POWDER ROOM

Traditionally, a powder room in a house, also known as a half bath or guest

bath, is a small bathroom that typically contains only a toilet and a sink, but
no shower or bathtub. It is typically located on the first floor of a home, near
a common area such as a living room or dining room.
The term "powder room" originated in the 17th century, when stylish
aristocratic citizens would need a private space to powder, or freshen, their
opulent wigs, often made with real human hair.

A powder room is smaller than a bathroom and typically contains a single

vanity and a toilet. The space is similar to a half bath, although there are
rare instances where a powder room only contains a sink and no toilet.

These small rooms date back to the 1700s and appeared only in
wealthy estates. It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century
that powder rooms became common in average homes. Here's
everything you need to know about a powder room's benefits,
concerns, and key features.

What Is a Powder Room?

A powder room, typically located on the main level of a house, is
smaller in square footage than a full bathroom and contains a sink and
a toilet.

Sometimes referred to as a half bath or a guest bath, it provides a

place for guests to use a bathroom without having to go to the private
living spaces of a home.

While it is only a small room that's usually located on the main level, a
powder room can add great value to your home, even more so if the
number of full bathrooms is limited.

Originally, their main purpose was to provide a place to powder one's

wig and nose, hence the name powder room.

Powder Room vs. Bathroom

While they both have some similar features, there are significant
differences between these two rooms.
A powder room includes a sink, toilet, and a single vanity. A bathroom,
on the other hand, contains a sink, toilet, and a shower or tub.

A small bathroom could include a single vanity like a powder room but
a larger bathroom usually features a double vanity or multiple vanities
in the space.

A powder room is typically smaller in square footage than a bathroom,

is not always considered a standard house feature, and is located on
the ground level of a home.

Meanwhile, a bathroom has a larger square footage, is considered a

standard house feature, and can be located on any level of a home.

Benefits of a Powder Room

One of the main benefits of a powder room is that it greatly adds to
the resale value of your home. Real estate listings always include the
number of full and partial bathrooms in the home as a way to attract
potential buyers.

A powder room is also extra practical for guests because it is easily

accessible and typically located on the first level away from the more
private main bedroom and full bathroom.

A powder room is also a great space for bold design. Because it tends
to have smaller square footage than a full bathroom and there isn't as
much of a moisture concern, it's a great place to experiment with
wallpaper.

The smaller wall space will cut down on wallpaper costs (especially if
you use wainscoting on part of the wall) and allow you to use a fun
wallpaper in a smaller dose.

The same goes for a bold or dark wall color. It's a common
misconception that a dark paint color will make a room look small; it
can make a great statement and bold visual impact and allow you to
experiment with color and pattern.

It's also a great place to go bold with trim; painting baseboards and
crown molding a dark color or pulling a fun shade from a wallpaper
you used on the walls is a great design trick to add an extra layer and
visual interest to a space.

Practical Concerns
A powder room is usually a high-traffic area, so make sure to stock it
well with plenty of highly absorbent hand towels and extra toilet
paper.

If your powder room only has a pedestal sink or a small single vanity
that has minimal shelf space, get creative with storage. Use floating
shelves above the toilet and place folded towels, candles, and
bathroom accessories on them.

Get a nice basket and use it to store extra rolls of toilet paper. If there
is a vanity with closed storage, use the hidden space to store items
such as cleaning supplies that you don't want to be visible, and use
any existing open shelving (or add open shelving) for more visually
appealing items.