Half Bathroom Ideas

Are you looking to spruce up your half bathroom, but not exactly sure where to start? A half bathroom or “powder room” is a small bathroom containing only a toilet and a sink – no shower or tub. These spaces are frequently used by guests and household members alike, so it makes sense to maximize their design and functionality.

Half bathrooms can be notoriously tricky to decorate. After all, they tend to be small and contain lots of empty wall space. But don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place. We’re introducing you to some stylish, designer-inspired half bathroom ideas!

Challenges in Decorating Half Bathrooms

Limited Space

Powder rooms tend to have a small footprint, which can make the space feel cramped. You can make your half bath feel much larger by choosing light colors, maximizing natural light, and selecting a large mirror.

Awkward Layouts

Because most bathroom doors are “push to enter,” it’s common for half-bath layouts to feel a little awkward. There often isn’t much clearance between the door and the toilet or sink, especially in smaller rooms. One easy solution is to switch your standard door out for a pocket or barn door that slides to the side.

Lots of Empty Wall Space

Half bathrooms tend to have only one window, if they have any at all. That leaves a lot of empty wall space, which can be difficult to fill with artwork alone. The ideal solution is to use decorative wallpaper in your powder room.

Lack of Storage

Half bathrooms don’t tend to offer much storage. In small spaces, adding a full cabinet usually isn’t an option. But you can add much-needed storage space by installing shelves above the toilet and/or switching out a pedestal sink for a vanity with drawers or cabinets.

Chic Art Deco Half Bathroom

Because of their compact size, half bathrooms offer a great opportunity to experiment with unique styles. Popularized in the 1920s, art deco is characterized by bold geometric shapes and nonconventional elegance.

Whether you’ve embraced the art deco aesthetic throughout your home or you want to use your half bathroom to try something new, this style can be achieved with a variety of features, including:

• Metallic brass or chrome hardware
• Marble countertops, floors, or even wall patterns
• Bold contrasting color combinations
• Geometric light fixtures
• Art deco wallpaper like the African art deco shell blue wallpaper or the gold and black deco fan wallpaper

Coastal-Inspired Half Bathroom

If you love the charming, beachy vibe of coastal interior design, then you’re in luck. There are so many ways to incorporate this style into a half bathroom design, even with just a few simple features.

Here are a few things you can add to create a vacation-worthy coastal half bathroom:

• A soft, pale color palette (creams, whites, and pastels)
• Nautical décor items such as anchors, boats, and seashells
• Coastal wallpaper like the ocean swimmers wallpaper or the cabana stripes blue wallpaper
• Textured accents like wicker baskets or a woven rug
• Light-toned wooden features

Black and White Half Bathroom

The classic black and white color combination offers a modern, clean look that will help to make your half bathroom feel luxurious and dynamic. While this concept is relatively straightforward and simple to achieve, it actually gives you a lot of freedom to play around.

For example, you can opt for bright white as a base for your walls, floors, and cabinets, while adding black towels and rugs to give it that extra pop. Or you can go more bold, with black and white tiled floors. Then add a black and white wallpaper like the addition jet black wallpaper or the formation jet black geometric wallpaper.

A black and white color palette doesn’t mean you can’t use any color in your space. In fact, the neutral effect of black and white will make other colors pop even more.

Whimsical Half Bathroom

Don’t let your creativity be limited by the small area. A half bathroom is actually the perfect place to experiment with unexpected, whimsical décor items. 

Bright color combinations and bold patterns can feel oppressive in living rooms and bedrooms, where people tend to spend hours at a time. But you don’t have to worry about this in a half bath, so you can play with unique designs.

Here are a few features that can infuse your powder room with creativity and whimsy:

• Half-wall wooden paneling
• A creative patterned wallpaper like the ottoman large turquoise wallpaper or the stacked wallpaper mural in olive
• A vessel sink
• Statement wall sconces
• Mismatched hardware
• Painted shelves
• Song lyric towels
• A decorative mirror

Nature-Themed Half Bathroom

There’s no question half bathrooms can feel a little cramped and claustrophobic. A nature theme can transform the entire space, bringing even the simplest powder room to life.

First, maximize any natural light you have to work with. If you’re doing a full remodel, you might even consider adding a large window or skylight. Then, try a nature-inspired wallpaper in a light color palette. The wisteria floral light blue wallpaper creates a soft and soothing atmosphere, while the floral vine blue and green wallpaper is bold and refreshing.

Complete the look with reclaimed wooden shelving, houseplants, bamboo bath mats, and soft lighting.

Get Creative With Your Half Bathroom Design

Half bathrooms may be small, but they can be a lot of fun to decorate. Their compact size, along with the fact that they often feel separate from the rest of the main living area, gives you the opportunity to really flex your creativity and try new, bold ideas.

Wallpaper is an easy, yet impactful way to set the stage for your half bathroom design. From dynamic art deco patterns to charming natural styles, creating your dream half bathroom has never been easier.