Reno of the Month: 5 design ideas to make your powder room sizzle

Written by Mina Lucks, Synergy Design & Construction

It may be the smallest room in the house, but that doesn’t mean your powder room has to be boring! Actually, it’s the easiest space to get creative, making it a great conversation starter for visiting friends and family, so don’t be afraid to make a big design statement!

Here are 5 ways to have some fun, show off your personality and give your little powder room  the attention it deserves:

 1. Go Bold With Wallpaper

Wallpaper got a bad reputation when flowery borders were all the rage in the 80s and 90s but it came back in a big way a few years ago. The reason for this explosion in popularity is the wide array of fantastic new designs that allow you to stretch your design muscle without breaking the bank.

In this first example, we used space in the hallway of this Reston home to add a much-needed powder room on the main level (guests previously had to use the kids’ hall bathroom). This Hygge & West “Petal Pusher” wallpaper was the perfect choice for this new space! Using black and white finishes that complement, not compete with, the wallpaper keeps the look fuss-free.

Still nervous about committing to wallpaper? Try using removable wallpaper and give yourself the flexibility to make changes without the hassle of removing traditional wallpaper.

 2. Have Fun With Floor Tile

Tile is another way to make a statement in a Powder Room and there are many reasonably-priced options available so that you don’t have to compromise on style while still achieving a designer look.

That being said, if you did want to splurge on some handmade or super-unique tile, what better place to do it than in the powder room where the square footage is smaller compared to a primary bathroom or guest bathroom?

In this townhome remodel, our clients opted for this gorgeous SomerTile “Majestic” encaustic-look floor tile in the pattern “Tiena Blue” from Mosaic Tile Company.  The blue “Mason” vanity by Design Element picks up the blue tones in the floor and brings the look together.

 3. Don’t Forget About Storage

It might be a small space, but don’t feel you have to go with a pedestal sink to make it feel larger than it is. There are tons of smaller, stylish vanities that still give you the room you need while providing a space to store extra supplies like bath tissue and guest towels if you prefer to have these items out of sight.

In this example, the “Danneberg” vanity in “Russet Brown” not only looks great, it provides plenty of storage. Note also the “Dunham” floor tile by Emser Tile. This is another great example of making a bold design statement with floor tile.

 4. Use Wood Details for A Classic, Finished Look

Sometimes, it takes just a few simple updates to completely transform a powder room and an inexpensive way to do that is by using wood trim in various ways. Whether it be shiplap (applied horizontally or vertically), chair rail or shadow boxing, these details may lean more classic and traditional, but they’ve been around a long time for a reason.

In this McLean home remodel, our clients had powder rooms on both the main and basement levels. In the basement, we kept their existing vanity but added shiplap wainscoting to the lower half of the walls which was painted with Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace” paint in a matte finish. We used Benjamin Moore “Kendall Charcoal” paint (also matte) on the upper half of the walls. These simple changes took this powder room to a whole new level.

 5. Make a Statement With Wall Tile

We’ve already talked about utilizing fun or unique tile on the floor, but splurging for wall tile is another way to take your little Powder Room to the next level of sophistication. Bright and bold, or subtle with calming hues, wall tile in the powder room just screams “wow!” as your guests enter the space! It’s also a great way to add personality while providing the opportunity to visually tie-in to other spaces in your home (i.e. complimenting a nearby kitchen backsplash or fireplace surround).

The homeowners in this Oakton home leaned towards a more transitional design. We used “Maiolica” tile in “White Crackle” by Roca Group in the kitchen as well as the powder room. It provides a cohesive feel across spaces but looks completely different when paired with natural marble “Arabescato Honed” hexagon floor tile from Mosaic Tile Company in the powder room.

The best part of remodeling a Powder Room is a little goes a long way. Choose just one of these 5 design ideas and you’ll be on your way to creating a fun little space that lets your personality shine through.

Thinking of a home remodel but not sure where to start? Get in touch! We’re always happy to help homeowners get on the right path to creating their dream space.