The final finishing touch within the bathroom, having the right accessories can tie together all the elements of your bathroom’s design. Some items can be seen as being a necessity over a luxury while others can be seen as being a luxury over a necessity.
What to Consider
Selecting the right fitting bathroom accessories can help make sure your bathroom has that showstopping impact you have been working towards since the start. When considering which accessories, you want in your bathroom you want to ensure you are only picking pieces that will be used. It’s somewhat pointless installing a soap dish when you only use liquid soap.
In terms of style, bathroom accessories come in a range of modern and traditional styles allowing you to pick pieces that will go with your overall bathroom décor. This depth in design also spans to the range of colour finishes available, with some brands giving the option to exactly match your accessories to your brassware. To create cohesion between various pieces it is possible to select accessories from the same manufacturer and range. If you want the hassle of selecting individual pieces removed, accessory packs are a great option as they come with all the basic essentials required and can be easily added too further down the line if you feel you are missing certain elements.
What Accessories Are Available?
Bathroom Lighting
While it is not technically an accessory, bathroom lighting needs to be thoroughly thought about. Where possible you want to maximise the natural light that floods into your bathroom to create a light and airy environment. You then want to build on this using additional lighting in targeted areas to create set moods and ambience. Adding light to a bathroom can be done in various ways and it is essential you consider all the options as once installed it can be tricky to change the electrical outlets within the bathroom.
The most common type of bathroom lighting is recessed spotlights, these are great for illuminating the whole bathroom. They have a minimal look and often include an extractor fan making them dual purpose. For a more showstopping feature, pendant lighting hangs from the ceiling and can draw attention to certain aspects of the bathroom. Wall lights are a more traditional option, they are a great way of quickly improving the light within certain areas of the bathroom. Ideal for positioning around a basin they increase the surrounding light and create a design feature. If you require extra light around your mirror, you may wish to consider a mirror with lighting incorporated within it. Often mirror lighting is LED and has the capability of being adjusted to suit the atmosphere the user is wanting to create at that moment.
Extractor Fans
As discussed in our heating guide it is essential to keep your bathroom free of as much moisture as possible, in order to limit the ability for mould to occur. Extractor fans are one of the most effective devices for preventing the build of humidity and moisture within the bathroom. They work by sucking out the humid air from in the bathroom, instantly extracting the majority of the moisture within the room.
A must for any windowless bathroom, they are also handy for keeping on top of humidity in bathrooms with windows. Coming in various finishes and styles, certain fans have a light feature for extra functionality. Humidity-sensing fans start automatically when they sense a change in humidity past a certain level and run until the humidity has dropped again. Another option is setting the fan on a timer which enables it to run for a pre-set time once it is turn off, allowing it to continue to remove moisture when you have finished in the bathroom. Other fans have been specifically manufactured so they can sit within Zone 1 of the bathroom, above baths or showers, for optimal extraction.
Wastes
A small but vital part of the bathroom. Wastes for both baths and basins are often forgotten about till the last minute. They, however, should be a priority choice within your bathroom due to the essential role they play. When selecting your waste, it’s essential you select the right type for your basin or bath. Coming in various styles and colour finishes, they can be co-ordinated to match with your brassware of choice. For more information on bathroom waste, check out our waste’s guide.
Bathroom Mirrors
One of the most valuable elements of design and functionality within the bathroom. Bathroom mirrors add depth and light to a bathroom’s overall design while also becoming a stylish focal point. The options when selecting a bathroom mirror are plentiful, with the choices even including mirror cabinets for those who want their mirror to be beautiful and practical. To find out more about bathroom mirrors and get help with selecting a style that is right for you, check out our bathroom mirror guide.
Bathroom Shelves
Shelving within any room is a practical option, shelving within the bathroom can be considered essential. Bathrooms are always tight on storage space and shelving can add that extra little bit of decorative storage. The types of shelves we are discussing are designed to sit outside of the immediate washing areas (showers and baths) and are often made of glass. Ideal for positioning under a mirror or above a basin and using to hold a toothbrush holder and soap dispenser, glass bathroom shelves come in both ornate traditional designs with sleek metal frames and modern frosted frameless designs. For those larger bathrooms maybe consider using multiple shelves on an empty wall to create a feature to display select toiletries or other decorative items.
Soap/Shower Baskets
Another type of bathroom shelf, these are designed for use within the showering/bathing environment. These are a key accessory within the bathroom. Keeping everything within handy reach, soap/shower baskets come in a multitude of different styles and designs. Corner options are great for making the most of a small space, while elongated straight versions offer a great deal of storage for larger toiletries or busy washing spaces. Frequently manufactured from wired metal, their designs are made to make them easily cleanable, and this includes easily removable fixings by some manufacturers for a more thorough clean. Due to the rigorous use and positioning of shower baskets they are made to be durable with rust-resistant material and finishes that ensure suds don’t sit on them for too long.
