Small bathrooms and powder rooms — also known as lavabos — are often overlooked when it comes to interior design. But these intimate spaces offer a unique opportunity to express style and comfort through small-scale, impactful details. One of the most effective ways to enhance a bathroom’s aesthetic is by adding indoor plants.
In this article, you’ll learn how to decorate small bathrooms and powder rooms with the right plants, layouts, and accessories to create a spa-like, refreshing environment — even in the tightest spaces.
Why Use Plants in Small Bathrooms?
Despite their size, small bathrooms can feel luxurious when designed with care. Here’s how plants elevate the space:
- Improve Air Quality: Some plants absorb toxins and increase oxygen, even in small enclosed spaces.
- Control Humidity: Moisture-loving plants thrive in the naturally humid environment of a bathroom.
- Soften Hard Surfaces: Bathrooms often feature tile, porcelain, and glass. Plants add softness and warmth.
- Create a Spa Experience: Greenery brings relaxation, calm, and elegance.
- Low Maintenance in High-Humidity Spaces: Many tropical plants require minimal care in a bathroom.
Best Plants for Small Bathrooms
The key to successful plant decor in a small bathroom is choosing species that thrive in low light, high humidity, and limited space. Here are the top options:
🌿 1. Boston Fern
Loves humidity and indirect light. Place it on a shelf, in a hanging basket, or near a shower.
🌿 2. Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Elegant and minimal, perfect for countertops. Thrives in humidity and adds color.
🌿 3. Pothos
Great for trailing down shelves or over mirrors. Almost impossible to kill.
🌿 4. Spider Plant
Compact and perfect for hanging baskets or narrow windowsills.
🌿 5. Peace Lily
Tolerates low light and blooms even in bathrooms. Helps purify air.
🌿 6. English Ivy
Ideal for vertical installations or training around a mirror frame.
🌿 7. Bamboo
Often sold in water-filled vases, bamboo is great for small countertops and low maintenance.
Ideal Plant Placement in Small Bathrooms
Because space is tight, creativity matters. Here are practical and stylish plant placement ideas:
Above the Toilet
Place a potted plant on a small shelf above the toilet. Use trailing plants like pothos for a cascading effect.
On the Sink Counter
A small orchid or bamboo plant next to a soap dispenser adds elegance and doesn’t clutter the space.
Hanging from the Ceiling
Macrame plant holders or hanging pots keep plants off the ground and eye-level, adding vertical interest.
Shower Caddy
Some small plants like air plants or pothos can live on the upper levels of a shower caddy (away from direct spray).
Wall Planters
Use floating wall planters or vertical garden tiles to introduce greenery without taking up floor space.
Windowsill
If your bathroom has a window, use that natural light for plants like snake plants, aloe vera, or small succulents.
Tips for Styling Plants in a Lavabo
- Use Light-Colored Pots: White, beige, or pastel pots help small spaces feel larger and cleaner.
- Match with Accessories: Coordinate plant pots with towel colors, soap dishes, and curtains for a cohesive look.
- Choose Non-Slip Bases: Bathrooms are humid, so make sure pots have stable, anti-slip bottoms.
- Keep Proportions in Mind: Don’t overwhelm a small bathroom with large floor plants. Use miniatures or hanging options instead.
Combining Plants with Lighting
Small bathrooms often lack natural light, so consider:
- LED Grow Bulbs: Compact and can be installed inside existing fixtures.
- Battery-Operated Grow Lights: Great for renters or spaces with no light sockets.
- Mirrors: Reflect both light and greenery, making the room feel larger and brighter.
Scented Plants for Bathrooms
Some plants also act as natural air fresheners. Try:
- Lavender: If near a window, it adds calming scent.
- Mint or Eucalyptus: Fresh aroma; hang eucalyptus branches in the shower for a natural steam diffuser.
- Orchids: Some varieties emit a soft, sweet scent.
Maintenance Tips for Bathroom Plants
- Avoid Overwatering: High humidity means plants may need less watering than in dry rooms.
- Wipe Leaves Regularly: Bathrooms can accumulate soap residue or dust.
- Rotate Plants: Swap out plants that need a “break” from humidity or darkness every few weeks.
- Monitor for Mold: Ensure pots have drainage or are lined with charcoal to prevent mold buildup.
Plant Decor Ideas for Different Styles
✨ Spa-Inspired
Neutral colors, bamboo trays, a single orchid, and a peace lily in a ceramic pot.
🖤 Modern Minimalist
Monochrome palette, sleek shelf-mounted pothos, and matte black pots.
🪴 Boho Chic
Woven baskets, macrame hangers, and clusters of small succulents.
🌿 Jungle Vibes
Bold wallpaper paired with several trailing plants and a fern for volume.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Bathroom with Living Decor
Your bathroom — no matter how small — deserves the same attention as any other room in the house. With the right selection of humidity-loving, space-conscious plants, you can turn an ordinary powder room into a serene oasis or a design-forward retreat.
Whether you want to create a luxurious spa feel with orchids or keep things vibrant with ivy and ferns, incorporating live plants into your bathroom decor brings balance, wellness, and life into one of your most-used spaces.
So next time you think your bathroom is “too small” to decorate — remember, even the smallest pot of green can make a big difference.