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Models That Make
the Sale
Dueling Kitchens
Powder Room
Showers That Sell
Vent-Free Drains
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Return to Elegance: Small Amenity Makes a
Big Impression
Tips for making a powder room sparkle
Fifty years ago, powder rooms were a privilege enjoyed mostly by the wealthy, a place for guests to freshen up during formal dinner parties. Today, almost everyone entertains at home, and they want to make things easy on themselves and their guests. Because of this trend, powder rooms have sprouted in homes of all types.
Powder rooms aren't cheap. Foot for foot, this tiny space is one of the most costly in the house, because it's full of expensive products like plumbing fixtures, ceramic tile, and sophisticated lighting. But a powder room is also a great investment. Mark Reichel, head designer at Minnesota's Trehus Builders and professional member of the American Institute of Building Design, says that while his customers spend anywhere from $11,000 to $30,000 on this tiny space, they "typically enjoy a return on investment of 110% after just one year."
Of course, the powder room's diminutive size creates challenges for the designer and builder. Here's how Reichel copes with some of them.
Walls
Deep, rich wall color creates a romantic, cozy feeling. And because a powder room is so small, even a tight budget can often include the best faux finishing or wallpaper. To make the powder room a true expression of the family, Reichel adds small artworks of their choosing, along with uniquely shaped mirrors with ornate frames.
Fixtures and lighting
Powder-room plumbing fixtures are more dressy and expressive than those in any other part of the home. Most clients come to Reichel very well-informed, with their fixtures already picked out. Lighting is another story. "I've seen homeowners agonize over the powder-room lighting fixtures more than any other decision in the entire project," Reichel said. In most powder rooms, wall sconces flanking the mirror are the primary sources of light. The mood they create depends partly on the bulb: Incandescent bulbs give off a warm, romantic yellow hue, while a halogen bulb's cooler, white light complements dark granite and marble. If you supplement sconces with overhead lighting, make sure it's subtle: Bright overhead lighting casts shadows on the face, making a person look older and tired.
Vanities
Most of these spaces are too small for a stock vanity. Instead, Reichel creates custom vanities designed to store a few essentials. To leave more room for storage below, he likes to put a vessel sink on top of the vanity, rather than recessing a standard sink into the top. And he replaces the traditional toe-kick with decorative legs. Even short legs will open up the space under the vanity and give the room a more elegant feel.
Heat
Ceramic tile can send a cold chill through guests' stocking feet. But for $400 or $500, builders can give them an unexpected treat by laying the tile over electric radiant heating coils. Reichel sees it as affordable comfort. "Over the life of the powder room, the homeowner will spend about as much to keep the tiles heated as it costs to dry a load of clothes every day," he said.
Soundproofing
The powder room is often next to the living room, dining room or kitchen, were people can hear bathroom noises. At minimum, Reichel suggests adding regular insulation to the walls and using a solid-core door to deaden the sound.
Builders who do all this right can expect the powder room to be an easy sell. "At least 95 percent of the powder rooms we do are because the customer asks for them." Reichel goes on to say, "Literally every time we remodel a kitchen in a home without a powder room, we add one. I've never had to sell the idea."
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