Traditional Blue and Green Powder Room Reveal

The powder room went from ordinary to extraordinary with a few simple DIY updates. Discover bold inspiration in this traditional green-and-blue powder room reveal featuring picture-frame moulding, Farrow & Ball Calke Green paint, navy hydrangea wallpaper, a brass double sconce and warm brass finishes.

The powder room makeover is complete, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s my favorite project so far — I open the door just to smile every time I walk past. It’s such a pretty, unexpected spot in the house.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. See my full disclosure policy.

The Powder Room Beginnings & Vision

Powder rooms are a small space with a big opportunity. They give guests a separate bathroom without asking them into the family bathrooms, and they’re the perfect place to take a design risk. While main living spaces often aim for calm and neutrality, the powder room can be the home’s jewel box — lively, bold, and full of personality.

For this space I wanted deep, saturated color and a rich wallpaper pattern, paired with warm brass hardware and layered texture. My goal was for friends and family to step in and feel like they’ve entered a charming, new little room — a fun escape. Here’s how the hallway half bath turned out.

Below is the original design board and inspiration for the space:

Everything I added was décor — no plumbing or layout changes. I simply installed trim, painted, papered and layered in new hardware and accessories. It was all DIY and very satisfying.

The most time-consuming tasks were cutting and installing the picture-frame moulding, hanging the wallpaper and temporarily removing the light fixture to paper the wall behind it. Those were the trickiest parts, but they made the biggest visual difference.

Before the makeover, the room felt dated and basic — yellow walls, an old horizontal mirror, and a tired light. Here’s the “before” view when we first bought the house:

After moving in, I painted the room a neutral gray to match the hallway and swapped the light and mirror as temporary updates. But the space was waiting for its full makeover.

And now, after paint, trim, wallpaper and new decor, the space looks like this.

The transformation feels dramatic — but it all came from thoughtful styling, a bold paint choice and wallpaper. The powder room is exactly the place to go big.

DIY Powder Room Decor & Changes

Here’s a closer look at the updates that created this look.

The makeover began with picture-frame moulding. I documented the planning and step-by-step installation in a separate tutorial, but the big takeaway is that moulding anchors the space and adds architectural interest. The paint is Calke Green by Farrow & Ball — a traditional, muted green that reads sophisticated and cozy at the same time.

Here’s the same view after adding moulding, paint and wallpaper. The difference is night and day.

I painted the baseboards, door trim and the interior face of the door in the same green to create continuity. Some suggested painting the crown moulding and ceiling the same color, but I left them white. With a can light and exhaust fan in the ceiling, keeping white helps those fixtures blend and ties the trim to the white sink, toilet and the light areas in the wallpaper.

Once the trim and paint were done, I realized the mirror I’d picked up earlier was too small for the new proportions. I found a larger vintage-style mirror that fit perfectly over the moulding and waited to hang wallpaper until I had the mirror to ensure everything aligned.

I hung wallpaper on the top third of the walls. This was my second wallpaper project — this time using unpasted paper and applying adhesive myself. With a basic wallpaper toolkit and the right paste, the process was manageable and the result felt luxurious.

After the mirror and wallpaper were in place, the room finally felt complete. Small finishing touches pulled everything together.

The Finishing Details for the Powder Room

Here are the small details that make the space feel finished and intentional.

I moved a landscape print I had originally bought for another room; it worked beautifully above the toilet and pulls the greens and blues together. A seagrass lidded basket sits on the tank and holds two extra large toilet-paper rolls — I measured beforehand so they’d fit perfectly. I topped the basket with a decorative candle for a polished vignette.

I swapped in solid brass fixtures — a toilet-paper holder and towel ring — and replaced plain white outlet and switch covers with satin brass plates for a cohesive finish. A brass waste bin that had been in the room since we moved in fits right in with the new hardware.

On the floor I added a scalloped green-and-jute rug that complements the palette and softens the space. I plan to add a non-slip backing so it stays put.

I did second-guess going so bold at times — was it too much? In the end, I’m thrilled I committed. The contrast of the green trim, navy floral wallpaper and warm brass finishes makes the room feel classic, layered and joyful.

Next up I’m planning a bold update to the dining room, which will be very different from anything I’ve done before. I can’t wait to get started and share the progress.

Have you ever chosen a bold palette for a powder room? I’d love to hear whether you’ve taken the plunge in a small space.

Shop the Elements of the Powder Room

You can recreate this look using similar elements: classic green paint for trim, a patterned wallpaper on the upper wall, vintage-inspired mirror, warm brass hardware, woven accents and a small rug to tie the palette together.

More Posts You Will Love:

• Blush and Brass Home Office Reveal
• Cozy Navy Living Room Reveal
• Traditional Dining Room Reveal
• The Best 17 Sage Green Paint Colors
• How to Create Big Style in a Small Bathroom