Bathroom Design Tip #4: Illuminate Small Spaces With Big Lighting

When he was was commissioned to revamp a powder room in a craftsman-style home in West Vancouver for a pair of longtime homeowners, designer Peter Wilds wanted to push the envelope.

The powder room in question was compact in width and depth, but featured lofty nine-foot ceilings. He filled the space with contrasting design sensibilities, using a palette of greys, charcoals and black in a layered concept: French toile wallpaper meets geometric tile flooring while a pair of brushed nickel sconces on either side of a long mirror give way to unexpected vertical drama.

“I wanted to create a sense of elongation and airiness within such a small footprint,” says Wilds, who was a finalist in our 2025 WL Design 25 awards. “By carrying the pattern and lighting vertically, your eye is drawn upward. It makes the room feel taller and more sculptural.”

But for Wilds, the true transformation happens when the lights come on. “You can look at amazing bathrooms, but I always ask: how does someone get ready in the morning with that light?” he says. “I’ll never forfeit aesthetics, but first and foremost, the lighting must function. If someone walks into that room and the host has it dialled to a candlelight vibe, they should still be able to turn it up to check their makeup before going back to the table.”

Vertical Reality

An elongated mirror flanked by brushed-nickel sconces draws the eye upward, emphasizing the room’s dramatic height and sculptural balance.

In the Mix

Mixed metal hardware gives continued contrast to the moody palette.

Calm in the Chaos

A matte black granite countertop edges up against a Carrara marble backsplash, which features soft grey veining that complements the wallpaper’s organic pattern.