It took a small flood and some peeling paint to get me thinking about a powder room update. But the real deal breaker was my handyman’s three-week wait list. It provided ample time to figure out the story I wanted to tell—and how to pack some serious style into this small-but-mighty space.
“We look at the powder room as a little jewel box, a little wow factor, and somewhere you can impress your guests,” New York-based interior designer Paris Forino told the New York Times. It’s also the perfect place to express your personality — not to mention, have a little fun.
The more research I did, the more excited I got. Here was an opportunity to step outside my design comfort zone. Bold walls? Chic lighting? Statement-making accessories? Yes, yes, and yes.
What makes the project fun is that you don’t have to treat your powder room like an ordinary bathroom. Top decorators agree it’s a go-to space for taking risks. Case in point: dramatic wallpaper—fair game, since you’re not dealing with moisture from a tub or shower.
What makes the images in this story so provocative is that they’re the culmination of a vision. “Powder rooms allow me to create some design theater that leaves a lasting impression on my clients’ guests,” designer Lynne Bradley revealed to Dwell online.
Color Play
(Max Kim-Bee, above; Katherine Lu, below)
Wall color innately tricks the eye into making a space seem larger (light and cool) or cozier (dark and more saturated). Soft blues, for example, instill a sense of calm, while jewel tones like plum or forest green create a more sophisticated vibe.
Prefer a versatile paint color with a little bit of oomph? Consider a deep earth tone, such as deep brown or charcoal gray. “Dark neutrals add drama to a bathroom while serving as reliable tones that pair well with décor and furnishings,” says Behr color expert Erika Woelfel.
The same holds true for wallcoverings. There are no rules: A plethora of uber-cool options include high-impact graphics, spirited florals, dazzling metallics, even golden cheetahs and tie-dye.
Focus on the Floor
More dramatic floorings work best with simpler walls. For one Dallas penthouse owner, inspiration for her own remodel came from NYC’s ultra-chic Mark Hotel. “I fell in love with the grand black and white marble floors in the bathrooms. Every day is a welcome reminder of our favorite place to stay in Manhattan.”
Go for the Glow
For starters, guests will appreciate seeing themselves in the best possible light. And by that we mean avoiding bright fluorescent or harsh LED lighting. The most flattering bulbs are those that measure around 2700 kelvins.
A super stylish fixture or chandelier can be the room’s focal point. How you position lights matters, too. Place sconces or shades at eye-level, and opt for lights that flank or encircle the mirror.
Thoughtful Accessories
Think of every accessory as an opportunity to inject personal style into your powder room. Just about every standard feature — mirrors, faucets, towel bars, among others — can inject major style.
(Thomas Loof)
On a smaller and simpler scale, towels, candles, soaps, art, and other decorative items offer up even more opportunities. “It’s a great place to add something you collected while traveling,” says interior designer Cortney Bishop.
Because, in the end, a powder room isn’t just a bathroom, she added. “It’s a tiny, little sanctuary where you can really show your personality.”
