right of the sink. If all you want to put there is the kleenex, I might get an interesting pedestal and a cover for the kleenex.

Park Slope Brownstone · More Info

Boutique Tissue Box Holders Cover · More Info

Then, I'd replace the mirror with something more funky and interesting and with better proportions for your space.

Modern Powder Room · More Info

I believe that bathrooms are a great place to have fun with colors and designs, since they are mostly isolated from the rest of the house. I stenciled a wall of the guest room in our last house, which was fun.

I really dislike any type of gray color with Travertine look tiles. It never looks right. It just looks like you took your 1990 bathroom and tried to update it with the gray trend (2010 - 2022), but no one is fooled.

Those floor tiles look exactly like mine, and I agree the gray walls aren't right. I painted mine BM Woodland Snow. I am looking to wallpaper for a change.

As noted by others, would you consider placing a vanity cabinet instead of the pedestal sink so you have storage space?

We replaced a pedestal sink with a new cabinet (has drawer) and vessel sink, added pendant lights and an art niche. Wallpapered with a textured vinyl.

Wallpaper, new mirror and remove towel bar. Simple towel ring. If bigger budget, replace fixtures.
Toilet with flat top for tissue box and pretty sink.

Fnmroberts; I love the color and subtlety of your blue wallpaper. Can you share the brand?

How about grass cloth on the top with wainscoting at the bottom?

I think I would try to overcome the length by 1) removing the towel bar; 2) add shelving with built in (short) towel bar or towel rings close to the sink on the left of it; 3) replacing sink with storage vanity; and 4) hanging a collage of smaller prints/ artwork to the right of the toilet.

There are plenty of vanities on the market with some storage. Here's one (springmill) that's 31" wide:

Since it is a uniquely narrow room, consider doing something unexpected, like maybe painting the ceiling dark. Grasscloth on the walls would do well, possibly beneath a chairrail.

Pull paint color from the painting. Put a cabinet over the toilet or a DIY storage under the sink covered by some fabric surround under the sink (search Pinterest). Smaller mirror with maybe storage cabinets or shelving on either side of it.

@Andee - unfortunately I don’t recall the wallpaper specifics. We sold that home a couple years ago. It was a major brand though.

Just add artwork, and shelves or shelf units. Your tastes, not others. Consider "sponge paint" to make textured looking walls.

Would you consider moving the painting to the spot above the current towel rack? If so, you would be able to enjoy your artwork every time you walk past the powder room

Then, an attractive storage unit could be mounted above the toilet. Attached is a photo of a unit from Ballard Designs, just as an example. A similar unit might be sourced locally; with or without glass doors.

Last, I agree with other commenters about the towel rack. Remove it, and replace with one (or two) towel ring holders mounted adjacent to the sink.

This is the perfect spot to have some fun! Besides the other comments regarding vanity, lighting, storage and mirror, why don't you consider painting the walls a dramatic darker color and making the long wall into a gallery wall? You obviously like art... buy a number of other pieces- maybe on the theme of flowers. A mixture of sizes and mediums is fun. Then mount them gallery-style on that wall. Lots to look at when ensconced on the throne. And, a conversation piece for guests!

Hi Bridgidw, You have a great powder room, and you can get around the long narrow look. I think you can achieve your goal with paint. If you have a small piece of your floor tile, take it with you to look at paint samples. You'll want to find a color in the yellow family, not the blue family like you have on the grayish walls now. Since you have opposing or clashing colors between the walls and floor, it's going to bring attention to the walls, and the long, narrow shape.

If you don't have a piece of tile, take the artwork with you and match up the frame color to a paint chip. Try to find the chips that have 5 or 6 chips on the card in varying shades of the color. You know the old rule "dark colors make a room look smaller?" Well, they also have the same effect on a long room--the back wall painted dark brown will make the room look "shorter" and a little more in proportion. With a dark wall, that artwork will really "pop"

If the bright white baseboard is too shocking after you paint the walls, you have that card with 6 different shades--grab a "sample" sized can maybe in a shade in the middle of the card. After you paint, please think about changing the bulbs in the light fixture to a soft white--a yellow hue. The fluorescent bulbs are very harsh and make everything look washed out.

A new wood vanity that fits into the space will look great and provide a lot of storage. It's best to get a sink top that goes wall to wall--it's a real pita when you drop something between the sink top and the wall. A dark vanity with a lighter stone top (like the floor tile) and a glass or copper vessel sink would look fabulous and give a bit of "bling" to the room. Oh, and the towel bar in there now isn't useful or necessary...it draws attention to the length of the room and it "sticks out" at you when you go into the room. Consider going with the yellow tones with fixtures, rose gold, brushed gold... it will look much better with wood than plain chrome, which is in the blue or white shade. If you go with a copper sink though, do a bronzed color fixture--gold will clash.

Any mirror in any room must be placed carefully. Remember it reflects whatever is in front of it. The mirror now reflects the back wall and a large part of the side walls. Whatever color you choose to paint the walls, paint ALL the walls that color. Don't do an "accent wall, because that discrepancy in wall colors will be reflected in the mirror and make it stand out more. If you can get a frame for the mirror that matched the artwork frame, that would be great. It will blend in, but still give some texture. Then, after you finish painting, save some paint because you'll have to address the pure white paint on the bathroom side of the door.

Good luck and show us the "after" photos! :-)

If you want to save money and not have to do alot of work opt for floating shelves above toilet, get a pedestal sink cabinet that fits around the pedestal. They have many designs with open shelving or closed doors or both. Remove the towel bar because a large towel bar in a powder room doesn't make sense. Put a towel ring on the left wall by the sink. Replace the big rectangle mirror and put something oval or round. You could also put a pretty glass shelf mounted on wall above sink under the new mirror to get the clutter off of existing sink or add extra things and decor. Or you could put a few small shelves on the left side of sink wall. or maybe even just a few pretty hooks in stead of towel ring. Or even a hook or ring on each wall on each side of the sink. Don't be afraid to pair things. Feng Shui!

You don't need to repaint the walls. The paint looks fine with the floors. Think of how natural granite is..it uses all the colors of earth and nature which is browns tans ivorys whites blacks grays and oranges even reds all co mingling colors together. Add a pretty persian rug runner or other style you like..in 2x6 . You can add warmth by incorporating a few more wood framed art or 3d art objects for the walls. Make a little mini gallery. I think you might just want one soap dispenser for sink instead of the double wash and lotion set. Get a pretty chinoiserie one to match your art! Maybe add a mini plant or floral to the other side where tissues are currently. Lots of ideas!

Found a wallpaper I might consider for your bathroom.

I have the same powder room! 36” x 9 FEET! I used high wainscoting with a sweet wallpaper (also installed on the 10’ high ceiling) to try to make it feel less “alleyway”. I installed a wall mounted sink with nice sides for the soap. A small towel bar and metal rectangular mirror. It took me years to attack this room, but once you make decisions and go for it, you will love it.
I think the wallpaper that Beverly suggested would be great in a small powder room. Lean into the cozy feeling.

All these ideas are so inspiring. I have the exact size bathroom and plan to use grass cloth or wallpaper to spice it up. Fun!!