Downstairs Toilet Ideas - Cloakroom Styling Inspiration

Often overlooked but full of design potential, the downstairs toilet (also known as the cloakroom), is the perfect space to have fun with interiors and experiment with materials, colour and pattern. Its small footprint offers a great opportunity for bold design choices that might feel overwhelming elsewhere in the home. Whether you are going for some eye-catching wallpaper, colourful tiles, a dark moody paint colour, or a statement basin, this little room is ideal for creating an unexpected ambience that both delights guests and showcases your style.

One of the most effective ways to transform a small space is by adding wallpaper. Patterns instantly bring colour and caracter that set the tone for the entire room. Above: Jellyfish Wallpaper Living Waters here shown in colourway Deep Ocean / Limestone. Also available in a lighter shade of blue Laguna/Oyster , and a range of other colourways, this coastal design can be tailored to suit a variety of interior styles and spaces.

Embrace Bold Wallpaper

Because of the small size of the room, it can handle a large personality. Wallpaper instantly transforms a room and makes the space feel curated. No other space offers such a great opportunity to experiment and go wild with patterns, turning what might be an overlooked corner of the home into something memorable.

Photo Credit: Photo by JYU Studio, Aiden T. Interior Design, Singapore. Wallpaper Living Waters in Charcoal / Amber by Good & Craft. This design is available in a range of colourways.

Coastal Luxury

We especially love seeing a touch of coastal luxury added through our maritime-inspired designs like our jellyfish wallpaper Living Waters or our Forgotten Lagoon wallpaper with a graceful pattern of betta fish. Patterns inspired by the shores and the deep oceans bring a touch of the calming effect of the seaside, reminiscent of boutique hotels or a farwaway destination.

Above (Left) Wallpaper Living Waters here shown in dark green colourway Sea Green / Flint, Good & Craft

(Right) our Fish pattern wallpaper Forgotten Lagoon in Deep Ocean / Blush. This pattern is also available in range of other colourways

Dramatic Florals & Chinoiserie

Botanical-inspired prints are another favourite to establish an elegant atmosphere especially those with dark backgrounds. While smaller florals and chinoiserie inspired designs have a painterly feel and work very well in luxurious and timeless interiors, oversized blooms with their exaggerated scale create an immersive mural-like effect that turn walls into artwork.

Make a bold botanical wall statement with oversized opium poppy flowers. Wallpaper above in powder pink by Good & Craft. For those who like a darker mood, this wallpaper is also available with a navy blue backdrop.

Timeless and luxurious. Chinoiserie inspired wallpaper are great for creating a jewel-box feel in a downstairs toilet. Wallpaper above: Chinoiserie in Charcoal by Good & Craft. This design is also available in Dark Teal Blue, Dark Green and Deep Sage Green.

Above (Left) Dark wallpaper adorned with Hummingbirds and flowers creates a rich, layerd look.

Photo Credit: (Right) Photo by Meg S. USA, powder room with our Hummingbirds Secret Garden wallpaper in Charcoal. A dark background wallpaper turns a small cloakroom into a dramatic, design-led space full of character.

Tropical Prints

Jungle-themed prints are a joyful choice for small spaces and bring a sense of escapism to the room. From colourful parrots and exotic birds, to lush foliage and oversized palm leaves, these motifs bring warmth and vibrancy in compact spaces and are surprisingly versatile to pair with. The colourful prints allowing you to combine them with a variety of paint or tile colours by simply picking out one of the many hues featured in the design.

While brighter hues can feel playful, dark greens and gold accents have a luxurious feel to them. Rainforest wallpapers also pair beautifully with different natural materials like rattan or wood.

Above (Left) Metallic accents catch the light and adding a touch of luxury to compact spaces. Wallpaper Havana with striking gold palm leaves by Good & Craft, combined with green wall paneling for a nature inspired look.

(Right) Havana wallpaper in silver is more paired-back with subtle silver and antique gold hues.

A green bathroom has an effortlessly calming effect. Emerald or forest green brings moody dramatic feel with a touch of elegance to small spaces. Wallpaper Rio by Good & Craft, also available in Teal Blue, and a light green version in Mint

Funky Wallpaper

A downstairs toilet is the perfect spot to have fun with wallpaper that's quirky, or just a little bit unexpected. Funky patterns like surreal motives, cheeky characters, or humorous prints that might feel too busy or daring elsewhere, add personality and charm into a small space. You can pair back a maximalism pattern with neutral colours, or go even bolder with combining it with strong or clashing colours, creating a moment of surprise for guest and turn your cloakroom into a memorable talking point.

Photo Credit: (Left) Photo by Alise M, USA. Go quircky with wallpaper. We love this bathroom using our Peacock Wallpaper Jewel Birds in combination with white metro tiles and dark wooden furniture.

(Right) Jewel Birds Wallpaper by Good & Craft in combination with strong teal blue.

Incorporate Vintage or Antique Furniture

Another great way to add something different to a downstairs WC are vintage furniture and antique decor items. An upcycled chest of drawers or repurposed washstand can make a beautiful alternative to a shop bough vanity unit. This not only offers both style and storage, but can also be a more affordable option than a built-in vanity, which often lacks character.

