Putting Some Lipstick on Your Powder Room

A powder room is a space in your home that has tons of potential. Because a powder room is generally a space of its own, fun designs, fixtures, and finishes are more feasible. From bright wallpaper to unique geometric flooring, there’s simply no end to the number of ways you can style your powder room to make it one-of-a-kind. Whether you want to redesign the whole space or just make a few relatively inexpensive updates, we’re ready to help you create a space worthy of oohs and aahs.

How to Make a Statement in Your Powder Room

When thinking about the design for your guest bathroom or powder room, approach it as a chance to do something exciting! Use more color than normal, go bold with moody-dark paint, or spice it up with a funky pattern. This is your chance to add dramatic visual interest to a space in your home that will have a lot of eyes on it. 

Let’s start with a few good moves on the design front, regardless of what your budget may be. A great way to make a statement is with a feature wall behind the sink. Whether you’re working with restricted funds or taking the, “sky’s the limit” approach, either an interesting tile or a fun, patterned wallpaper (or both) is a great option. Tile styles can range from a colored subway to jaw-dropping waterjet marble mosaics. There are even great tile options that are color neutral but will add visual interest by adding texture to the space. Wallpaper is available in a plethora of amazing colors, textures, and patterns. You could alternatively add trim details, like ship-lap or board and batten, that can be fairly inexpensive but look like a million dollars. Whatever option you choose, a feature wall is the way to make a statement in your guest bath. 

How to Update Your Powder Room on a Budget

Another way to change the look of your guest bath is to update your faucet and light fixtures. You’ll want to make the switch of these together so you can match or coordinate the metals and colors of these products. If you decide to keep your current countertop, be sure to choose a faucet with the same number of holes as your previous one or one with an escutcheon plate to cover holes you aren’t using. When it comes to selecting new light fixtures, consider a fixture that not only provides an adequate amount of light but also coordinates with the lines of your plumbing fixture while making its own unique statement. There are an endless number of options to consider—from a basket weave or beaded pendant light to updated, modern sconces. Go with fixtures that inspire you!

Other small adjustments that carry a big impact are tweaking the hardware and painting your vanity cabinet. For cabinet hardware, so many amazing options are available: interesting metal finishes, glitzy or elegant acrylic, clear or crystal-like knobs and pulls, leather straps, or even industrial-inspired options that look like pipes. Changing your hardware is like putting on the perfect set of statement earrings to complete your outfit. Putting a fresh coat of paint on your cabinets can have as big of an impact as installing a brand-new vanity. This is an area where you can play with a bold color—sage or hunter green or even the Pantone color of the year, Classic Blue.

Want to make a big impression without totally overhauling your current design? Try painting the ceiling and trim. This is a lower-budget option that lets you make a big impact by changing the feel and design of your guest bath. This is especially a great option if you like your classic white vanity or are keen on keeping the natural wood or stain you have on your current vanity. When selecting a color for the trim and ceiling, we say go bold! This is something you can easily paint over if you ever want to switch it up again. Coordinate with the colors you like in your shower curtain, wallpaper, décor, or flooring. All you need now is a bucket of paint and a paintbrush (and some painter’s tape . . . you’ll definitely need some painter’s tape). 

Ideas for a Full Powder Room Remodel

If you have more time on your hands and a larger budget, you may want to update your floors with a new tile. If you’re going bolder on patterns in other elements of your design like the wallpaper selection, you may want to opt for a simpler patterned or textured tile. You can still spice up your flooring by having this more simplistic tile laid in an interesting way, such as in a herringbone pattern. You can use your grout color selection to highlight the pattern you choose as well. If you went with a quieter color palette for your vanity and walls, this is a great opportunity to go bold with your tile floors. We’re thinking refreshing cement tiles with a multitude of fun and funky patterns or even an interesting geometric in a bold color—like a teal hexagon. Whatever option or design you’re leaning toward, new tile floors will give your new bathroom a clean, updated touch.

Whatever your budget may be and no matter which of these design recommendations you go with, your guests will love the space you put together. Your home is a reflection of your style and personality, which will shine through any changes you make to your guest bath or powder room. Now have fun getting those creative thoughts flowing!

Photography and interior design by Dalton Carpet One Floor & Home