How Even the Smallest Bathroom Can Make an Impact
People often think small spaces, such as cloakrooms, should be neutral so as to make them appear larger, but in fact, the opposite is true
When it comes to enclosed small spaces, such as cloakrooms, don’t be afraid of going for a decorative scheme with real impact. Because these spaces are only occupied on an occasional basis (unlike most other rooms in a typical house or flat), you’re less likely to tire of a high-drama look here than in rooms in which you spend more time. Such spaces also lend themselves to using materials and finishes that might be cost-prohibitive in larger rooms. Think jewel box, and take inspiration from diverse sources – five-star restaurant toilets and historic hotel bathrooms can be a great starting point.
Choose standout fittings
It’s particularly important to pay attention to the details in a cloakroom – the occupants will be locked in after all! This antique decorative vanity unit and framed mirror stand out against the backdrop of wallpaper featuring an overscale fish print. A wall-mounted soap dispenser and marble upstand behind the basin bring a practical touch and complete the look.
It’s particularly important to pay attention to the details in a cloakroom – the occupants will be locked in after all! This antique decorative vanity unit and framed mirror stand out against the backdrop of wallpaper featuring an overscale fish print. A wall-mounted soap dispenser and marble upstand behind the basin bring a practical touch and complete the look.
Think jewel box
This bold, Moroccan-influenced cloakroom is a vibrant shade of emerald. The metro tiles are complemented by tile-effect wallpaper above. This is a perfect example of a scheme with real impact that takes a single strong colour as its starting point.
See more of this fun, colourful 1930s home
This bold, Moroccan-influenced cloakroom is a vibrant shade of emerald. The metro tiles are complemented by tile-effect wallpaper above. This is a perfect example of a scheme with real impact that takes a single strong colour as its starting point.
See more of this fun, colourful 1930s home
Line the walls with panelling
In this room, the book-matched timber panelling lining the walls creates a stylish and inviting space – a contemporary take on a classic wood-panelled closet. The integrated illuminated alcove provides a focal point and distracts the eye from the toilet.
Browse inspiring ways to use wood panelling throughout your home
In this room, the book-matched timber panelling lining the walls creates a stylish and inviting space – a contemporary take on a classic wood-panelled closet. The integrated illuminated alcove provides a focal point and distracts the eye from the toilet.
Browse inspiring ways to use wood panelling throughout your home
Contrast panelling with a striking wallpaper
Hand-painted wallpaper lines the upper half of this cloakroom, while the lower half is finished in painted tongue and groove panelling. This provides visual (and practical) contrast, and keeps the more costly material at eye level, where it will be most appreciated. The skylight brings in natural light from above – a window would have compromised the effect of the wallpaper.
Hand-painted wallpaper lines the upper half of this cloakroom, while the lower half is finished in painted tongue and groove panelling. This provides visual (and practical) contrast, and keeps the more costly material at eye level, where it will be most appreciated. The skylight brings in natural light from above – a window would have compromised the effect of the wallpaper.
Wallpaper throughout
Again, this cloakroom features a very limited palette of materials and colours, which allows the playful monochrome wallpaper, printed with shelves of books, to stand out as the star of the show. Small pot plants on the windowsill add a vibrant touch of colour to the room.
Again, this cloakroom features a very limited palette of materials and colours, which allows the playful monochrome wallpaper, printed with shelves of books, to stand out as the star of the show. Small pot plants on the windowsill add a vibrant touch of colour to the room.
Play with light and design
Clever use of lighting and form lends a touch of playfulness to this room. Note the vaulted ceiling – in such a small space as this, it wouldn’t break the bank to experiment a little. The tree print wallpaper works well against the timber boarding on the walls and floor while the arch of light adds depth, suggesting the woods carry on.
Clever use of lighting and form lends a touch of playfulness to this room. Note the vaulted ceiling – in such a small space as this, it wouldn’t break the bank to experiment a little. The tree print wallpaper works well against the timber boarding on the walls and floor while the arch of light adds depth, suggesting the woods carry on.
Use paint thoughtfully
Keeping it simple doesn’t have to mean costing the earth. Judicious choice of colour and a mural detail make this space look rich and inviting – and the only material used on the walls is paint.
Keeping it simple doesn’t have to mean costing the earth. Judicious choice of colour and a mural detail make this space look rich and inviting – and the only material used on the walls is paint.
Contrast with the style of your home
In a house with an otherwise clean and contemporary look, vibrant wallpaper with a foliage print and an antique mirror with an illuminated glass frame give the guest cloakroom a glamorous and exotic character.
In a house with an otherwise clean and contemporary look, vibrant wallpaper with a foliage print and an antique mirror with an illuminated glass frame give the guest cloakroom a glamorous and exotic character.
Edit to give focus
When it comes to what to incorporate in a design scheme for a small space, editing is important. Here, an old-style toilet with exposed piping and a high-level cistern make the sanitaryware the focal point. Accessories and nicely composed artwork provide small accents of colour and texture.
TELL US…
Which of these cloakrooms is your favourite, and why? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.
When it comes to what to incorporate in a design scheme for a small space, editing is important. Here, an old-style toilet with exposed piping and a high-level cistern make the sanitaryware the focal point. Accessories and nicely composed artwork provide small accents of colour and texture.
TELL US…
Which of these cloakrooms is your favourite, and why? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Sticking to one or two materials can help a small room appear uncluttered and spacious. Here, the walls are fully lined in white marble with grey veining (likely to be Arrabescato or Calacatta marble). The custom basin keeps the palette used in the room to just two key materials – the timber flooring and the marble, which, as well as creating a neat space, also makes the display niche stand out.