Home decorator and content creator Grace H is one of Ideal Home’s newest Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on colorful home design, mixing vintage pieces with new, and creating spaces full of personality. Check out the rest of his articles here.
If there’s one room in your home where you can really let loose and have some design fun, it’s the downstairs loo. While renovating a ‘master’ bathroom costs a fortune and comes with a mountain of practical storage factors to consider, the downstairs cloakroom is a golden opportunity to showcase your personality. It’s the perfect canvas to be playful, bold and a little brave.
Our downstairs loo was my first foray into using wallpaper, and now that it’s done, I honestly don’t know what took me so long! I may have started a new addiction – now I want to paper every wall in the house. The beauty of using a bold pattern is that everything else can be kept relatively simple, and who doesn’t love that?
To help you tackle your own space, I’m breaking down some key points to consider when designing a small loo so that it not only works hard for you but also looks great.
Storage solutions
A downstairs loo doesn’t need to have thousands of toiletries like a family bathroom, but it’s nice to have somewhere to stash your cleaning products and maybe some extra loo rolls.
- Clever cabinet – You can add a cupboard above the loo painted in a gorgeous pop of color or get something vintage to marry the old with the new (something that’s always worth considering and gives a home instant appeal). I love how clever my Instagram friend is, Back from @the_interior_lensHer nifty storage unit was by adding fabric. Adding texture and introducing another pattern (in this case, a classic stripe) is a brilliant way to make a room feel elegantly lived in and helps to soften the space.
(Image credit: @the_interior_lens)
- Stylish storage bin – I also like to have a little basket or bin next to the toilet to hold cleaning supplies. This Strand rattan bathroom bins from Kalinko Been on my wish list for years; The design is completely timeless, and that lid is crucial – no one wants your toilet cleaner of choice on display!
- Sink skirt – I almost added a skirt to our sink when we redesigned our space, but the other half vetoed it. He doesn’t often say no to my design ideas, but he was adamant on this one (and I think he lives here too, after all!). I still think they look great, and who doesn’t love the idea of extra storage under the basin to hide ugly stuff? Don’t worry, I’m still working on it…
(Image credit: @ciarakenaston)
This magnificent space by Ciara Kenaston It perfectly demonstrates how a sink skirt can add instant softness and pattern to a room.
A shelf power
I’ve talked about my love for a curb before, and I stand by the fact that it’s worth considering a concealed cistern when designing a small bathroom.
Building a wall to hide plumbing creates a built-in ledge, giving you the perfect opportunity for a little styling moment (pretty things only, please!).
It’s a great place to display trinkets, treasures and handy extras like room sprays, candles or even mini lamps to make the space feel warm and inviting.
Now, let’s talk wallpaper – fun stuff
There are tons of gorgeous, bold wallpapers that cater to every budget. I fell hard for Anika Reid’s ‘Red Coat’ papr and all went out – wrapping it up and up the ceiling and even matching window blinds. It brings a smile to my face every time I use the space.
If the full wallpaper moment seems a little too daunting, consider tiling the bottom half of the wall and adding a fun printed design on top, like Hannah from @atnumbereighteen.
I love Hannah’s wallpaper selection from here Soph Studio. It’s such a fun pattern, and I’ve seen some genius hidden storage in the back that almost disappears thanks to the clever layout. She also wallpapered the flat part of the extractor fan – absolutely brilliant!
(Image credit: @atnumbereighteen)
The final touch
Now onto my absolute favorite part: the details.
We offer mirrors, shelves, hooks, loo roll holders and Lighting – All the little pieces that are easy to leave past but make all the difference when you get them right.
- Hardware and accessories – In terms of small details, you can’t go far wrong MG&Co. More expensive than the high street, but my goodness, do those details sing! We have a wall caddy mirror and Matilda God towel hook, and they finish off the room perfectly, instantly elevating the space. Beta Human’s ‘Pigeon’ Hook Even hangs behind our doors – it has that perfect blend of beauty and function you’d expect from a top interior designer.
(Image credit: Grace H)
- A loo roll holder – Bilton toilet roll holder in antique brass From Rowan and Wayne Another fantastic find (we actually have it in our master bathroom). There are plenty of beautiful brass designs out there, but I love the simplicity of this one for changing rolls without any fuss. We went with that Grace and Glory Design Here to mix it up a bit.
(Image credit: Grace H)
- A little luxury – One thing you should never leave in a place that will be used by guests is fancy hand soap. Personally, I love the chic, simple packaging of both world And Austin Austin (And they smell like an absolute dream). Purdy and Fig also make a product called ‘Oh! D Loo‘ – deodorizing drops you pop directly into the toilet bowl. It’s super bogey, and frankly, I’m 100% here for it.
Ultimately, the downstairs loo is a great opportunity to show your home some love as it is the one room in the house that is guaranteed to be seen by almost every guest who walks through your door. So why not give them something to talk about?
By combining smart, hidden storage with quirky patterns and those thoughtful finishing touches, you can transform a small, practical space into a beautiful little sanctuary for both you and your guests.
Go bold, have fun and embrace the drama. And if anyone needs me, I’ll be here with a roll of wallpaper in one hand and a tape measure in the other, trying to figure out which room I can cover next… (and still working on that sink skirt!).
