Your How-To Guide: 29 Half Bath Remodel Ideas for Any Budget

Your half bath is a small space, but if it’s outdated, it can have a big impact on the overall look of your home. Whether you want to modernize, increase energy efficiency, or anything in between, there are great half bath remodel ideas for a wide range of budgets. And, bonus, because of the room’s size, the timeline is usually faster than a primary bathroom renovation! Who doesn’t like some semi-instant gratification?

If you’re interested in giving your powder room a makeover, here are some of our favorite half bath remodel ideas, along with estimated costs, advice on how to prepare, and what you can expect along the way.

Cheap Remodeling Ideas for Small Bathrooms

By nature, powder rooms are small and can make you feel trapped in a tight space. But if you’re looking for half bath ideas on a budget, these will make the space look and feel larger than it really is.

Cheap Remodeling Ideas for Small Bathrooms

By nature, powder rooms are small and can make you feel trapped in a tight space. But if you’re looking for half bath ideas on a budget, these will make the space look and feel larger than it really is.

1. Skip the Vanity

Half bath vanities are useful for storage but occupy a significant percentage of the overall space. Consider replacing your vanity with a pedestal sink and installing one or two floating shelves for soaps, hand towels, and one or two small decorative items. This is also a smart way to save money, as cabinetry is usually a more expensive bathroom element.

2. Try a Corner Sink

If you’re dealing with a super small space, there’s no rule that says you have to have a full sink. There are several corner sink options on the market that will give your half bath a chic feel instead of an inside-an-airplane one.

3. Avoid Dark Colors

Dark colors and wood can make the already-tight space feel even more cramped. Visually open the bathroom by choosing a light color, like white, gray, or blue.

(Source: Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels)

4. Paint the Cabinets the Same Color as the Walls

Painting the bathroom cabinets with this same light hue as the walls creates a monochromatic look that tricks the eye into thinking the space is wider than it actually is. This is the way to go if you want a more modern-looking bathroom.

5. Paint the Ceiling, Too

While we’re on a monochromatic roll, try painting the ceiling the same color or a few shades darker than the walls. You may be tempted to paint the ceiling white, but if your walls aren’t white, this won’t make your ceiling look any higher. A darker ceiling, though, tricks the eye and adds elevation. Trust us, this tip works!

6. Make Strategic Lighting Choices

There are some really cool hanging light fixtures that will add a fun touch of drama to your bathroom. But choose one that’s too large or hangs too low, and that drama will quickly turn messy. Use something small or try wall sconces instead that reflect the light upward.

7. Cut the Clutter

Don’t undo your hard work by filling your half bath with toiletries. Since this isn’t your primary bathroom, it only needs soap, a hand towel, and maybe a little bottle of lotion and a candle.

(Source: intan Indiastuti via Unsplash)

8. Get a Bigger Mirror

Because mirrors reflect light, they brighten up any room and give the illusion of more space. Swap your small mirror for a larger one that’s either frameless or has a thin frame.

9. Backlight the Mirror

Instead of making extra room for light fixtures or scones, backlight your mirror to add light without adding more hardware. It also creates some drama without going overboard.

10. Try a Mirrored Wall

While we’re on the mirror topic, if you have the space, consider mirroring a whole half bath wall. This will really trick the eye into thinking the bathroom is larger than it is.

Half Bath Decor Ideas 

Your powder room doesn’t need a lot of knick-knacks to make it aesthetically appealing. Making a few sleek design choices will do the heavy lifting in that arena.

11. Choose a Few Nice Accessories

Wondering, “How can I make my half bath look fancy?” You don’t have to add gold plating to every element of your half bath to make it look expensive (in fact, that would probably have the opposite effect). All it takes is a nice towel bar and faucet to add an elegant look.

(Source: Zac Gudakov via Unsplash)

12. Add a Pop of Color

White half bathrooms are incredibly popular because they visually open the small space. That doesn’t mean you have to abandon color altogether, though. Give your half bath some personality by choosing a fun hand towel, accent rug, or small piece of art.

13. Use a Ladder

Think you don’t have enough room for shelves or cabinets? Think again. Use a ladder bookshelf, like this one from Amazon, to display your towels and maybe a candle, plant, or bath products.

