Image courtesy Moen
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Who would have guessed? The tiniest room in the house may just offer the biggest bounty of decorating options, with plenty of whimsical, low-cost opportunities, too.
That makes the powder room a good place to return to lavishing attention on your home if you’ve been holding back during the recessionary months.
“Because the powder room is such a small space, it can be economical even to use luxury materials,” says Vienna, Va., interior designer, Annette Phillips. “For instance, you may be able to find a small piece of granite that’s a remnant to use for a vanity.”
Such an effort will be noticed, since the powder room is usually visited by guests.
Another reason why decorating this room is fun is you can have a theme, changing décor with holidays, for instance.
Here, we polled experts for ideas for economical and whimsical touches to power up the powder room.
Let colors loose
Lively print wallpaper or a crimson red paint might be too overpowering if they adorn the walls of a bedroom or kitchen, Phillips says.
“But the powder room is like a little jewel box,” Phillips says. “Brighter colors or patterns will intensify this small space without being overwhelming.”
Lively wall colors can work, and so, too, does wall art, adds Scarsdale, N.Y. designer Carol DeBear. She likes to use paintings.
Phillips also likes art, and has employed single, large paintings, even though it’s a small room.
“A big piece of art can really be like wallpaper, and that’s why if I do use a big painting, I don’t use a lot of other color or pattern,” Phillips says.
Make a statement
The fairest powder room of them all should have a mirror that makes a statement, says Laura Casey, a Charlotte, N.C., interior designer. If using patterned wallpaper, aim for a simpler mirror frame, she suggests.
Whether plain or ornate, “You can often find a really attractive framed mirror at a flea market,” Casey says.
When you can’t find a mirror that meets your budget or style requirements, consider making one, Casey says: “Wood molding makes a great frame, and you can paint it in the exact color you want.”
Framing is also sold for the express purpose of matching mirror to room. For instance, Moen's Mirrorscapes line has frames that match the color of other hardware in the room, from faucets to towel hangers, says Tim Bitterman of Moen Inc.
Shelve that idea
If the walls aren’t otherwise taken up with artwork, the room is an ideal place for a shelving unit, designers say. And as with other powder room elements, creativity and economy can combine to result in a personal statement.
Casey likes open, white shelving. Then, “line up pictures, using simple black-and-white frames,” she suggests. Holiday decorations, perfume bottles or any collectible can work here. If it looks right, it is.
Powder may not actually be necessary, but the room is named for its purpose. “Think about what nice restaurants provide,” DeBear says.
Adds Phillips, “You don’t have to display [toiletries], you could let guests know they are under the sink. That’s the reason I don’t like pedestal sinks for this room.”
Sometimes, items are pretty enough to move straight from the store shelves to the powder room counter, Phillips notes. Kleenex has introduced oval packaging in carefully researched colors and patterns to provide “a little pick-me-up” says Christine Mau, designer for Kimberly-Clark, Kleenex makers.
