We’re sharing the powder room inspiration before we begin renovating!
The renovation of the guest bedroom has been finished, and I’m now on the hunt for new furniture to complete it. I had sold all of the old furniture that was in the guest bedroom, so I’m starting with a clean slate.
In the meantime, hubby and I have decided to move on to the next room on the list which is a small powder room that sits in the laundry/mud room, just off the kitchen.
It’s such a small bath and it was very difficult to photograph, but hopefully you can get an idea of what it looks like now.
It’s definitely a throw back to 1972!
It’s a tiny space but it does have a walk in shower, which is probably why it’s a little cramped.
The floor and walls are covered in 1970’s blue tile and a pink foil wallpaper.
And of course, it has the ever so lovely popcorn ceiling.
After renovating seventy five percent of our vintage home, the renovation budget is getting pretty thin.
I’m going to have to really work some magic in this room for as little expense as possible, and I have quite a few ideas rolling around in my head.
I’ve been perusing powder rooms on Pinterest for inspiration, and I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.
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I absolutely love this powder room…..it hits all the sweet spots in my French loving heart.
There isn’t a thing I would change.
I wish I could twitch my nose, or snap my fingers, and have my little bath miraculously look like this!
via Pinterest
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This powder room is quite similar in style as the one above…..very French Country.
I love the pale blue walls, and the distressed cabinet.
I’m also loving the matching lamps.
Unfortunately, the sink cabinet in our powder room is very small and tight so this wouldn’t work, but I love the colors used.
via Segreto Finishes
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This gorgeous French powder room is from one of my favorite bloggers, Courtney at French Country Cottage.
She has exquisite taste and such an eye for detail.
Courtney used so many elements that I love in her powder room makeover……white paneled walls, carrara marble subway tile, an antique mirror, and brass fixtures.
I even like the pedestal sink, which would work in our tight space.
via French Country Cottage
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This is such a pretty space and I love the neutral color of the wall paper.
I didn’t think I would ever want to see another wallpapered wall after we bought this house.
Almost every room in the house was wallpapered, and all the steaming and scraping to remove it, left me with a very bad attitude!
But if there is one room in the house where wallpaper would make a gorgeous impact, it would be a small bath.
I’m really leaning toward using a pretty paper in this makeover.
via Chenault James
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I adore this bath, and I may have to save this for inspiration when we makeover one of the larger bathrooms.
I love everything about it….the marble subway tile, the wallpaper, the color of the sink cabinet……and those shower curtains?
Adorable!
via Pinterest
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This bath is so pretty and elegant, but it may be just a bit too fancy (I can’t believe I’m saying that!) for our tiny powder room.
I love this wallpaper pattern, though, as well as the colors used.
via Luxesource
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This bath is pretty, but I think it’s just a bit too farmhouse for me.
I love the fixtures mounted on the wall, and of course the vanity is gorgeous.
Are ya’ll still crazy about shiplap? I think my love affair with it is over.
via Four Square
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I’m really drawn to this powder room….everything about it speaks to me.
I love the wallpaper, and the board and batten walls.
And of course, the petite chandy is perfect!
It’s simple, tasteful, and classic.
via Bella Interiors
So there you have it….a few of my inspiration photos.
Hopefully, I can transform this itty bitty bath with some inexpensive changes that make a big impact.
We’re also working on the laundry/mud room at the same time, and I’ll show you some before photos of that space soon.
If you have any suggestions, send them my way!
Cheers, Cindy
Update: The petite powder room is finished! See the transformation HERE!
What is the wallpaper patter used in this photo?
You knocked this project out of the ballpark!!!! You put yourself under pressure by posting your inspiration photos beforehand. Its refreshing to see alternatives to those heavy, dark, and, at times gaudy, Tuscan decor. I noticed you preserved certain elements such as the blue tiled foor.
