6 New Powder Rooms That Go All In on Drama
Bold wallpaper, rich colors and fearless details turn these compact guest baths into unforgettable moments
Small room, big payoff. A powder room is the one place in the house where you can push past your comfort zone — think bold wallpaper, moody colors and unexpected materials — and wow guests without committing to the look everywhere else. Because these spaces are compact and guest-focused, dramatic choices feel intentional, playful and memorable rather than overwhelming. Here, pros share the details in six stylish powder rooms that lean all the way into drama.
2. Coastal Boldness
Designer: Jocelyn Chiappone of Digs Design
Location: Chapoquoit Beach, Massachusetts
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters); 5 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The clients behind this Cape home had spent generations summering in Falmouth’s Chapoquoit neighborhood, but over time their seasonal beach cottage began to feel too dated and small,” says designer Jocelyn Chiappone. “They worked with us to create a larger, more modern home with serene colors and airy spaces while still preserving the charm and character of the original.”
Special features. “Navy-and-white patterned wallpaper (Tibet by Clarence House) with a dynamic tiger and wave motif creates the main visual impact and gives the room energy and personality,” Chiappone says. “I knew that the bold pattern and vibrancy of this wallpaper would be perfectly suited to the scale of a powder room. I love a fabulous wallpaper in a powder room, as the small scale of this room makes for a real wow moment when you go big with the design.
“The soft blue vanity panels paired with the deep navy wallpaper create a layered, coastal-inspired color story that feels both fresh and sophisticated. Brass fixtures, mirror trim and hardware add warmth and contrast, balancing the cool blue tones.”
Designer tip. “It’s important to bring in quieter design elements to balance bolder patterns like this wallpaper,” Chiappone says. “I paired the wallpaper with a vanity with textured blue linen doors and a classic Carrara marble countertop. I kept the sconces and mirror profiles simple so they did not compete with the paper. Touches of luxe brass in the fixtures and hardware pull together the look and give it chic flair.”
Vanity: April, Worlds Away; sconces: Piaf, Visual Comfort; faucet: Rohl
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Designer: Jocelyn Chiappone of Digs Design
Location: Chapoquoit Beach, Massachusetts
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters); 5 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The clients behind this Cape home had spent generations summering in Falmouth’s Chapoquoit neighborhood, but over time their seasonal beach cottage began to feel too dated and small,” says designer Jocelyn Chiappone. “They worked with us to create a larger, more modern home with serene colors and airy spaces while still preserving the charm and character of the original.”
Special features. “Navy-and-white patterned wallpaper (Tibet by Clarence House) with a dynamic tiger and wave motif creates the main visual impact and gives the room energy and personality,” Chiappone says. “I knew that the bold pattern and vibrancy of this wallpaper would be perfectly suited to the scale of a powder room. I love a fabulous wallpaper in a powder room, as the small scale of this room makes for a real wow moment when you go big with the design.
“The soft blue vanity panels paired with the deep navy wallpaper create a layered, coastal-inspired color story that feels both fresh and sophisticated. Brass fixtures, mirror trim and hardware add warmth and contrast, balancing the cool blue tones.”
Designer tip. “It’s important to bring in quieter design elements to balance bolder patterns like this wallpaper,” Chiappone says. “I paired the wallpaper with a vanity with textured blue linen doors and a classic Carrara marble countertop. I kept the sconces and mirror profiles simple so they did not compete with the paper. Touches of luxe brass in the fixtures and hardware pull together the look and give it chic flair.”
Vanity: April, Worlds Away; sconces: Piaf, Visual Comfort; faucet: Rohl
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3. Moody Jewel Box
Designers: Susie Marion and Lana Hewitt of Marion Interior Design
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 58 square feet (5.4 square meters); 6 feet by 9 feet, 8 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The clients wanted a wow moment,” says designer Susie Marion. “They wanted the powder room to feel bold and dramatic and a space their guests would remember. As designers of this new-construction home, we also wanted to be sure the space felt cohesive with the rest of the home. We approached the design with an eye on creating a space that was both elegant and sophisticated, moody and dark, with pops of the same rich colors seen throughout the home.”
