Decorating a guest toilet
A guest toilet may be small in size, but there's no reason why it can't be big on style. Think of this project as a great opportunity for daring design ideas. You also can choose more formal accessories when decorating a guest toilet, since this is a bathroom primarily used by visitors and needs to be pretty as well as comfortable..
Because a guest toilet requires little or no storage, and natural light is not usually a priority, it's usually necessary to at include a small storage cupboard, or under sink cabinet and at least two light fittings (or remove existing fixtures and add a chandelier). And since all guest toilets occupy limited space, you can make it appear bigger with the strategic use of lighting.
I recently watched an episode of Debbie Travis' Painted House, in which she transformed three bathrooms in an apartment block. Each room was given a completely different look, but one that tied in with the personality of the tenant. One room was painted in black and red - not normally colours for a small bathroom - and the effect was stunning.
Don't be scared to try something different and experiment with colours, textures and finishes for a guest toilet.
Take into consideration the style and colours that you have used in your home and decide whether or not you want to coordinate with them or take a step in a completely different direction. Sometimes staying with the same colours but varying the style is a good compromise.
When decorating a guest toilet, keep in mind that the bathroom decor should not interfere with the functionality of the room but enhance it.
Design ideas:
- Instead of using a table for tissues and hand towels, consider using a built in wall shelf or a mirrored cabinet with enough storage space for those niceties you may want to put in.
- Add special touches to a guest toilet by upgrade the hardware and fixtures, such as the drawer and cabinet pulls as well as the taps and fixtures. Replace a pedestal sink with a glass bowl-style vanity to give it more character. Use granite for your countertop and glass tiles for your backsplash to achieve a modern look.
- If you want a cohesive theme throughtout your home, use the rest of the house as a guide for your decor choices. Choose the same paint colour as the surrounding rooms and a complementary colour for the bath linens and accessories.
- If you've decided on something different for your guest toilet, think wallpaper. This is a safe place to put a pattern you love, but are afraid to use. Today's wallpaper is expensive, but these spaces require less, so go for it. Or consider using glass mosaic tiles as a splashback on the wall behind a pedestal sink, extending beyond the perimeter of a large mirror.
- For an affordable makeover try sponge painting, ragging, stenciling, mural painting or Venetian plaster for the walls to give them more depth. Paint the ceilings to bring the eyes up. Choose metallic colours for the ceilings to give the feel and look of opulence.
The small size of a guest toilet can be an advantage when it comes to decorating. You can be creative without spending a lot of money, and it can be given a makeover in a much quicker time.
[images via scripps interactive]