Half bath goes bold
Our tiny, windowless half bath could easily be considered a design wasteland, but that’s precisely why I chose to give it some attention and TLC. I decided it was time for this small, overlooked space to take on some bold design elements and show off a bit. To start, I took advantage of the rare opportunity to select a paint color that would only be exposed to one light source (a gift when picking color!) I wanted a rich, saturated color. Something just shy of black. I settled on Midnight by Benjamin Moore. Many people shy away from dark colors in small spaces, thinking it will shrink the space. But in reality the dark hues absorb rather than reflect the light, giving dramatic and gorgeous results. I prefer matte finish for dark colors but went with eggshell in this case to prevent water marks around the sink area. The result is a bit more sheen than I like but it’s workable.
This space has a ridiculously low ceiling - as in less than 8 feet, thanks to duct work overhead. I decided to embrace this unfortunate feature by dressing it up with wallpaper. This has the added benefit of drawing the eye up and giving the illusion of more height. I chose a light and whimsical print to keep the overall aesthetic of the bathroom from going too heavy. Full-disclosure, I used peel-and-stick wallpaper in case I didn’t love the look as much as I expected to. But I actually love it more! I also must note that applying peel-and-stick wallpaper on vertical surfaces is a breeze, but applying it horizontally and matching pattern over your head is another story. Enlist help if you attempt this, and pack your patience. The result will be worth your effort!
The mirror, light fixture and other accessories are a mix of satin and polished nickel. Mixing finishes is a great way to add interest and dimension to a space without making it look too busy. The framed heron print adds interest without competing with the ceiling and wall color. The unexpected pop of color of the hand towel rounds out the look.
Without a doubt I executed some unconventional design ideas here. But the result is a small space with a bold personality and quite a bit of visual interest without being too overwhelming. Bottom line - don’t be afraid to break age-old design rules. And for goodness sake, give the small spaces a chance to wow!
