New This Week: 5 Pretty and Practical Powder Rooms
Design pros share key features that turned these small bathrooms into surprising destinations
Mitchell Parker
November 13, 2020
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
A powder room is a great place to create something unexpected. The small, often windowless rooms can become a jewel box or treasure chest in which design elements get compressed together to form surprising style. Plus, the limited square footage means you can integrate small amounts of higher-end materials that perhaps you wouldn’t be able to afford in a large space like a kitchen. Here, design pros on Houzz walk us through the pretty features in five powder rooms.
1. Glamorous Vanity
Designer: Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home
Location: Lebanon, Missouri
Size: About 18 square feet (1.7 square meters); 3 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. Update a drab powder room so it would match the elegance of the rest of the home.
Main feature. Marble-and-polished-nickel vanity with brass accents (Napoleon sink chest by Ambella Home Collection). “The vanity was the jumping-off point, which required new marble floors, elegant wallpaper, new paint and a gorgeous chandelier,” designer Nathan Taylor says.
Other special features. Traditional beadboard wainscoting. Statement pendant light in polished nickel with an oversize white silk shade. Large round textural gold-frame mirror. Watercolor prints of wildlife. Calacatta gold marble floors. And “the slightly feminine wallpaper has a subtle metallic dot,” Taylor says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “It was our intention to incorporate the oversized pendant light all along, but we almost couldn’t make it work,” Taylor says. “We had to modify the fixture to shorten it just a few inches so that the door could swing open and close.”
Find a local bathroom remodeler
Designer: Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home
Location: Lebanon, Missouri
Size: About 18 square feet (1.7 square meters); 3 by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. Update a drab powder room so it would match the elegance of the rest of the home.
Main feature. Marble-and-polished-nickel vanity with brass accents (Napoleon sink chest by Ambella Home Collection). “The vanity was the jumping-off point, which required new marble floors, elegant wallpaper, new paint and a gorgeous chandelier,” designer Nathan Taylor says.
Other special features. Traditional beadboard wainscoting. Statement pendant light in polished nickel with an oversize white silk shade. Large round textural gold-frame mirror. Watercolor prints of wildlife. Calacatta gold marble floors. And “the slightly feminine wallpaper has a subtle metallic dot,” Taylor says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “It was our intention to incorporate the oversized pendant light all along, but we almost couldn’t make it work,” Taylor says. “We had to modify the fixture to shorten it just a few inches so that the door could swing open and close.”
Find a local bathroom remodeler
2. Bold Wallpaper
Designer: Kelly McGuill Home
Location: Laconia, New Hampshire
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. This young couple with young children wanted something fun within the existing footprint.
Main feature. Bold-print wallpaper (Carnival Outdoor by Christopher Farr Cloth). “It’s a fun and playful feel,” designer Kelly McGuill says. “We kept the mirror and vanity simple to allow the wallpaper to be the hero.”
Other special features. “To not look too busy, we chose a solid white quartz countertop and paired it with a simple wooden vanity,” McGuill says. “The wood and white act as our neutral elements, which balance the fun pattern and color on the walls. The black faucet, mirror and sconces are another contrasting element we feel works really well.”
Designer tip. “We feel a black element deserves a spot in every room,” McGuill says. “We incorporated black doorknobs, which ties in with the faucet, mirror and sconces.”
Shop for a bathroom vanity
Designer: Kelly McGuill Home
Location: Laconia, New Hampshire
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. This young couple with young children wanted something fun within the existing footprint.
Main feature. Bold-print wallpaper (Carnival Outdoor by Christopher Farr Cloth). “It’s a fun and playful feel,” designer Kelly McGuill says. “We kept the mirror and vanity simple to allow the wallpaper to be the hero.”
Other special features. “To not look too busy, we chose a solid white quartz countertop and paired it with a simple wooden vanity,” McGuill says. “The wood and white act as our neutral elements, which balance the fun pattern and color on the walls. The black faucet, mirror and sconces are another contrasting element we feel works really well.”
Designer tip. “We feel a black element deserves a spot in every room,” McGuill says. “We incorporated black doorknobs, which ties in with the faucet, mirror and sconces.”
Shop for a bathroom vanity
3. Inviting Shiplap
Designer: Sharon Crudele of Third and Windsor Interior Design
Location: Galena, Ohio
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A powder bath that would incorporate modern farmhouse-style elements to fit with the rest of the new-build home.
Main feature. Shiplap walls. “Architectural interest had to be added to an otherwise insignificant space,” designer Sharon Crudele says. “The shiplap instantly added dimension [and] charm, and immediately set the mood and tone for a modern farmhouse bath.”
Other special features. “Unlacquered brass fixtures evoke a sense of permanence and time,” Crudele says. “The petite oval mirror softens the edges of a very boxy space. Simple linen fabric shades on the vanity sconces provide very subtle softness, break up the geometry and add a very tiny dose of femininity without going overboard. The fresh and lush bouquet of lilacs as the only main accent piece offers a natural element [and] suggested fragrance to the viewer, and provides dimension that only Mother Nature can do.”
Designer tip. “Texture,” Crudele says. “Try to add texture from multiple sources. In this very small space, I infused woven natural baskets, marble, wood, mirror, metal, linen shades and florals.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “An ‘uh-oh’ moment came when it became apparent that the plumbing pipes would be very visible and not very pretty to look at,” Crudele says. “Initially we were going to place folded towels under the vanity, but that wouldn’t work anymore. Adding taller woven baskets with towels that can be placed inside solved the problem beautifully.”
