What are the rules for decorating a downstairs loo? The rules are - there are no rules!
Written by Catherine Seagrave
It may be tiny, but it can still be mighty! Let your creativity flow in the smallest room in your house.
@six_by_the_sea
Small, in this case, is no excuse for boring. Your downstairs loo is the perfect place to let loose and make a statement. Be fearless and have a bit of fun and you might find it becomes your favourite spot to linger a little longer than needed!
As it’s a room often visited by your guests, it provides a perfect opportunity to leave a lasting impression. Give people something to talk about by being as quirky and extravagant as you like - after all, you keep the door shut most of the time!
Here are some of our favourite ways to inject some personality and fun into your downstairs loo.
Paint
For a quick and instant transformation, paint is always the easiest option. For the cost of a tin of paint and a weekend's work, you can bring this small room to life. Be brave and bold and try out something you wouldn’t dare in another room. Try going for a really dark green, or a bright and vibrant yellow. It's the perfect space to express your personality and just give it a go. It doesn't need to tie in with the rest of your house because you can simply shut the door. Let it exist in all its moody, punchy, clashing glory!
@riponhouse1887
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a fantastic way to add instant drama and impact. Although the downstairs loo is usually a small room, don’t let that deter you from using large scale patterns and bold colours. It can actually help to make the room feel larger and as you won’t be spending much time in the room, you won’t find the pattern overpowering in the same way you might if it was in your living room. And as an added bonus, you won’t need more than a couple of rolls, so you can splash out on some amazing expensive designs.
@thehexagonalhouse
Panelling
Who doesn’t love a bit of panelling right now?! If you've been a bit nervous about adding it to your main rooms, the downstairs loo could provide the perfect opportunity for you to give it a go. From simple tongue and groove through to more decorative mouldings, it brings additional pattern and texture to your loo. Take it up higher and you could add a peg rail for coats and hats, or keep it lower and it looks great painted a vibrant colour with wallpaper above.
@welcome_to_no.1
@hl.home
If you don’t know where to start, or need some inspiration, let us help you! Simply click here.
Mirrors
Throw caution to the wind and add an ornate statement mirror that is larger than you’d expect and play with the perspective. As well as instantly making the room feel bigger and lighter, it can also transform the feel.
If the room is feeling cramped fit a large mirror at one end to give the illusion that the room goes on and on. To stop a piece of furniture from feeling squashed or ‘shoved in’, add a floor length mirror behind it to create a greater feeling of space.
@renovation_at_5a
@ourhomeframed
Display your art and quirky collections
Be confident in showing off your individuality. It’s the perfect place for showcasing your quirky collections and mementos. Or maybe it’s the perfect place for showcasing your partner's quirky collections and mementos!! Whichever it may be, old photographs, cartoons, souvenirs from a holiday, bizarre artwork that has no other place in your home, can all sit harmoniously together in your downstairs loo. Let your creativity flow!
Image from Pinterest
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Don’t forget the floor!
Carpet just won’t cut it here. Get rid and see if you can get an offcut of a patterned lino from a carpet shop instead. A strong geometric pattern or black and white tile always looks great with a bold wallpaper. If the budget is tight, try painting the floor with stencils instead. Annie Sloan does some great floor paint to give you the tiled effect.
@welcome_to_no.1
If you’d like some help with pulling a look together in your home, get in touch. We’d love to help you move forward with your plans, and create the warm and welcoming home of your dreams, fast and hassle free!