I just ifnished one of my 1980’s bathroom. It refinished and waxed the oak cabinets as opposed to painting and I replaced the popcorn ceiling with a blush polished Venetian plaster (Berlina) ceiling with a Modello stencil and added styrene crown molding painted to look like wood (Faux Bois). I bought a new linen shower curtail with a pink lining. It turned out nicely. Although I used pink, the bathroom remains masculine. I wish I could attach a picture to hear your comment. Hard to believe its been 20 years since my first decorative painting class. lol!
The floor tile is interesting….depending on your colors it maybe a keeper. The wall and shower tiles must be retired. Assuming there is a toilet behind the door can you tear the shower wall down and make it a wall half way up and put all glass wall the rest of the way with the new full shower door taller than what you have now. Take out the wall above the shower door. Because you love the first photo of the bathroom….replicate. It would be beautiful with a french mirror and a beautiful cabinet. I actually found the wallpaper but was unable to purchase without a designer. It’s a great look. Have fun!
Absolutely love the teal and cream trellis wallpaper. Can you tell me where I can find that wallpaper. It has via luxe-source under the picture.
Thank You!
Janice
jlredding@cox.net
Hi Janice! Unfortunately, I don’t know the source of the wallpaper. However, you might do a search for “trellis wallpaper” on http://www.stevesblindsandwallpaper.com and see if they carry something similar. I hope this helps!
Looking forward to a great new French deco book.
I’ve been following you in your renovation projects. If you must keep the shower & you’re using wallpaper I think I would just continue the paper around it so it would look less conspicuous, just my thoughts, you’ll make it beautiful, I know. Love your home.
Thank you, Betty!
I absolutely love the mirror in the first photo that is a must and I would keep you cabinetry and give it a new paint Dover similar to the one under that fabulous mirror …up to you about the tile…rip it all out or they have very good tile paint which would be an option….it also would be hard for me to get rid of a floor shower depending on where this bath is located… just a few of my musings…loved allllll of the photos though..luck with choosing.You have very good taste!!!
I realize the blue tile is NOT your decor, but without that wallpaper it could be pretty. The hex-shaped floor tiles are wonderful. Lose the wallpaper. Install a pedestal sink. Replace that dated shower door. It would be cute, but still not your style. Sigh. I’m sorry I can’t cheer you on. You have exquisite taste and I love your blog. I just hate seeing mid-century tilework gutted.
Thank you, Deb!There’s certainly a lot to think about!
I so love following your renovations… I love Leslie’s (Segretto Finishes) vanity!…and the blue bathroom is gorgeous…oh that wallpaper!…Love to see what you come up with … I am certain it will be a stunning bathroom reno!
Thank you, Shirley!
These are indeed very beautiful pictures. Thanks a lot for sharing this awesome post.
Thank you so much for commenting!
Oh John, come on! Let us remove the shower Whatever you do, it is certain to be fabulous.
Lol, Debbie! I would like to go in there with a sledge hammer…..but he does have a point. Keep your fingers crossed that I can do something with this space that brings it into this decade!
Whatever you choose will be wonderful!! I’ve been watching your house room by room. I’m ready to move in!! Ha! For such a small space granite companies have remnants – you might have a savings if you find somethng suitable. I guess you already knew that! :-0
Thank you, Mary!!
Hi Cindy,
I’m a Realtor in GA and yes, that shower could be a plus for Buyers who entertain guests a lot. It won’t add value, just a perception of it. That being said, there will always be Buyers who want it gone. If budget is super tight, I’d have all the tile professionally glazed if it’s in good shape. I love the honeycomb tile on the floor. Loved your inspirational pics! I know you will work wonders and cannot wait to see it!
Kimberly
Thank you, Kimberly! I know that when we’ve had a house full of guests, that shower has come in handy. It makes an already small space, even tighter, but I think for resale purposes it needs to stay. I’m hoping that when everything is “toned down” a bit, it will looks less cramped visually. Thanks for commenting!!
Do you really need a shower off the kitchen? Maybe you should take that out and just make it a sink and toilet room?
