A Hidden Jewel In Home Decorating, The Powder Room
By Bonnie P. Carrier, Fri Dec 9th

Typically a small space consisting of just a sink and toilet,you most likely know them by a more common term “half-bath” or“guest bath. Ever wonder where the term “powder room” came from?It’s derived from Victorian times, when women needed to “powdertheir noses”. Why consider them a jewel when it comes todecorating, also why bother decorating them, it is after allonly a bathroom. A bathroom is a room in your home, in factdepending on the number of baths you have it can become a publicroom, which means from time to time other people besidesyourself will be passing through. So why not dress it up, evenif guest only use it occasionally make it pretty for you. Due totheir size, a complete make over can be done in as little as aweekend and at little cost. This is also what makes them ajewel; being small you can really have fun decorating them, plusby not requiring a big budget you’re able to change the lookmore often. The following are a few ideas to get started with.Start with the walls. Paint, wallpaper, stenciling what evertreatment you like. With the small size of the room, the costwill be a lot lower. Here is the perfect opportunity toexperiment with bolder colors, some type of theme or maybeyou’ve been dying to try one of the many painting techniques.Using a theme to decorate the bath can be really fun. If yournot sure what to use take a look around your home forinspiration. It could be an extension of a collection you mayhave or a take off on a vacation. Example of a theme, based on avacation: Do you love the beach and vacation each year at theocean? If so here is your inspiration. Use a wallpaper borderaround the room with shells or boats on it. Hunt around discountstores, flea markets or garage sales for beach relatedaccessories;

use a lightweight natural color window treatment.But before you purchase anything new, take a walk around thehouse, if you love the beach chances are you may already haveitems that you can use. Add some sparkle with a new lightfixture, mirror or towel racks in finishes of chrome, gold andbronze. With limited floor space, look for storage solutionsthat perform double duty. Shelves with a towel rack provide notonly a place to hang pretty towels; it’s the perfect place forextra toiletries and accessories. New flooring can add dramahowever; if this is not currently in the budget an area rug in abold color or a geometric pattern will do the trick. Of course acomplete make over is not always necessary, sometimes justsimple changes could be all that’s needed. How about a vase offresh flowers, some new towels, a whimsical piece of art or newwindow treatments. Have some fun - get creative – and turn thatoften passed over half-bath into something special. Let itbecome the jewel in your home decorating projects box.

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About the author:Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. Sheis the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr oldBlue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Having been a homemaker for over23yrs has provided years of experience in budget decorating andorganization. Stop by Savvy Home Decorating-www.savvy-home-decorating.com - for ideas and tips on budgetdecorating: