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A small powder room might seem like a minor part of your home, but it holds the potential to make a big impact. I recently gave our boring, builder-grade bathroom a much-needed refresh it into a moody, classy space.

I’ve always had a bold moody vision for this powder room and was having a hard time getting Kevin on board with painting a bathroom black. My solution…? Wait for him to go on a trip! So while he was on a 4 day long golf trip I tackled this project solo. (If you’re worried about him, don’t! He ended up liking how it turned out. I did offer that he could always repaint it if he hated it it  haha)

On such a tight time crunch, there was no time for demo (nor did I really want this project to be that involved anyway). This project was all about adding simple bold design features and some fun DIY touches. Let me show you my no demo moody powder room makeover that I completed in just 4 days without spending a lot of money.

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Before My No Demo Powder Room Update

Before the refresh, the powder room was a typical, boring builder-grade bathroom—nothing to write home about. The space was basic, with plain white walls, outdated fixtures, and no real personality. Honestly, I was a little embarrassed when guests used it, as it felt more like a forgotten corner of the house than a functional or welcoming space. Right off our freshly remodeled kitchen it was an eyesore lacking any character or charm.

Since this is a no demo project i’ll be leaving the toilet, pedistal sink and tile floor. This bathroom is so tiny, anyway I personally love the quaint pedestal sink over a new vanity.

Bold Wallpaper – First Step to Adding Interest in a Small Bathroom

I first tackled the upper half of the walls with some striking wallpaper. I wanted to make a statement, so I went with a rich, patterned design that complemented the darker mood I was going for. The wallpaper adds a sense of luxury and sophistication to the space—without it, the room would’ve felt flat. The contrast between the bold pattern and the clean lines of the board and batten creates a balanced yet dramatic effect.

To keep costs low I used this Cornflower Rifle Paper Co. wallpaper I had leftover wallpaper from our master closet makeover.

Board and Batten Paneling – An Instant Powder Room Upgrade

After installing the wallpaper, I worked on adding board and batten to the lower 2/3 of the walls. Board and batten paneling in a bathroom is a great way to give your space texture and can really break up plain walls. I’m always a fan of wall treatments – it’s an easy way to add architectural interest.

I opted for a simple, classic look. Using only 1×3 boards I installed them vertically about 2/3rds up the wall with a simple 1×3 chair rail horizontally. The texture of the board and batten gave the space an instant boost of style, giving it a high-end look without demoing the entire bathroom.

Painting the Powder Room a Dark, Moody Color

Next, I chose a deep, moody paint color for the walls and the board and batten. (It’s a custom mix of old paint I had on hand, so I can’t give you an exact color, but ended up being a dark gray). Dark colors are perfect for a powder room because they create a cozy, intimate feeling. The dark color paired beautifully with the patterned wallpaper and elevated the room’s overall vibe. The paint application was the final touch to pull everything together and enhance that sophisticated yet slightly mysterious feeling.

Updating Fixtures & Mirror – An Easy Way to Give Your Bathroom a Quick Update

To complement the new design, I swapped out all the builder-grade fixtures with a few brass accents.

Mirror: Luckily, I already had the mirror that I wasn’t using anywhere else in the house (love when that happens!) I’m fairly certain it is from Target from several years back, but it’s a very basic, round mirror with gold trim.

Gold Faucet: I selected a sleek new faucet off of Amazon that was surprisingly high quality for the price and very easy to install.

Light fixture: Also on Amazon, I found this super affordable double light armed sconce. The fabric shade adds just a touch of softness in the dark space.

Gold towel holder & toilet paper holder: You probably guessed it, also snagged from Amazon (2 day shipping was pretty essential for this project) is this towel ring. The gold adds a bit of shine and contrast against the dark walls.

Gold outlet covers: Swapping out outlet covers is a quick and inexpensive way to refresh a small bathroom, instantly making it look more polished and intentional. Whether opting for a classic white, a trendy matte black, or a decorative metal finish, this small detail enhances the overall aesthetic without requiring major renovations. Plus, it’s an easy DIY project that takes just minutes but adds a noticeable touch of refinement.

Toilet tank lever:

These simple updates made a big difference in elevating the overall look without requiring major changes.

Custom Pet Silhouettes – The Highlight of the Powder Room Makeover

The real hero of the powder room, however, came in the form of custom pet silhouette wall art. I wanted to add a personal touch that made the space uniquely mine, and what better way than incorporating Burkley into the design? I created simple, elegant silhouettes of Burkley as well as Kevin’s late pug friend and framed them in matching, thrifted frames. This personal element was the perfect conversation starter and added a heartwarming touch to the moody space.

Creating the silhouettes was easy and fun! I found images of my pets that I loved, did some magic within Canva, and printed them out at Walgreens. It was the perfect way to inject some personality into the room while keeping the overall vibe purely classy.

Final Touches

Once the main design elements were in place, I added a couple of new accessories—like a striped hand towel and thrifted black and white box—that tied everything together. These little accessories helped soften the space while maintaining the overall moody aesthetic.

The Finished Look

What was once a bland, builder-grade powder room is now a stylish, moody little space that’s full of personality. The board and batten paneling, bold wallpaper, and dark paint give the room character, while the custom pet silhouettes bring warmth and personal flair. It’s a bathroom that makes a statement, yet still feels inviting and cozy. Now it blends more with the rest of the house.

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This refresh proves that even a small space can make a big impression with the right touches—and with minimal demo work. Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity and some DIY magic to turn a simple room into something special. Whether you’re looking to elevate your own powder room or just want to create a bold design in a small space, I hope this transformation inspires you to think outside the box and make it uniquely yours.

Have you ever tackled a small powder room refresh or a DIY project like this? Let me know in the comments how you’ve added your personal style to a room!

This refresh proves that even a small space can make a big impression with the right touches—and with minimal demo work. Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity and some DIY magic to turn a simple room into something special. Whether you’re looking to elevate your own powder room or just want to create a bold design in a small space, I hope this transformation inspires you to think outside the box and make it uniquely yours.

Have you ever tackled a small powder room refresh or a DIY project like this? Let me know in the comments how you’ve added your personal style to a room!