Special features. “The Phillip Jeffries mural wallpaper is the crown jewel of the powder room with its midnight background and large-scale floral design,” Marion says. “Bold yet sophisticated, the wallpaper also has the perfect merlot and blue accent colors used throughout the home. The same merlot color runs through the Calacatta Viola marble countertop and in the bold geometric vanity (painted Merlot by Sherwin-Williams) that grounds the space in contrast to the more painterly wallpaper. The mirror was the perfect accent, complementing both the geometry of the vanity and the softness of the wallpaper, with its beautiful silhouette in onyx. The Nero Marquina marble black floor tile complements the Viola marble countertop and the wallpaper without calling too much attention to itself.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go bold or go dark in a powder room,” Marion says. “The powder room is the perfect space to play with some drama. And to really create a jewel box effect, wallpaper all the walls.”
Wallpaper: Blossom in Multicolor Midnight on vinyl glam grass, Phillip Jeffries; mirror; Onyx, CB2; ceiling and trim paint: Caviar, Sherwin-Williams
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Designers: Susie Marion and Lana Hewitt of Marion Interior Design
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 58 square feet (5.4 square meters); 6 feet by 9 feet, 8 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The clients wanted a wow moment,” says designer Susie Marion. “They wanted the powder room to feel bold and dramatic and a space their guests would remember. As designers of this new-construction home, we also wanted to be sure the space felt cohesive with the rest of the home. We approached the design with an eye on creating a space that was both elegant and sophisticated, moody and dark, with pops of the same rich colors seen throughout the home.”
Special features. “The Phillip Jeffries mural wallpaper is the crown jewel of the powder room with its midnight background and large-scale floral design,” Marion says. “Bold yet sophisticated, the wallpaper also has the perfect merlot and blue accent colors used throughout the home. The same merlot color runs through the Calacatta Viola marble countertop and in the bold geometric vanity (painted Merlot by Sherwin-Williams) that grounds the space in contrast to the more painterly wallpaper. The mirror was the perfect accent, complementing both the geometry of the vanity and the softness of the wallpaper, with its beautiful silhouette in onyx. The Nero Marquina marble black floor tile complements the Viola marble countertop and the wallpaper without calling too much attention to itself.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go bold or go dark in a powder room,” Marion says. “The powder room is the perfect space to play with some drama. And to really create a jewel box effect, wallpaper all the walls.”
Wallpaper: Blossom in Multicolor Midnight on vinyl glam grass, Phillip Jeffries; mirror; Onyx, CB2; ceiling and trim paint: Caviar, Sherwin-Williams
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4. Classic-Quirky Mix
Designers: Amber Bolin (interior designer) and Brian Stone (design consultant) of Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers
Location: Powell, Ohio
Size: 36 square feet (3.3 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “After these clients purchased their home, they quickly noticed a major flaw in the layout — there was no half bath for guests to use,” says designer Amber Bolin. “The existing full hall bath was located near the guest bedroom, and these clients found it difficult to provide overnight guests privacy during large gatherings. Their goals: Add a main-floor powder room for guests and keep it within the existing constraints of the home and keep with their classic yet quirky aesthetic.”
“Between the home’s main entrance and the garage door were two closets, but for these empty-nester clients, one coat closet was more than enough,” says design consultant Brian Stone. “The second closet was eliminated to allow space for the new half bath.”
Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers uses Houzz Pro software.
Special features. Whimsical wallpaper (The Art Deco Hills in Teal & Copper, Brand McKenzie). Venatino Carrara marble wall tiles. Console sink stand in brushed gold. “This client had a defined but eclectic style, which they wanted to extend into their powder room,” Bolin says. “Unique art, furniture and decorative knickknacks collected over the years are found throughout the home, and this new space was designed to fit in perfectly. The marble tile chair rail and multicolored penny tile floor in a diamond pattern add traditional character, which lets the more ornate finishes, like the light fixtures and accessories, convey their quirky, personal style.”
