Powder-room pizzazz

THESE DECORATING IDEAS WILL HELP TAKE YOUR SMALLEST SPACE FROM DRAB TO FAB!

Words CAROLINE BOTTING

Splash out with paint

Colour nerves needn’t be an issue in a powder room – just think, it won’t take long to change it if your passion for, say, passionfruit hues wanes! Pink, bold jewel tones and even black and gold can all grace the walls here to stunning effect. These rooms often have limited light which allows you to be daring with colour, says Dulux colour expert Andrea Lucena-Orr. “Why not do something exciting on the walls such as a deep blue, like Dulux Snap-Shot or Surf’n’Dive? You could also go with some subtle warmth such as gentle pink Dulux Mornington Half,” she suggests. When adding colour, Andrea says to keep in mind that warmer hues work well with fittings in brushed brass or copper, while cooler colours are well suited to black, brushed titanium or pewter tapware.

Tile with style

Add finishing touches

Even small details, such as toiletries, plush hand towels in matching colours, a scented candle and indoor plants, can all help make this pint-sized room feel more inviting. With space at a premium, house these on a small, strategically placed shelf.

Bring in glamour and designer punch with tiles – full accent walls and patterned floors are great options to boost the wow factor. If the budget is limited, half-wall tiling from the sink to the ground is an option to bring visual interest to a blank space. On even smaller budgets, make the pièce de résistance the splashback, a place where guests have a moment to pause and admire the details. Tiles in metallics and jewel tones lend a luxurious feel, while marble has timeless appeal. Tiling the space in all black or red gives a daring and dramatic impact, and geometrics add a modern vibe.

Artificial flowers – sitting in water to look even more convincing – make a low-maintenance styling hack

LEFT Superfresco Easy ‘Ledgestone’ wallpaper has the look of hewn rock but in a smooth, wipeable finish

Hang paper that pops

If there’s a place to try wallpaper for the first time, a powder room is it! Superfresco Easy trends and design expert Paula Taylor says that as pattern and colour can have intense mood-enhancing properties, adding pattern to a wall instantly ups the welcoming atmosphere. “It can be used to express the personality of the homeowner, or to create a calming, neutral environment for all to feel comfortable in,” she says. Brave choices may be bold in colour and design but, for a safer selection, soft hues, florals and fauna will add more low-key personality. Wallpaper should last if not exposed to splashes from the basin, but it isn’t recommended for humid areas such as full bathrooms with showers.

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Turn on the light fantastic

Here’s the place to have a licensed electrician install that to-die-for chandelier, showstopping pendant or stylish sconce. Ideally, you’ll have lights on either side of the mirror (or one above if space is an issue) for guests to freshen up, and one dimmer light overhead for ambience.

Switch focus to a vanity

If there’s enough room, consider replacing a pedestal sink with a vanity. This provides storage and can also serve as a design focal point, says Jo Ingleton at Cibo. “It will help take the focus away from a centrally positioned toilet that likely faces the entry door,” she says. Flair can be added with a stylish countertop basin, installed by a licensed plumber. “The fixtures, fittings and tiles can then be selected to complement the standout basin,” says Jo.

Mix it up with mirrors

Wide-framed mirrors double as art, with space around them for decorative elements such as metallic finishes, glass mosaics or tiles. Round and square mirrors fit most spaces, but this is a place where you can try something rectangular, oval, or even irregular or custom-made.

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1 Decor8 Tiles 315mm x 310mm x 5mm gloss ceramic penny mosaic tiles in Black, $8.70, I/N: 6661851. 2 Superfresco Easy ‘Adilah’ 52cm wallpaper in Dark, $89.80/10m, I/N: 0171026†. 3 Home Design ‘Globo’ wall light, $69, I/N: 0332504 (globe sold separately). 4 Living Elements ‘Oblong’ 750mm x 500mm x 26mm framed mirror in Black, $109.96, I/N: 0225479. 5 Cibo Design round thin edge ceramic basin in Light Grey, $260, I/N: 0247081. 6 Caroma ‘Luna’ WELS 6-star 4.5L/min basin mixer in Brushed Brass, $201, I/N: 0334458†. 7 Cibo Design ‘Coast’ 600mm veneer full height vanity in Nordic with countertop basin in Light Grey/White, $797, I/N: 0280656† (tapware sold separately). 8 Decor8

Tiles ‘Barcelona’ 200mm x 200mm matt floor and wall tiles in Portsea Sky (four shown), $4.90 each, I/N: 0289681. 9 Flexi Storage ‘Decorative Shelving’ 600mm x 240mm x 38mm floating shelf in Black, $39.18, I/N: 2580896. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Before firing up power tools, make sure you’re armed with the appropriate safety equipment, such as eye and ear protection and a mask