Have You Heard of Confidence Zones? Why Designers Say It's Actually the Tiniest Spaces in Your Home Are Where You Should Be the Most Bold

We always hear about the colors and designs that make a small space appear larger, but that often involves some shade of white, sleek lines, and minimal furniture. But what if we told you these small rooms are the best places to be a bit bolder?

It goes against a lot of advice you've probably heard before, but these more compact spaces, such as a powder room, are where you try something a bit more daring. Consider them your confidence zones, the schemes to try that moody color or busy pattern you weren't brave enough to use in the living room.

It might feel daunting, but it's a decorating approach designers swear by. Here's why they say every home should have designated confidence zones, and the best rooms to get a bit more experimental with your design.

Over the past decade, trends have convinced us that bigger is better, and that every room should be designed to feel bright and spacious. And while there is a time and a place for this approach, there's a strong argument for embracing smaller proportions.

Termed 'confidence zones,' designers say it's time we rewired our design brains to see a small space for what it is – or what it could be with the right colors, patterns, and materials.

'Smaller rooms are a wonderful place to be playful. The familiar idea that painting a room white will make it feel larger simply doesn’t hold. Instead, lean into the intimacy of a compact space,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.

'Pattern, color, and texture bring depth and intention, and can transform even the tiniest corner into somewhere with real character and beauty. These spaces lend themselves to a little freedom and often become the most memorable rooms in a home.'

In many cases, these compact rooms can be the place of experimentation, but there's also a mood and atmosphere you can create in them that you simply can't achieve in a larger area. It just doesn't have the same impact.

'In a large space, a bold wall covering acts as a backdrop, one of many elements that make up the entire design. In a small space, it envelops the room completely, transforming a simple area from dull and forgettable to pure design magic,' explains interior designer Kathy Kuo.

'In small rooms, bold design feels intentional rather than overwhelming. Because the footprint is modest, you have the freedom to create a fully immersive moment - almost like a little jewel box - where color, material, and texture wrap you in an experience,' adds interior designer Clare Kennedy.

It's not a simple case of bringing in a playful color or a patterned wallpaper – the key to a successful confidence zone is a careful balance of bold features and considered design. And above all, it has to feel aligned with the room's scale.

'The key to designing small spaces with a bold aesthetic is all about thoughtful execution and balance. Prioritize scale. Avoid busy, small prints, which can quickly make a compact room feel cluttered,' advises Michelle Murphy, founder and designer at DEMI RYAN.

'Instead, embrace color drenching: carry a single accent hue from the wallpaper onto the walls, trim, and even the ceiling to create a cohesive, calming envelope of color. Lighting is essential, too. Layered, intentional lighting will help the space feel purposeful and enhance your bold choices.'

You still need to consider the same factors you would in any other room to choose the right colors and patterns to decorate with. And for Lauren, that process should always begin with the natural light.

'A north-facing room can carry deeper, moodier tones beautifully, while a south-facing space often suits warm neutrals, yellows, or more uplifting colors. From there, choose a starting point – artwork, a favorite wallpaper, or even a textile,' she explains.

'Draw two or three shades from that inspiration to form the basis of the palette, then add texture gradually through flooring, lighting, textiles, and accessories. This layering creates cohesion and ensures the room feels intentional rather than busy.'

5 Small Rooms to Transform into Confidence Zones

'The best rooms to try this in are smaller rooms in your home that lack square footage and encourage drama. Think entryway, powder room, laundry rooms, reading nooks, or home offices. We have even curated some beautiful closets,' says Michelle.

If you feel inspired by the bold style that these confidence rooms capture, these are the rooms that designers say work best, whether it's a dramatic color, quirky pattern, or a mix of the two.

1. A Powder Room

As the smallest room in the home, it's little surprise that the powder room is an area of focus when it comes to confidence zones. One of the most coveted trends as of late is the bold powder room, which truly embodies this more playful ethos.

'I particularly love going bold in powder rooms. They are perfect for saturated color or textural plaster because they’re self-contained and meant to surprise,' says Clare. 'These spaces are used more transiently, so there’s less pressure to play it safe. A bold design in this small room can make the entire home feel more curated and considered.'

This small powder room demonstrates the power of a strong paint color – the wash of glossy burgundy instantly creates an impactful, moody feel. For a bit of extra interest, paneling has been introduced, which creates more depth and adds a touch of luxury.

