Make Your Powder Room Posh

Interior designer Michelle Williams of Michelle Williams Interiors says that powder rooms are one of her favorite spaces. Really? "This is an area of the home that all guests end up seeing at one time or another," she explains. "It's important to invest money in the décor and accessories since it's a high traffic and memorable area." Good point.

Maybe our powder rooms say a lot more about us than we think. So, what to do about your powder room's design?

Michelle explains that the powder room is "a small space where you can make a big impact." Best news of all? You don't have to spend a lot of money to spiffen things up.
Above, clockwise: Michelle recommends some great accessories that won't bust your budget, such as this Blue Chinoiserie Collection, $42 to $122, Material Posesstions; KN Luxury Home by Karen Neuburger 100% Supima Cotton Towels, $12 to $50, Bonton; Love & Luck Greetings Soap Dish Set, $36, Love & Luck.

Michelle's #1 tip: Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!
Since powder rooms are such small spaces, accessories become focal points in the room. It's important to invest in smart waste bins, tissue boxes, soft towels and soap dishes. Every detail counts and it tends to make all the difference.


In the photo: top, the Vanilla Tea Crystals, $57, and Vanilla Tea Refresher Oil, $20 at Material Posessions are great scents for powders rooms -- not overwhelming, but refreshing; Below, Michelle recommends decorating a bathroom with bold wallpaper.

Tip #2: Make it smell nice and fresh
Small spaces can trap odors. But if you feel like potpourri is outdated, overused, and all in all, atrocious, substitute this archaic fragrance with the updated version – tea crystals. While more expensive, these crystals last much longer than potpourri and look sophisticated in any bathroom. Most tea crystal sets also come with a bottle of oil so that you can keep the bathroom smelling fresh for months to come.

Tip #3: Wallpaper is okay!
Wallpaper adds an instant "pop" to any room, but especially in a powder room. Michelle advises that you "pick a big, bold and vibrant print to make the biggest impact possible."