The Well-Curated Powder Room

Published On May 9, 2012 | By Shannon Kulik | Space, Spaces

Cheryl, a contributor to BohoMamma’s Inspired by Space section offers a few tips for a powder room that catches the fancy of your guests, while making those who visit feel at home.

The powder room is the one room in our home which gets used by the greatest number of non-family members, but also receives the least attention. It is a sad state of affairs really, because it is the space in our home where we should feel free to express our personal style and tastes to those who visit. It is the room that says, “This is our family’s home. Welcome. Feel at Home. Relax.”

I encourage clients to embrace their sense of whimsy and then to kick it up a notch or two. The powder room should pack a punch, so allow your creative crazy to get going.

Bold is Beautiful. Choose a bright color or a patterned wallpaper to make a statement. Worried that bright or patterned wallpaper will overpower the space? Don’t. The right paper or paint in a small space will make it grand, so take the leap. The worst that will happen is that you’ll save a couple of months in order to buy new paint to redo the space (but I doubt it will happen). One of the best powder rooms I have visited had black lacquered walls – a look that was striking in the elegance it offered.

Lonny Mag December/January 2010. Interior Design by Jenna Lyons of J.Crew.

Furniture Finds. There are not many architectural features to a powder room, so I love to add interest with elements or furnishings, such as utilizing a chest of drawers or a table outfitted as a custom sink. When I have remade furnishings into a sink, I tend to use granite or marble to the surface, but it isn’t a necessity. You’ll need a good plumber, you may need a millworker, but the result is worth the effort because you will have a one of a kind piece that creates a room of luxury. Contributor’s Note: The powder room in our home houses a chest that is 100-years old. (Yes, I put a hole in a 100-year old antique chest, much to the dismay of my plumber and husband).

Photography via BelleMaison.com

Be Dramatic. Consider the lighting in the powder room. Wall sconces or even a chandelier will lift the space by adding height and layers to the design. It will also offer a bit of ambience (especially if you have the light on a dimmer). Don’t be afraid to use oversized fixtures. You’re adding drama – and, unless the fixtures are the same size of the sink, I doubt you’ll overpower the space.

Source: Pinterest Find

Be a Curator. Display artwork by grouping smaller works and other decorative accessories together. Let the artwork say something about your home’s personality. If you are into clean lines and contemporary furnishings, consider black and white framed photographs. A house by the beach? Consider bold paintings of surfers.

Jun/Jul 2010 Interior Design by Ethan Feirstein and Ari Heckman

Be a Good Hostess. Think of the powder room in other homes that you’ve visited. What makes the space inviting to a guest? What items would a guest need in order to feel refreshed and taken care of in your home? Group hand soaps together near the linens or find your favorite scented liquid soap, but display it in a beautiful hand dispenser. Find linens that are absorbent and beautiful and always keep the linens in full display, so your guests know using your towels is encouraged.

Fouta Mini Guest Towels at ABC Carpet and Home

Keep scented candles on display and remember to offer a box of beautiful matches.

Candles by Baileys by Mail

Keep tissues on hand for guests and extra rolls of toilet paper nearby (or better yet, check the stock before your guests arrive). Or mouthwash or mints…add special touches to your special little room that makes your guests feel…what’s the word? Special.