As an expert on portable toilets, I often get asked “How can I make my portable toilet look nice?”
It’s a great question because while portable toilets serve an important purpose, their appearance doesn’t have to be an eyesore.
In just a few simple steps, these once bland units can be decorated into something special that complements any event.
This article will walk through my best tips to dress up portable toilets and make them shine.
Here are key takeaways with a heading:
When I’m trying to spruce up a portable toilet quickly, I rely on a few easy tricks to disguise the unit.
The first thing I’ll do is wrap the exterior with decorative fabric.
Burlap, lace, or patterned tablecloths work beautifully to add an instant facelift.
Just secure the fabric with strong magnets or removable adhesive strips.
I also love to accessorize with potted silk flowers, wreaths, and other removable decor placed on top or around the sides.
For the interior, tidy up by removing any trash and use a disinfectant cleaner on surfaces.
An air freshener is a must – I prefer continuous sprays over gel or disks.
Finally, add a small decorative touch like a vase with flowers, a scented candle, or a basket with bathroom supplies like lotions and mints.
This makes the space feel cared for. Here are some of my favorite quick portable toilet disguises:
The key is working with items that can be installed and removed easily without damaging the portable toilet.
With just fabric, florals, fresheners, and little decorative pieces, you can instantly take a portable toilet from bland to beautiful!
If I want to dramatically transform the exterior of a portable toilet, I don’t hold back on the decorations.
Some of my favorite extensive disguise options include wood facades, artificial foliage, and customized structures.
Attaching wood panels is a wonderful way to change the entire look of a portable toilet.
The wood can be painted or stained and cut to fully surround the exterior.
Just ensure the wood is securely fastened and not obstructing ventilation.
Artificial plants and ivy are also great for masking the utilitarian shape and adding natural beauty.
I’ll often construct a lattice or trellis behind the unit and attach copious vines and leaves.
For the most complete disguise, I have even built small structures around portable toilets.
Think little barns, miniature cottages, or pop-up changing rooms.
This takes more effort but the results are stunning.
The portable toilet gets completely hidden within an adorable structure that guests would never guess houses a restroom!
Here are some of my go-to extensive disguise ideas:
The sky’s the limit for what you can construct around a portable toilet to make it virtually unrecognizable.
With enough wood, plants, paint, and creativity you can build something truly surprising and special.
Just maintain visibility and ventilation however you disguise your portable toilet.
One of my top tips for making a portable toilet part of the event decor is coordinating it with the overall theme and aesthetics.
I always ask clients about their color schemes, styles, and motifs to work those elements into dressing up the restroom.
For a nautical wedding by the lake, I created a little “bathroom boat” using wood painted to look like a boat deck and portholes for ventilation.
The inside had navy accents, anchor wall art, and nautical candles.
For a fun carnival celebration, I made striped tents decorated with bright pennant banners around the portable toilets.
The interior had popcorn boxes, caramel apple wraps, and other carnival favors for guests.
Thinking about the theme when decorating helps the restroom feel like part of the fête instead of an eyesore.
Here are some of my favorite theme coordination ideas:
Don’t be afraid to fully embrace the theme with decorations, colors, and motifs that make the portable toilet blend right in.
Your guests will be amazed at how it accentuates the event aesthetic beautifully.
When disguising and decorating portable toilets, I never lose sight of functionality and guest safety.
As tempting as it is to go over the top with decorations, I make sure ventilation, accessibility, and hygiene are prioritized.
The first rule is to not obstruct the ventilation.
Most portable toilets have vents around the roofline that cannot be covered or blocked.
When decorating the exterior, check that there is still airflow through the vents so odors don’t build up inside.
I also recommend avoiding real candles, as these can pose a fire hazard in the confined plastic interior.
For accessibility, be sure to keep a clear path leading to the entrance.
Decorations should not limit mobility access or make it difficult for guests to approach the portable toilet.
Give at least a 3-foot radius clearance from the doorway.
Inside, I ensure toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other necessities are stocked so guests have what they need.
Here are my top portable toilet safety tips:
A beautifully decorated portable toilet does no good if it becomes unsafe or unusable!
Always make functionality and guest needs a priority.
No matter how beautifully I decorate a portable toilet, upkeep throughout the event is critical to keep it looking nice.
I recommend having attendants assigned to periodically check and refresh the restrooms.
Attendants should do a walkthrough at least every two hours, restocking toilet paper, paper seat covers, hand towels, and hand sanitizer as needed.
They can spot-clean any spills or messes with disinfectant wipes and spray air freshener as required.
I also have attendants remove any trash and check that decorations are holding up.
For all-day or multi-day events, I advise having attendants clean the portable toilet every evening.
This includes:
With regular attention and cleaning, the portable toilet remains guest-ready despite heavy use.
Don’t let that beautiful portable toilet get trashed – diligent maintenance keeps it looking as polished at the end of the event as at the start!
When I’m looking for portable toilet decor ideas, I turn to sites like Pinterest and Instagram where creative people share their over-the-top designs.
I also look at rental companies for photo galleries of their most ornate offerings.
Some of the most amazing transformations I’ve seen include a portable toilet decorated as a French cottage with a stone facade and flower boxes, a circus tent with red and white stripes and gold trim, and a storybook playhouse complete with flowered window boxes and turret.
My all-time favorite was a portable toilet camouflaged as a giant white wedding cake, complete with fondant ruffles and gum-paste flowers.
The interior was like stepping into an elegant bakery.
Photos of these lavish designs spark new ideas for disguises.
Here are great sources to fuel your portable toilet decor inspiration:
Sifting through images of gorgeously decorated porta potties shows what’s possible and may inspire even more elaborate creations of your own.
Don’t be afraid to transform the look beyond expectations!
String lights, lanterns, and uplights work well to illuminate portable toilets at night – just ensure lights won’t overheat the plastic interior.
Yes, you can place a Bluetooth speaker inside a decorated portable toilet to play soft background music.
Using a continuous spray air freshener, leaving the door open when not in use, and having frequent waste pumping service help manage odors.
You can certainly decorate your portable toilet, but hiring a professional ensures proper installation of decorations plus ongoing service.
It’s best to decorate at least 1-2 days in advance to allow time for troubleshooting and finishing touches.
