The bathroom can be one of the busiest places in your home. Professional interior remodelers can make sure to design and build it according to the family’s needs and preferences. The same goes for half baths or powder rooms as they’re typically dedicated for guests in your home. But whether yours is simple or grand, it must be designed to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation without losing its practicality.
The powder room may be smaller in terms of space, but if you’re planning to renovate it, you should aim to provide the features necessary to make it presentable and functional to anyone who’s using it. You also shouldn’t put too many elements that can overcrowd the interior space. For instance, you can stock up on liquid and bar soap if you have the storage for it, but if the space is limited to towels, use hooks instead of bars to hang them.
If you’ve never redesigned your powder room before, it helps understand how it functions a bit differently from a full bathroom. Here’s what you need to know.
Why It’s Called a Powder Room
More commonly known as guest baths and half baths, powder rooms are usually found on the main level of your home. In the 1920s, it was considered improper for women to use the full bathroom for certain needs, such as applying makeup. Instead, they would use what was dubbed as the “powder room” since this is where they would apply more powder to their faces.
Of course, the term “powder room” is still used today, but its features and functions are essentially the same as a half-bathroom. What differentiates it from a typical half-bath is that it’s designed to be easily accessed and used by guests to touch up their appearance. Women also still use this room to apply and fix their makeup when needed. It’s also a term that’s still in circulation to differentiate a full bathroom that can also be located at the main level of your home.
What You’ll Find in a Modern Powder Room
The powder room is essentially a secondary bathroom for your guests to use when they visit your home. It’s designed smaller than normal bathrooms because it doesn’t have a shower or bathtub. And since it’s sometimes called a guest bath, it’s often designed mainly to accommodate the guests when you have them over for a get-together or a party.
When remodeling the powder room, it must only have two components – the sink and toilet. The room can also have a vanity as part of the interior design, which can be as simple as a mirror on top of a sink. This is necessary because it will be the main feature used by guests for their grooming.
Do You Need a Powder Room?
Normally, the powder room isn’t used by the members of the household. But they still serve as a convenience in case some family members need to touch up or groom themselves right before leaving for school or work.
If you’re someone who likes to entertain guests, host family gatherings or even invite neighbors each weekend for a meal, then a powder room is essential for your home. If you don’t have one yet, you can still discuss with your trusted remodeler if your current layout can accommodate it. If you already have one, you can consider renovating it according to your needs and preferences. After all, you’ll always need an extra bathroom especially if you have guests over for a party!
Powder Room Remodeling Do’s and Don’ts
If you’re planning on remodeling your powder room, make sure to work with a professional who has the right expertise for the job. Although the space is smaller than a full bathroom, don’t think that a DIY approach is enough for the job. Even if you have some experience in home improvement, you still won’t guarantee a successful renovation. Here are a few other do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
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Focus on simple interiors. Unless you’re aiming for a luxurious interior design, a powder room doesn’t have to overly impress your guests as long as the features and functions are already covered. You can do this by minimizing the items and products to keep the room more spacious and clutter-free.
Also, don’t consider adding rugs and carpeting to your powder room interior as they can be difficult to clean and maintain. This is because of how much moisture they can retain through their fabric, which can easily lead to mold and mildew growth and result in allergy triggers and other respiratory problems. Consider using machine-washable mats instead as they’re typically designed for bathrooms.
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Don’t forget about functionality. A powder room must be very functional to make the most out of the limited space. Doing this also ensures you add more convenience to your guests. For instance, consider installing a vessel sink so that you get extra counter space as well as a dresser vanity for additional storage. You can even add a storage closet or a bench by the door depending on how you want to accommodate your guests!
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Incorporate glass and mirrors. If you want to make your powder room look bigger, you can incorporate a few large mirrors into the interior space. A glass sink can also be worth the investment as it won’t just make the room more spacious, but also evoke a sense of elegance and sophistication. You can even install a mirror with a cabinet for extra storage.
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Use towel bars. Install oversized hooks instead of bars so that towels dry faster while also looking less messy. It also saves a bit of space for other components to add to the interiors.
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Keep the floor clean and spacious. As much as possible, try to free up the floor space when remodeling your powder room. This will help make it look bigger to your guests when they use it. This can be achieved in several ways, but installing a floating vanity is often one of the most effective. This is also recommended if you’re planning to redo your flooring with a beautiful tile design.
AllPoint Construction is a family-owned business that always makes sure to get the job done on time and within budget. Because of our dedication to quality, more and more homeowners in the area trust us to take care of their home improvement needs. So, if you’re planning a full bathroom renovation this summer, call us today at (734) 407-7110 to get started! You can also fill out our convenient online contact form.
