Inside Michelle Dockery’s London Powder Room – A Design-Led Lesson in Why Unexpected Red Is the Boldest Small-Space Statement Right Now
Michelle's red design scheme proves that powder rooms are the unsung hero of the modern home
When it comes to designing your home, every room boasts a different kind of potential – but I think that the powder room is the unsung hero. It's the perfect place to experiment, with a footprint that's compact enough to handle bold designs which may not work in more traditional schemes.
I like to think of a powder room as a canvas for all of your most eclectic design ideas. If you're apprehensive about filling a bigger space with pattern, color, or whimsical decor, the powder room can become your treasure trove – and nowhere is this more evident than in Michelle Dockery's London home.
Recreate Michelle Dockery's Red Powder Room
Michelle's powder room is decorated with wallpaper from Parisian brand Antoinette Poisson – but if you're hunting for something a little closer to home, I love this dramatic print from Spoonflower.
Michelle's paint color is a bold red with raspberry undertones, just like this one by Benjamin Moore. It makes the perfect accent color in a small space like a powder room.
If inky shades feel too daring – especially when paired with a color like red – try a more playful wallpaper print, like this navy option. The addition of gold and pale blue will add plenty of depth to your space.
Repainting isn't always the most practical way to give a room a makeover – so you can always start with decor pieces instead. This crimson-framed mirror is the definition of 'unexpected red'.
Bring the scalloped decor trend to your bathroom vanity with this acrylic tray. It's a chic solution to organizing a bathroom – and a great way to introduce some color to your space.
Bathroom rugs are another simple way to experiment with color, and this one is my top pick. It's simple and sophisticated, with an intricate trim to elevate the look.
If you love to keep an eye on the latest design trends, you'll likely be familiar with the 'unexpected red' theory. It swept across the internet a few years ago, and it's still beloved by designers in 2026.
In the simplest terms, the theory encourages us to shake up traditional design schemes by employing a strategic pop of color – which means introducing red paint, decor or accessories wherever it's least likely to match. This sense of risk is what drives the trend, and it's far more successful than you might think.
You'd be forgiven by thinking that it's nothing more than a buzzy TikTok trend, but 'unexpected red' is rooted in timeless design principles.
Take Michelle's stunning powder room for example: it proves that red is the secret to bringing energy and character to a smaller area like a powder room. With a bold wallpaper print and a striking accent color, Michelle's space feels like a treasure trove.
Dark floral wallpaper may conventionally be used to create a monochromatic scheme, or paired with a lighter accent color. With a dash of red, however, the print comes to life – and Michelle's entire room is transformed into a lively, refreshing space.
While this kind of styling is more difficult to tie together in an expansive area like a living room, there's no denying that it's the perfect match here. Finished with polished brass hardware and an understated wall sconce (which is, in fact, the Alma wall light by Original BTC), Michelle's powder room is eye-catching and yet cohesive.
Admittedly, deeper red shades like burgundy can seem easier to work with – especially if you're trying out the color drenching trend. However, brighter shades like Michelle's are just as impressive when used with restraint.
This, of course, is where 'unexpected' pops of red become crucial. Brighter shades can run the risk of feeling garish or loud, but a dash of vermillion or crimson will bring warmth and sophistication to any space. In Michelle's powder room, it strikes a brilliant balance between elegance and playfulness.
'Unexpected red' can bring instant personality to a bathroom – without overwhelming the space
Designers say that Michelle's space demonstrates the true potential of a powder room.
'Red works in a powder room like this because it’s quick, it’s contained, and it’s meant to have personality,' explains Maksim Sauchanka, Owner of BMR Belmax Remodeling. 'In larger rooms, red can feel overwhelming. In a powder room, it feels intentional.'
Red can feel daring, but decorate with intention and this vibrant shade can instantly brighten a space.
'Rather than overpowering a small room, red energizes it,' explains Becca Stern, founder of Mustard Made. 'It adds warmth and personality instantly, especially when paired with darker florals. In fact, the contrast between a saturated red and deep botanical prints creates dimension – the red keeps the space feeling lively while the pattern grounds it.'
Michelle's powder room is one of my favorite examples of a gorgeously expressive room that uses color with confidence. It transforms a small space into a riot of pattern, and yet it's all balanced out by a surprising – and utterly chic – pop of red.
I might not be inclined to decorate my entire home in such a dazzling style, but I think that Michelle's room is the epitome of impactful, experimental design. And after all, the powder room offers the very best opportunity to lean into this kind of experimentation.
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