Lori Carroll had wood cut to different depths and sizes, which she used as "tiles" to decorate a powder-room wall.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

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Who knew a trip to the bathroom could be so enlightening? These days when we ask to "powder our noses," it may take a little longer than it used to.

That's because powder rooms are interior-design showcases unto themselves. These small half-bathrooms — usually just big enough for a vanity and toilet — have become test cases for all that's fun in decorating.

Homeowners and interior designers are using them to show off new wall finishes, the latest in fixtures and countertops, and colors that they wouldn't dream of using elsewhere.

"They're small and intimate, so you can do some neat things with them without spending a ton of money. Your visitors go in there, so it's where you can really show off," says Tucson interior designer Janet Fischer of Fischer Design Studio.

"You can make a huge impact in a small room so people are comfortable stepping outside the box," says Tucson designer Lori Carroll of Lori Carroll & Associates, whose powder-room designs last month landed three prizes in a national competition.

In this year's Parade of Homes model-homes showcase, organized by the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association, Carroll used modular wallpaper as the inspiration for a wooden wall covering in a powder room. She had a cabinetmaker cut wood of different depths and sizes and attach it like tile to the wall.

When it came to changing the powder room at their home in Honeybee Ridge, Oro Valley, Bonnie and Del Allinder went from contemporary to Old World. They chose antique-looking cabinetry and mirrors, and gold and purple iridescent wall tiles from Tucson tile company Fractured Earth. They wanted soft lighting, so they went for sconces and a dimmed ceiling light — something Bonnie feels her female friends appreciate.

"I think it says a lot about me when I have guests," says Bonnie. "They walk into the room and say 'Wow!' "

Says designer Susan Lujan, who worked on the Allinder house with husband Tom Lujan (both run Aesthetics Interiors): "Typically when I design a house, the two places I have fun with are the kitchen, and the powder room is the next after that."

• This room is mostly for guests, so make sure there's counter space for people to set down keys and purses.

• Make lighting adaptable. For evening or parties, you might want to change to under-cabinet or rope lighting, or place a few candles.

• Powder rooms average just 4 feet by 5 feet, so you can not only experiment, but also splash out without breaking the bank. Try high-end surfaces like quartz or marble, or explore the latest hot bathroom trend of glass, with glass counters, sinks or even faucets.

• Bright and dark colors make bolder statements than pastels and pale shades, despite the room's small size. Experiment with some funky wallpaper or a wall covering that's in vogue, like leather.

• Source: HGTV.com