6 Dramatic New Powder Rooms
Designers share creative ways to layer color, texture and statement details in compact spaces
Powder rooms tend to invite design risks in the best possible way. Tucked away from the main living areas and used mostly by guests, these spaces can handle dramatic choices that might feel overwhelming elsewhere. Moody paint, expressive wallpaper, richly veined stone and sculptural fixtures all have room to shine here. The six powder rooms gathered here embrace that freedom with bold personality and memorable details that transform everyday spaces into striking design moments.
2. Organic Layers
Designer: Molly Quinn Design
Location: River Forest, Illinois
Size: 108 square feet (10 square meters); 9 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The clients moved from an apartment and were excited to have more room,” says designer Molly Quinn. “They were keen to embrace a moodier, more dramatic aesthetic. They were open to pushing the limits on what a bathroom looks like.”
Special features. “A 36-inch custom vanity in rift-sawn white oak provides ample storage,” Quinn says. “There is a closet in the room, so we didn’t need to max out the storage on the vanity. We wanted the vanity to look more furniture-like and the room overall ‘not bathroom-y.’” The countertop is limestone.
Designer tip. “I always look at the scale of all the materials in relation to each other and aim to have small, medium and large elements to balance all the patterns,” Quinn says. “In this case, an 8-inch floor tile, 3-by-6-inch wall tile and an organic, rambling wallcovering to soften all the hard edges in the room.”
Wallpaper: Cole & Son
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Designer: Molly Quinn Design
Location: River Forest, Illinois
Size: 108 square feet (10 square meters); 9 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The clients moved from an apartment and were excited to have more room,” says designer Molly Quinn. “They were keen to embrace a moodier, more dramatic aesthetic. They were open to pushing the limits on what a bathroom looks like.”
Special features. “A 36-inch custom vanity in rift-sawn white oak provides ample storage,” Quinn says. “There is a closet in the room, so we didn’t need to max out the storage on the vanity. We wanted the vanity to look more furniture-like and the room overall ‘not bathroom-y.’” The countertop is limestone.
Designer tip. “I always look at the scale of all the materials in relation to each other and aim to have small, medium and large elements to balance all the patterns,” Quinn says. “In this case, an 8-inch floor tile, 3-by-6-inch wall tile and an organic, rambling wallcovering to soften all the hard edges in the room.”
Wallpaper: Cole & Son
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3. French Revival Style
Designer: Chelsea Murawski of Together Home Design Studio
Location: Kentfield, California
Size: 64 square feet (6 square meters); 8 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The main floor originally lacked a dedicated powder room for guests, so incorporating one into the renovation became an opportunity to add both function and value to the home,” says designer Chelsea Murawski. “We envisioned the space as a true ‘surprise-and-delight’ moment — intimate, layered and memorable.”
Special features. “To honor the home’s French Revival character, we continued the chevron flooring in a light oak into the powder room and paired it with unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures and sconces, along with an ornate vintage French mirror,” Murawski says. “The custom-made Viola marble sink has a fluted front and a softly arched backsplash with rounded shoulders and a gentle crown at the center, giving it a sculptural, almost Art Deco-inspired silhouette. Roman Clay walls and ceilings in Portola Paints’ Forest Floor create a soft, tactile richness, while the trim and interior door were painted in the same stain paint color to fully envelop the space.”
Designer tip. “Go for it with color in small spaces,” Murawski says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Shipping marble can be tricky,” Murawski says. “This backsplash broke twice during delivery. The key to beautiful design is patience, problem-solving and knowing that in the end it will be beautiful and worth any mishaps along the way.”
The 10 Most Popular New Powder Rooms So Far in 2026
Designer: Chelsea Murawski of Together Home Design Studio
Location: Kentfield, California
Size: 64 square feet (6 square meters); 8 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The main floor originally lacked a dedicated powder room for guests, so incorporating one into the renovation became an opportunity to add both function and value to the home,” says designer Chelsea Murawski. “We envisioned the space as a true ‘surprise-and-delight’ moment — intimate, layered and memorable.”
Special features. “To honor the home’s French Revival character, we continued the chevron flooring in a light oak into the powder room and paired it with unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures and sconces, along with an ornate vintage French mirror,” Murawski says. “The custom-made Viola marble sink has a fluted front and a softly arched backsplash with rounded shoulders and a gentle crown at the center, giving it a sculptural, almost Art Deco-inspired silhouette. Roman Clay walls and ceilings in Portola Paints’ Forest Floor create a soft, tactile richness, while the trim and interior door were painted in the same stain paint color to fully envelop the space.”
