Bold Pattern + Variety of Materials + Modern Durability = The Perfect Powder Room
Powder rooms are small but mighty spaces. You can do a lot with just a little bit of square footage and make a big impact with bold choices you otherwise wouldn’t implement in other, larger rooms.
Local designer Carrie Parker, of Carrie Parker Interiors, shows us how to create the perfect powder room with tips for maximizing the space you have and design choices you make.
“I love bold elements in a powder room, though it’s important to find a balance between them so that details don’t overpower each other,” says Parker. “I tend to like bold wallpaper with more subtle light fixtures and mirrors. I think a dramatic stone sink or detailed wood vanity is best paired with quiet walls and flooring.”
And because powder rooms are typically on the smaller side, the design usually allows for interesting materials that may otherwise be cost prohibitive in larger bathrooms. So, go for it.
Powder Rooms of a Different Color
Although there is a formula for creating the overall perfect powder room as seen above, each one is unique thanks to the design choices made.
- In this powder room, she used faux wood tile on the vanity wall. “This bathroom is a very high-traffic space, so I wanted all of the elements to be durable,” Parker says. “I think the tile helped achieve a beautiful look without any delicate features.”
- ”White penny wall tile with blue grout was chosen for the backsplash in this powder room. “The blue grout really pops and adds an unexpected element to the space,” Parker says. “It’s fun and always makes me smile when I enter this room.”
- Designed to bring drama and color, this powder room features a custom brass sink base with marble. “I added great Emma Hayes wallpaper to the space to add drama and used brass fixtures to bring in some warmth,” Parker adds.
- There are no windows in this powder room, so Parker decided to embrace the lack of natural light and create a dramatic space with dark Thibaut wallpaper and bold brass fixtures. The finished look is bold and moody.
- A cement sink is just one of the durable fixtures in this powder room designed for a busy family. “I love the shape of the ceramic wall tiles that bring pattern to the space, while the California Faucets black wall mount faucet brings a cool, modern detail to the room,” she says.
Functionality vs. Pretty
“Powder rooms can be a great space for high-impact design, but you must consider the traffic and usability of the space,” Parker says. “It’s not all about making it beautiful.”
She adds that if the space is going to be used every day by small children, you will want to consider the materials you choose. “You may want a faucet finish that won’t show fingerprints like satin or nickel or matte black. You also may want to consider stain-treating any uncoated wallpapers to improve durability.”
Storage is another consideration. “Open wash basin sinks or floating custom integrated sinks are very popular, but probably not the right choice if you want to store more than toilet paper in a bathroom,” she says.
If storage isn’t an issue for you, then you can and should consider a floating vanity or open sink base. “The space will feel larger if you can maximize the exposed floor tile,” she adds.
Lighting is another area that differs from full bath to half bath. “Unlike lighting a full bath, bright full-room light is not my priority,” Parker says. “Wall sconces bring a muted ambient light to a space that really accentuates the vibe.”
The Team
Designer: Carrie Parker
Stylist: Anna Molvik
Related: This Scarsdale Bathroom Renovation Is Sophisticated and Zen
