Need bold and beautiful ideas for your cloakroom? As one of the smallest rooms in the house, it’s the perfect place for letting your creativity run free and bringing your wildest design dreams to life.
There are so many clever ways of transforming a downstairs loo into a boutique space – from sprucing up the walls with statement prints, painted panelling or fabulous tiles to adding wow factor with coloured sanitaryware, ornate brassware or quirky décor. So, to help inspire your project, we’ve rounded up five colourful ideas for your cloakroom and asked the interior designers how they achieved these stand-out spaces…
Design ideas for your cloakroom:
Whimsical space
“The downstairs toilet might be the most compact space in your home, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be one of the most stylish,” says Sophie Harrold, director at Simply Bathrooms (Surrey) Ltd. “Our client wanted their cloakroom to offer guests a sense of escapism, so we gave the space a whimsical transformation.
‘The overall style of the home was contemporary and while our client sought a quirkier, brighter look for the cloakroom, we avoided overly traditional fixtures. By selecting sleek, modern taps and a wall-hung WC, we ensured the design remained harmonious with the rest of the downstairs décor.”
“To maintain a clean and uncluttered aesthetic, we opted to box in the toilet cistern, finishing it with a simple yet classic square tile. This choice ensured the tile didn’t compete with the striking pink patterned wallpaper, allowing it to be the star of the show.
“For the flooring, we chose a porcelain wood-effect tile, whose rich tone complemented the vibrant feature wallpaper while offering practical benefits for a high-traffic area. Plus, darker grout means easier maintenance. Since off-the-shelf cloakroom furniture can be limiting, we designed a bespoke vanity unit tailored perfectly to the space.
“To blend the vibrant wallpaper with the more contemporary elements, we introduced a decorative vintage mirror and a rattan wall light, adding a bit of character to the space. Cloakrooms are the only bathrooms where we recommend vintage mirrors — no steam issues here — allowing for a truly personal, one-of-a-kind touch,” says Sophie.
Glamorous cloakroom
Interior designer Amy Stoddart, founder of the eponymous design studio, transformed her East London home into a stunning three-bedroom, three-bathroom Victorian oasis. “Each aspect of the design reflects our unique style and preferences, culminating in a space that we are truly proud to call our own,” says Amy.
“The inclusion of William Morris wallpaper in the downstairs loo serves as a heartfelt nod to the local area, infusing the space with history and charm.” Paired with brass finishes, deep berry panelling and classic sanitaryware, Amy’s downstairs loo oozes sophistication.
Nature-inspired design
“This cloakroom at our Clement House project was given a stylish upgrade with the addition of a new leaf patterned wallpaper and new mirror,” says Pia Pelkonen, creative director at Pia Design.
The design was inspired by the homeowner’s brief to bring more natural elements into their home. “This cloakroom was an opportunity to do so by using some pattern and print. The toilet, sink and tap, and marble flooring were existing and in good condition so we decided to reuse them,” explains Pia.
Although a windowless space, the striking fern wallpaper injects a touch of freshness while the black mirror and white splashback tiles complement the existing elements.
Characterful cloakroom
“For those dipping their toes in the world of maximalism, cloakrooms are the perfect space to be bold and daring with your design. You can create interest and surprise your guests or even create the perfect oasis for yourself! Whimsical wallpapers are a great way of creating a sense of escapism,” says Chloe Vince, decorating consultancy sales executive at House of Hackney.
The star of this statement cloakroom is the Trematonia wallpaper by House of Hackney. The print is inspired by a walk through the Castle of Trematon’s grounds, where the brand’s founders, Frieda and Javvy, live. Hand-illustrated, it is reminiscent of ancient tapestries and displays wildlife drawings (such as peacocks, snakes, turtles and leopards) dotted amongst Celtic foliage.
“The print transports you to another world and the joyous and magical nature of the room is only amplified further with the use of our Moonstone paint, creating a calming yet contemporary colour palette. To complete the look, add a bold stripe for a playful visual break and an animal print such as our Wildcard jacquard. Woven in butterscotch tones, this is the perfect addition to any scheme and will help you to ground and unify all elements,” says Chloe.
The space is infused with character – from the classic sanitaryware and intricate mirror to the wall art and striped lighting, all the elements come in accent colourways which can be found in the wallpaper, too.
A pop of orange
“For this cloakroom, the homeowners wanted it to be full of personality, being the WC that guests would use,” explains Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs and Kelling Home. “We used a bold orange Zebra motif wallpaper to bring personality, and used a complementary paint behind the grey washbasin.”
The slim and narrow wall-mounted basin is a pretty and practical addition to the cloakroom, which doesn’t take away from the feature wall while also ensuring good function.
“The use of orange brings a warm and uplifting energy to the space, whilst the wallpaper adds a bit of wow factor,” says Emma.
Sophie’s expert tips and ideas for your cloakroom:
Storage: We always recommend cupboard doors over drawers in cloakrooms. Cupboards are ideal for smaller spaces, offering more usable storage for essentials like toilet rolls and cleaning products.
Be bold: Choose a wallpaper that speaks to you – something you love, ensuring it will outlast fleeting trends. Don’t hesitate to paper all the walls, and even the ceiling if you’re feeling adventurous! One feature wall can feel outdated, unless it’s a mural.
Vintage mirrors: A cloakroom is the perfect place to incorporate a vintage mirror for a unique, personal touch without worrying about steam or product guarantees.
Furniture and sanitaryware: In smaller space, wall-mounted WCs and vanity units can often work better as they give the illusion of more floorspace.
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