Decorating Rooms Bathrooms 22 Half Bathroom Ideas That Maximize Style These spaces might be small, but they can pack a big design punch. By Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta has been in the professional organizing industry for over 5 years. She knew she had a passion for decluttering and organization upon graduating Marist College in 2007, however, pursued it as a hobby instead of a career. All of that changed when Mary founded Sort and Sweet Inc on Long Island in 2017. Since then, she has worked hands-on and virtually with hundreds of clients to clear their clutter and create functional systems in their homes and offices. Mary runs the Sort and Sweet social media accounts, creating content and writing captions with organizing tips and inspiration for more than 12,000 followers. Recently relocated to Savannah, she continues to own and operate the business with the help of a talented team. Mary has been a weekly contributing writer for House Digest and has been interviewed as an expert by Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Health magazines. She is the owner of the blog, Organized Overall, in which she details how she creates organization in her home. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on February 7, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Some call it a half bath while others refer to it as a powder room. Whatever it's dubbed, these small bathrooms are an asset because they are often located on the ground floor or near the main living core of a home—perfectly accessible for guests and family members alike. Typically consisting of just a toilet and a sink, these small bathrooms are the perfect space to try a bold design choice or employ fun materials that might be too costly to use in larger spaces. Plus, a half bath is a unique way to add resale value to your home. Whether you're thinking about adding one or are looking for ways to refresh the space you already have, these half bathroom ideas will spark creativity. 26 Creative Guest Bathroom Ideas 01 of 22 Half Bath Tile Inspiration Josh Grubbs Penny and subway tiles are two timeless styles that will likely never go out of style. If your older home has original features in the half bathroom, embrace the retro look and integrate thrifted furniture and classic damask wallpaper to complement it. 02 of 22 Half Bath Vanity Ideas Julie Soefer Create a unique design by turning a dresser into a vanity in the half bath. Keep the rest of the room cozy by incorporating neutral colors along with warm wood and gold accents. 17 Bathroom Vanity Storage Ideas That Will Save Your Cabinets and Drawers 03 of 22 Classic Half Bathroom Ideas Stacy Zarin Goldberg Give your guests a serene space to visit by sticking with a muted color scheme in the half bathroom. Dark blue wall paneling, delicate floral wallpaper, and traditional fixtures and decor come together to create a stunning, yet ageless, style. 21 Blue Bathroom Ideas With Timeless Style 04 of 22 Contemporary Half Bathroom Ideas Lisa Romerein If you prefer a modern and clean look in the bathroom, be sure to keep it simple. You can play with wallpaper but choose a graphic in a small print and the fixtures, like the vanity and light fixture, should be nothing short of sleek. 48 Modern Bathroom Ideas for a Spa-Like Escape 05 of 22 Half Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas John Bessler Sometimes, unique bathroom ceilings can be a deliberate design choice. Other times, you have to work with what you’ve got. In the case of a sloped ceiling like this, apply a subtle, yet stunning, wallpaper to make the small space stand out. 30 Styling and Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger 06 of 22 Yellow Half Bathroom David A Land If your half bathroom is positioned against an outside wall of the house and, therefore, has a window, take advantage of the natural light. You can keep additional lighting simple with a single overhead fixture and rely on natural sunlight, along with a cheery accent color like yellow to illuminate the room. 19 Decorating Tips and Design Ideas for a Yellow Bathroom 07 of 22 Black and White Bathroom James Nathan Schroder If you’re partial to a black and white motif but still want to create a captivating interior, experiment with mixing patterns and incorporating brass elements. This bathroom blends white herringbone subway tiles and black beadboard on the walls with black and white penny tile flooring for an eccentric yet coordinated design. What Is Beadboard? 30+ Ways to Use It in Your Home 08 of 22 Bold Bathroom Wallpaper Brie Williams White subway tile in the bathroom is a classic, albeit safe, choice. You can easily dress it up by applying a vibrant and colorful wallpaper pattern above the half wall of tile. Since the space is already so small (and you're only covering half of the wall), this is a fairly inexpensive project. 