A Hidden Jewel In Home Decorating, The Powder Room

Typically a small space consisting of just a sink and toilet, you most likely know them by a more common term "half-bath" or "guest bath.

Ever wonder where the term "powder room" came from? It's derived from Victorian times, when women needed to "powder their noses".

Why consider them a jewel when it comes to decorating, also why bother decorating them, it is after all only a bathroom.

A bathroom is a room in your home, in fact depending on the number of baths you have it can become a public room, which means from time to time other people besides yourself will be passing through. So why not dress it up, even if guest only use it occasionally make it pretty for you.

Due to their size, a complete make over can be done in as little as a weekend and at little cost. This is also what makes them a jewel; being small you can really have fun decorating them, plus by not requiring a big budget you're able to change the look more often.

The following are a few ideas to get started with. Start with the walls. Paint, wallpaper, stenciling what ever treatment you like. With the small size of the room, the cost will be a lot lower.

Here is the perfect opportunity to experiment with bolder colors, some type of theme or maybe you've been dying to try one of the many painting techniques.

Using a theme to decorate the bath can be really fun. If your not sure what to use take a look around your home for inspiration. It could be an extension of a collection you may have or a take off on a vacation.

Example of a theme, based on a vacation: Do you love the beach and vacation each year at the ocean? If so here is your inspiration. Use a wallpaper border around the room with shells or boats on it. Hunt around discount stores, flea markets or garage sales for beach related accessories; use a lightweight natural color window treatment. But before you purchase anything new, take a walk around the house, if you love the beach chances are you may already have items that you can use.

Add some sparkle with a new light fixture, mirror or towel racks in finishes of chrome, gold and bronze.

With limited floor space, look for storage solutions that perform double duty. Shelves with a towel rack provide not only a place to hang pretty towels; it's the perfect place for extra toiletries and accessories.

New flooring can add drama however; if this is not currently in the budget an area rug in a bold color or a geometric pattern will do the trick.

Of course a complete make over is not always necessary, sometimes just simple changes could be all that's needed. How about a vase of fresh flowers, some new towels, a whimsical piece of art or new window treatments.

Have some fun - get creative ? and turn that often passed over half-bath into something special. Let it become the jewel in your home decorating projects box.

This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2004 bonnie carrier

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Having been a homemaker for over 23yrs has provided years of experience in budget decorating and organization. Stop by Savvy Home Decorating -http://www.savvy-home-decorating.com - for ideas and tips on budget decorating:

---

An Introduction to Shutters

Window shutters can serve many purposes. In areas of the... Read More

Conservatory Furniture - Hints and Tips

No conservatory is complete without beautiful conservatory furniture to relax... Read More

An Inspirational Poster Can Really Help!

An inspirational poster can really inspire us!Its benefits to us... Read More

Bathroom Vanity Lights: Tips Before Buying Vanity Bathroom Lights

Bathroom vanity lights are often overlooked in a bathroom. Artificial... Read More

Childrens Furniture

Children's bedroom furniture and nursery furniture can help turn a... Read More

Home Decorating & The Smaller Place

"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More

An Introduction to Air Purifiers

Air purifiers have been around in various forms since the... Read More

Lamp Shades Decorate a Room

When redecorating a room, don't forget about your lighting. While... Read More

The Power of Candlelight

In this day and age, everything is about health and... Read More

How to Decorate Spaces for People

When it comes to decorating your home, forget about the... Read More

Contemporary Rugs Can Transform a Room

When tackling a do-it-yourself home decorating project, you can use... Read More

Update Your Home Decor Using Colorful Rugs

Retro, checks, black and white...looks like MOD is back. A... Read More

The Importance of Bunk Bed Mattresses

Bunk bed mattresses are perhaps the most important kind of... Read More

Putting Passion Back Into Home Decorating

For most people, they can count the times they redecorate... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Glassware

Antique glassware needs a gentle hand. This month we'll give... Read More

Granite Tile Countertops

The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More

Refinishing Hardwood Floors

The quality of the wear layer determines frequency of refinishing... Read More

A Brief History of Wedgwood China

The story of the line begins in 1730 with the... Read More

Home Decor Accessories - How to Create a New Look in a Room

Apart from complimenting your newly painted walls with soft furnishings... Read More

Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference?

The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference... Read More

Country Home Decorating ? Country Style Home Decor the Way Life Used to Be

What is the lure and appeal of country home decorating?... Read More

Turning Your Childs Room into a Mysterious Jungle

(When designing a child's room, you want to create an... Read More

Oriental Area Rugs - Know Before You Buy an Oriental Rug

Did you know that you can usually tell the country... Read More

A Look at Custom Roman Shades

Roman shades are a classic window treatment. They are simple,... Read More

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities

Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come... Read More