I simply love powder rooms. I read somewhere that they are the “jewel box” of a home. What a great metaphor. Typically tiny, a powder room is an ideal place to showcase treasures and indulge your senses – and because of the size – it’s often a quick and affordable space to redecorate. Here are some of my favourite ideas to make your powder room an itty bitty haven:Theme. A powder room is an ideal space to create a theme. A touch of the ocean (sea shells, soft blues, classic stripes), maybe an African look (black and gold, animal print, tribal masks), or Zen (a stone Buddha, tiny tea light candles, a rattan blind). Don’t go overboard – you want charming, not cheesy.

Walls. Don’t be shy. Paint a deep rich colour like terra cotta or navy blue or brown. Or try bright yellow. Better yet, powder rooms are a great place for wallpaper. Go bold, try a daring print – or even textured paper. Dramatic!The Ceiling. If you paint your walls, try wall papering your ceiling. Or try painting your ceiling in a complementary colour to your walls. A warm, pale pink ceiling is gorgeous and will give your guests a glow in the mirror. Another cool idea is to paper the ceiling with plain embossed wall paper and then paint. I did mine with pewter finish paint and it looks amazing.

Mirror. If your walls are patterned, a strong simple mirror may be best, but otherwise, make your mirror a focal point. Choose something exotic like bamboo or Asian inspired design or an ornate design with gold brushing. Maybe a circle or oval? Or a very tall, slimmer mirror? Or perhaps a series of mirrors?Black and White. Looks so sophisticated. Picture black and white wall paper, white fixtures and perhaps just a splash of colour on your towels.

The Sink. There are so many choices available. Because the room is not “heavy duty”, you can choose something small and stylish. Bowl and vessel sinks are trendy choices. The classic pedestal sink is always in style and works well in a small space.Vanity. Again, the sky is the limit. An idea I like is to convert an antique dresser into a vanity. It takes a little savvy, but the outcome is worth it. You will have a one-of-a-kind piece!

Lighting. Pendant lights look fabulous in a small place. Using two small pendant lights on either side of the sink is a fresh option. Sconces also work. Or try a tiny crystal chandelier to add sparkle and luxury.

Accessories. Splurge on the best for your powder room –soft towels; a quality towel ring, tissue holder and soap dispensers, etc. A thoughtful idea is to add some high-end hand moisturizer for your guests in a beautiful scent like lavender. And candles are always welcome. During a party I light a candle in the powder room for the entire evening. Crystal candle holders look especially nice when reflected in the mirror.

Table or Chair. If you have room for a chair, lovely. Even a tiny chair with a fabulous print adds so much charm. A tiny accent table with a plant or fresh flowers is also a welcome addition. Lots of room? Add an antique wash stand with a traditional wash basin and pitcher – wow!

For such a small space, there’s so much you can do! I hope you’ve found some inspiration here to trigger your imagination!

Tags: decor