We asked our interior designers which were their favourite rooms to design. You might be as surprised as we were to hear that the downstairs cloakroom made the shortlist!
Why on earth would that be, I hear you ask? Surely as the tiniest room in the house these would be bottom of the list?
On the contrary! Designers find that their clients are 100x braver when decorating these small spaces. Not only does the size make it feel like less of a scary commitment but it’s also not a room they spend long periods of time in. The downstairs cloakroom is often the first step for clients to build up the confidence to take greater risks in the rest of their home.
Add to that, it’s most commonly used by guests so it’s a great opportunity to show your fun and extravagant side! After all, you’ve got yourself a captive audience so why not let your personality shine through?
Here are 7 cloakroom designs to inspire and/or amuse you. Love or hate them – you can’t deny that they’d make a great talking point at your next dinner party!
Key points:
- For a small or narrow cloakroom, embrace the limited space rather than trying to hide it. A downstairs loo is the perfect place to be braver with colour, pattern and personality because it is small, self-contained and lower commitment.
- Bold wallpaper can work beautifully in compact rooms. Pattern adds depth and visual interest, helping a tiny cloakroom feel more designed rather than plain or cramped.
- Use panelling, paint or tiles to ground the scheme. Pulling colours from a wallpaper or terrazzo tile into the lower walls, woodwork or accessories helps the room feel cohesive.
- Add one memorable design feature. A tropical wallpaper, gallery wall, statement mirror, chandelier or dramatic wall colour can turn a practical cloakroom into a proper talking point.
- If the cloakroom has little or no natural light, lean into a cosy, moody look. Darker colours can feel intentional and atmospheric in a small downstairs toilet, especially when paired with good lighting.
Struggling with your small cloakroom space? We will create a design you love while also keeping in with your budget! Fill out our design brief today:
1. Let your personality flow
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
The running theme throughout all the examples in this blog is ‘personality’. Your home should be an expression of you and your downstairs cloakroom can show your fun and adventurous side.
Very often, great design is about taking risks. Most of the time they’ll pay off but if they don’t – that’s ok! The beauty of these rooms is that there’s far less risk because it won’t take lots of time or a big budget to have another go.
2. Bog, bold and beautiful wallpaper
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
You’d be forgiven for thinking that in a small room you should opt for light, bright and unfussy walls. Forgiven yes, but also wrong!
Pattern actually provides depth, tricking the eye into thinking that the space extends beyond.
The owner of this downstairs loo has cleverly pulled inspiration from the wallpaper design and added dark coloured panelling to the lower half of the room.
Looking to create an inviting and exciting cloakroom space but not sure where to start? We can help, book a free call with an Interior Designer to discuss your ideas today:
3. Escape to the tropics
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
The sound of running water….palms swaying in the breeze….OK so you’re not going to be fooling anyone into thinking they’ve had a Narnia moment and stepped into the Amazon midway through your cocktail party, but you can still embrace the escapism trend and share your love for travel with this tropical themed cloakroom design.
4. Luxe lighting and finishes
As a space predominantly used by guests, it’s a perfect opportunity to add some glitz and glamour to their visit!
And no expense has been spared with the finishes in this downstairs loo design. The gold accents from the tap to even the loo handle really do add a touch of decadence. Chrome would be far too dull for these homeowners!
The lighting choices also make a statement. A chandelier in this cloakroom surprisingly doesn’t look out of place alongside that curvy wall light – the perfect height for makeup touch ups.
5. Cloakroom come gallery
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
The downstairs cloakroom is the perfect room to display some of your favourite artwork.
Using black as an accent colour on the frames and tiles helps to ground the powerful print on the walls. Choosing the same frames for your gallery wall is also a great way to link the pieces together, even when they are different styles and colours like they are here.
Take care when hanging artwork in a bathroom though as without proper ventilation, humidity can build up behind the frames.
Need an expert opinion on your cloakroom design project? Our professional designers will help you create a downstairs loo flooded with personality!
6. Terrazzo
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
We’re a bit obsessed with terrazzo! It’s a great alternative to traditional tile patterns and can add fun and personality to your cloakroom. It also adds great texture to the space.
Pick out colours from the terrazzo for other elements in the room like the black and gold from the example above.
7. Dark and brooding
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
OK, time to move away from the pretty pink bathrooms and talk about this masculine and moody one instead. Sometimes in small rooms, especially ones without natural light, you just have to embrace to the cosy and sultry vibe.
Ready to start transforming your cloakroom space? Start discussing your ideas by booking a free call with one of our professional Interior Designers:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should a small cloakroom be light or dark?
A small cloakroom does not always need to be light. If the room has little or no natural light, darker colours can make the space feel cosy, dramatic and intentional. The key is to balance darker walls with good lighting, mirrors and finishes that help lift the scheme.
What colours work well in a downstairs cloakroom?
Downstairs cloakrooms can handle a wide range of colours, from soft neutrals and blush tones to deep greens, navy, charcoal and black. The best colour depends on the mood you want to create. Small cloakrooms are often a good place to try bolder shades because the space is lower commitment than a main living area.
How do you decorate a very narrow cloakroom?
To decorate a very narrow cloakroom, keep the floor space as clear as possible and use the walls to create interest. Wallpaper, panelling, artwork, mirrors and wall lights can add personality without making the room feel cluttered.
How do you add storage to a small cloakroom?
In a small cloakroom, choose storage that does not take up too much floor space. Slimline vanity units, recessed shelves, wall-mounted cupboards or baskets can help keep essentials tidy while maintaining a clean, open feel.
How can I make my downstairs loo feel more expensive?
To make a downstairs loo feel more expensive, upgrade the details. Brass or matt black taps, a statement mirror, quality wallpaper, decorative lighting and framed artwork can all help the space feel more polished without needing a large budget.
How do you add personality to a cloakroom?
You can add personality to a cloakroom through wallpaper, colour, artwork, lighting, mirrors, tiles and accessories. Because it is a room guests often use, a downstairs cloakroom is a great place to show a more playful or adventurous side of your style.
