Keira Brooks
As an essential part of the house, the space gets constant traffic at all hours, particularly from visitors and overnight guests. Perusing Dering Hall, Pinterest, and Houzz will unearth a gorgeous parade of powder rooms, from the stately to the futuristic chic, and it’s hard not to jump straight into styling with that kind of inspiration. The basic nature of powder rooms—primarily the small square footage of the room— is an opening for great design choices, not a constraint.
A restricted number of light fixtures, square feet of tile and amount of wallpaper needed = creative freedom for maximum impact. If you love a wall covering or stone but are deterred by the price,work it into a smaller space such as a powder room.The square footage of powder rooms is typically so small that that you can let mosaic tiles shine or use leftover feature tile from another bathroom. Black marble conjures up dark, rippling water, perfect for a more dramatic moment.
And with a modern wall-mounted sink, you can forgo the classic countertop entirely, and leave the embellishments to the floor or walls. One of my no-fail tips for any bathroom: Put a tall, thin bud vase with a fresh flower, and light an amazing candle. Accessories can really make a room, so opt for freshly scented soap (we like Molton Brown), Poo-Pourri toilet spray (you will love their cheeky marketing), and some elegant hand towels.
As noted above, a wall-mounted sink is a sharp and statement-making fixture that can save space in a small bathroom.
When there’s space for a counter, I prefer an undermount sink for a clean edge that highlights the stone. From burnished, stately bronze to vibrant, tempered glass, a vessel sink is an ideal way to add intensity to a powder room.
I like to layer a roman shade valance over wood blinds when both privacy and softness are required. Fabric upholstered walls—great in a powder room that has wainscoting three quarters of the way up the wall, to be completely clear of all plumbing. You should illuminate your powder room to reduce shadows and glare so that mirror checks are quick and simple (no need for counter climbing or squinting!).
From a design standpoint, framing the vanity is a classic way to provide an even diversity of lighting angles by removing the harshness of a singular source.
By flanking your mirror with sconces or other wall-mounted pieces, you can add a note of regal charm while opening up the space in an inviting way. If you’ve ever been in a bathroom that lacks this essential glass companion, you’ll understand how important it is to the space.
The market on mirrors is generally sorted into framed and unframed pieces, and it’s up to you to decide what style will better complement your home. A frame offers a crisp, customizable edge that can suit any color scheme or thematic desire, and is currently a popular choice on the interior design scene. Especially trendy are molded trim borders, which look great while stylishly integrating the mirror into the room.
However, for a floating, understated feel and a wider freedom of shape, a frameless look is not at all without merit.
Beveled edges can provide an effortlessly airy, faceted charm, perfect with any palette. Don’t be afraid to experiment: There are a lot of great designs incorporating futuristic inset lighting, interesting shapes, and exciting materials and functions.
The room’s small size allows you to pack more punch per square foot while stretching your budget. So go ahead and craft an absolutely glamorous, dreamy powder room space that is sure to impress family and friends for years to come.
