How To Add Interest To Your Downstairs Loo
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For a super-stylish powder room, colourful sanitaryware is making a comeback. But don’t think avocado suites of the 80s – subdued dusty pinks, hues of blues and soft greys supply subtle accents of colour. This option works especially well on sinks, adding a satisfying visual element by incorporating sanitaryware in to a design scheme, but even WCs are getting the paintbrush treatment – green, black and blue are proving the most popular colours.
If you want to inject some hotel-style glamour, counter-top bowls are ideal for adding a touch of luxe to this space. But most downstairs loos aren’t huge, so simple yet bold wall-hung console basins are a striking choice. Retro designs, plisse forms, and mottled finishes are just some of the latest trends. The impact of splash with a small sink is minimal – unlike a main bathroom this is a quick-visit space for washing hands only. Pair your basin with a wall-mounted or tall, statement basin mixer and these rooms immediately transcend from the domestic to the luxurious.
For a toned-down nod to pattern, consider tiles. This way you can tile only where needed, for example, just behind the basin or toilet, while still injecting some design clout in to the scheme. It also gives you the freedom to repaint the rest of the room when you need to. But small details can still pack a punch, for instance by using the Bubblegum Lily Pad tiles from Ca’Pietra or the super luxe marble and brass Paire collection from Ann Sacks. If you want that continuation from hall to WC and if you have natural wooden flooring running through your ground floor, porcelain imitation wooden panels work well - the colours and variations available are convincing enough to make you question if it is a tile at all.
Lighting is key as many downstairs loos have no natural light source so consider your scheme carefully so it works for both day and night. Wall sconces and low-level fixtures give a warm atmosphere, ideal for creating an evening ambience. By day, statement lights such as chandeliers on dimmers work perfectly. Better yet, why not have a light sensor? Guests looking for light switches can leave handprints on your wall, so a sensor will avoid this.
Bold wallpaper lends itself best to the downstairs loo and is a tried-and-tested technique in this space (including the ceiling is particularly effective). To totally transform the atmosphere of this room and virtually disguise its purpose. Consider beautiful botanical prints, bold geometric designs and textured finishes. Borrow inspiration from Mad About The House’s cloakroom which was recently decorated with waterproof wallpaper in an ornate coral pattern – totally practical without compromising on the wow factor.
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