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Powder rooms are different enough from typical bathrooms that they deserve their own design post. It’s not just that powder room design eliminates the bathtub/shower, but that powder rooms are also less a function of everyday use and more designed specifically for guests. Because powder rooms are usually designed into a home to accommodate visitors, they can (and often should) include a more refined level of design than the typical bathroom. We don’t mean to say that a powder room needs to be over-designed or opulent, but simply that the powder room is a good place to have some fun with the design. This might include a design feature or a pleasant surprise that may not be part of the home’s typical design palette. Today’s post takes a close look at 5 design features for the powder room which can be used on their own or in combination.

SINK & CABINET INTEGRATION
Since most powder rooms don’t need to provide countertop space for toothbrushes, perfumes, water glasses, and the like, the sink basin can be smaller and sleeker. We like to use a rectangular porcelain box sink matched with a custom-built cabinet box to match the dimensions of the sink above. It’s a sleek and deliberate look that provides visual clarity to the powder room and offers just enough storage for toiletries and supplies. Our Case Study House 01 example below uses a careful alignment between cabinet, sink box, backsplash and mirror.

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BUILD-LLC-CSH-planSPECIFICATIONS
Box sink: Lacava Aquagrande #5464, single hole
Faucet: Graff G-6102 M.E.25
Toilet: Toto MS864114 Supreme elongated one-piece
Cabinet: Anigre veneer by Special Projects Division
Backsplash: Stainless steel with non-directional orbital finish
Ceiling fan: Panasonic QT series ceiling fan

GLASS TILE FEATURE WALL
Dedicating an entire wall of the powder room as a “feature wall” is a great way to make the design resonate. While people expect to see tile in a bathroom, extending an interesting tile pattern from the floor to the ceiling provides visual relief in an otherwise small room. With a seemingly infinite amount of tiles to select from, for a feature wall application we lean toward glass tiles as they give the room a little more depth while bringing subtle color to the composition. The Davidson Residence below uses long, slender glass tiles mounted vertically for a fabric-like texture on the feature wall.

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BUILD-LLC-Davidson-planSPECIFICATIONS
Sink: Laufen Palomba 814804
Faucet: Graff G-6100 L M37
Toilet: Pacifica CST804S
Cabinet: Anigre veneer by Special Projects Division
Backsplash: Stainless steel with non-directional orbital finish
Ceiling fan: Panasonic QT series ceiling fan

CEDAR FEATURE WALL/CEILING
The visual warmth and palpable nature of cedar can be visually stunning at a powder room. The Innis Arden Remodel below extends a wall of variegated horizontal cedar boards from the exterior, into the powder room, broken only by the line of glazing. This application requires complementary wood cabinets that don’t compete with the warm tones of the cedar — in this case the walnut cabinet box provides a healthy contrast to the cedar.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Box sink: Lacava Aquagrande #5464, no holes
Faucet: Kohler Stillness K-T944-4 wall mount
Toilet: Toto CST416M-01, Aqua dual flush
Cabinet: Walnut veneer by Special Projects Division
Backsplash: Stainless steel with non-directional orbital finish
Ceiling fan: Panasonic QT series ceiling fan

The Des Moines Remodel provides a similar example where the cedar is used at the lid. Because the design brings three different varieties of wood together (ebonized oak floors, anigre cabinet and cedar ceiling) keeping the cedar on the lid provides the necessary distance between similar woods that might otherwise contrast with one-another.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Box sink: Lacava Aquagrande #5464, no holes
Faucet: Kohler Stillness K-T944-4 wall mount
Toilet: Toto CST416M-01, Aqua dual flush
Cabinet: Walnut veneer by Special Projects Division
Backsplash: Stainless steel with non-directional orbital finish
Ceiling fan: Panasonic QT series ceiling fan

GLAZING FEATURE WALL
A full height window is the last thing most people expect to find in a powder room, but given the right circumstances, it can be a fresh visual. To maintain the powder room’s privacy, the window needs to be oriented appropriately and specified as etch-matte. When the situation supports it, as in the Queen Anne Residence below, a small powder room can become light, bright and airy.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Box sink: WetStyle VC-24, white matte finish
Faucet: Graff G-6102 M.E.25
Toilet: Toto MS864114 Supreme elongated one-piece
Cabinet: Walnut veneer by Special Projects Division
Backsplash: Stainless steel with non-directional orbital finish
Ceiling fan: Panasonic QT series ceiling fan

WALL MOUNT PLUMBING FIXTURES
While it’s a subtle move, the design conscious will notice the wall mounted faucet. The move minimizes the plumbing fixtures and pairs well with a box sink. The Magnolia Residence example below also uses a glass subway tile feature wall and vertically mounted linear lights for a clean, modern aesthetic.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Sink: Kohler K-2214 Ladena
Faucet: Graff G-6102 M.E.25
Toilet: Nexus CST794SF elongated one-piece
Cabinet: Anigre veneer by Special Projects Division
Countertop: Pentalquartz
Backsplash: Stainless steel with non-directional orbital finish
Lights: Aamsco Alinea linear incandescent
Ceiling fan: Panasonic QT series ceiling fan

There are plenty of additional posts for details on the bathroom hardware, bathroom tile, and plumbing fixtures.

Cheers from team BUILD