Don't Be Afraid To Be Bold In Your Half Bath. Tips On How To Make It Work

Ever walk into your half bath and imagine how much better it could look? Then you close the door and forget about it — until a guest needs to use the toilet. Just because this room is tucked away down the hall doesn't mean it should be devoid of personality. In fact, we're seeing more and more people transforming their secondary bathrooms into style statements. "Mainly because they are smaller and enclosed areas, they feel more confident taking risks," Veronica Solomon, President & Lead Interior Designer of Casa Vilora Interiors, explains why.

If you've been itching to revamp this little space, consider this your sign to go all out. Play around with quirky fixtures, take some color risks, or maybe even dabble with a design scheme you wouldn't have dared to before. "Half baths are no longer utilitarian with the builder basic finishes as we have seen in the past," Solomon shares in her exclusive interview with House Digest. The best part? The limited square footage also means you don't have to empty your bank account to style your powder room.

Showing your half bath walls a little love (or in this case, a ton of love) is one of the best ways to add personality into your decorating scheme. Veronica Solomon seconds this, saying: "Things like [removable] wallpaper are commonplace now in half baths, and it is a trend I don't see going away." These tiny rooms don't get steamy, so the chances of your wallpaper peeling off are fairly slim. Because the theme here is go big or go home, might we suggest a dramatic print, like the Floralplus Floral Wallpaper Peel and Stick?

Anything visually dynamic will do honestly. You could paper the four walls, create an accent wall behind your toilet/sink, or only cover the lower half of your walls, depending on how bold you want to go. If you'd rather paint your walls or need color palette ideas, look to dark gray, rich navy, olive green, and plum for a wow-worthy, moody ambiance. And no, dark colors won't make your powder room appear smaller than it is — so go ahead and color-drench the space (including the door) in one enveloping hue if you like.

Similar to wallpaper, this will add a pop of drama your visitors won't expect. Just make sure the room is well-lit! We also learned from our exclusive chat with Solomon that artworks deserve a place in half bathrooms, too. Take this as your cue to deck the walls with vintage prints, abstract pieces, floral drawings, and line art. These can help bring texture and even more visual interest to this otherwise utilitarian space.

For those finally ready to remodel their powder room, the first step could be replacing your basic pedestal sink. There are heaps of stylish statement sinks out there, from marble basins to concrete vanities. "Countertop materials are richer stone materials," Veronica Solomon exclusively tells us, referring to modern design trends for half baths. You may want to consider those if your goal is to turn the half bath into a mini spa retreat.

Next on the list might be flooring. We suggest aiming for something equal parts bold and timeless. That way, it can easily be combined with ever-changing wall paint and décor styles. Think along the lines of hardwood flooring, geometric tiles, and mosaic designs in neutral colorways. According to HomeGuide, you should expect to pay around $2,500 to $5,000 for a basic half bath renovation.

What if you're working with a tighter budget? Upgrading hardware and plumbing fixtures — like your hand towel holder, toilet handle, door knob, and faucet — are great budget-friendly decor ideas to spruce up a powder room. Solomon deems these the jewelry of the room. While gold and brass finishes exude a luxe feel, black and silver are go-to choices for a modern flair.