The Complete Half Bath

By: Ashley Womble, This Old House magazine (Page 3 of 8)

Enlarge this image Photo: William P. Steele

Throwing a Curve
Architect Chris DiSunno commissioned a custom limestone-topped maple vanity to echo the curved wall in this under-the-stairs powder room. The commode sits at the opposite end of the room where the ceiling drops to 5 feet.

Enlarge this image Photo: Andrew Bordwin

New Traditional
A bulbous toilet and sink give this powder room vintage charm. The dresserlike vanity and radiator cover-as-window seat add to the half bath's old-fashioned appeal.

solid oak vanity w/ oil-rubbed bronze faucet

Enlarge this image Photo: Jim Franco

Finely Crafted
Wrapped in wainscoting that reflects the house's Craftsman feel, this half bath designed by architect Jay Haverson is "furnished" with a solid oak vanity topped and backed with limestone, and an oil-rubbed bronze faucet by Rohl mounted on the wall.

Enlarge this image Photo: Eric Piasecki

Cozy Classic
A petite Kohler pedestal sink keeps a snug 4-by-5-foot space designed by Steven Lecher from seeming cramped. The edges of the basin and pedestal base echo the moldings in and around the half bath.

Enlarge this image Photo: William P. Steele

Rich in Detail
A column of granite literally puts this copper vessel sink on a pedestal. At the other end of the room, the gray Kohler toilet is barely visible behind a half-wall partition. Dark wainscoting plays the mosaic tile border and floor, emphasizing the shape of the space, designed by architect Jay Haverson.

Photo: Courtesy Austin Patterson Diston

In the Round
Located on a staircase landing between two floors, this cylindrical powder room serves as the intriguing architectural centerpiece of the grand staircase in a formal home designed by architect McKee Patterson. The marble console sink—on view when you push open the curved door—sits along the same wall as the commode in the 22-square-foot space.

Browse Images

Browse Bathrooms Galleries:

View All

On Newsstands Now

In the Magazine

Easy Upgrades That Say Welcome Home

What You'll Learn:

Layout Pointers
Traditionally the sink is the focal point, and the toilet is either placed next to it, where it can't be seen when the door's ajar, or on another wall entirely, where it's even less conspicuous. If space allows, using a vanity that resembles a dresser or sideboard can give the room a handsome, furnished look that ties to other rooms in the house. In a small space, a pedestal, console, corner, or wall-mounted sink can eke out a few extra inches, as can a round toilet, rather than one with an oval bowl.

If there's no squeeze on square footage, consider hiding the toilet in a niche created by a half wall far from the basin.

Materials and Finishes
Try to think outside the traditional bathroom box; the powder room should look more like a decorated room than a utilitarian WC. "It's one of the rooms that guests use the most, so it's worth spending some money on," says Illinois-based designer Mary Lou Kalmus. Kalmus suggests choosing one special item to work around. "It can be anything from a vessel sink to an antique mirror," she says. Emphasize architectural detail by carrying molding treatments and wall paneling from surrounding spaces into the room. Spring for hardwood, stone, or mosaic-tile floors, and give the walls rich color and/or pattern. A freestanding table near the sink is an attractive way to display tissues and hand towels.

Many powder rooms lack natural light, and get much of their use at night, so properly placed lighting is key. Designers often rely on wall sconces flanking the mirror to cast flattering, shadow-free task light. But it's good to have overhead ambient light as well, whether in the form of a pendant lamp or chandelier, or even a skylight to brighten the room during the day. Putting all light sources on dimmers allows you to modulate the glow for evening.