Consider shades such as Farrow & Balls Deep Reddish Brown and Preference Red, or for a more moody look, Benjamin Moore's Classic Burgundy in a glossy finish, and the deep tones of Raisin Torte are great choices.

2. A Small Guest Bedroom

As we've mentioned, confidence zones usually apply to those lesser-used rooms that you aren't spending time in every day. And because it packs such a design statement, why not let your guest bedroom be the focus?

It's usually the smallest bedroom in the home, so it can probably benefit from a more considered design. And, as Clare adds, 'guest rooms can feel wonderfully boutique with a richer palette,' which creates that charming hotel feel. But that's not the only benefit of a more confident color in the guest bedroom.

'A bold color or pattern has a significant psychological and visual impact on a small room. Bold elements inject personality and character, making the space feel curated and intentional rather than plain or accidental,' explains Michelle.

'It also acts as a focal point, drawing the eye to the design and less about the size of the room. This can also help the room to feel more encompassing,' she adds, which makes it all the more impactful in a room dedicated to relaxation, while also impressing guests on arrival.

It's not just about the bones of the room – in this guest bedroom, the walls have been simply coated in a fresh blue hue, while the headboard (Anthropologie's Irena Pied-A-Terre Bed is a charming choice) and bedding bring all the pattern and drama. Find a cohesive color palette and have fun with different layers.

3. A Snug

If you have a snug room, this is your sign to make more of a statement. Whether you paint it in a vibrant shade that reflects your personality, or pattern drench it with your favorite wallpaper, it's a cozier room that can truly shine with a more confident approach.

'Boldness works best when it’s thoughtful. Too many competing elements can overwhelm, so it’s often about anchoring the scheme with one strong statement and building around it,' Lauren notes.

'In our Primrose Hill snug, for example, a patterned wallpaper sets the tone. The paint and upholstery palette takes a cue from it, creating a space that feels harmonious, inviting, and balanced. When used carefully, bold color and pattern bring energy and purpose to a small room.'

For something bright and playful, Anthropologie's Sunshine Masquerade Wallpaper is a pretty choice, or for something moodier, consider the Hestercombe Floral Wallpaper from McGee & Co.

4. A Home Office

For many people who WFH, choosing the right way to decorate a home office can be a tricky decision. You spend a lot of time there, so you want it to feel inviting and beautiful, but you also don't want the design to distract from the task at hand.

But it turns out, the right amount of confidence can really bring this room to life, creating a striking design while still feeling the right level of bold for a room dedicated to concentration and creativity. 'Home offices gain focus and calm when they’re wrapped in deeper hues or a single hero material,' says Clare.

'Boldness in a small space creates a strong memory and feeling about that room. A strong color or distinctive material treatment gets rid of visual noise and gives the eye a single story to follow,' she explains.

'Instead of breaking the room up with lots of contrast or pattern, I often color drench or material drench – taking one hue or one material across walls, ceilings, and millwork. This creates depth and drama, while still maintaining an organic and calming feel.'

Then, keep it simple with the furniture – the curved wooden desk, neutral upholstered chairs, and warm drapes in this design maintain a sense of calm and timeless style. You don't want everything in an office to be busy or dark, so balancing it with neutral furniture and accessories will make all the difference.

5. A Laundry Room

When you look around your home, the more functional rooms are usually the smallest. From bathrooms to laundry rooms and even utilities, they are easily overlooked as purely practical. But designers say they are actually the perfect place to get experimental.

'The smallest rooms in a home tend to be utilitarian in nature, but that doesn’t mean they have to be bland. Adding a bold design element brings personality and charm to these rooms, making them feel intentional and elevated rather than like an afterthought,' says Kathy.

This laundry room is a perfect example – it would have been easy to just paint the walls white, but instead, a vibrant red and blue patterned wallpaper has been added to bring vibrancy and interest to the space. It instantly makes those dreaded chores feel a little bit more exciting.

If you're planning to refresh your home in the coming months, this is your sign to be more confident and expressive with your designs. It could be as simple as swapping out the white paint in your laundry room for something brighter, or even wallpapering a tiny powder room for a more impactful look. It's about having fun with your interiors, rather than always taking the safe route.