Designer tip. “Go for it with color in small spaces,” Murawski says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Shipping marble can be tricky,” Murawski says. “This backsplash broke twice during delivery. The key to beautiful design is patience, problem-solving and knowing that in the end it will be beautiful and worth any mishaps along the way.”
The 10 Most Popular New Powder Rooms So Far in 2026
4. Historic Character
Designer: Jenni Jacobs of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath
Location: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters); 5 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “As part of their kitchen remodel, we reworked the size and scale of this powder room, making it smaller and creating an angled wall for the entry, which eased the traffic pattern from the kitchen into the adjoining dining room,” designer Jenni Jacobs says. “The powder room was oversized with more than enough storage capacity, so we adjusted the layout to install a timeless pedestal sink next to the toilet, which allowed us to make the room smaller, and the homeowner added a simple freestanding cabinet [not shown] for a bit of storage.”
Special features. “The goal for the design of the space was to make it moody and historic-leaning so it didn’t feel out of place in this 1860s Victorian,” Jacobs says. “We used a wallpaper as the jumping-off point, leaning into a leafy William Morris & Co. print (Emerys Willow in Emery Blue) and balanced the lower portion of the room and trim with a coordinating paint (Enchanted Forest by Benjamin Moore). The classic basketweave floor tile sets the traditional foundation for moodier elements.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go too dark or too bold in a powder room, because it’s a small space that can handle the big impact,” Jacobs says. “It feels like a cozy hug when you’re in such an enveloping space. I also always recommend mixing different metals in the space so it feels layered. In this case, we layered oil-rubbed bronze for the light fixture and mirror to complement the chrome faucet and towel ring.”
How to Design a Bathroom That’s Easy to Clean
Designer: Jenni Jacobs of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath
Location: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters); 5 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “As part of their kitchen remodel, we reworked the size and scale of this powder room, making it smaller and creating an angled wall for the entry, which eased the traffic pattern from the kitchen into the adjoining dining room,” designer Jenni Jacobs says. “The powder room was oversized with more than enough storage capacity, so we adjusted the layout to install a timeless pedestal sink next to the toilet, which allowed us to make the room smaller, and the homeowner added a simple freestanding cabinet [not shown] for a bit of storage.”
Special features. “The goal for the design of the space was to make it moody and historic-leaning so it didn’t feel out of place in this 1860s Victorian,” Jacobs says. “We used a wallpaper as the jumping-off point, leaning into a leafy William Morris & Co. print (Emerys Willow in Emery Blue) and balanced the lower portion of the room and trim with a coordinating paint (Enchanted Forest by Benjamin Moore). The classic basketweave floor tile sets the traditional foundation for moodier elements.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go too dark or too bold in a powder room, because it’s a small space that can handle the big impact,” Jacobs says. “It feels like a cozy hug when you’re in such an enveloping space. I also always recommend mixing different metals in the space so it feels layered. In this case, we layered oil-rubbed bronze for the light fixture and mirror to complement the chrome faucet and towel ring.”
How to Design a Bathroom That’s Easy to Clean
5. Glamorous Mosaic
Designers: Lyra Buckley and Amanda Fleegal of Tribus Interior Design
Builder: Dillard-Jones Builders
Location: Cashiers, North Carolina
Size: 43 square feet (4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted this powder room to feel dramatic, moody and completely unexpected — almost like a jewel box moment within the home,” says designer Lyra Buckley. “Once we selected the mosaic tile, the entire design direction fell into place and the room was built around showcasing that material.”
Special features. “The floral mosaic backsplash is the undeniable showstopper, bringing texture, movement and a dramatic sense of depth to the space,” Buckley says. “To complement the rich tones in the tile, we paired it with a sculptural glitter-finished vanity and coordinating mirror, which added an unexpected glamorous element without overwhelming the room. The crystal vessel sink adds another layer of sparkle and reflection, while the marble flooring softens the darker palette with organic movement and contrast.”
Designer tip. “In a smaller space like a powder room, don’t be afraid to go bold,” Buckley says. “These rooms are the perfect opportunity to take risks with dramatic materials, darker palettes and statement pieces because they are experienced in shorter moments. One trick we used here was selecting an open vanity rather than a traditional cabinet-style vanity. It allowed more of the statement tile to remain visible, which made the room feel larger, more layered and far more custom.”
