Wednesday, September 4, 2002

Personalization can make your powder room popular

The powder room is the only room in the house that is used as private space in a public area. This small but important room is often overlooked as an area where a little personalization can add to the design.

The powder room and its design are so important that the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has added a powder room category to its annual design competition. The design competition provides the industry with a barometer for what's hot in the design industry.

Here are some of the powder room trends evident from the 2002 NKBA competition entrants.

1) Personalize and theme your powder room. One of the easiest ways to make your powder room memorable is to add a personal touch. Using colorful wallpaper, unique artwork, and distinctive displays make your room much more than a toilet and a sink. The design competition entries have ranged from animal to oriental to tropical themes. Fifty percent of the entries used themes as design elements.

2) Use pedestal, wall-hung or freestanding bowls atop of washstands. Typical cabinets and vanities tend to take up extra space; the pedestal, wall-hung and freestanding bowl styles serve the same purpose, while providing a space-saving, fashionable alternative.

3) Look for unique storage options. Don't overlook the wall space above the toilet. Wire or glass shelves can offer ample storage and still provide an open look. Door mounted spice racks can hold a multitude of small bathroom products, as can shallow niches created between wall studs.

4) Utilize properly fitted wall-mount light sconces. Wall-mounts provide adequate light without overwhelming the room. The sconces should be properly fitted and not extend past the end of the sink. Hanging pendant-style lights and ceiling-mounts may also provide acceptable options if designed properly. Seventy percent of the NKBA designed powder rooms incorporate wall-mount sconces.

5) Install pocket doors. Pocket doors eliminate the need to design the extra space necessary for a hinged door.

6) Add mirrors to the design. Mirrors help to provide the illusion of a larger room. Ninety percent of the NKBA designed powder rooms use mirrors as a focal design element.

These ideas can make your powder room into a functional and fashionable luxury. NKBA Members are the finest professionals in the industry and can help to make your dream a reality. To find a member near you or to receive your free Kitchen and Bath Workbook, call (877) NKBA-PRO or visit www.nkba.org.

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