And let’s face it: Most guests will never enter your master bedroom or your master bath. But almost everyone makes a visit to the powder room at one time or another. It’s a great place to “show off” a bit or to make a statement. Here are a few ideas.
Optical illusions of grandeur: There are some tricks you can employ to make this tiny room appear bigger than it is. One idea is to use high-gloss finishes to reflect both natural and artificial light in the room. Glass, lacquer or metallic surfaces are great for that. You can also give the impression of a taller room by drawing guests’ eyes upward with a distinctively shaped mirror. Installing decorative paneling on the lower portions of the wallsalso adds to the illusion of a more vertical room.
Be bold: Sometimes homeowners are a little hesitant to use rich, bold, contrasting colors and patterns in such a small space because they’re afraid it will be overwhelming. In fact, the opposite is often true. And you might think that a large picture would be out of place in a small space—but it can actually create a powerful impact.
More than a “necessary” room: We all know why this room exists. It’s kind of hard to ignore the toilet that dominates the landscape. But if you can add free-standing furniture (such as a really slim console table) it makes this space feel more like a real room and not just a “water closet.”
Floor your guests: Because of the small area, you may want to try some unusual flooring materials—things that might be a bit expensive if you bought lots of it. Also, because you don’t have to worry about water from a shower, you might want to try a premium hardwood floor.
Have fun with your powder room! Make it a place your guests will remember.