14. Try a Theme

If you’re a fan of florals or a lover of literature, this is your chance to show off your passion through decorative touches. You could have a flowery wallpaper or even line the walls with pages from your favorite books. Use your creativity! 

15. Swap Your Faucet

If you don’t want to spring for a new sink, you can get a new faucet instead. Choose one in a bold color for a show-stopping effect, or get one with expensive-looking hardware. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it can make!

16. Try Wallpaper

Wallpaper can transform any room, half baths included. And if you don’t want to cover all the walls, you can select just one for an accent. The good news about wallpaper, too, is that it doesn’t have to break the bank. Sure, there are costly options out there, but there are also peel-and-stick wallpapers that you can apply yourself in minutes.

17. Go Green

No, we’re not talking about making energy-efficient half bath upgrades — although we will get to that in a minute. Adding a few small plants to your half bath is a great way to give it some life. Choose a small vase and fill it with a rose or two, or try a few succulents if you’re the type who likes to set it and forget it.

18. Get Funky

You may like a more traditional aesthetic in the main rooms of your home, but the half bath is a fun spot to add some artsier choices without shifting the house’s entire vibe. Maybe you want a more modern, earthy look with a stone vessel sink, or perhaps you have a wall that’s big enough to handle a full-length mirror with unusual features, like this wavy one from Wayfair. If you’re ready to have some fun, this is the time and place to do it!

19. Incorporate Small, Luxurious Touches

We’ve talked about alternatives to marble countertops, but also keep in mind that using marble for a half bath is much more affordable than putting it in your primary bathroom. If you only need a few square feet, this is an inexpensive way to add some luxury to your space. The same goes for higher-end hardware, faucets, and lighting. A sconce by the mirror not only adds light, it adds a touch of class.

Q: How do I make my half bath look better? A: You don’t have to take your half bath down to the studs to transform the space. A fresh coat of paint, an accent wall created with peel-and-stick wallpaper, some new hardware and fixtures, and a few smart decor choices can greatly revitalize the space.

Energy-Efficient Half Bath Remodel Ideas 

Half bath remodel ideas that look good are great. But half bath remodel ideas that do good are incredible. As energy efficiency becomes increasingly important for all homes, there are easy and affordable ways to incorporate this benefit into your remodel plan.

20. Let’s Talk Toilets

Did you know that toilets are, by far, the main source of water use in your house? It’s true! And, what’s more, older toilets can use more than six gallons of water per flush. That’s a ton of wasted water (and money). Remove your old toilet and replace it with a high-performance, water-efficient option, like a dual-flush toilet. Doing this can save almost 13,000 gallons of water a year. 

21. Don’t Forget the Windows

Although the toilet is the main culprit of energy inefficiency in your half bath, there’s also energy escaping through your window (if applicable for your half bath). Replacing your old window with an ENERGY STARⓇ-certified one will make it easier to heat and cool the bathroom without draining your home’s HVAC system.

22. Fix the Faucet, Too

A very small and simple addition you can make to your half bath sink is to add a faucet aerator. This is a small, round mesh device that screws onto the tip of your faucet. The mesh works as a filter to create a consistent stream of water. WaterSense faucets and aerators limit your water use to 1.5 gallons of water per minute, which can reduce water flow by 30 percent.

Before & after half bath remodel
(Source: Big Al’s Construction Services LLC)

29. Make Room for Your Half Bath Remodel

No matter which route you choose — DIY, contractor, or a mix of both — you’ll need to clear the space before the work occurs. You can store your things or hold rental equipment in a PODS portable storage container. Keep it in your driveway so items are out of the way but within reach during remodeling, or keep your container at one of the secure PODS Storage Centers for as long as you need.

For more home remodeling tips, check out the PODS Blog. We've covered everything from fixing up a fixer-upper to creating your dream home!

No matter your budget, you can transform your small space into the half bath of your dreams with these half bath remodel ideas.

LB Gabriel is a freelance writer who lives with her husband, daughter, and Golden Retriever in Memphis, TN. A frequent PODS Blog contributor, she’s a sucker for any tip she can find on downsizing, cutting clutter, or minimalist living. When she’s not on a deadline, you can find her on a tennis court or golf course.