Remodeling the Powder Room Bath

In any renovation, the project budget is greatly impacted by the size of the room being remodeled.  The cost of the materials is ultimately an important consideration, and often we must compromise on the quality of the materials we select to keep the project within budget.  Not in the powder room!  With the average powder room a mere four-by-five feet, its diminutive size actually works to your advantage.  Remodeling a powder room requires only a minimal quantity of materials, so you can afford to splurge on the tile, fixtures, fittings and accessories.   While it may be the smallest room in your home, the powder room provides the opportunity for you to make a huge impression on your guests.  Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your powder room redesign.

From Powder Room to Jewel Box

Color It Dramatic

When it comes to choosing a color scheme for your powder bathroom, ignore the conventional rules.  Instead, be brave and go bold with a deep, rich, saturated paint color like chocolate brown, copper, merlot, eggplant, teal or navy.  Now is your chance to take a risk and paint all the walls an intense color only applied as accents in larger spaces in your home.

Go With Stone Underfoot

Durability, maintenance and cost issues can take a back seat in a powder room remodel.  The bath just won’t take as much abuse or get as much use as the family or master bathroom.  And keeping such a small room clean will be a snap.  You’ll only need 20-square-feet of flooring, so consider a high-end natural stone tile, like granite, tumbled marble, travertine or slate.   A natural stone floor will give your small space a grand and luxurious feel. 

Select Small Scale Fixtures

Make the most of your space by selecting small scale plumbing fixtures for the powder room.  A tankless, one-piece toilet takes up less visual space in your bath, conserves water, and features a quieter flush (a point your visitors will appreciate).  Not to mention that it’s so much more stylish.  When it comes to the sink, pedestal, vessel and wall-mounted versions are perfect options for a room that’s short on space with little need for functional storage.  Porcelain sinks are still popular, but craftsmen and artisans have taken the sink bowl to a whole new level. Visit a bath design showroom to check out the latest styles, materials and textures  - glass, bronze, stainless steel, hammered metal, handpainted ceramic and many more.

Fancy Faucets

Add the sparkle and bring on the bling with a fancy faucet for your jewel box powder room.   The faucet will serve as one of the focal points in the room, so go all out and select one that’s extraordinary.  Choose a style and finish that compliments the sink and works well with the overall design of the bath.  For Old World-style baths, oil-rubbed bronze finishes will complete the look.   A satin nickel or chrome finish works well with both traditional and contemporary designs.  When you find the faucet that suits your fancy, pick out any cabinet hardware and fittings, like towel bars and toilet paper holder to match its finish.

Mirror Image

Bypass the medicine cabinet and find a fabulous framed mirror for your powder room bath.  If you can’t locate one that works with your bath’s style or finishes, visit your local framer and select some picture frame molding to match the style of your bath.  Give the framer your dimensions and ask to have a beveled mirror custom framed to your specifications.  Chances are, you won’t see another one like it!

Lighting

The right lighting makes a dramatic difference in a bath.  A single source of general lighting at the ceiling or above the mirror will cast unflattering shadows down on your guest’s faces. So install more than one source of lighting in your bath.  Decorative wall sconces on either side of the mirror will provide complimentary task lighting and eliminate shadows.  Visit a lighting showroom to view all the different styles of fixtures available.  Choosing a finish and style that coordinates with your faucet and other fittings will pull the room together.  Put the lights on a dimmer so you can dial them down when you’re entertaining.   

A Quiet Fan

One practical detail that could easily be overlooked in a powder bath remodel is ventilation.  The powder room bath is often in earshot of your home’s public spaces.  Guests will appreciate being able to turn on a fan to provide some level of privacy and to keep the room fresh for the next visitor.

Finishing Touches

With all the major fixtures and fittings chosen, it’s time to add the finishing touches and infuse your powder room with personality. Hang an interesting piece of art on the wall. Accessorize with guests in mind and pamper them with specialty hand soap, lotion and candles for ambiance. Put anything your guests will need at their fingertips — from hand towels to extra toilet tissue — a decorative basket or metal box on the wall can provide decorative storage.

Before your next soiree, light a candle, dim the lights and put out some plush hand towels.  When guests enter your exquisite, jewel box powder room, they’ll feel like pampered royalty, and you’ll feel proud to be the gracious host!

Need specifics on planning for a bathroom remodel?  Check out the article 5 Steps to Take Before Remodeling Your Bathroom.  Looking to remodel the guest suite bath?  More tips to come…

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