Stimuli

It’s the one room in the home where you can make a great impression and wow your guests with less effort than anywhere else. Due to its small size, any of your design efforts will reward you with big impact. Also, because the room is cut off from the rest of the house and time spent here is short, you can afford to go a little bolder with the wall color and wallpaper patterns. One final perk is that again, due to the small size of the room, you can probably splurge a little on the materials and finishes. These are all good reasons for spending a little time and effort making your powder room close up ready!

Here are three things to consider when adding to your powder room. According to Sarah Richardson, it’s a good idea to use a pedestal sink instead of the traditional sink with cabinet. Unless you really need storage, this is the way to go. The look is not only more open, it is the less expensive option. Another tip is to use two light sconces on either side of a bathroom mirror rather than a single light above. This will give the room symmetry, a more modern and luxurious feel and will put you and your guests in a more flattering light. Finally, using taller more substantial baseboards will add interest and weight to the room making it look richer.

You don’t have to go bold with pattern or color to create a big impression. This powder room is full of pizzazz. The repetition of polished chrome really makes this room sparkle and the wall treatment along with the beautiful floor mosaic make this room a standout.

For the more adventurous amongst us who like bold colour and pattern, the choices are endless. Remember there is a delicate balance though; you want the right amount of punch without overwhelming. If you are worried that your pattern or paint color is too bold you could try just painting or papering the upper half of the room. It’s a good look and it can be much easier on the eye not to mention your pocket book. Great designer wallpapers can get more than a little expensive. Another way to employ wallpaper without the expense or permanency is to paper a thin board or boards and hang them on a painted wall. You can frame the boards with moulding for a more formal and finished look. A feature wall with equally sized framed wallpapered boards can give the nice architectural appearance of inset panels.

Whether your powder room has a soft neutral color palette or has punchy bold wallpaper, it should feel like a little retreat for your guests. Adding nice little soaps and luxurious towels go a long way in making your guests feel like you went the extra mile. Your powder room says a lot about you as a hostess so isn’t it worth the effort.

by Christina Kristensen
Contributor

Photo Credits:
Image #1 http://www.hgtv.ca
Image #2 http://www.houzz.com