Designer tip. “When you feel like you want to do something fun or a little quirky with design, do it,” Bolin says. “If it will make you happy, then do it. If you are hesitant to go all out and want to just dip your toes in, try balancing those eccentric material decisions with something classic. If your bold decision is on a paint color, wallpaper or a fixture, those are much easier and less expensive to replace than tile.”
Console sink: Cierra, Signature Hardware; project photography: Amy Carruthers
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Designers: Amber Bolin (interior designer) and Brian Stone (design consultant) of Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers
Location: Powell, Ohio
Size: 36 square feet (3.3 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “After these clients purchased their home, they quickly noticed a major flaw in the layout — there was no half bath for guests to use,” says designer Amber Bolin. “The existing full hall bath was located near the guest bedroom, and these clients found it difficult to provide overnight guests privacy during large gatherings. Their goals: Add a main-floor powder room for guests and keep it within the existing constraints of the home and keep with their classic yet quirky aesthetic.”
“Between the home’s main entrance and the garage door were two closets, but for these empty-nester clients, one coat closet was more than enough,” says design consultant Brian Stone. “The second closet was eliminated to allow space for the new half bath.”
Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers uses Houzz Pro software.
Special features. Whimsical wallpaper (The Art Deco Hills in Teal & Copper, Brand McKenzie). Venatino Carrara marble wall tiles. Console sink stand in brushed gold. “This client had a defined but eclectic style, which they wanted to extend into their powder room,” Bolin says. “Unique art, furniture and decorative knickknacks collected over the years are found throughout the home, and this new space was designed to fit in perfectly. The marble tile chair rail and multicolored penny tile floor in a diamond pattern add traditional character, which lets the more ornate finishes, like the light fixtures and accessories, convey their quirky, personal style.”
Designer tip. “When you feel like you want to do something fun or a little quirky with design, do it,” Bolin says. “If it will make you happy, then do it. If you are hesitant to go all out and want to just dip your toes in, try balancing those eccentric material decisions with something classic. If your bold decision is on a paint color, wallpaper or a fixture, those are much easier and less expensive to replace than tile.”
Console sink: Cierra, Signature Hardware; project photography: Amy Carruthers
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5. Refined Drama
Designers: Jack and Josh Manes of Manes Architecture & Interiors
Location: New York City
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The client’s request was to reimagine a dated, underutilized full bath as a moody powder room,” says designer Josh Manes. “Positioned just off the entry, it was designed to set the tone for the home and create an unforgettable first impression.”
Special features. “We used a single slab of Water Lily marble to form a floating vanity with an integrated sink, paired with Portola Paints’ Roman Clay finish in Salem for the walls and a Waterworks faucet,” says designer Jack Manes. “One of the most striking features of the powder room is the pair of sconces, whose globes are crafted from a combination of silk and satin, an unexpected use of textile as a decorative element rather than a traditional shade.”
Designer tip. “One detail that often goes unnoticed is the toilet selection,” Josh says. “Although it has a modern profile, we avoided a traditional white finish and selected a complementary tone so it would quietly blend into the space rather than stand out.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The only element we really debated on was the floor tile,” Jack says. “While our initial vision leaned more maximalist, we ultimately found that a more restrained approach felt right for this client. We landed on a monochromatic tile with an interesting geometry, creating a floor that adds depth without pulling focus from the overall space.”
Lighting: Apparatus; floor tile: Fireclay
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Designers: Jack and Josh Manes of Manes Architecture & Interiors
Location: New York City
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The client’s request was to reimagine a dated, underutilized full bath as a moody powder room,” says designer Josh Manes. “Positioned just off the entry, it was designed to set the tone for the home and create an unforgettable first impression.”