Hi Toni! Believe it or not, that shower has been used quite a few times, especially when we have a lot of guests. However, I would love to remove it, but hubby is definitely not on board. And I’m wondering if for resale purposes, an extra shower is a selling point?
I have never liked wallpaper in my house. However I think it does look good in small powder rooms where decorating is limited. I love the first picture of the bath. You will make that powder room gorgeous!
Thank you, Nancy! That bath is a favorite of mine as well!
I liked several of the pictures you shared and can just imagine you pulling ideas from a number of them. I like the ‘surprise’ effect that wallpaper can bring to a tiny powder room. Especially if it’s a little on the wild side.
Haha! Yes, I agree, Elizabeth!
It will be exciting to do the guest bath. My favorite is the first picture. Oh those sconces with those light bulbs! Too bad you can’t convince hubby to take the shower out. If he’s anything like my husband, he is thinking about resale!
You’re right, Linda! Hubby is thinking about resale, and with the thoughts running through our minds about possibly moving closer to our children one day, he may be right. The challenge will be to redo the bath and keep the shower.
Hi Cindy, I Love the first picture you showed and also have saved it in my pictures for awhile now!! Lol Can’t wait to see what you do with your Sweet Powder Room… Fondly, Mary Ellen
Thank you so much, Mary Ellen! Keep your fingers crossed that we can work a miracle on this odd little powder room!
Cindy,
If your plan is for this bath to function as a true powder room, I vote with you and say you definitely should get rid of the shower! You would end up with the space to do it up in the style of one of your French-inspired looks (the first two pics in your post and my personal favs). The result would be gorgeous, definitely less cramped, and you’d have your “miracle”! Some serious arm-twisting with your hubby is called for! Really!!!
I love your blog and it’s photos! Your home is beautiful! Just a thought – we have a powder room with paint that looks like wallpaper. (It’s striped with gray, taupe and silver marbled and mixed yet striped.) You have to get 3 inches away from it to see it’s paint. I know you’re talented and maybe with a stencil and some gold, silver or iridescent paint, you could paint something that looks like wallpaper for a fraction of the cost. (Admittedly, it may take more time and cause some frustration in a small space.)
That’s a wonderful idea, Linda! I’ve thought about doing this, and it would be less expensive than wallpaper…but then again, there’s not a lot of wall space in there to deal with, either. Definitely a lot to think about, and I love all of your ideas!
I absolutely love the look of wallpaper in a small powder room! And, yes, I too am over shiplap. Honestly, I never really saw what all of the fuss was about. Good luck with your new projects!
Thank you, Julie! This project may evolve as we work on it!
I always love your before and afters! You have done such a wonderful job on all the areas you have tackled so far…can’t wait to see you work your magic on this little powder room.
Thank you, Amy!
Thanks for the beautiful photos. I have a powder room that is in serious need of an update and the photos are so inspiring. I especially love the first two and French Country Cottage bathroom makeover is stunning even if it’s a bit beyond my skillset and budget. Can’t wait to see the latest updates of your lovely home.
Sharon, those are my favorites as well! Our budget is very tiny on this space as well. I’m hoping that new paint, tile, and wallpaper will do the trick!!
I love your inspiration pictures. I am very claustrophobic and I think I would rip that shower out and give myself breathing room. And then, of course accidently on purpose, I would have room for maybe a tall narrow French country style cabinet for towels and such. I love wallpaper in bathrooms and pretty ( but not kitchy with socks ) laundry rooms. Laundry isn’t fun but a pretty room makes the task easier.
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I agree with you, Claire! I would love to rip the shower out, but hubby is totally against it, so whatever we do will have to be done with the shower in the plan.
Cindy,
I,too, did not want to see another piece of wallpaper when we moved…however,I did put it in my powder room and I love it. A small space is perfect for it. Have fun doing it and I can’t wait to see the finished room.
Thank you, Diane! Yes, powder rooms are a perfect room for wallpaper, so I’m excited about doing this.