The bathroom is one of the most popular rooms in most homes and whether it’s for personal grooming or simply soaking in the tub after a stressful day, the furniture in your bathroom should be as stylish and practical as possible. Because it is such a frequently used room, spending a bit of extra money, effort and time is well worth it.

The first thing to do when deciding on bathroom furniture is to pick a theme of some kind. There are hundreds to choose from, so this may take some time. You could go for a classic look, with heavy wooden furniture pieces, a rich colour scheme and low lighting. This is perfect for those who want to create a calming and somewhat luxurious ambience in their bathroom. Or for people who prefer a lighter, more feminine design style, shabby chic furniture might be a good choice. Furniture such as a set of drawers made from white wicker, with a matching bin and a claw tub would create a pretty and spacious look with a certain vintage appeal. For a more contemporary bathroom, a colour blocking design could look great; in this case pieces such as a black bathtub, chrome fixtures and sleek lighting designs would look very striking alongside a splash of bright red or white.

Choosing furniture which picks up on a distinctive texture which appeals to you is a great idea. Having a pattern on a bathtub which matches the soft furnishings such as the curtains or towels can bring the decor of the room together. Or you can keep the walls and soft furnishings neutral, for instance in muted pastels or shade of cream, whilst fitting in brightly coloured bathroom furniture. This will really make a statement when people enter the room.

Whilst the style of the room is very important, remember to make the furniture as practical as possible. Many people have relatively small bathrooms, so storage must be carefully considered. Shelving can be as conspicuous or hidden as you want, depending on your preferences. Some people might prefer to have open shelves in front of the bathroom mirror, so that they needn’t spend time looking for things. But there are others who would rather keep the overall look of the bathroom as clean and simple as possible by having minimalistic shelves underneath the sink. Remember to keep a storage area for essential items such as bathroom towels, cosmetics etc.

Mirrors are a very important aspect of bathroom furniture. They can make the room look far larger than it actually is, for instance a wide mirror on one wall of the bathroom can open up even the smallest of spaces. Mirrors combined with the right lighting can also help to create any kind of ‘mood’ that you want. Wall lights are better than overhead for creating softer light and a calming atmosphere, whereas overhead lighting using a statement light fixture can create as brighter, slight more spacious look. Mirrors in striking shapes or with a funky frame can also alter the look of your bathroom for the better.