Special features. “We used a single slab of Water Lily marble to form a floating vanity with an integrated sink, paired with Portola Paints’ Roman Clay finish in Salem for the walls and a Waterworks faucet,” says designer Jack Manes. “One of the most striking features of the powder room is the pair of sconces, whose globes are crafted from a combination of silk and satin, an unexpected use of textile as a decorative element rather than a traditional shade.”
Designer tip. “One detail that often goes unnoticed is the toilet selection,” Josh says. “Although it has a modern profile, we avoided a traditional white finish and selected a complementary tone so it would quietly blend into the space rather than stand out.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The only element we really debated on was the floor tile,” Jack says. “While our initial vision leaned more maximalist, we ultimately found that a more restrained approach felt right for this client. We landed on a monochromatic tile with an interesting geometry, creating a floor that adds depth without pulling focus from the overall space.”
Lighting: Apparatus; floor tile: Fireclay
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
6. Tiny but Mighty
Designer: Clare Donohue of One to One Studio
Location: New York City
Size: 15 square feet (1.4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The clients dreamed of a swank loo for guests, but the old powder room was in desperate shape, additionally serving as the HVAC center and laundry room — all in a truly tiny space,” says designer Clare Donohue. “The new HVAC system required a much larger footprint, so we relocated the laundry to a separate space. I had to come up with a creative way to hide all those ugly machines and still make it special. Current visitors would never guess what lies behind the satiny paneled walls of the finished space: a mechanical closet filled with ugly machinery.”
Special features. “The renovated powder room is kitted out with custom wood panels that lift off to service the hidden HVAC equipment,” Donohue says. “Making use of every available inch, we created recessed display shelves from a small leftover niche. A beveled mirror spans the main wall. A floating sink with a wall-mounted faucet makes the most of the small space. The lower portion of the sink and toilet walls are protected from splashes with inset stone panels. Marble hex tiles cover the floor. All are color-matched to a rich charcoal color.”
Designer tip. “Don’t let small size stop you from making it special,” Donohue says. “The odds were against us here, but I was convinced we could make it beautiful despite the room being, in reality, a giant air handler.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “This one was nothing but challenges,” Donohue says. “The HVAC system went through a dozen revisions, each requiring adjustments to the room design. It ended up eating up extra ceiling and floor space and requiring the brick of the exterior wall to be opened up many floors up in a narrow outside courtyard filled with irreplaceable leaded glass windows. The engineers and co-op board feuded over what type of insulation would work, for weeks, while holding up framing and install. While we waited for the final room size to be determined, we couldn’t place the order for the custom sink, which had a huge lead time. In the end, we lucked out and were able to use a stocked size for much less money and faster delivery time.
“The room backs up to the elevator shaft, requiring us to fur out the wall for plumbing lines, making a small room even smaller. The Caesarstone wall inserts we had spec’d were based on a color sample that it turned out had been sold out without notice, and replaced with a much darker color, without a name change. So the contractor arrived with black, not gray, panels to install, at which point we had to get the whole of Caesarstone’s corporate offices involved to find a solution, all while the move-in date loomed. I swear, it felt like everything was against this design. I had to be really stubborn to get it to end up as envisioned. And we had a great team of engineers and project managers to pull it together.”
Custom cabinetry: NR Wood Design; paint: Whale Gray, Benjamin Moore
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Designer: Clare Donohue of One to One Studio
Location: New York City
Size: 15 square feet (1.4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The clients dreamed of a swank loo for guests, but the old powder room was in desperate shape, additionally serving as the HVAC center and laundry room — all in a truly tiny space,” says designer Clare Donohue. “The new HVAC system required a much larger footprint, so we relocated the laundry to a separate space. I had to come up with a creative way to hide all those ugly machines and still make it special. Current visitors would never guess what lies behind the satiny paneled walls of the finished space: a mechanical closet filled with ugly machinery.”
