UK Edition
Seven tips to transform your downstairs loo
The humble WC has become the star of the home. If yours needs a facelift, there are plenty of ways to take it from basic to beautiful
The sunshine may have been late to the party this year, but with longer days finally in swing and balmy nights on the horizon, many of us are prepping the Pimm’s and welcoming friends at home for those easy Sunday lunches that languidly slip into sundown. And that’s where the humble guest loo comes into its own. Once an out-of-sight space languishing under the stairs, the cloakroom has had a rebrand, with interior designers currently noticing a surprising upswing in demand for daring designs.
These once modest spaces now represent an opportunity to be decoratively experimental, no doubt inspired by the playful opulence seen in the bathrooms of restaurants and luxurious members’ private clubs.
“An appreciation for beautifully designed boutique hotels is definitely a factor,” says designer Sophia Ayrton-Grime of Studio Raff. “Their cloakrooms have become real ‘wow’ moments, featuring incredibly quirky and bold designs. As a result, we’re inspired to recreate them at home. Small WCs are considered ‘safe’ spaces, because they’re not obviously on show or in prominent areas. That means they are a great vehicle for fun colours, patterns and design.”
A well-considered guest loo can add value to your property, too. “That’s because it completes the public areas of the home,” says Marcie Larizadeh, of architecture firm Squire & Partners. “It’s invaluable for ease of family life, as well as being key for those who enjoy entertaining. It can be carved out of the smallest spaces – under stairs and in awkward corners – but ideally on the same floor as the living room. Often it might be a small space with little or no natural light, but it has the greatest potential: it’s an opportunity for creating a moment of fantasy.”
Those of us who have one ought to be throwing some love its way, and those who don’t can create one with a little ingenuity…
Location, location
While loos are often fitted under staircases in period homes, there are also opportunities to get creative, especially if you are planning a reconfiguration. “We’re currently designing a kitchen extension with a powder room in between the new space and the existing living room, so essentially in the middle of the house, where there is better head height and space to create a beautiful scheme,” says interior designer Laura Stephens. ”We also recently designed a multifunctional space where we split the room using a pretty curtain with a trim, one half being for coat and shoe storage, the other half behind the curtain revealing a compact WC.”
If you’ve space, conjoining two areas in this way to accommodate a loo and a coat cupboard can be effective. “Having a wardrobe or coat storage area that you walk through to access the powder room makes it that little bit different,” suggests interior designer Melissa Hutley of Hutley & Humm. “Sectioning off the areas with a curtain or a beautiful antique door keeps it all separate but quite statement-making. And remember that loos can be carved out of the most awkward of spaces. The key is to celebrate the room’s shape and size. If you have slanting walls and nooks, make something special of them. If the room isn’t huge, avoid trying to squeeze too much in and don’t focus on it needing to be symmetrical.”
Add drama
When it comes to decor, the sky’s the limit – from vanities topped with deeply veined marble, to dramatic, flower-laden wallpaper. “I love using dark colours and lots of pattern in a powder room,” says Ayrton-Grime. “Try pairing burgundy reds and chocolate browns with brass hardware to add warmth, and marble flooring to bring in light. For extra wow factor, I love to add patterned wallpaper, such as leopard print. When cloakrooms lack natural light, embracing darker shades in this way is often the best option, as bright, white walls can feel flat and less inviting.”
Be clever with paper and panelling
The key with wallcoverings is to take a cohesive approach. “I always encourage an ‘all-over’ look,” says Stephens. “Painting or wallpapering the whole space gives a great all-encompassing effect. I use bold florals or botanical wallpapers as they create unexpected visual impact. Remember too that the ceiling is your fifth wall, so consider painting it a strong colour, pulling out a tone from the wallpaper, or even papering it as well as the walls. If you have a window, coordinate the window dressing – use a fun trim or braid to introduce a playful element. If you have no natural light, painting the room in a high-gloss finish allows the light that you’ve added to bounce around, countering darkness.”
A smart option is to paper the upper half of the wall and introduce panelling beneath, with woodwork painted in a bold, corresponding tone. Consider a gloss finish on woodwork to add glamour. For an array of pack-a-punch wallpapers, try Pierre Frey, House of Hackney and Cole & Son. “A cost-effective option is to buy wallpaper from Etsy,” adds Ayrton-Grime, who sourced unusual, quality options there for two of her latest cloakroom renos.
Make a splash
Unlike full-sized bathrooms, powder rooms are more affordable to renovate, making it easier to add impact. If budget is an issue, approach the finish as you would a great outfit, saving on some elements and splurging on others. Your sanitaryware is the equivalent of a timeless, affordable shift dress or suit, with the jewels or accessories – in this case tapware and trims – doing the talking.
Compact fittings are useful for small rooms, but try to do a hand-wash test first to be sure you can comfortably use the basin without more water landing on the floor than in the sink. Larizadeh recommends CP Hart for a wide range of petite basins, and suggests that a concealed cistern often makes for a neater solution in a smaller space, allowing for additional storage or an artwork recess above.
A small sink can be made interesting if it’s scalloped – try Thomas Crapper & Co’s Marlborough Basin Cloakroom Set, £894; while Stephens also recommends Burlington’s Curved Cloakroom Basin, £229, as a more affordable alternative. “The details make all the difference, so it’s worth investing in the best brassware you can afford,” she reasons. “It will last for years and the patina of the brass will get better over time.”
Every inch counts
Spatial planning is key. Hidden shelving units built into a niche behind the basin mirror is a great storage solution. If you’ve wallpapered your powder room, extending that finish to your shelves too will integrate the look and add an element of surprise when the mirror door is opened. Mirroring the full wall behind the basin is another clever way of creating the illusion of space.
Get decorative
Instead of taking a utilitarian approach, treat this room as you would any other in the house, by using fabric and vintage pieces. “Transforming an existing piece of furniture into a vanity or wash basin not only adds character but is also a sustainable choice,” says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. “Repurposing an antique dresser or vintage console table by adding a basin and wall taps can effortlessly blend the old with the new, achieving a personalised touch.”
A budget-conscious and creative option is to forgo under-sink cabinetry and add a pretty sink skirt instead, an approach favoured by interior designer Sarah Vanrenen, and one that works brilliantly if its colourway picks out the tones of woodwork or wallpaper. Don’t forget some personal additions such as framed artwork and mementoes to really elevate the space.
Light it right
For lighting, as with other rooms in the house, layering works best. A combination of wall lights, pendant and recessed lighting creates an inviting atmosphere, but at the minimum, opt for at least two light sources, including either side of the vanity, and a ceiling light, and have them on dimmers for flexibility. “We like to use glass or fabric shades if possible, to maximise ambient lighting while making sure that make-up can be touched up effectively if needed,” says Hutley. “And another tip is to always go for a larger mirror than you think you need, as it feels generous in a small space.”
In fact, that sense of largesse is key overall – one or two over-scaled pieces, an element that wows the eye and flattering lighting that makes your guests feel good is all you need to have the most covetable downstairs loo in town.