If you're throwing a dinner party or hosting a summer barbecue, your guests may not see your master suite or your den, but they're likely to visit your powder room. The prominence of a powder room is one reason many homeowners want theirs to make a strong design statement. Adding a powder room or remodeling an existing one is an opportunity to impress visitors with materials and fixtures -- not just any sink and faucet will do.
Play up texture.
Wall coverings are back in style. Make a statement with new textural designs.
Consider scale.
When choosing a vanity, mirror, or other fixture, make sure it suits a small room. A toilet with a lower tank also can make a small room feel larger.
Pick a good location.
Placing a new powder room above or below an existing bathroom will simplify plumbing hookups and cut down on cost. But keep the powder room away from the home's entry; you don't want visitors greeted by the flush of a toilet.
Add drama.
A powder room sink doesn't need to stand up to the daily wear and tear of sinks in other bathrooms. Go ahead and choose a glass vessel sink.
Light it up.
Incorporate several sources of lighting, including sconces that provide adequate lighting for applying makeup. Install a dimmer so a light can be left on when you entertain.
Make use of molding.
Install crown molding or a chair rail to imbue a note of formality. Adding cove lighting 6-8 inches off the ceiling and behind the crown molding gives the ceiling a beautiful glow.
Remember ventilation.
Because powder rooms often do not have a window, ventilation is very important.
