Andy often teases me about my inability to choose any decor colors aside from black, white, and beige. Not true! Ok. It’s true. Even though I am risk-averse when it comes to decor, bathrooms feel like safe spaces to loosen up a little. Our guest bathroom plan is rooted in neutrals, but I intend to add something colorful to the room to liven it up. TBD
Dorothy, the previous owner of BHH, set an excellent example for us regarding taking decor risks. She was 100% on board with plenty of patterns and the color green. (So. much. green.) Probably the best example of her willingness to decorate with wild abandon (pun intended) is the downstairs half-bathroom.
Safari, anyone? Hands down, this bathroom is the number one conversation starter for our visitors. It is a whole lot of quirky fun packed into a tiny room. Some of the neighbors told us that Dorothy had a lion-shaped pump soap dispenser that roared when the top was pressed. She also had a small zebra print, fur-covered trashcan. We still use it in our laundry room, and it is just as glorious as you imagine.
Currently, we have no plans to change this room. We have grown to appreciate its uniqueness, and a little silliness never hurt anyone.
Since I have bathroom renovations on the brain, I rounded up some more quirky and fun bathroom decor inspiration for today’s blog post.
Wallpaper
Initially, for our guest bathroom project, this cute bunny wallpaper was the frontrunner. Although I went another direction, I still think it would be charming in a small bathroom, especially paired with a bright color–perhaps red or royal blue.
The next wallpaper idea was sent to me by my friend, Ame. She is an artist, and she adores using color in her own home. I love how this wallpaper bridges the gap between straight-up neutral and bold.
If a stylized and folk art mash-up is more your style, you might like this wildly colorful print:
As a nature-lover, I fell in love with this tiny tree print. The best news is that it is removable. This option is perfect for a decor commitment-phobe like me.
If boldly printed wallpaper is not your thing, paint is always an option.
Paint
With an infinite number of color choices, homeowners are only limited by their imagination. So, why am I showing you more black and white?
The simple repeating cross pattern satisfies my need for visual order, and that chair adds a nice bit of color.
Design and Photo Credit: Jersey Ice Cream Co.
In this bathroom, freeform designs are welcome and encouraged.
Photo Credit: Isabelle Eubanks
I shared these black and white bathrooms because I like the idea of being able to start fresh whenever the mood strikes. The basics stay the same, but the walls can look very different depending on the drawings. If you feel like your freehand is a little too free (read: illegible), there are stencils available to help make all of your Pinterest dreams come true. (affiliate link)
Accessories & Art
It is not necessary for an entire bathroom to make a statement. An unexpected piece of art or a cute little accessory can do the trick.
Like this adorable little whale nail brush in Scott + Kim’s renovated garden apartment bathroom:
photo credit
(Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush – affiliate link)
Or this funny picture of George Washington wearing Warby Parker glasses in the Porch House bathroom renovation from The Grit & Polish.
The print, modified from an open-access Gilbert Stuart painting from the National Gallery of Art, was created by Melissa at The Faux Martha. It is available as a free printable.
If not George, how about Queen Elizabeth?
The first time I saw this picture from Devyn at Our Philly Row, I could not stop smiling. Devyn expresses a great sense of humor in his decor. He is not afraid of color either. (Side note: Check out that vintage toilet!)
To complete the royal bathroom, may I suggest this bathroom tissue holder from Hayneedle?
Now it is your turn to talk. Do you find it easy to go bold when you decorate, or do you err on the side of caution as I do? (I am working it. Don’t give up on me.) Should a utilitarian space like a bathroom be all business? How do you feel about unconventional decor in the bathroom or any room, really? I would love to know.
10 Comments
Devyn
I absolutely adore Dorothy’s choice for the half bath. Is the window trim coral or orange? Either way, it’s fabulous. If I made any change, it would be to find a nice gilded mirror for the wall above the sink.
