Powderoom Design Tips
In June we participated in our fourth Interior Designer Showhouse for the Denver Life and Home & Garden Colorado Magazines. This year we designed the Powder Room.
Let’s look back at some other fun powder room designs and talk about our favorite design tips for these small spaces.
Side note on the Powder Bathroom
Did you know that the powder room or main floor 2 piece bathroom that we know today came out of the Spanish Flu of 1918? It originated as a hand-washing basin immediately inside the front entry of a home during the pandemic. It eventually evolved into the powder rooms or half bathrooms we know today.
Did you also know that I also used to teach the History of Design and Architecture at a local Interior Design School? So if you’d like other fun history facts, I’m your designer.
2025 Showhouse
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We also designed Powder Bathrooms in the 2023 and 2021 Interior Designer Showhouses. Our design advice for all of the showhouses was similar and we apply this for our client homes as well.
Powder baths are often overlooked, but they’re the perfect opportunity to make a bold statement in a small space. A high-impact design infused with personality can turn this often-forgotten room into a standout feature of your home.
My favorite design strategy for a powder room is to incorporate a WOW factor that grabs attention and invites people in. In this space, the tile wall at the vanity and those gorgeous light fixtures serve as an instant focal point—even from outside the bathroom. Once inside, the drama unfolds with statement wallpaper and large-scale artwork, creating yet another unexpected and captivating moment.
These thoughtful design choices spark curiosity, inviting guests to step in and take a closer look. And when they leave, they’ll remember your powder bath as a beautifully designed space with personality.
2023 Showhouse
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Similar to our design advice in 2025, for this showhouse we advised
“Add a WOW element to make people curious and draw them into a small or side room. Here we do that with wallpaper, which peeks through from the back wall when the door is open. It creates a point of curiosity and invites people to come in for a closer look. It will also make your powder bath memorable when your guests leave.”
The 2023 Interior Designer Showhouse had a Mediterranean Modern aesthetic, which we incorporated by starting with a traditional Mediterranean material in Terra Cotta-look tiles, but reimagined them in a modern way with a herringbone pattern. Next, we took inspiration from the arched doorways that are so prevalent in Mediterranean architecture. Again, we reimagined that shape in a modern way by repeating the element figuratively in the wallpaper. We’ve also brought in earthy textures, reminiscent of stucco, in the accessories.
Ranch Themed Bathroom
We followed the same Powder Bath tips and tricks for our Modern Meets Ranch in Castle Pines Project.
The powder room is always a place you can add more fun elements. Here, we created a whimsical nod to the cowboy life with an abstracted horse wallpaper. There are leather strap details on the mirror and towel holder, which coordinate with the leather details throughout the home. See the whole home featured in Denver’s Avid Lifestyle Magazine.
Traditional Wash Park Home
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Wallpaper isn’t the only statement material that we utilize for a stunning bathroom design. Using tile in a creative way can also create a beautiful statement that will also up-level your powder bathroom. In the update of a 1900’s Bungalow in the Washington Park neighborhood of Denver, our client wanted to honor the original bones and Craftsman style of the home.
Our bathroom design features a modern and updated take on the traditional 1900s materials of white subway tile and a porcelain pedestal sink. Oversized bright white subway tiles with a molding of black add interest and appeal in this small bathroom. A classic porcelain pedestal sink with matte black hardware offers a new twist on an old classic.
2021 Showhouse
In the powder bathroom design for the 2021 Home & Garden Colorado Designer showhouse, we also used tile to create our focal point. The vision was to create a sense of dramatic sophistication with dark and moody tones. The black subway tile covers the entire wall. By adding gold tones in the plumbing and lighting, it adds a contrast and keeps the space warmer. The extra large vanity top adds a luxurious feel.
More Powder Bathroom Fun
This bathroom in Golden, CO went from builder basic to dramatic. We again used a dark tile on the whole vanity wall to create drama. We then softened this with the organic feel of a live edge wood vanity top and live edge wood shelves. See all the before and after on our Instagram post.
In our Westminster townhome remodel, this powder bathroom also got an upgrade with a modern floating vanity. See more of this townhome interior design.
Want more about Bathroom Design tips and advice?
Five Mistakes in Bathroom Design
Should You Remove The Bathtub in the Primary Suite?
7 Luxury Bathroom Design Ideas