Bathroom Design
Powder Rooms for Dudes
Ah, the powder room. Simply the name makes most dudes cringe with thoughts of fluffy pillows, ultra-feminine accents and a can’t-touch-this aesthetic. But in reality, a powder room is just a half bathroom. And any man can (and should) realize this is an important room for visitors to his home … be it a fellow guy, gal or unexpected drop-in. So from subway tiles to vintage mirrors, picture frames to concrete sinks, I give you 9 powder rooms a guy can be proud of:
Everything in this photo works on a classic level but what really caught my eye was the side table of accessories, and the old-school bar soap on the sink. All the photos in this idea book beautifully show off well-designed bathrooms, but sometimes we forget people actually need to use them, not just look at them. This is simply and tastefully done.
We forget that photos look good in every room in the house, even bathrooms. If you can't fill up two walls with personal photos, a small arrangement of frames will add a classic, masculine factor. The photos here blend perfectly with the antique mirror, gold trim along the ceiling and woven basket of towels.
Flowers in a bathroom might seem feminine on the surface, but don't be afraid to be bold (as in uniqueness, not volume). I love the color and shape of this red flower. Its vase pairs with the modern sink, and its stem gravitates you towards the small ink well with aroma sticks on the shelf.
An easy way to make a bathroom neutral to both genders is by going with a minimalist, modern theme, as it allows for a slick aesthetic or industrial accents. I love this concrete wash basin—it's like a farmhouse sink that's bigger and tougher. The shapely wall spout and round inverted doorknobs make a statement without taking away from the sink.
A mirror alone can instantly help in making a powder room more masculine. And there is no better way to add warmth and character than with a distinct or vintage mirror. This mirror got my attention with a horizontal hanging. And from afar, it also looks as if the top edges have started to wear which adds character.
What's not to love about this powder room? The all white subway tiles, the hand towels that look like they could have come from the YMCA circa 1955, and a no-nonsense sink with exposed pipework below. I would love to incorporate any of these aspects in my bathroom.
A great way to put a masculine stamp on a bathroom is to keep shiny stuff to a minimum, yet still go with high quality hardware. In this photo, the backing tile, the faucet, even the "H" and "C" stamped on the handles are all very elegant but muted in plain tones. Guys will think it's rugged, ladies will think you have taste.
Maps are one of the coolest ways to give instant character to any wall space, no matter what room you're dealing with. But the brightness in this photo shows that colorful bathrooms can also be guy-friendly. I chose a vivid, avocado green to match my white tile and slate floors, and it's always gotten compliments from gals and gents alike.