If you’re fed up with a windowless bathroom that feels like a depressing cave, here are some pro tips.
Dim and dank don’t rank high on the list of dream-bathroom buzzwords. Yet the bathrooms in many homes dismally lack windows.
Without fresh air or natural light, it can feel like you’re in a dungeon. City-dwelling clients or people who live in condos are often saddled with walled-in baths. We suggest banishing the sadness with an airy design. Step one: papering the compact room’s four walls (and ceiling, too) with an ethereal wallpaper or faux paint. It can really open up the space and make the whole room feel lighter.
This stunning powder room draws its brightness from sleek LED ceiling strips, a reflective mirror, and cool tones that enhance and open up the space.
Bring in Nature
In a room with no windows it’s particularly important to do things inspired by nature. For our part, we rely on accents like a wood-framed mirror, which exudes a light cypress scent — subtle ways to connect your tiled cell to the organic world. Even simpler? For a pop of freshness, we suggest finding a spot for a few sprigs of eucalyptus — which lasts for weeks and emits a clean, invigorating fragrance.
Think Clearly
Because glass tricks the eye and can “expand” a sense of space, when dealing with the shower in a dim W.C., we shun shower curtains and engineer a clear partition. Reflective surfaces can also mimic windows. For a new bath reno, you can try a playful arched medicine cabinet with mirrored doors to reflect light. It helps replace what’s lost by not having a window.
Reel in the Great White
Many homeowners assume the way to remedy a dark space is to use bright white everywhere — but some designers caution that a white-out can evoke a hospital. The trick to keeping things fresh, not clinical? Use a mix of whites, from milky to icy, and neutrals.
One gutsy, counterintuitive move: Rather than running from it, lean into the darkness. In a petite powder room that I designed, shadowy reads as dramatic thanks to the beautiful flower print against the black background wallpaper. All you see is flowers, you forget about the fact that there is no natural light!
If you’re interested in exploring what Arlene Bobb Interior Design can do to update your bathroom, please request a free phone consultation on our contact page by clicking this link!
Light the Way
Without the luxury of sunlight, choose lighting as strategically as a president chooses their cabinet. One big no: Edison bulbs. They’re terrible for bathrooms! “They can be glaring and the exposed bulbs cast terrible shadows,” cautions Chase, an expert from Rittenhouse Electric. To soften the severity in a recent reno, we swapped out offending Edisons for a pair of alabaster sconces. They diffuse light over a honed marble sink and its dramatic veining. The result: a dreamy, not at all dreary, vibe.
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It is my pleasure to serve as a reference for Arlene Bobb’s firm Arlene Bobb Interior Design.
Arlene is the consummate professional. She is organized, responsive, and follows through on the requests of her clients. She is a good listener and easily grasps the needs of her clients.
Arlene is willing to go the “extra mile” to ensure client satisfaction. She has excellent taste and presents a diverse range of decorating options but always gives the client the ability to choose what they want and need and most important is appropriate for the budget.
Arlene is making our move both exciting and fulfilling. I highly recommend her services.
Sincerely yours,
Allison S.
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I recently had the pleasure of working with Arlene Bobb Interior Design to transform our master bedroom, and my husband and I couldn’t be happier with the results!
One of the aspects that impressed me the most was the emphasis on timing and investment throughout the project. Arlene ensured that the process was efficient without compromising quality.
I highly recommend Arlene Bobb Interior Design to anyone looking to bring their interior design dreams to life. The team’s ability to turn a vision into reality, coupled with their commitment to timelines and investment considerations, truly sets them apart. Thank you, Arlene and team, for making my master bedroom a place I genuinely look forward to spending time in!
Laura C.
