How to Decorate a Half Bathroom

Redecorating a half bath or powder room can be a great way to start renewing your entire home. Since the half bath is small, you can do the job quickly and inexpensively.

Here are a few tips for decorating your powder room on a budget.

1. Paint the Powder Room

Painting is one of the cheapest ways to update a room’s style and help it feel fresh. For powder rooms, it’s best to use a semi-glossy paint that can be easily cleaned. Also choose a paint that resists mold.

What color should you paint the bathroom? Light colors can help make a small room appear more spacious. On the other hand, darker colors such as burgundy, dusky rose, mustard and plum can be very attractive if the lighting’s right. The options are endless.

Tips:

• Look at a feng shui map. It will suggest a color for each area of your home.
• Use wall stencils or a sea sponge to get special effects.

2. Deck the Walls

Small powder room walls can be decorated easily. A thrift shop might have just what you need. For example, you could repaint an old spice rack and use it to display vintage perfume bottles or pretty soaps and lotions.

You can also find or make art for little money. Buy picture frames at a thrift shop and paint them if needed. To fill the frames, add your own creative black & white photos, your kids' artwork, or pictures from greeting cards and calendars.

Since powder rooms are open to guests, they’re typically more elegant than the other bathrooms in a home. Show your guests a bit of class by installing a few attractive elements. Of all the things you’ll add to decorate the powder room, probably the faucet and the mirror should be the most costly. You might be able to find very cheap yet attractive vintage lighting, mirrors and other basics at a thrift store or on eBay.

Unique lightswitch covers can also make a big difference. These only cost a bit more than standard plastic covers and add instant character.

Tip: You can get a coupon for home redecorating items at Home Depot. Just pick up an address change packet from the post office. Mhm :-).

4. Provide Light from the Sides

Place a soft light, possibly with a pink or amber hue, at either side of the bathroom mirror. Bright lights from above can create shadows and unflattering glare. Use low-watt bulbs and add a dimmer switch if possible.

5. Hide from the Neighbors

Hang blinds or airy drapes to cover your bathroom window. You could also apply a faux stained glass adhesive. This repositionable contact paper looks remarkably good! It's available in a variety of designs and can be trimmed for different window dimensions.

6. Decorate with Linens

Tie together your half bath redecoration with coordinated towels and a bath mat. You can get great deals on these at stores like Ross and TJ Maxx.

7. Finish with Candles

Scented candles help keep air fresh while adding aesthetic appeal to a powder room. Obviously, candles should be used away from towels and other flammable items.

Tip: You can redecorate your bathroom inexpensively with pretty candle holders from a dollar store.