From Blah to Behold
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into our new house and caught a glimpse of that unused closet off the kitchen. It was like a gaping wound, an eyesore that immediately made me cringe. Dark, dated, and utterly uninviting – it was the kind of space that just made you want to keep walking, pretending it didn’t exist. But I knew we had to do something about it. After all, this was going to be the powder room that all our guests would use. And I certainly didn’t want them stepping into a dismal dungeon every time they needed to, well, you know.
So, I did what any self-respecting home renovator would do – I put my planning hat on and got to work. I scoured the web for inspiration, falling down rabbit holes of gorgeous powder room makeovers. And let me tell you, there are some jaw-droppingly beautiful transformations out there. But as I pored over the before and afters, I started to get a clear vision of what I wanted for our little closet-turned-powder-room.
A Fresh Perspective
The key, I decided, was to approach this project with a fresh perspective. Instead of seeing it as a drab, forgotten corner, I needed to envision it as a jewel box – a small but mighty space that we could imbue with personality and style. And what better way to do that than by leaning into the cozy, intimate nature of a powder room?
I knew I wanted to create a space that felt elevated and luxurious, almost like stepping into a fancy hotel powder room. But I also wanted it to have a touch of playfulness and whimsy. After all, a powder room is the perfect place to have a little fun and get creative.
Laying the Groundwork
With my vision in mind, I got to work. First up, the floors. I absolutely adored the look of those sleek, modern penny tiles I’d been seeing all over Instagram, so that was a no-brainer. And I figured, if I was going to go for a statement floor, I might as well go all out with a custom pattern. A little diamond design would add the perfect touch of drama.
Next, the walls. I’ll admit, I agonized over this one for a while. Part of me wanted to go bold with a vibrant, moody wallpaper. But I also didn’t want to overwhelm the small space. In the end, I settled on a classic stripe – a subtle nod to traditional design with a modern twist.
Bringing in the Wow Factor
With the foundation laid, it was time to start layering in the details that would really make this space sing. I knew I wanted the vanity to be the star of the show, so I scoured vintage shops and antique malls until I found the perfect pedestal sink. The sleek, angular lines felt so fresh and elegant, and the matte black faucet added just the right touch of edge.
To complement the vanity, I went for a vintage-inspired mirror – the kind with a distressed, antiqued frame that feels like it’s been passed down for generations. And because a powder room just isn’t complete without a little bit of sparkle, I added in some brass sconces that would cast a warm, flattering glow.
The Finishing Touches
Of course, no powder room makeover would be complete without the perfect finishing touches. I wanted to make sure every element felt intentional and cohesive, so I paid close attention to things like the hardware, the toilet paper holder, and even the hand towel.
And speaking of the hand towel, I have to say, I’m pretty proud of the little vignette I created above the toilet. I found this amazing vintage-inspired print that I just knew would be the perfect complement to the space. Add in a sleek black toilet brush holder and a few other thoughtful accessories, and voila – a powder room that’s not just functional, but downright delightful.
The Reveal
So there you have it – my journey from blah to behold. What was once a forgotten closet is now a stylish, inviting powder room that I can’t wait to show off to all our guests. And the best part? I get to enjoy it every single day. Sure, it took some time and elbow grease to get here, but I’d say it was more than worth it. After all, isn’t that what home renovation is all about – transforming the mundane into the magnificent?
Sources:
[1] https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/before-and-after-a-bathroom-turned-laundry-room/
[2] https://www.makingitinthemountains.com/how-we-plan-to-update-our-dated-powder-room-without-renovating/
[3] https://sincerelymariedesigns.com/orc-week-6-laundrypowder-room-reveal/
[4] https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/before-and-after-revealing-our-modern-colonials-powder-bath/
[5] https://erinkestenbaum.com/2018/12/12/hacking-the-ikea-pax-into-a-fully-custom-closet/
[6] https://www.therurallegend.com/post/closet-guest-room
[7] https://mariakillam.com/dos-donts-vinyl-plank-floors-bathroom/
[8] https://roomfortuesday.com/powder-room-makeover/