Traditional powder room ideas – classic half-bath decor and design inspiration

Traditional powder rooms are practical spaces that have a timeless, comfortable feel. The place where guests go to freshen-up after a long journey, powder rooms benefit from being bright, uplifting and welcoming spaces. 

Opting for neutral colors, natural materials and high quality furniture and fittings will ensure a classic space which is a joy to be in time and time again, while introducing some luxurious features and glossy finishes will bring that sought-after spa-like feel. 

As small spaces which are not used for long periods of time, half-baths also make brilliant rooms for daring to decorate a little differently. 

Why not try experimenting with some creative bathroom ideas and playful decor options to give guests a joyful surprise? 

Think bold colors, statement wallpapers and opulent fixtures and fittings. Eye-catching wallpaper prints in particular are a brilliant choice if you're looking for cloakroom ideas, as unlike bathrooms, they are less likely to become steamy and splashed.

Powder room ideas

1. Create an Arts & Crafts feel with William Morris prints

Inspired by the enduring beauty of nature, William Morris wallpapers are a great choice if you're looking for traditional powder room wall decor. 

Capturing the flora and fauna of the countryside, Arts & Crafts prints, which date back to the late 19th-century, have received enduring popularity across the years, and are still available through Morris & Co today in a variety of original and refreshed colorways. 

To prevent the print being overwhelming, consider teaming the paper with classic painted paneling, as shown in the traditional bathroom idea above. 

Traditional British Minton-style floor tiles will give a further nod to the Arts & Crafts era.

2. Opt for an all-white scheme for an uplifting feeling 

Opting for a fresh, bright white scheme is guaranteed to stand the test of time and will leave guests feeling uplifted and refreshed. 

Metallic fixtures and accessories in white bathrooms, such as taps, lighting, mirror frames and even drawer and door handles, will give a luxurious finishing touch, turning the room into the perfect space for a bit of 'me time'.

3. Inject humour with a playful jungle wallpaper

The striking Leopard Walk design by Cole & Son would make a pleasant surprise for guests in a powder room and bring a luxurious feel. A Lonsdale basin on a frame from The Water Monopoly contributes to the elegance. 

4. Embrace classic elegance with floral prints

An ornate, floral print wallpaper will bring a luxurious, feminine feel to a bathroom, especially teamed with glass and metallic accessories. 

This Darcy design in Aqua by Colefax & Fowler, with its beautiful metallic detailing, pairs perfectly with elegant glass wall lights and an antique gilt mirror to capture a refined, timeless look.

‘From pretty and romantic to classic or contemporary, floral designs vary as much as the blooms themselves, but all have an evocative charm,' says Daniel Slowik, associate design director, Colefax & Fowler.

'Traditional florals imbue a room with a country-house feel, which has an associated romantic appeal. Balance them with simply styled furnishings to prevent the look from becoming overpowering. 

'For example, a bold print on walls or curtains could be offset by antique painted furniture so the room retains a calm air, or key colors in the pattern can be picked out and combined with other items in the room to create a harmonious, ordered feel.'

5. Choose a classic white and blue color palette for a timeless, serene feel 

If you’re looking for a color scheme that will stand the test of time, you can’t go wrong with blue and white. 

With their fresh, yet soothing feel they are a popular choice for country bathrooms and powder rooms. 

The sinuous, rhythmic design of Vanessa Arbuthnott’s Up the Garden Path wallpaper in teal makes it a great choice for walls. To add interest and create a homely feel add in mix and match fabrics in the same palette.

6. Add in elegant wall lights

Although often overlooked, choosing smart bathroom lighting ideas is one of the most important factors in creating a traditional powder room. 

A well-designed lighting scheme can transform the look and feel of a space and should include a combination of task, ambient and accent lighting. 

Designed specifically for bathrooms, David Hunt Lighting's new Avon Butter Brass bathroom wall lights are both practical and extremely stylish, adding to the luxury of this room papered in Little Greene's Sakura wallpaper .

7. Choose traditional sanitaryware and fittings

Opting for sanitaryware inspired by historic designs will help give your powder room a traditional feel. 

Established in 1861, British brand Thomas Crapper continues to manufacture basins, taps, WC and cistern sets to archive Victorian designs, including the ceramic wall-mounted sink, cast iron brackets and cast iron high cisterns, as pictured above. 

Made using the same time-honored techniques and quality materials, the fittings are durable and long lasting. 

8. Team vintage-style wallpaper and antique furniture to create an eccentric space

To create a quirky look to turn heads, consider channelling a design inspired by the English country manor. 

Capturing a traditional hunt scene, Sanderson’s Tally Ho wallpaper, combines with paneling in Farrow & Ball’s Incarnadine shade and chequerboard floor in this cloakroom to make a head-turning, unique space. 

The bathroom vanity idea shown above was created by installing a modern sink in an antique, marble-topped washstand; a great way of achieving an affordable and unique piece of feature furniture.

9. Turn heads with a botanical wallpaper

Botanical prints have endured across the centuries and see no sign of abating. There are a huge array to choose from, from delicate trails, to more graphic eye-catching prints. This Terrariums wallpaper by Sanderson would bring wow-factor to what can be a forgotten space.

'Florals are a signature look for Sanderson. Capturing the wonder of nature, Sanderson’s botanicals continue to bring the beautiful into people’s lives, with new interpretations of classic designs combining modern country living with a timeless and undeniably British feel,' says Rebecca Craig, design manager at Sanderson.

'Recently we’ve seen a real shift from grays and minimal uses of color to the desire for dark grounds and multicolored pattern – the perfect tonic for lifting the spirits and creating a more individual style.' 

10. Embrace quality furniture in natural materials

To create a traditional powder room that will endure across the years, consider opting for high quality furniture and fittings made from natural materials, such as this Edinburgh undermount washstand from Neptune with its natural oak frame and solid marble top.

11. Introduce bespoke fitted storage

Boxing in the space under the sink is a brilliant way to introduce extra room for clever bathroom storage ideas in a powder room. 

Opting for a traditional in-frame timber design bespoke to your room proportions will make the most of your space and should endure across the years. 

Cream is a classic choice, but it can always be painted in different shades if tastes change. Try teaming with a marble top, as shown in the cottage bathroom idea above, for that touch of luxury.