Inky colors are in, and dark powder rooms provide the perfect place to experiment with the dark side of the color wheel. Here are ten examples of dark powder rooms to inspire your inner designer.
On Trend – 10 Dark Powder Rooms Take You to the Dark Side
Dark wall colors are a top trend this year, and we mean really, really dark. Inky, midnight, dark forest, deep purple haze and yes – even full on black walls are popping up in new homes and home design inspiration everywhere. Some of these colors might be overwhelming in a large space, so for the feint of heart, dark powder rooms might do.
We found ten great examples of what you can do with paint, wallpaper, tile or paneling to transform your half bath into a room filled with inky inspiration. Plus, we went to Sherwin Williams’ paint wall and found colors that can help you recreate the feel of these dark powder rooms in your own spaces.
You might also like: Bathroom Bliss – 11 Dramatic Bathroom Makeover Ideas for New Home Owners
What is a powder room, anyway?
Powder rooms are residential bathrooms which are technically half-baths, with just a sink and toilet. Often, you’ll find powder rooms on the main floor of two-story homes for the convenience of the people who live in or visit the house, with full baths are located on the second story near bedrooms. Having a powder room in the living area of the home precludes the need for guests to venture into more personal spaces, like bedroom areas. A powder room also provides an additional option for someone who needs to use the facility when the other bathrooms are already occupied.
Did you ever wonder about the history of the powder room? We did.
The term “powder room” has been in use since the 1700’s. It was a way for someone to refer to the commode discreetly instead of announcing their need to – well – evacuate. Often restaurants and other public venues called their women’s toilet facilities “powder rooms.” Many people still use the phrase “powdering my nose” as a euphemism for excusing themselves to use the toilet, whether or not they plan to actually apply makeup while there.
At one time, powdering was serious business. European, British and even American aristocrats used to wear elaborate wigs which were heavily powdered. According to raucousroyals.com, a valet would accompany the aristocrat to a special room exclusively used for powdering wigs, called the wig closet or powder room. The aristocrat’s hair would be coated with grease (usually bear grease or – for the really wealthy – a combination of mutton suet and lard). Powder would then be sprayed onto the wig (or hair) while the aristocrat held up a mask to cover their face and wore some type of covering to keep the powder off their clothes. Powders were often made of violet-scented orris-root or mixtures of civet, musk and cypress flours. Plain old white flour was the cheap stuff. Some of the powders were highly fragranced (probably to cover the scent of bear and mutton grease, which also tended to attract rodents and critters… yuck!)
So now you know.
If plans for your new home includes a stunning guest bath that creates an impact moment, these dark powder rooms might provide all the design inspiration you need to go over to the dark side.