A powder room – also known as a half bath – is a small bathroom that is likely to be frequented by guests or used as a second bathroom by family members. The space is usually quite basic, containing nothing more than a toilet, vanity and sink, but can be made more interesting with unique fixtures, a variety of materials and fun decor. To get the most out of your retro powder room design, browse the photos on Houzz, and keep the following tips in mind.

What’s the best way to collate small bathroom ideas?

Browse the photos on Houzz for retro small bathroom designs, and get acquainted with the specialist behind your favourite picks. You can bookmark and share your favourite photos with everyone involved in your renovation, and click through to Related Photos to broaden your scope. For even more powder room and small bathroom ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

How do I plan the layout of my retro powder room?

There are three main objects to consider when planning the layout of your powder room: the door, toilet and sink. Pocket, sliding or folding doors will give you more options for toilet and sink placement, while wall-mounted toilets will help save you a few inches of floor space, and make the room feel more spacious. To ensure ease of use, make sure the toilet has at least 38 centimetres of unobstructed space on either side, and 61 centimetres at the front.

Powder rooms are primarily a place to use the toilet and quickly wash your hands, so unless you have the square meterage, you don’t need a full-blown vanity. Look for compact options, like a pedestal or wall-mounted sink instead.

What materials should I use in my powder room?

There’s not much space to work with when designing a retro powder room, so keep your design fairly simple. Otherwise, too many different patterns and textures will quickly overwhelm the space. To avoid a disjointed design, opt for one statement piece or element, such as a fun backsplash, countertop or vanity, and choose subtle materials like stone, marble or granite for everything else. If you fear you haven’t created enough visual interest, fill the void with bathroom accessories such as hand towels and soap dispensers. High-quality bathroom fixtures – including everything from your toilet roll holder to faucet – with matching lines and style, will make a big difference in a such a small space, so if you have the budget, splurge a little!

Whether you want inspiration for planning a retro powder room renovation or are building a designer powder room from scratch, Houzz has 486 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Base Building Design and Interiors and Become Interiors Ltd. Look through powder room photos in different colours and styles and when you find a retro powder room design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful retro powder room ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.