Blog Post

The 'Forgotten Room': The Secret to a Gorgeous Downstairs Cloakroom

Kay Dymond • May 11, 2021

Are you giving your downstairs cloakroom the attention it deserves? Here are some secret tips for making your downstairs bathroom your favourite room in the house. 


A part of the home that I fondly call the ‘forgotten room’ is the downstairs cloakroom, the room that is actually probably used the most; by the family of the home, by friends, and even by the Waitrose delivery driver. It is generally located towards the front of the house with the door closed, almost as if to hide the room. The question is: Why is this room hidden away and why don’t we take much notice of it? As part of updating your home, this room is a perfect start to practice in.


How to make small spaces look good


With lockdown easing, perhaps it’s time to update a room in your house. My first choice would be the downstairs cloakroom; let’s reintroduce this room and make it a real feature in the home. Inject fun by having a funky radiator, quirky tiles, and clever storage to complete the look. Use it as an opportunity to express your decorating style. Traditionally, we use this room as storage; so why not introduce clever ways of storing your essentials? Don’t choose large items of bathroom furniture; stick with furniture and items that suit the size of the room. Perhaps you could even choose some vibrant wallpaper that expresses your favourite themes and add photographs and pictures to create a family feel about the room. Focus, too, on a mirror; this is where ladies will go to check on their appearance, so consider having lighting around the edge to soften the look.


Lighting in your small space


Lighting is a key part of the room and does not just provide the functionality of having light; it adds atmosphere and mood. Having just one light in the form of a lamp ceiling light will just cast a single pool of light in the middle of the floor.  By using multiple lighting sources you can achieve elements of light in all areas, making the room feel bigger and more relaxing. Even the wall-hung toilet adds to the look of the room and, coupled with lighting underneath, creates a warmth to this room. The cloakroom pictured at the beginning of this article is a beautiful cloakroom that really shows how lighting can work in a small space by using a ‘chandelier’ type light.



If you are looking to be creative and start off somewhere small, then take a look at our dedicated Cloakrooms page. If that inspires you, then please contact us to arrange an appointment to visit our showroom - email sales@optionsstudio.co.uk or telephone 01344 627500.


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