Small Cloakroom Design
Project Background
Cloakrooms are often the most overlooked room in a house. It can be small, tucked away under the stairs and forgotten about. It is not uncommon for homeowners to run out of budget for the cloakroom after renovating the rest of the house. Cloakrooms, however, can be one of the most seen rooms in the house. Most guests and visitors, including potential buyers if you are selling, might see or use them. A well-designed cloakroom leaves a lasting first impression. Creating a stunning cloakroom takes some imagination, especially when they are very small. We recently transformed a tiny cloakroom with barely 2sqm of floor space, and another which is very long and narrow.
What to consider when designing a small cloakroom?
When designing small cloakrooms, every inch of space needs to be taken into consideration. Add interest to all the surface areas available and not just the floor. This would include the walls, windows, door and ceiling. Use different textures and materials when creating the scheme, in addition to colours and patterns. For example, team patterned ceramic floor tiles with wood panelling and wallpaper for the walls. Colour drench the ceiling, walls and wood work for a seamless, uninterrupted flow of space.
Is it worth spending money on transforming a small cloakroom?
If you are looking to create something bold or unique but do not want to blow your budget on materials, the cloakroom is a good place to push the boundaries. This does not mean buying the cheapest materials to save on costs. In fact, it is the opposite. This is the place where you can use the most beautiful tiles, exquisite wallpaper, designer tap and statement lighting. They may be expensive, but in a very small quantity they are usually affordable. Make it a talking point and it will leave a lasting impression on any visitor who uses it.
What are our tips for creating an interesting small cloakroom?
In a recent project, the cloakroom in a large Edwardian house measures just 2sqm. We made use of very inch of the space available, mixing textures and bold colours to create contrasts and interests. A fun and bold wallpaper draws the eyes upward to the statement vintage ceiling light. We used gloss paint on the ceiling to reflect light from the small window. The overall effect is eye-catching, timeless and in keeping with the age of the property.
In another project, the long and narrow cloakroom was uninspiring. We constructed a wall to split up the space, creating a separation between the toilet and basin. We added storage in the wall and designed an open display cabinet with a gallery style spot light to highlight the simple ornament showcase. The addition of the wall transformed the space and created an interesting focal point for the eyes.