Special features. “The renovated powder room is kitted out with custom wood panels that lift off to service the hidden HVAC equipment,” Donohue says. “Making use of every available inch, we created recessed display shelves from a small leftover niche. A beveled mirror spans the main wall. A floating sink with a wall-mounted faucet makes the most of the small space. The lower portion of the sink and toilet walls are protected from splashes with inset stone panels. Marble hex tiles cover the floor. All are color-matched to a rich charcoal color.”
Designer tip. “Don’t let small size stop you from making it special,” Donohue says. “The odds were against us here, but I was convinced we could make it beautiful despite the room being, in reality, a giant air handler.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “This one was nothing but challenges,” Donohue says. “The HVAC system went through a dozen revisions, each requiring adjustments to the room design. It ended up eating up extra ceiling and floor space and requiring the brick of the exterior wall to be opened up many floors up in a narrow outside courtyard filled with irreplaceable leaded glass windows. The engineers and co-op board feuded over what type of insulation would work, for weeks, while holding up framing and install. While we waited for the final room size to be determined, we couldn’t place the order for the custom sink, which had a huge lead time. In the end, we lucked out and were able to use a stocked size for much less money and faster delivery time.
“The room backs up to the elevator shaft, requiring us to fur out the wall for plumbing lines, making a small room even smaller. The Caesarstone wall inserts we had spec’d were based on a color sample that it turned out had been sold out without notice, and replaced with a much darker color, without a name change. So the contractor arrived with black, not gray, panels to install, at which point we had to get the whole of Caesarstone’s corporate offices involved to find a solution, all while the move-in date loomed. I swear, it felt like everything was against this design. I had to be really stubborn to get it to end up as envisioned. And we had a great team of engineers and project managers to pull it together.”
Custom cabinetry: NR Wood Design; paint: Whale Gray, Benjamin Moore
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Specializing in Kitchen & Bath
Designer: Mariette Hedeshian of Designer’s Touch
Contractor: Aaron Stone of Vision Design Build
Location: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters); 5 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This powder room was part of a complete first‑floor renovation,” says designer Mariette Hedeshian, who uses Houzz Pro software. “The original space had an aged stone floor that had lost its beauty and was difficult to keep neat and clean. It also lacked identity — there were no interesting details or elements that made the room feel special. The goal was to create a space that felt simple yet sophisticated, with a fresh, inviting look that would bring a smile to anyone who opened the door.”
Special features. “The crane pattern wallpaper brings a playful, uplifting energy to the powder room,” Hedeshian says. “Rather than wrapping all four walls, the goal was to use it strategically to create a balanced dialogue between the whimsical pattern and the warm, sophisticated paint color (Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink). The new floor features classic brown‑bronze penny tiles, which add timeless character and pair beautifully with the shiplap wood paneling on the walls. A custom vanity with a single oversized drawer provides generous storage for everyday essentials while keeping the small space feeling clean and uncluttered. The vintage artwork of the lady holding her nose adds a touch of humor and personality to the powder room, giving the space a memorable finishing detail.”
Designer tip. “Powder rooms are one of my favorite spaces to design because they allow for so much creativity — there are truly no rules and no limits,” Hedeshian says. “It’s the perfect place to be bold, playful and a little unexpected. You want visitors to remember the space and feel that wow moment the first time they open the door. My tip: Don’t be afraid to go bold and be fearless. A small room can handle a big personality.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “I had designed the entire powder room around existing vertical wood wall panels — they were the architectural detail that grounded the whole concept,” Hedeshian says. “In the middle of demo, I got a call saying all of the wall panels had been removed during the floor work. For a moment I thought, ‘Do I redesign the entire room?’ Everything had already been ordered — the wallpaper, the vanity, the flooring — so starting over wasn’t ideal. Instead, we decided to re-create the look of the original paneling in a more contemporary way, using single shiplap boards. It ended up being a blessing in disguise, giving the room the character I envisioned but with a cleaner, updated feel.”
Marble sconces and mirror: CB2; project photography: Michael J. Lee Photography
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