Often seen as purely functional spaces, bathrooms frequently miss out on the decor opportunities that we afford other rooms.
We all know the joy of using beautifully designed restrooms in hotels and restaurants, which shows it really can be worth giving a little more thought to 'the bog.' And it's not too difficult to bring that joy home without spending a fortune. From statement trinkets to storage baskets, using the right choice of colours and textures will make a big difference.
"Cooler tones can create a calming and relaxing environment," says Ruth Foster, Interior Designer at online bathroom specialist Victoria Plum. "Shades such as light blues, soft greys, or pale greens can evoke a sense of tranquillity and serenity, perfect for unwinding after a long day. These cool colours can also make the bathroom feel more spacious and open, adding to the overall sense of comfort. Pairing cooler tones with white or neutral fixtures and furnishings can further enhance the soothing atmosphere. So, when planning your bathroom decor, remember to consider the power of colour to create a peaceful oasis within your home."
But if brighter colours are your thing, that can work too — tiling, wallpaper and pops of colour can make a statement, and the right colours can help to energise us. "Just be sure anything patterned or dramatic is scaled appropriately to avoid overwhelming the space. Accent lighting also adds atmosphere while general overhead fixtures keep things bright. The right combination will create a relaxing yet energising ambiance," says Interior Designer Joy Aumann.
How to accessorise your bathroom
So colour is important. But how do you know which accessories to choose?
“The devil always lies in the details," Ruth says — and the bathroom is no exception. “Even focusing on smaller things like soap dispensers and toilet paper holders is important. The lighting and window coverings that we choose to use in our bathrooms can make a great impact on how our bathroom feels to be in and use.”
So let's get to it — we've curated our edit of the best bathroom accessories to add not only practical function, but style and character to your restroom.
Anthropologie's plush fabric feels luxurious to step on after a dip. Tufted cotton adds soft detailing and the cool mint green tones will suit most traditional bathroom styles.
You'll need a little more space for a circular bath mat than a rectangular one, but if you do have the space for it, it's a beautiful pick.
Who says we can't have some fun? As it's such a practical space, people don't tend to show off their personalities as much.
Small details, like this fun monkey, add character and charm to an otherwise functional room. If this is a little bold for you, try adding some of your favourite books or magazines instead.
For true relaxation in the tub, invest in an inflatable pillow. It provides support for your neck and head too, and a softer surface to lean on while you wash, read, or listen to your favourite podcast.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
34 St. John Single Door Vanity Unit With Beyondstone Basin
4
34 St. John Single Door Vanity Unit With Beyondstone Basin
The right storage makes a bathroom much more pleasant to use — there's nothing worse than stuff everywhere — and this is such a beautiful option.
Available in 21 colours and five sizes (including a double basin option), you can create a look for your bathroom that is just right.
5
John Lewis ANYDAY Seashell Soap Dish
5
John Lewis ANYDAY Seashell Soap Dish
Reminders of the sea are always soothing, and this pretty dish is just as useful for trinkets as it is soap. If you prefer to use liquid as opposed to a bar, you can use this for jewellery, hair ties, bobby pins or cotton pads.
Get the hotel look at home with simple storage that allows you to display clean towels neatly. This black option will work with any colour fabric (or mix and match), is wall mounted to save on space, and has room for five towels — ideal for family homes.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
M&S X Fired Earth Seville Feria Fringed Guest Towel
7
M&S X Fired Earth Seville Feria Fringed Guest Towel
Marks and Spencer's collaboration with tiling favourite Fired Earth is full of gems, and its towel collection combines earthy colours, a striking jacquard pattern and soft cotton for comfort, interest and texture in one.
8
34 St. John Two Way Thermostatic Shower Set
8
34 St. John Two Way Thermostatic Shower Set
The shower and/or bathtub is the heart of the bathroom and integral to the experience of the space.
A waterfall shower is a powerful upgrade from the standard shower head — this one provides both a handheld shower and a wall-mounted head for spa-like luxury at home.
To keep towels soft and clean, they need to be able to dry properly. This rail provides both everyday storage and a place for them to hang to dry after use. It's a practical pick, but its wooden base and matte black rail give it style points.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
The White Company Spa Restore Signature Candle
10
The White Company Spa Restore Signature Candle
Turn your bathroom into a home spa with The White Company's classic 'Restore' scent, which is part of its 'Spa' range. A combination of geranium, neroli and eucalyptus essential oils create a relaxing yet uplifting fragrance — and it's all natural.
11
Urban Outfitters Fiona Runner Bath Mat
11
Urban Outfitters Fiona Runner Bath Mat
A splash of colour can add joy to any room. While bathrooms typically feature neutral, earthy tones, introducing some of your favourite, brighter colours can make the space feel sunnier and more your own.
A mirror is a bathroom essential — and some have useful features designed particularly for the humid environment. This luxurious-looking option includes LED lighting and a touch dimmer, as well as a defogger.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Mivcinn Self Adhesive Shower Caddies
Keep toiletries and bottles off the edge of the bath or the base of the shower with stylish storage caddies. They're easy to fit without causing any wall damage — though you can drill them in if you want to.
Quality towels will enhance your bathing experience, and we love Rise & Fall's Turkish bath sheets. They're huge, easily covering your whole body, and retain their softness wash after wash. They're on the pricier side, but you do get what you pay for here.
15
Barnhouse Interiors Wooden Bath Caddy
Whether it be a glass of water (or wine), your book, your favourite candle, a Kindle or iPad, having everything you need to hand can make your bathing experience easier and more relaxing.
This bath caddy is made from rustic, sustainably sourced timber, and looks great styled with your favourite small houseplant. That's a lot of wellness boxes ticked.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
The White Company Marble Toothbrush Holder
16
The White Company Marble Toothbrush Holder
The White Company is the epitome of 'less is more', which is a styling approach that works particularly well in bathrooms. Its marble toothbrush holder adds a little luxury to a practical purchase.
17
34 St. John Single Drawer Vanity Unit With Beyondstone Double Basin
17
34 St. John Single Drawer Vanity Unit With Beyondstone Double Basin
A double vanity can make the bathroom a much more pleasant place, if you have the space for it. Your own sink, your own taps, and your own space for your things can make a world of difference to how it feels to use your bathroom — and this ultra-stylish option looks and feels luxurious for any kind of decor. But if you don't love the walnut look, choose from 18 other colours.
A bathroom caddy can often feel more practical than it is stylish, but there is room for both. Mango wood is a calming, neutral pick which, when paired with black iron, creates a more industrial look to bring it up to date.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Anthropologie Nellie Tabletop Vanity Mirror
19
Anthropologie Nellie Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Portable and practical, a vanity mirror is useful in any home — particularly if you don't have the best lighting. But this design from Anthropologie makes for much more than a vanity mirror: it's a statement, stylish piece that feels opulent on your surface.
We may not have the weather for a beach holiday right now, but this sweet sea shell candle adds a touch of the ocean to your bathroom.
Its neutral tone will fit with any decor style, and you can reuse the holder after the candle has melted — simply clean it out and pop in a tealight, or use it as a trinket dish instead.