Designer: Sharon Crudele of Third and Windsor Interior Design
Location: Galena, Ohio
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A powder bath that would incorporate modern farmhouse-style elements to fit with the rest of the new-build home.
Main feature. Shiplap walls. “Architectural interest had to be added to an otherwise insignificant space,” designer Sharon Crudele says. “The shiplap instantly added dimension [and] charm, and immediately set the mood and tone for a modern farmhouse bath.”
Other special features. “Unlacquered brass fixtures evoke a sense of permanence and time,” Crudele says. “The petite oval mirror softens the edges of a very boxy space. Simple linen fabric shades on the vanity sconces provide very subtle softness, break up the geometry and add a very tiny dose of femininity without going overboard. The fresh and lush bouquet of lilacs as the only main accent piece offers a natural element [and] suggested fragrance to the viewer, and provides dimension that only Mother Nature can do.”
Designer tip. “Texture,” Crudele says. “Try to add texture from multiple sources. In this very small space, I infused woven natural baskets, marble, wood, mirror, metal, linen shades and florals.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “An ‘uh-oh’ moment came when it became apparent that the plumbing pipes would be very visible and not very pretty to look at,” Crudele says. “Initially we were going to place folded towels under the vanity, but that wouldn’t work anymore. Adding taller woven baskets with towels that can be placed inside solved the problem beautifully.”
4. Terrific Tile
Designer: Eva LaRocque Interiors
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 21 square feet (2 square meters); 3 by 7 feet
Homeowners’ request. Add a small powder room during a full-house remodel and maximize the limited square footage.
Main feature. Terra-cotta backsplash tile. “From there we knew we wanted to continue the idea of all-natural materials,” designer Eva LaRocque says. “I think what made it all come together is that the pattern backsplash tile was enhanced by the other natural and earthy materials, which made the space feel organic [and] interesting and lended depth to an otherwise small powder bath.”
Other special features. Custom white oak vanity in a natural stain. Concrete countertop and integrated sink. Brass faucet, cabinet hardware, sconce, mirror frame and towel ring.
Designer: Eva LaRocque Interiors
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 21 square feet (2 square meters); 3 by 7 feet
Homeowners’ request. Add a small powder room during a full-house remodel and maximize the limited square footage.
Main feature. Terra-cotta backsplash tile. “From there we knew we wanted to continue the idea of all-natural materials,” designer Eva LaRocque says. “I think what made it all come together is that the pattern backsplash tile was enhanced by the other natural and earthy materials, which made the space feel organic [and] interesting and lended depth to an otherwise small powder bath.”
Other special features. Custom white oak vanity in a natural stain. Concrete countertop and integrated sink. Brass faucet, cabinet hardware, sconce, mirror frame and towel ring.
5. Lovely Lighting
Designer: Amy Troute with Kari Voegele (design assistant) of Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 48 square feet (4.5 square meters); 6 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This powder bath lives just off the main entry of the home — a modern, new-construction project,” designer Amy Troute says. “Like so many powder baths, it made sense to us and our clients to aim for a unique and memorable first impression.”
Main feature. “Because this was a new-construction project, we were able to control all of the elements in the space,” Troute says. “Early in the design process, we found great inspiration in the Sonneman Facets pendant light. The shape and suspension of the pendant led us to decisions like the dramatic geometric patterned wallpaper and the custom floating vanity.”
Other special features. Brass cabinet hardware and wall-mounted faucet. Quartz countertop and 4-inch backsplash.
Designer tip. “The asymmetry created by installing just one pendant — versus a pair — brought a real sense of intention to what could have otherwise been a cookie-cutter space,” Troute says. “In that same sense, using a full-height mirror mounted over the vanity is unexpected and really highlights the vaulted ceilings.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Hanging that massive mirror 10 feet off the ground over a floating vanity was a major challenge in such a small space,” Troute says. “A precarious puzzle of ladders, installers, designers and prayers.”
Wallpaper: Kusa by Thom Filicia in indigo, MDC Interior Solutions
More on Houzz
Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
Designer: Amy Troute with Kari Voegele (design assistant) of Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 48 square feet (4.5 square meters); 6 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This powder bath lives just off the main entry of the home — a modern, new-construction project,” designer Amy Troute says. “Like so many powder baths, it made sense to us and our clients to aim for a unique and memorable first impression.”
Main feature. “Because this was a new-construction project, we were able to control all of the elements in the space,” Troute says. “Early in the design process, we found great inspiration in the Sonneman Facets pendant light. The shape and suspension of the pendant led us to decisions like the dramatic geometric patterned wallpaper and the custom floating vanity.”
Other special features. Brass cabinet hardware and wall-mounted faucet. Quartz countertop and 4-inch backsplash.
Designer tip. “The asymmetry created by installing just one pendant — versus a pair — brought a real sense of intention to what could have otherwise been a cookie-cutter space,” Troute says. “In that same sense, using a full-height mirror mounted over the vanity is unexpected and really highlights the vaulted ceilings.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Hanging that massive mirror 10 feet off the ground over a floating vanity was a major challenge in such a small space,” Troute says. “A precarious puzzle of ladders, installers, designers and prayers.”
Wallpaper: Kusa by Thom Filicia in indigo, MDC Interior Solutions
More on Houzz
Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
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Would also love the link for mirror in photo 1.