Soap Dispensers and Dishes
An essential for any bathroom. Soap dishes and dispensers will ensure that anyone who uses your bathroom will be able to leave feeling hygienically clean. Allowing you to place soap within easy reach of the washbasin area, the varying designs between ranges mean there is a look for every bathroom décor. Soap dishes are a more classic look and are for use with bar soap. An alternative to setting down your soap in an indent on your washbasin, they mainly come in wall-mounted versions that have a slight lip to them to stop the soap from sliding off. Soap dispensers are a more modern iteration and are used for liquid soap. They are easily refillable and remove any mismatched shop-bought soap containers from the bathroom. In both deck and wall-mounted versions, they can either be mounted above the basin or set on the basin or a shelf for easy access.
Tumblers and Toothbrush Holders
Another essential for around the basin area. Bathrooms are full of dampness and humidity and to keep your toothbrushes as hygienic as possible it is essential that they are stored upright. The best way to do this is in either a tumbler or a toothbrush holder. Toothbrush holders have a traditional look to them. Designed so that they are flat they have slots to fit toothbrushes within. A downside to these is that they are only suitable for certain sizes of toothbrushes. Tumblers on the other hand can be used to store toothbrushes or other small bathroom essentials. They are also perfect for using to rinsing the mouth out after brushing. Wall and deck-mounted versions are available in various design styles. Some manufacturers have also combined tumblers with soap dish holders for a singular wall-mounted design.
Towel Holders
Once you’ve stepped out of your shower or bath you want your towels to be within easy reach and you then want to hang them back up again effortlessly. There are various options to choose from, both in terms of style and functionality. Towel hooks are perfect for the hanging of smaller towels and bath robes. Either mounted on a wall or the back of the bathroom door, they are a subtle finishing touch that can change the environment and overall feel of the bathroom when in use. Towel rings are designed for use next to the bathroom basin and keep the towel within easy reach. Classically round in design giving them the name rings, modern iterations are more angular and span the depth of the basin so that they can sit elegantly beside for easy draping of the hand towel. If you have a busy bathroom and are going to need to store quite a few towels, a double towel rail may be the best option for you. Similar to the angular bar design of a singular towel rail, double rails offer a slightly more storage. For airing your towels as well as storing them, you will want a heated towel rail; for more information on these check out our heating guide.
Toilet Roll Holders
A thoroughly practical bathroom accessory, the toilet space within a bathroom wouldn’t be complete without a toilet roll holder. The style and design of toilet roll holder you choose will truly depend on what you are looking for. The majority are wall mounted to prevent contaminating the toilet paper with dust and debris from the floor. Open-form versions are ideal for those wanting an uncluttered look and are unfazed by their toilet roll being on show. For those wanting a more uniform appearance to match the rest of the bathroom, closed-form versions with liftable lids are the perfect option. For use in guest bathrooms or cloakrooms, spare roll holders are great to keep multiple toilet rolls in easy view of guests. Floor-mounted versions are available and often come paired with toilet brush holders to make a less cluttered floor space.
Toilet Brush Holders
A practical and hygienic accessory for every bathroom. Once seen as a bulky item to be hidden as much as possible, the design of toilet brush holders has evolved so that they can blend almost seamlessly into a bathroom’s décor. Available in both floor and wall-mounted designs, closed-lid versions are perfect for those who are germ conscious. Coming in an array of designs, for a more discrete look opt for a frosted glass design.
Bathroom Stools
A somewhat luxury bathroom accessory. Bathroom stools are perfect for creating a design flare within larger bathrooms. Adding some extra functionality to the space by providing a place to sit or just acting as a stylish note for draping dry towels. Available in various material constructions, they come with both modern and traditional styling cues.
Independent Living Accessories
To make the bathroom easily accessible and usable for everyone you may need to add a few extras. It is best for everyone that all users of the bathroom can manoeuvre around the bathroom safely. To help with moving from piece to piece or with getting into and out of the bath grab bars are the best option. Made in designs that don’t compromise the style of the bathroom, they can be positioned wherever is best in the bathroom for the user. Another accessory that could help when bathing are shower seats. These come in both floor and wall-mounted versions and are ideal for those who cannot stand for long periods of time or where a seating showering experience would be more comfortable.
We hope this guide has helped you decide which accessories would suit you and your bathroom. At James Hargreaves Bathrooms we endeavour to supply a wide range of accessories to suit all personal styles, so feel free to have a look at the range we have.