Similarly, unique pieces such as an old mirror, stool, antique lamps and other period hardware like a rustic soap tray or towel holder with interesting carved details add history to the space. Think about layering materials, for example an old vintage rug with a timeworn finish or woven basket enriches the space with texture and helps balance sleek finishes with warmth.

When up cycling a vintage piece of furniture consider adding a countertop basin for a stylish, functional touch, creating a one of a kind vanity unit. Combine with a contemporary basin for a beautiful blend of old and new, or embrace the heritage look by repurposing a vintage item. From a wall mounted metal bucket to an artfully painted ceramic sink, there are many items that can be used instead of a shop bought basin. Photo Credit: Caroline Horsley (edwardian_seaside_home), accessed through Pinterest.

We're in love with this gorgeous bathroom designed by Blanc Marine Intérieurs. Walls are painted in Peale Green HC-121 by Benjamin Moore and work beautifully with the dark brown of the wooden cabinet. Photo credit: Interior Design Blanc Marine Intérieurs, Montreal. Photo taken by Sylvie Li, Montreal, accessed through Pinterest.

Play with Colour

Whether you go for a dark and moody look or prefer energetic bright colours, colour can not only be introduced with fixed features such as painted walls, woodwork, wallpaper and tiles, but also with items like hand towels and small décor pieces. These unfixed elements allow you to easily experiment with changing colour schemes by swapping them out whenever you feel in the mood for another colour.

Pulling a paint colour or matching tile from your wallpaper design makes the whole scheme feel intentional and cohesive. Wallpaper above: Chinoiserie in Dark Teal Blue by Good & Craft

Adding Texture with Tiles

While painted walls and wallpaper can be updated relatively easily if you are someone who loves to redecorate every few years, tiles are a more permanent feature. It's therefore worth taking time to choose a tile design and colour scheme that works well in combination with different looks. You can also inject colour with coloured grout for added contrast, or keep the grout matching your tiles for a more subtle effect. Keep in mind that tiles aren't just about colour, they are a great way to add texture too. From gloss to matte finishes and handmade tiles with slight variations, tiles can also be arranged in different ways and completely change the feel of the space.

Metro Tiles

The classic way to lay tiles is in a brick pattern, this means each tile overlaps the tile above and below by half of the width of the tile (offset pattern). This method is usually used for rectangular subway tiles and metro tiles (bevelled edges), that were commonly used in the underground systems in the early 20th century. This way of laying tiles adds a traditional touch to the space.

Herringbone

Often used with thin rectangular tiles, this pattern is laid with tiles at a 45-degree angle to create a distinctive zigzag pattern. This method is frequently seen in timeless parquet flooring and works beautifully with floor tiles too.

Stacked

Vertically stacked tiles offer a clean-lined aesthetic and add a contemporary feel to the room. In this method the tiles are stacked aligned directly above one another. Using thin rectangular tiles with the longer side going vertical will draw the eye upwards adding a sense of height, while stacking the tiles horizontally creates a sleek modern look that can make the space feel wider.

Statement Fixtures & Fittings

If you aren't using tiles, wall panelling such as tonge-and-groove adds texture and an opportunity for paint. Unlike tiles, wall panelling offers more flexibility and its look can easily be refreshed with a quick coat of paint in a new colour. Pairing wall panelling with wallpaper works beautifully in toilets, allowing you to create stylish half walls of print, where the pattern adds interest above the painted partition. The same wallpaper design can take a completely different feel depending on the colour it's paired with, offering flexibility to create your desired theme.

Photo Credit: (Left) Photo by Amie F, England, our Living Waters wallpaper combined paint by Little Greene in a beautiful grey-green hue. (Right) Photo by Carrie L., USA. Living Waters wallpaper in combination with black wall paneling.

Another way to instantly make a bathroom look more expensive and bespoke are stylish fixtures. Think about a vintage-style tap in brass or a modern one in matte black for example, a statement mirror, or a wall-mounted medicine cabinet (this is another opportunity to add character with a vintage piece of furniture like an old medicine cabinet).

If you like a rustic touch why not creating a unique industrial feature with exposed copper pipes to make what usually is behind walls into a focal point.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Lawson (Malmo & Moss) accessed through Pinterest, guest cabin in Elmley Nature Reserve Isle of Sheppey

Add a Touch of Luxury with Decorative Items

Since space is limited use decorative objects to style the room impactful without over crowding. You maybe have already a statement wallpaper, colourful tiles or vintage furniture in place. When it comes to styling, a small vase of flowers, a luxurious soap dispenser, reed diffuser or a scented candle may be all you need to add personality and make even the smallest room feel special.

The downstairs toilet is the perfect place to explore adventurous design choices, be bold and push boundaries. Think of it as a hidden gem, its compact size allows for expressive style to make a statement with big impression. Have fun with pattern and colour, add personality with vintage items, and create a real showstopper that guests won't forget.