Designing a powder bathroom? Here’s how I made ours bold, moody, and functional—featuring layout tips, dark paint color ideas, and design choices for anyone building or renovating.

Designing a Powder Bathroom That Makes a Statement

Designing a moody powder bathroom is one of my favorite ways to create a bold, unforgettable space. When we were building our home, I really wanted to make the most of every bathroom—not just for function, but to give each one its own moment. Powder rooms may be small, but with the right design choices, they can easily become one of the most memorable spaces in your home. They’re the perfect opportunity to go bold.

The Layout: Maximizing a Small Bathroom

Originally, we weren’t planning to add a wall between the toilet and vanity. But once we decided on a custom vanity with quartz countertops, it just made sense to have that wall for both support and visual separation. Adding it during framing made the powder room layout feel more intentional and elevated.

The Power of Moody Paint in a Powder Room

I always knew I wanted this powder bathroom to feel moody and dramatic. We painted everything—walls, trim, ceiling—in Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore, and it totally transformed the space.

Even though it’s a dark space, the window brings in beautiful natural light. We rarely use the
window itself (thanks to electronic shades), but I love the way the light filters in throughout the day.

The Custom Vanity & Bathroom Fixtures

The vanity was completely custom. We framed underneath it to support a layered quartz
countertop made from multiple pieces of the same stone. I love how sculptural it looks.

We added a pivot mirror, gold sconce lighting, and Brizo towel holders—which I actually wish
we had used in our primary bathroom too!

Mini Towel Bar
Vintage Round Rectangle Pivot Mirror
Ivy LED Wall Sconce

Bold Bathroom Flooring and Finishing Touches

The white oak shelf below the vanity doesn’t serve a huge purpose, but it looks great and adds
some balance.

As soon as I saw these marble floors, I knew they belonged in this room. It’s one of the few spaces in our home with real marble, and the smaller tile pieces add so much texture and visual interest.

To finish the space, we added a white oak door—a detail that feels warm and welcoming for a
bathroom our guests use most often.

Final Thoughts

If you’re building or renovating, don’t be afraid to go bold in your powder bathroom. Whether
it’s moody paint, marble tile, or a custom vanity—this space is the perfect place to take risks.

You won’t regret it.

-Misa