This powder room before and after is one of my favorites of our whole home. The design went from beige, blah and underwhelming to an interesting and statement-making small space. Get inspired to make small spaces feel special.
When we first moved in, this tiny powder bath on our first floor was exactly two things: functional and convenient. With small kids—one of them a newborn—we didn’t have the bandwidth to make design decisions right away. But after replacing the floors (and discovering multiple layers of old linoleum), the room suddenly had a noticeable gap along the bottom of the wall. That awkward detail ended up being the push we needed to start fresh.
What followed was a small-space renovation that happened in thoughtful phases. As we lived in the house and figured out how we wanted the room to feel, this once-forgettable powder bath slowly became one of my favorite spaces.
This Powder Room Before and After That Proves Small Spaces Can Handle Big Design
Why Even Bother with Powder Room Details?
Yes, it’s a small bathroom—but tiny spaces can have a big impact. Powder rooms are the perfect place to take design risks: bold wallpaper, saturated paint colors, unique moulding, or a standout vanity. Because these rooms are compact, you can often splurge on higher-end materials without blowing your entire renovation budget.
A beautifully designed powder bath also sets the tone for the rest of your home. It’s a space every guest uses, which makes it the ideal spot to add personality, pattern, and charm.
Phase One: Powder Room Renovation
The first step in our powder room makeover was adding beadboard. I decided to DIY this portion—I’m comfortable with power tools, though definitely not an expert—and it felt like the perfect low-pressure project to try. After a few trips to Home Depot and realizing that construction glue wasn’t enough to hold the beadboards sheets onto the wall (I had to buy a nail gun too), I knocked it out!
We already had beadboard in other areas of our home, so extending it into the powder room helped the space feel connected and intentional, as if it was always there.
Once it was installed, I painted it Louisberg Green by Benjamin Moore in a pearl finish. The soft sheen added just enough dimension without feeling too glossy.
Phase Two: Adding Wallpaper to our Powder Room
About a year later, I started browsing wallpaper samples for my office and stumbled upon Ava in Blue by Sandberg, a gorgeous large-scale floral pattern I instantly fell in love with. While it felt a little too bold for my office, I felt it was perfect for the powder room.
When the sample arrived, it was an instant yes. The greens in the pattern matched the beadboard beautifully and I simply knew it was meant to be.
For this step, I hired professional wallpaper installers—and I’m so glad I did. They matched the pattern seamlessly, and you can hardly spot where the seams meet. It was absolutely worth it to have it done perfectly.
We kept the existing vanity and light fixture, and once the wallpaper was up, both pieces suddenly felt more intentional in the space. Our home’s architectural style is English cottage, and this room really brought that personality back to honor its roots, while making it all feel more interesting and unique.
Get the Look
Ava Wallpaper
Comes in several different colorways, but this bolder one was ideal for this space.
Beadboard Panels
These are easy to install and upgrade your space instantly. I recommend using construction glue and a nail gun to attach to the walls.
Even though this powder bath is tiny, it’s now one of the most charming rooms in our home. The combination of color, texture, and pattern makes it feel warm, welcoming, and completely unique.
If you’ve been debating a mini bathroom makeover or considering wallpaper in a small space, let this be your sign to go for it. A few thoughtful design choices can turn even the most overlooked room into something truly special.
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