It is very true that you can introduce color via the wall paint. Painting is not without work, but it is also a quick fix to change if you hate what you you’ve done. I am however, strongly considering black and white for our half bath with an emphasis on black walls and ceiling (I have 24 black and white floor tiles left from our kitchen in NY). And the Queen will most definitely be in one of our three bathrooms at the new house once we get a bit further along. The tissue holder will most definitely not be in any of our bathrooms. ??
Looking forward to seeing where your bathroom renovation adventure goes.
Stacy
I had a feeling that you might like Dorothy’s bathroom, and I have been on the lookout for a large, gold mirror. GMTA!
So you’re not a fan of the knight tissue holder? 😀 If nothing else, it’s funny right?
I am excited about everything that you will do in your Philly Row.
Stacy
I forgot to answer you about the trim color. The trim is red leaning coral.
Liz
I love color, but am a pansy when it comes to decorating with patterns. I love that little half bath animal paper though!
I read a post recently where a woman painted her bathroom a pink she wasn’t crazy about, but it was really flattering on her skin, so she always felt great getting ready. That aspect of design hadn’t occurred to me before.
Stacy
A few years ago, on Instagram, someone saw that wallpaper. They sent me a picture of themselves at their grandma’s house in the 1980s. She had the same wallpaper! 😀
That’s a funny story about the pink bathroom. I think I’ll choose some soft lighting options in the upstairs bathroom. Then, perhaps I won’t notice my wrinkles.
Holly
Do you have a thing for rabbits?! Three of your wallpaper suggestions had them! I love how your house has SO MANY opportunities for decor! Unlike you, I LOVE color! Perhaps a little too much; I’ve had to reign it in over the years. Sometimes I wish I could just start over with a whole-house color scheme…but that would be so much work. And I’m relatively happy with it all as-is. I love your safari bathroom–perhaps a few decor items to tie it all together and really go over the top?? I’m thinking a lion-shaped roaring soap dispenser is a must. Would it not make a totally Pinterest-worthy photo?!
Stacy
Ha! Maybe I do. I never thought about it. 🙂 I do know I have a thing for nature.
Your house is beautiful. I think the colors you chose are perfect. As for the soap pump, we have been looking for one. If you stumble upon one somewhere, let me know. 😀
Ame Hughes
I wouldn’t change that safari bathroom, either, I love that space!
Of the wallpapers you show, while I really love the one I sent, my favorite is the super colorful one with the frolicking bright bunnies.
You know, some people say I’m brave for going with bold colors and design choices, and I maintain that bravery has nothing to do with it, for me. It’s a combo of impulsiveness and stubbornness. Plus, I’ve already slapped a color on the wall, not liked it, and jist painted over it. Nothing in this world is permanent.
Which brings me to my next wall covering alternative – and maybe I first saw it from you, I don’t remember – have you seen fabric on walls? Touted as a temporary solution for mainly renters, you starch fabric on your walls… and when you want to change it or move out, you peel it off! Multiple blog posts on this. I’m fascinated by the possibilities, but WAY too lazy to try it.
Stacy
You did not learn about fabric walls from me, but I have seen it before too. My friend, who lives in military housing, often uses fabric to put a personal touch in each house every time they move. Although I am intrigued, I’m not entirely motivated to try it yet either.
James Olson
When bathrooms are small, I like lighter colours (which if fine with my pastel-addicted wife), with contrasting accents, as in Isabelle’s photo with the fantastic (nautical?) light fixtures on each side of the mirror. I’d just be more inclined to reverse the wall colours (white background w/ gray designs).
Hmm, for some reason, I don’t care for there to be eyes in bathroom decor; definitely no portraits. I have to chuckle, however, with the political statement of having a portrait of HRM Queen Elizabeth II above the toilet at Devyn’s ‘Our Philly Row’.
We have one more bathroom to demo and redo and, given we live on an island, we’re thinking of going with a “beachy” (pastel) or nautical theme; since my wife ruled-out making it look like a caboose (an idea I had while using it as the washer, in the adjacent laundry room, vibrated the uneven floors).