Downstairs Cloakroom: How to Create the Biggest Impact in the Smallest Space
It's the room your guests use most and the one that gets the least attention. The downstairs cloakroom; that tiny, tucked-away space under the stairs or at the end of a hallway is so often an afterthought. A plain white suite, a generic mirror, a roller blind and nothing else. Functional, yes. Memorable? Not quite.
But…the cloakroom is actually one of the most exciting rooms in the house to design. Precisely because it's small, you can be bold in ways you might not dare to be elsewhere. It doesn't have to live up to the same everyday practicality as a kitchen or a bedroom. It just has to delight - and it absolutely can!
Here's how to make the biggest possible impact in the smallest space in your home.
Go Bold with Wallpaper
The cloakroom is the one room where maximalist wallpaper is not just acceptable, it's positively encouraged. Because the space is small, you're not committing to acres of a pattern you might tire of. A single roll is often enough to cover all four walls, which means you can afford to invest in something really special.
Think dramatic florals, hand-painted botanicals, rich jewel-toned geometrics, or even a bespoke mural. The kind of wallpaper you'd admire in a boutique hotel and never quite dare to put in your living room? This is exactly where it belongs.
If you're nervous about going all-in, start with one wall as a feature. But in my experience, when it comes to the cloakroom, the rooms that truly sing are the ones where every surface commits to the story – be bold if you dare!
Don't Be Afraid of Dark Colour
Small rooms do not have to be white. This is one of the most persistent myths in interior design, and the cloakroom is the perfect place to disprove it.
Deep, enveloping colours like inky navy, forest green, charcoal, burgundy, or even black can make a tiny space feel intimate and luxurious rather than cramped. When the walls, ceiling, woodwork and even the floor are pulled into one cohesive dark palette, the boundaries of the room seem to dissolve. The effect is cosy and dramatic in equal measure.
If an all-dark room feels too committed, consider painting the walls and ceiling in the same deep tone while keeping the sanitaryware white. The contrast is striking and incredibly effective.
Treat the Sanitaryware as a Design Statement
The basin and WC don't have to be plain white afterthoughts. There is a wonderful range of beautifully designed sanitaryware available now that elevates the cloakroom from functional to extraordinary.
A wall-hung basin with a sculptural silhouette, a coloured ceramic basin in blush, sage or slate, a monochrome suite, or a freestanding basin sitting on a slim console - these choices turn the practical into the beautiful. Pair with a matching or contrasting cistern and you've got a room that feels considered from floor to ceiling.
Coloured sanitaryware has had a real resurgence in recent years, and the cloakroom is the ideal testing ground. A sage green suite or a deep charcoal basin is far less of a commitment in a small room than it would be in a family bathroom.
Choose Your Tap and Hardware Carefully
In a small room, every detail is visible and nothing goes unnoticed. This means your choice of tap, toilet roll holder, towel ring and light switch are far more important than they might be in a larger space.
Brushed brass, unlacquered brass, gunmetal, brushed nickel - there are so many beautiful hardware finishes available now, and committing to one finish across every fitting in the room creates an incredibly polished result. Mixing finishes in a cloakroom tends to look unresolved; picking one and being consistent with it is the mark of a considered design.
A beautifully chosen tap is also a surprisingly affordable luxury in a room this size. Spend a little more here as it will be noticed.
Think Carefully About Lighting
Lighting is often the most overlooked element in a cloakroom, and yet it makes an enormous difference to how the room feels. A harsh ceiling spotlight does nothing for the atmosphere. A thoughtfully chosen light fitting, on the other hand, can become the jewel in the crown of the whole space.
A small chandelier or pendant over the basin creates drama and a sense of occasion. Wall lights either side of the mirror give a flattering, even light that works beautifully both practically and aesthetically. If your ceiling height allows, a statement ceiling fitting in a sculptural or decorative style adds a focal point and draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller.
(Don't forget to check IP ratings; any light fitting near the basin will need to meet bathroom electrical safety requirements.)
Mirror, Mirror
A well-chosen mirror does several things at once in a cloakroom. It bounces light around the room, it creates the illusion of more space, and if you choose the right one, it adds a real moment of visual interest.
Avoid the temptation to choose the smallest mirror that seems proportionate. In a small room, a large mirror is almost always the right answer. An oversized round mirror, an arched mirror, or a full-length mirror leaning against the wall where space allows will all make the room feel bigger and more generous than it is.
Consider a mirror with a decorative frame, such as rattan, antique brass, carved wood, that ties into the wider design story of the room.
Make the Most of Every Centimetre
Storage in a cloakroom needs to work hard. A slim floating shelf above the basin for hand lotion, candles and a small plant. A recessed niche in the wall for extra toilet rolls and a reed diffuser. A small cabinet that sits flush with the wall. These thoughtful additions mean the surfaces stay clear and the room always looks its best.
If you have the luxury of space under a floating basin, a slim bespoke vanity unit can add useful storage while also anchoring the basin and giving the room a more finished, furniture-like quality.
Don't Forget the Floor
Flooring in a cloakroom deserves just as much thought as any other surface. A beautiful tile either encaustic, terrazzo, maximalist pattern, or rich natural stone laid across what is only a few square metres of floor can be genuinely transformative.
Because the area is so small, you can afford to invest in a tile that might be cost-prohibitive elsewhere. This is the place for the tile that stopped you in your tracks in the showroom. Go for it!
Finishing Touches That Make All the Difference
The accessories in a cloakroom are what transform a designed room into a truly memorable one. A candle in a beautiful vessel. A small piece of original artwork or a framed print. A single stem in a slender vase. A luxurious hand soap and lotion in matching dispensers. A quality hand towel in a fabric and colour that complements the palette.
These small things cost very little but signal care, thought and personality. They are what your guests will notice and remember long after they've left.
In Summary
The downstairs cloakroom is not a room to play it safe in. It is small enough to be bold, contained enough to be cohesive, and visited often enough to be worth every bit of the effort you put into it. Treat it as a jewel box - a small, self-contained world of beautiful things, and it will reward you and your guests every single time the door opens.
If you're thinking about transforming your cloakroom and would love some professional guidance, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with the team at Omorfia Interior Design and let's talk about what's possible.
Omorfia Interior Design is a luxury residential interior design studio based in Northamptonshire, working with clients across the Midlands, Home Counties, and beyond. Get in touch to find out more.