Small Bathroom, Big Impact: A Green, Sophisticated Powder Room Makeover with Sources.
- Burcu
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
An Atlanta Interior Designer’s Guide to Creating a Mini “Wow” Moment
If there’s one place I love to go a little bold, it’s a small bathroom.
Powder rooms and guest baths are the unsung heroes of a home. They don’t need to be overly practical, they don’t have to please everyone all the time—and because of that, they’re the perfect place to create a mini wow moment.
The recent bathroom renovation we have completed is a beautiful example of how thoughtful design can turn a small footprint into something truly special. You will find the reasoning and all the sources here in this post.
Today, I’m sharing the full design concept, materials, and ideas behind this green, sophisticated powder room makeover—and why small spaces can (and absolutely should) make a big impact.
Let's start with before pictures to see:
The Vision: Green Sophistication in a Small Space
This bathroom is petite—approximately 6' x 7'—but instead of treating that as a limitation, we leaned into it.
The goal was to create a space that felt:
Sophisticated, not busy
Moody, but still light and airy
Elevated, yet warm and welcoming
Think of it as a boutique-hotel moment tucked inside a home.
It All Started With the Wallpaper
Every strong interior design concept needs an anchor—and for this bathroom, it was the wallpaper.
We fell in love with Plantasia in Sage by House of Hackney, a mural-style wallpaper that feels like stepping into a deep, layered forest. It’s rich, immersive, and full of movement—almost like artwork wrapping the room.
Because the wallpaper is so expressive, we knew the rest of the design needed to feel:
Calm
Balanced
Light enough to let the walls shine
In a small bathroom, contrast is everything.
VANITY: A Lighter Counterbalance: The Sink & Fixtures
To keep the space feeling open and refined, we paired the bold wallpaper with a 24” Cierra Console Sink. A similar one is HERE.
Here’s why it works so beautifully in a small powder room:
The open base keeps the room visually light
The proportions are perfect for a compact footprint
The brass detailing adds warmth and sophistication without overpowering
We continued that warmth with brass plumbing fixtures, including the Moen Colinet shower head, tying the metals together for a cohesive, intentional look.
This mix of organic wallpaper and structured, classic fixtures creates a beautiful tension—one of my favorite interior design tricks.
TILE: Softening the Mood With Texture & Tile
To balance the deep, dramatic movement of the wallpaper, we introduced a softer, more calming backdrop inside the shower.
We chose Marin Wall Ceramic Tile in Sand by Bedrosians—a creamy, warm tile that adds depth without competing. It has a quiet elegance: subtle variation, soft tone, and just enough texture to keep things interesting.
Instead of a standard tile layout, we used a more intentional pattern, which adds visual interest and elevates the entire bathroom design without introducing additional materials.
For the shower ceiling, we selected Sherwin-Williams “Whisper” to keep the space feeling light and airy—so even with moody walls, the room never feels closed in.
The Unexpected Design Move: A Half Arch
One of the most impactful decisions in this small bathroom makeover came down to proportion.
The room was narrow, and the ceilings felt unusually tall. Instead of fighting that, we softened the scale with a subtle half-arch detail. This architectural move:
Visually lowers the ceiling
Adds softness and rhythm
Creates a sense of intention and craftsmanship
It’s one of those details you might not immediately notice—but you feel it when you’re in the space. And those are often the best design choices.
Why This Bathroom Works
This powder room transformation proves that:
You don’t need a large space to make an impact
One bold design element can guide the entire concept
Thoughtful contrast creates balance—not chaos
By layering rich greens, creamy neutrals, warm brass, and soft architectural details, this bathroom feels elevated, timeless, and deeply intentional.
If this mini bathroom makeover made you feel even a little excited about updating your own home—that’s the point.
Small spaces are where creativity really gets to shine. Whether it’s a powder room, guest bath, or tucked-away hallway, these moments deserve just as much attention as your main living spaces.
If you’re ready to create a bathroom that feels thoughtful, elevated, and uniquely yours, we’d love to help.
Reach out to Design & Curations to start your design journey—sometimes all it takes is one small space to fall back in love with your home.
XO,
BurJu
