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Once a small space to powder the ornate wigs of 18th-century Europe, ‘powder rooms’ these days are petite and practical visitor bathrooms with a vanity and toilet, but without baths or showers. They are often tucked away on the main level of a home where most entertaining occurs.
These small spaces allow for bold design and décor and are a great place for your favourite colour, pattern or texture. Want to give your powder room a dash of panache? We’re sharing expert D.I.Y. tips.
You don’t need to worry about bold colours in a contemporary powder room because you can always change the colour if your passion for a particular hue wanes. Pink, jewel tones and even black and gold can all grace the walls here to stunning effect. Powder rooms often have limited light, which allows you to be daring with paint colours, says Dulux colour expert Andrea Lucena-Orr.
“Why not do something exciting on the walls such as a deep blue, like Dulux ‘Snap-Shot’ or ‘Surf’n’Dive’? You could also go with some subtle warmth such as gentle pink Dulux ‘Mornington Half’,” she suggests.
When adding colour, keep in mind that warmer hues work well with bathroom fittings and accessories in brushed brass or copper, while cooler colours are well suited to black, brushed titanium or pewter tapware. “Natural, earth-based colours such as subtle greens, browns and warm clays will allow your space to develop a sense of balance and tranquillity,” Andrea says.
Bring in glamour and designer punch with bold and stylish tiles – full accent wall tiles and patterned floors are great options to boost the wow factor in your powder room. If the makeover budget is limited, half-wall tiling from the sink to the ground is an option to bring visual interest to a blank space.
On smaller budgets, make the pièce de résistance the splashback, a place where guests have a moment to pause and admire the details as they use the sink or vanity. Tiles in metallics and jewel tones lend a luxurious feel, while marble has timeless appeal. Tiling the space in all black or red gives a daring and dramatic impact, while geometrics add a modern vibe.
Small details (such as toiletries, plush hand towels in matching colours, a scented candle and indoor plants) can help make pint-sized powder rooms feel more inviting to guests. With space at a premium, house these on a small, strategically placed shelf.
If ever there was a part of your home to let your design dreams run wild, it’s your guest washroom. Lighting is key. Here’s the place to have a licensed electrician install that to-die-for chandelier, showstopping pendant or stylish sconce. Ideally, you’ll have lights on either side of the mirror (or one above if space is an issue) for guests to freshen up, and one dimmer light overhead for ambience.
If there’s enough room, consider replacing a pedestal sink with a bathroom vanity. This offers storage solutions and can also serve as a design focal point, says Jo Ingleton at Cibo. “It will help take the focus away from a centrally positioned toilet that likely faces the entry door,” she says.
Flair can be added with a stylish countertop basin, installed by a licensed plumber. “The fixtures, fittings and tiles can then be selected to complement the standout basin,” says Jo.
Here’s an idea for a modern powder room design: wide-framed mirrors that double as art, especially if there’s space around them for decorative elements such as metallic finishes, glass mosaics or tiles. Round and square mirrors fit most spaces, but this is a place where you can try something rectangular, oval, or even irregular or custom-made.
If there’s a place to try wallpaper for the first time, a powder room is it. Pattern and colour can have intense mood-enhancing properties, and adding pattern to a wall instantly ups the welcoming atmosphere says Superfresco Easy trends and design expert Paula Taylor. “It can be used to express the personality of the homeowner, or to create a calming, neutral environment for all to feel comfortable in,” she says.
Brave choices may be bold in colour and design but – for a safer selection – soft hues, florals and fauna will add more low-key personality.
Tip: Powder room wallpaper should last if not exposed to splashes from the basin, but it isn’t recommended for humid areas such as full bathrooms with showers.
Paint colours may vary on application.
Check out our guide to give your bathroom an affordable new look.
Photo Credit: GAP Interiors, Bureaux, Getty Images, Superfresco Easy, Dulux Australia/Lisa Cohen
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
