POWDER ROOM – FUNCTIONAL OR JUST ORNAMENTAL?
Jd Institute
The name ‘Powder room’ has its origins in the 18th century Victorian euphemism “powdering your nose”. This expression was used when one wanted to discreetly excuse oneself to go to a closet sized room to apply extra powder to their wigs. In today’s world, it is a stylish addition.
A Powder room (at times called half bath), is a guest bathroom, which has a sink and a toilet. It is located in a convenient spot that guests can access immediately, without going through the entire house. For the home owner, a powder room is more than just functional. It is a tastefully decorated space making the owner proud and for a guest -inviting.
By focusing on some key interior elements, one can have a powder room truly that’s truly ornamental as much as it is utilitarian. The paint colour, flooring, tiles, a sink, mirror, light fixture, picture frames and other suitable décor pieces need attention. In fact, once decorated, they draw huge attention!
A powder room need not blend in with the rest of the home, but can have a distinct personality of its own. From vintage, to classic to contemporary, fixtures and fittings can all be beautifully matched. The key then is a few changes that can make a big difference. That is the key. Changing wall treatments on one or all the walls will add style to your room. Use wallpaper, stencils, or paint help add features to wall surfaces. Finally choosing suitable vanity countertops, faucets, and lighting fixtures can help create the designer look you want.
Adding style to a small powder room
For an expensive designer look
Giving a refreshed look with the right materials
Decorating a small half-bath is easy with few stylish touches, like a contrasting accent wall, shelving for tasteful decorative items along with bathroom essentials. Mirrors help make a space look bigger and plants add a soothing touch.
Sophisticated powder room ideas can be easy and inexpensive. Wall treatment using moulding and paint creates an atmosphere. Simple inexpensive ideas can create a designer powder room. For instance, the wooden frame of the basin-stand and the potted plant, bring in nature’s freshness to an otherwise formal space.
An oak slab has been ingeniously used for a sink console, where space was a challenge. The copper taps and spout are made to contrast well with the whiteness of the washbasin. The white wall tiles create a neutral backdrop against which the naturalness of the oak slab is highlighted. The atmosphere here is light, airy, and simple.
Coastal vibe with ocean-blue wallpaper
Indoors with nature with an easy DIY wallpaper
Opulent Accents
Incorporating some ocean-inspired elements such as the ocean-blue wallpaper and the rope-edged mirror has helped to create a coastal vibe. To add to the theme are prints of water birds, framed on the wall. The fixtures and overall appearance with the white moulding are both fresh and classy at the same time.
A small space like this water closet is made to look cheerful with the birch tree motif on the wallpaper, and the geometric floor tiles in similar hues. A large oversized circular mirror reflects the natural daylight all around.
Sometimes, a powder room can be opulent reflecting a home owner’s taste. Here the matte grey wall colours, and the dark chestnut vanity below the sink, the glow of the pendant lamp add much warmth to this space. The metallic fixtures are made to match the gold picture frame. The tempered glass oval sink and mosaic tile counter top, beautifully reflect the light from above.
Contemporary eclectic chic
Bathroom design with antiques
Earthy elements like the bamboo vase housing a bit of greenery, the seagrass basket, a contrasting cast iron fixtures, and an opulent art nouveau mirror, carefully placed around this powder room give off a variety of vibes. Glam, shabby chic, and rustic charm, all an artistic mix. Again, the plain white walls set off against the half-wall of porcelain patterned tile gives a nice visual break.
An eclectic collection of items makes this powder room tell a story. Different origins, different textures and colours, here the variety is spicing up the room. A period wash basin, a wall hanging with an ethnic vibe, the wood panelling on a wall and the colours provided by the single stemmed flowers. The hexagonal wall mirror adds yet another shape and a touch of luxe.
To conclude, in case of a limited budget, doing up a powder room need not happen at once. Instead done in stages can finally create an interior décor of one’s choice. The critical changes need to be tackled first such as wall treatments and fittings. Vanities and stands can be refurbished or painted thereafter. Finally, to personalise the space, add from a collection of favourite wall décor, potted plants, and bric-a-brac.
