Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Talk to me about under-stair loo decor

36 replies

Shraree · 20/10/2023 02:35

We're having a loo put into what was a cupboard under our stairs.
I've no idea where to start regarding decorating it.
I've chosen quite a traditional sink / toilet to go in. But I quite like the idea of going quite bold with the decor but I just don't know where to start.
Has anyone got a loo inspo they can share? Photos or links?
Thanks!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 02:42

I should probably add I'm not keen on jungle wall paper. Thanks!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 20/10/2023 02:46

My friend has hers with B&W Mickey Mouse wallpaper
How about something quirky like that?

Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 02:54

Yep, I'm up for quirky but not sure Micky mouse is the aesthetic I'm going for. But thanks for the response!

OP posts:
SkalengeckOrSiegbarste · 20/10/2023 03:01

A comic book or newspaper print. I've seen some cool vintage style ones that I've always loved. Plus gives visitors something fun to read while they go about their 'business'

LaurieStrode · 20/10/2023 03:02

I've seen a couple with black or charcoal-green walls, lots of framed prints& clippings. Very low-key & soothing.

Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 03:12

SkalengeckOrSiegbarste · 20/10/2023 03:01

A comic book or newspaper print. I've seen some cool vintage style ones that I've always loved. Plus gives visitors something fun to read while they go about their 'business'

I like the idea of that but I think it might feel a bit too overwhelming

OP posts:
Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 03:12

LaurieStrode · 20/10/2023 03:02

I've seen a couple with black or charcoal-green walls, lots of framed prints& clippings. Very low-key & soothing.

I agree - dark but simple could look good

OP posts:
Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 03:14

Ruthietuthie · 20/10/2023 03:04

My under the stairs loo is decorated in this, including the ceiling. I love it!
https://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/view-product/honey-bee-wallpaper?item=12836

Absolutely LOVE this wallpaper. I'm not sure my budget could stretch to this - but it's only a small room so I'm sure one roll would do. Thanks!

OP posts:
Netaporter · 20/10/2023 04:54

My friend just did her under stairs loo. Painted T&G to the lower part of the room, then a bold dark paper with a nature theme (think anatomical pictures of fish) and put hand fired tiles around the basin picked out in the colour of the fish from the WP. Looks fab. I think because generally an under stairs loo has no natural light, they do suit a dark aesthetic.

Stephisaur · 20/10/2023 10:46

We painted ours bright turquoise. I did plan to do the bottom half with a complementary paneling but DH vetoed that and then we moved 😂

What's the aesthetic of the rest of the house?

Talk to me about under-stair loo decor
TheBirdintheCave · 20/10/2023 10:49

We went for a monkey theme which sort of spiralled out of control. It looks great though. Curated monkeys.

Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 22:52

Stephisaur · 20/10/2023 10:46

We painted ours bright turquoise. I did plan to do the bottom half with a complementary paneling but DH vetoed that and then we moved 😂

What's the aesthetic of the rest of the house?

That looks great. I like the contrast between a bold colour and the white.
Our house is very old with lots of nooks and crannies. A mishmash of old furniture and piles of toys. We don't have a 'look' but I guess what we definitely don't have is a minimalist, curated or tidy look. Every room is a different colour at the moment! The hallway (which will obviously be in contrast to the loo) is a pale cream colour. The banisters are dark oak.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shraree · 20/10/2023 22:53

TheBirdintheCave · 20/10/2023 10:49

We went for a monkey theme which sort of spiralled out of control. It looks great though. Curated monkeys.

Ha! Love this!

OP posts:
GrimGrinningGhosts · 20/10/2023 23:43

Totally outing myself here, but mine is currently themed for the Haunted Mansion Ride at Disneyland, complete with stone bust that hides an electrical box. I do accept that this is probably utterly bonkers and not to most people’s tastes. And yes, the eyes glow in the dark 😊

Talk to me about under-stair loo decor
Talk to me about under-stair loo decor
Talk to me about under-stair loo decor
Talk to me about under-stair loo decor
KievLoverTwo · 20/10/2023 23:52

If I ever own an understairs loo I intend to fill it with Frida Kahlo paintings, which will freak anyone out who ever uses it, except me. I would spend hours in there.

I do agree dark is probably best though.

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 20/10/2023 23:56

Ours is orange with a lot of framed artwork on the walls.

One word of warning, there is no difference between Hermes orange and Easyjet orange.

TheBirdintheCave · 21/10/2023 07:54

@Shraree I think it's our toddler's favourite room in the house 😅

Original poster
Shraree · 21/10/2023 07:59

GrimGrinningGhosts · 20/10/2023 23:43

Totally outing myself here, but mine is currently themed for the Haunted Mansion Ride at Disneyland, complete with stone bust that hides an electrical box. I do accept that this is probably utterly bonkers and not to most people’s tastes. And yes, the eyes glow in the dark 😊

That's bonkers but brilliant!

OP posts:
AnnaTortoiseshell · 21/10/2023 08:00

If you’re going for a traditional toilet and sink you could do tongue and groove on the lower half of the wall and then pay for one roll of fabulous wallpaper to cover the walls above.

Rustiered · 21/10/2023 08:05

I went for chocolate brown on tongue 'n' groove on the lower half - which was supposed to go with a Little Greene wallpaper - but the wallpapering was much too challenging for me to put up (too many nooks). So it ended up being cream and dark brown with brushed brass taps, traps and flush plate.
One thing I do love - shelves above the loo - good for storage but also great for adding some interest, a couple of books/ some dried flowers/ a vase - whatever you like but it really warms up the space.

Original poster
Shraree · 21/10/2023 08:08

Does anyone know if I can put tongue and groove in after the sink and toilet are in?

OP posts:
JaninaDuszejko · 21/10/2023 08:14

We have Boråstapeter Chestnut Blossom in our downstairs bathroom. Like you I didn't want jungle theme. We colour matched the ceiling paint to the background of the wallpaper. Our bathroom isn't under the stairs though, and we have a velux window in the ceiling facing south and a light marble floor so it's a very bright room. We used decorator's varnish on the wallpaper to protect it from the shower but that's probably not necessary in a loo.

We've painted our upstairs bathroom dark as well, it's F&B blancha. That is very dark under electric light but a lovely green in sunlight so depends what you want and if you have a window there or not (our cloakroom under the stairs has a big window and is a very bright room which isn't great for storing lots of dark coats but must have been nice when it was a loo).