09 of 22 Earthy Half Bathroom Werner Straube There are no hard or fast rules when it comes to decorating a half bathroom, so it’s the ideal place to push your comfort limits. Test out a new design style or color palette by installing painted wainscoting, bold wallpaper, and globe light fixtures. 10 of 22 Half Bathroom Shelving Ideas Stacy Goldberg Powder rooms shouldn’t be where you store your toiletries as they typically don’t have the space to spare. Instead, install a floating shelf along the wall above the sink and strategically place decorative items alongside a few essentials for guests to use in a pinch. 5 Steps to Styling Bathroom Shelves That Don't Look Cluttered 11 of 22 Cottage Style Half Bath Jay Wilde If you’re enjoying the grandmillennial trend, embrace the design style by giving your half bath a vintage feel with dainty details. A pop of floral wallpaper, a tiny yet ornate mirror, a whimsical bunny hand towel holder, and an antique pitcher all come together to create a sweet cottage-inspired space. 19 Vintage Bathroom Ideas for Retro Style 12 of 22 Half Bath with Floating Sink Werner Straube You can find floating sinks that mesh with any type of aesthetic, from modern to retro. Freeing the floor up from a vanity or pedestal gives you a little more wiggle room in a half bath to store baskets of extra towels or toilet paper underneath. 13 of 22 Minimalist Half Bath Read McKendree Depending on your personal preference, you may opt to keep it simple in the powder room to avoid overpowering the small space. If that’s the case, keep the look clean with a mostly white interior, a handful of matte black details for contrast, and minimal decorative pieces. 21 White Bathroom Ideas for a Sparkling Space 14 of 22 Glam Half Bathroom Ideas Emily Followill Give company a dose of drama by making the powder room an elegant experience. A magnificent silver mirror, an unexpected color palette, and the addition of soft seating, thanks to faux fur, give this half bath a glamorous feel. 15 of 22 Eclectic Half Bathroom Brittany Ambridge Don’t be shy about allowing your artistic side to shine through in a half bathroom. Here, a black-and-white color scheme is the prime backdrop to display eclectic artwork, floral light fixtures, and funky sculptural pieces. 16 of 22 Maximize Space Jay Wilde When working with limited square footage, a little creativity will go a long way. Consider mounting a scaled-down corner sink as a simple space-saving solution. Don’t hesitate to embrace a more maximalist decorating style by applying a playful wallpaper, bold hand towels, and statement mirror. 22 Powder Room Ideas That Pack Style into a Small Space 17 of 22 Neutral Half Bathroom Ideas Kim Cornelison Love the idea of a classic powder room style but don’t want subway tiles to feel bland? Opt for them in a warm brown hue rather than white for a unique spin on the traditional look. Modernize the space even more by choosing a marble countertop and accents in matte black and gold. 28 Neutral Bathroom Ideas That Are Far From Boring 18 of 22 Half Bath Tile Ideas Werner Segarra If you have your eye on a tile motif that would otherwise break the bank in a big bathroom, consider it for a half bath instead. Since this space is smaller, take the opportunity to create the accent wall of your dreams like this mix of intricate patterns. 20 Bathroom Wall Tile Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation 19 of 22 Half Bathroom Wall Ideas Although no one will be (splish, splash) taking a bath in the powder room, you can still evoke a coastal feel with the decor. Gray and gold metallic fish scale patterned wallpaper paired with a modern vanity gives the space a sophisticated, yet playful, appeal. 37 Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas That Add Pattern and Color to Your Space 20 of 22 Rustic Half Bathroom Inspiration Jared Kuzia While this half bathroom has overtones of modern farmhouse style, it appears more rustic in nature, which is fitting for older homes. Keep the walls fresh by choosing a vertical shiplap and topping a wood vanity with a concrete countertop. 20 Modern Rustic Design Ideas That Combine Simple and Sleek 21 of 22 Colorful Half Bath Frances Janisch If you’ve always dreamed of having a pink bathroom, channel your inner Barbie as you decorate the half bath. Hang wallpaper in your ideal shade, find accessories to match, and add an accent piece like a statement mirror or light fixture. 22 of 22 Monochrome Half Bathroom There are infinite variations of color schemes you can use in a bathroom. No matter how bold your color choice is, stick to a monochromatic palette to keep from overwhelming the small space. Choose an accent color or feature (such as the geometric blue wallpaper used here) and balance it out with black and white details. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit