If you want to try a bold design move without committing to a whole-home renovation, the powder room is the best place to do it. It’s small, guests see it, and nobody spends hours in it, which makes it the one room where you can take a real design risk and keep the budget contained. It’s also where I see clients get the most visible payoff for the least disruption.
Why the Powder Room Is Having a Moment
In a recent House & Home designer poll, 78% of designers said the “it” look for the powder room is rich wallpaper or textured plaster paired with a statement sink. That matches what I’m seeing in the Lower Mainland. Clients are moving away from a plain white half bath and treating it as a small, dramatic room that feels like a surprise when you open the door. houseandhome
A powder room also makes a good test case because it has a toilet and a sink but no shower. That means far less moisture than a full bathroom, which gives you more freedom with finishes that wouldn’t hold up in a steamy ensuite.
The Design Side: Three Moves That Make It Work
Wrap the walls. Large-scale wallpaper or a textured plaster finish does most of the work in a room this size. The most effective approach is to commit fully, with the pattern or colour carrying onto the ceiling or trim, rather than papering one wall and leaving the rest plain.
Choose a statement sink. A sculptural stone basin or a vanity with a skirted front gives the room a focal point. In a small space, one strong piece is enough.
Layer in warm metal and good lighting. Brass fixtures and sconces on either side of the mirror add warmth and flattering light. I’m using this same principle in a skin spa I’m finishing in Surrey, where wallpaper and brass fixtures do the heavy lifting inside a very restrained palette.
The Construction Side: What to Plan Before You Pick a Wallpaper
The finishes get the attention, but a few decisions made before the walls are closed up decide whether the room works well for years.
Wall preparation. Wallpaper and plaster both need a smooth, properly primed surface. Skipping this step is the most common reason a good wallcovering looks uneven or starts to peel.
Backing for a heavy or wall-mounted sink. A stone basin or wall-hung sink needs solid blocking behind the drywall to carry its weight. It’s the same principle as blocking for grab bars, and it’s far easier to add while the wall is open.
Plumbing location. Keeping the toilet and sink where the existing plumbing already sits keeps costs down. Moving the rough-in is possible, but it’s where a powder room refresh starts to become a larger project.
Lighting and electrical. If you want sconces beside the mirror, their electrical boxes need to be placed at the right height before the walls are finished, not after.
Ventilation. A quiet, properly vented exhaust fan protects the finishes, especially a wallcovering, and keeps the room fresh.
Permits. Cosmetic updates like new wallcoverings and fixtures typically don’t require a permit, but moving plumbing or electrical often does. It’s worth confirming with your municipality before you start.
Keeping the Budget Proportionate
A powder room is the clearest example of the approach I’ve been recommending to clients lately: put your money into the finishes people actually notice, and leave the expensive structural work alone. On the Surrey townhouse project I’m currently working on, the bathrooms are getting facelifts rather than full renovations, and the same logic applies here. A few rolls of wallcovering, one sink, and a handful of fixtures can change the room completely, and with material costs elevated this year, keeping the footprint small helps you spend on the finishes you’ll notice without exposing a large budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put wallpaper in a powder room?
Yes. Because a powder room has no shower, moisture levels are much lower than in a full bathroom, so wallpaper is a good fit. I recommend a washable, moisture-tolerant wallcovering and a properly vented exhaust fan.
What is a “jewel box” powder room?
It’s a small powder room designed to feel rich and dramatic, usually with bold wallpaper or textured plaster, a statement sink, and warm metal fixtures, so it feels like a surprise compared to the rest of the home.
Is textured plaster better than wallpaper?
Neither is better. Plaster has a more tactile, handcrafted look but needs a skilled applicator and sealing near the sink, while wallpaper offers more pattern and colour options and is generally easier to update later.
How much does a powder room refresh cost compared to a full bathroom renovation?
It’s typically a fraction of the cost, since the room is small and the work is mostly finishes. Costs rise quickly if plumbing needs to move, so planning around the existing layout makes a big difference.
Do I need a permit to update a powder room?
Cosmetic updates usually don’t, but changes to plumbing or electrical often do. Check with your municipality, such as the City of Surrey, before starting.
Thinking About a Powder Room Update?
If you’d like to make your powder room the most memorable room in your home, I can help you plan both the design and the construction details so it looks great and holds up. Contact me today to talk through your project.
Written by Cameron Zainali Oct 10 2026
