Primp Your Powder Room on a Shoestring
Small budgets and small powder rooms are made for each other, with inexpensive mirrors, wall coverings and accessories that flatter
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Of all the interior spaces to decorate, powder rooms might be my favorite. They're so small and manageable that it doesn't take a ton of effort or cash to give them a style boost, and they're a fun place for experimenting with bold patterns, intense colors or quirky accents that you might be reluctant to use in a larger, more public space.
These smart strategies and inexpensive product picks are tailor made for revamping a powder room without a major investment. What favorites have you found on the market? Let us know in the Comments!
More: 10 Jewel Box Powder Rooms
These smart strategies and inexpensive product picks are tailor made for revamping a powder room without a major investment. What favorites have you found on the market? Let us know in the Comments!
More: 10 Jewel Box Powder Rooms
by Kasey Buick
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Hang beautiful hand towels. I know — almost no guests will actually use them. That shouldn't stop you from topping off a powder room sink with embroidered, monogrammed, patterned or finely textured linens. Choose stylish towel rings and bars to set them off.
This quartet of Turkish towels comes with its own button-bedecked basket for storage. How pretty would it look on a marine-blue or whitewashed shelf or étagère?
by Pottery Barn
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A scaled-down suzani motif gives these classic monogrammed hand towels a global spin.
Why should kitchens have all the fun? Tea towels such as this one pinch hit as powder room linens. The eucalyptus print would suit a modern or minimalist space well, but it wouldn't feel out of place in a cottage or transitional bath.
Add an eye-catching mirror. The right mirror can turn an everyday bath into a showplace. It's a major element of the decor, so pick one that sets the tone you're after.
The jaunty bird perched on this simple round mirror, pitch perfect for a cottage or rustic bathroom, transforms it from serviceable to standout.
This hardworking model incorporates slim storage shelves and a towel bar right in the design. Use it in an extra-tiny powder room, where every inch is precious.
The baroque flourishes and creamy finish of this mirror would elevate a traditional space — and can you believe that price tag? If you choose an ornate piece such as this, keep the rest of the decor relatively simple so that busy motifs don't overwhelm the room.
Roll out a cozy rug. Because powder rooms generally lack showers, you can stray from typical moisture-wicking bath mats. Any sturdy style, even a dhurrie or kilim, works well.
by Serena & Lily
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Vivid stripes and flirty fringe on these versatile rugs add ample character without going over the top.
by Anthropologie
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The sculptural damask shape and intricate detailing of this mat would look so elegant in a formal space.
by Garnet Hill
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Cheerful stripes, sweetly scalloped trim and a classic oval shape combine for a scrumptious piece of eye candy. I could see these rugs in a beach house powder bath.
Invest in pretty accessories. Details always matter, especially in a pint-size room. Counter space in powder baths is limited or nonexistent, so make soap dishes, trays and other accents count.
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by rwoodstudio.com
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| Available in a broad spectrum of colors, this ceramic soap dish bears the unmistakable touch of an artisan's hand. |
by jayesstudio.com
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I'm mad about the one-two punch of zingy pink and sassy chevrons on this hand towel tray. You also might use it to corral niceties for party guests.
Try this space-saving soap and lotion dispenser on a pedestal sink without a lot of room for bottles and jars.
Don't forget the wastebasket. It's not the most glamorous element, but you've gotta have one. The good news: There are so many attractive options nowadays that there's no reason to settle for a utilitarian model.
This triangular wastebasket in a subtle weave tucks easily into a tight corner.
Cute-as-a-button monogrammed cans add a little flounce and flair to a breezy bath. They'd be ideal for a kids' room as well.
by Jonathan Adler
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The lines may be basic, but brilliant tomato red makes this wastebasket anything but bland.
Spark walls with punchy paper. Because it has so little wall space, a powder room can handle a pattern with a large scale, lots of color and movement or a hint of whimsy. If covering the entire room feels too intense, paper one accent wall and paint the other ones.
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| This sun and moon print has a playful side, yet it remains mysterious and dreamy. A few gold accents, such as hardware or countertop accessories, would catch and enhance the gold notes in the pattern. |
A variegated stripe gains depth from its faint background pattern. Too much of this would be overkill, but it can give a tiny bath the personality it needs.
Ideabook published on Sept. 10, 2012.
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Thank you so much for including my Powder Room design in your piece! Wow, so very much appreciated and truly flattering...The others are all beautiful - my little room is in great company!
Susan Deneau
One trick we love to use is to make sure the powder room has a focal point. It may be the mirror (love the brass bird mirror BTW) or a wall with tile, wallpaper (see elephant wallpaper in the attached image) or super-sexy accent lighting.