Design Tips:
The Art of Powder Room
Creating a Lasting First Impression

By Olga Adler

As the holidays approach we entertain much more often than usual, so what better
time than now to get your “public” rooms ready for friends and family to admire?  A
powder room today is as much about style as it is about function, and it is a formal
room just like a living room or a library, so making sure that the guest powder room is in
top shape should be a priority in any well-appointed house.

No other room, with the possible exception of the foyer, is seen by guests more often
than a powder room. Visitors pay a lot of attention to how the room is decorated – and
your style and hospitality are on display.

Originally the anteroom of a women’s toilet, in which makeup and clothing were
adjusted, the expression “powder room” was later extended to a women’s toilet itself
and eventually used to describe a small first-floor toilet room in a house – a lavatory for
guests. But from the beginning a powder room was a special space, and once nicely
decorated it was a room that revealed a home owner’s style and taste.

The smallest space in a house, a powder room is easy to decorate on any budget. It is
also the easiest space if you would like to experiment with color, texture and patterns.
Quite often it is the “bravest” room in an otherwise “safe” house. Many homeowners
choose to make a big statement and turn their powder room into real jewel box.  

The quickest fix for a tired powder room is a new wall treatment: whether it is a solid
paint in a dramatic color, faux finish or wallpaper it is the easiest change you can
make. Large, dramatic patterns work well in small rooms, making them appear larger as
opposed to small-scale patterns. Any kind of glossy finish will also do the trick – an
oversized damask pattern featuring both large scale and sheen variations comes to
mind as a perfect solution. Do not be afraid of dark colors; they make for dramatic
statements in small spaces. And don’t forget about the ceiling, so often overlooked and
painted a boring white – try applying a high gloss finish for a unique and stylish look.

A large pedestal sink or antique vanity is great choice for a powder room. Pair it with a
handsome faucet in a finish coordinated with light fixtures and you’ve established the
“great bones” of an elegant powder room. Speaking of lighting, a unique chandelier
and/or recessed lighting should be accompanied by vanity sconces that ban harsh
shadows and help fulfill a powder room’s original function – applying or correcting
makeup.

Speaking of functionality, a beautiful mirror has an obvious practical purpose, but it
can also create interesting visual effects when it reflects the space with its colors,
textures and light – and makes a small room feel more spacious.

If your powder room has windows, well-designed window treatments are critical for
powder room décor.  They control the natural light and provide privacy but, first and
foremost, they are another very important style element in a room. Fabric shades and
valances – simple in form but in dramatic fabrics – are my personal favorite.

Keep your powder room warm and cozy with dimmed lights, fragrant candles, fresh
guest soaps and thick hand towels. In my powder rooms, guests will also find a bottle of
hand lotion, very delicate perfume, Q-tips and scented loose powder.

I was at a party recently at the home of a friend who recently moved into her new
quarters, so the guests were curious to see how she transformed the space. She is an
artist and one of the most creative people I know, so together with the other guests I
wandered from room to room in awe – she did such a great job! And then we opened
the powder room door… it was the most beautiful room is the whole house with perfect
lighting, absolutely stunning drapes and so many creative touches this column is too
short to list. As I am writing this several weeks later I still can’t get that room out of my
head!

So, get to work, make your powder room truly special, and start some positive word of
mouth among your friends this holiday season.


Olga Adler is an interior designer with design studio in Ridgefield. Her company Olga
Adler Interiors is dedicated to life-style driven design. You can email your questions or
comments to: olga@olgaadlerinteriors.com or call 203-438-4743.