Backsplash tile: Artistic Tile; vanity, mirror, sink and faucet: MaestroBath; wall paint: Black Swan, Sherwin-Williams
Designers: Lyra Buckley and Amanda Fleegal of Tribus Interior Design
Builder: Dillard-Jones Builders
Location: Cashiers, North Carolina
Size: 43 square feet (4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted this powder room to feel dramatic, moody and completely unexpected — almost like a jewel box moment within the home,” says designer Lyra Buckley. “Once we selected the mosaic tile, the entire design direction fell into place and the room was built around showcasing that material.”
Special features. “The floral mosaic backsplash is the undeniable showstopper, bringing texture, movement and a dramatic sense of depth to the space,” Buckley says. “To complement the rich tones in the tile, we paired it with a sculptural glitter-finished vanity and coordinating mirror, which added an unexpected glamorous element without overwhelming the room. The crystal vessel sink adds another layer of sparkle and reflection, while the marble flooring softens the darker palette with organic movement and contrast.”
Designer tip. “In a smaller space like a powder room, don’t be afraid to go bold,” Buckley says. “These rooms are the perfect opportunity to take risks with dramatic materials, darker palettes and statement pieces because they are experienced in shorter moments. One trick we used here was selecting an open vanity rather than a traditional cabinet-style vanity. It allowed more of the statement tile to remain visible, which made the room feel larger, more layered and far more custom.”
Backsplash tile: Artistic Tile; vanity, mirror, sink and faucet: MaestroBath; wall paint: Black Swan, Sherwin-Williams
6. Bold Blue Palette
Designer: Jennifer Morrell of An Inspiring Home
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 47 square feet (4.4 square meters); 8 feet, 10 inches by 5 feet, 4 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The bathroom was very out of date along with the entire home,” says designer Jennifer Morrell. “They wanted something modern with personality and they love blue. We knew a modern, moody wallpaper would do the job.”
Special features. Blue patterned geometric wallpaper. Navy blue vanity. Gold accents.
Designer tip. “Go bold in the powder room,” Morrell says. “It’s a great place to show some personality and surprise your guests.”
Project photographer: Victoria Moon
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Designer: Jennifer Morrell of An Inspiring Home
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 47 square feet (4.4 square meters); 8 feet, 10 inches by 5 feet, 4 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The bathroom was very out of date along with the entire home,” says designer Jennifer Morrell. “They wanted something modern with personality and they love blue. We knew a modern, moody wallpaper would do the job.”
Special features. Blue patterned geometric wallpaper. Navy blue vanity. Gold accents.
Designer tip. “Go bold in the powder room,” Morrell says. “It’s a great place to show some personality and surprise your guests.”
Project photographer: Victoria Moon
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
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Designer: Nadia Shapiro of HarmoniQ Design Studio
Location: Los Gatos, California
Size: 20 square feet (1.9 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This home was originally built in the 1960s, and before we joined the project our clients had already rebuilt the house and reworked the overall layout with their architects,” says designer Nadia Shapiro. “We were invited to refine and elevate several areas, including this powder room. Since the powder room serves as a hallway bathroom for guests and our clients love to entertain, we wanted it to feel memorable, moody and expressive. More like a little jewel box than a purely functional space. The client is a stage designer and loves the romance and drama of the Victorian era, so our goal was to translate that inspiration in a way that felt fresh, sophisticated and connected to the rest of the home.”
Special features. “One of the most important decisions was rethinking the layout,” Shapiro says. “We followed the principle that when you open the door, your eye should be drawn toward something beautiful. By adjusting the layout we were able to make the vanity and mirror the main focal point, which immediately gave the room a stronger sense of intention. We then layered whimsical animal wallpaper with wainscoting to bring in personality and a subtle Victorian-inspired feeling. The room also features a stone sink, custom cabinetry, brass finishes and a patterned floor, all of which helped create that moody, collected, jewel box atmosphere.”
Designer tip. “Powder rooms are the perfect place to take a design risk,” Shapiro says. “Because they are smaller and often used by guests, you can be more expressive with wallpaper, pattern, color and lighting. The key is to balance the drama with architectural details like wainscoting so the space still feels grounded and timeless.”
Wallpaper: Trematonia in Onyx, House of Hackney; mirror: Garvey, Anthropologie; wainscoting and ceiling paint: Wrought Iron, Benjamin Moore
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