Simple accessories that make bathrooms better

Make the most of your bathroom space by styling your room with chic and practical accessories, as chosen by Ideal Home.

If you don't have the funds or the time to overhaul your bathroom with a big makeover - never fear. There are countless ways to update your bathroom or shower room without spending a fortune.

We've rounded up the best instant updates and style refreshes for your bathroom, whatever your style and budget. From storage to accessories and tiles to artwork, get ready to enjoy your dream bathroom - minus the faff.

1/10 Update your towels

bathroom with white wall and pink bright towels

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

Pop your freshly laundered towels on display to make a feature in the bathroom; narrow shelves fitted in the corner lend themselves perfectly. A small basket positioned nearby is perfect for flannels, which look best when rolled up. An orchid will thrive in the bathroom and adds a pretty touch of colour to a neutral space.

Similar basket

B&Q

Similar tea light

Homebase

2/10 Sleek and smart

bathroom with concrete slate and reed diffusers

(Image credit: Future PLc/Lizzie Orme)

Concrete and slate is the latest trend popping up in bathrooms nationwide. Its cool, clean lines create a modern and stylish look. A slate sheet is a fab place to pop jewellery while you’re showering or taking a bath. Reed diffusers, which can last for up to four weeks, are great decorative pieces in their own right and will also fill the room with a beautiful fragrance.

Similar diffuser

Wax Lyrical

Similar accessories

Dunelm

3/10 Bath storage

bathroom with white wall and chrome bath rack

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

A chrome bath rack is great for keeping special bathroom soaps and essentials on display. It can transform a plain bath into a feature piece for the room. Wooden versions are just as stylish and practical. Fill with your favourite smellies that complement your overall colour scheme.

Similar bath rack

John Lewis

Similar soap

Crabtree & Evelyn

4/10 Candles

bathroom with green tiles and candle

(Image credit: Future PLC/Sussie Bell)

The window ledge is the ideal place to display pretty accessories in your bathroom. A few silver and glass tea light holders and candles look stylish when grouped together, and when lit can create the perfect ambience for a relaxing bath. If you have a bright or strong coloured bathroom, choose accessories in a neutral shade to keep the look balanced.

Similar tiles

Topps Tiles

Similar candles

Next

5/10 Coloured accessories

bathroom with white wall and lime green shower gel

(Image credit: Future PLC/Sussie Bell)

When picking toiletries for the bathroom, think about the colour of the packaging. A lime green shower gel just won’t do in a soft blue bathroom. Your toiletry products are every bit as important as other accessories in the room. A great tip is to buy luxury products and then decant inexpensive products into them, or go for glass bottles that you can fill with bubble bath.

Similar pot

Dotcomgiftshop

Similar toiletries

The White Company

6/10 Wall frames

bathroom with white wall and frames photos

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jamie Mason)

Give your bathroom a personal family touch by framing photographs from memorable events and occasions. When you’re relaxing in the bath you can admire snaps from beach shores that you’ve visited in the past. Mix with some enamel signs to give your space an eclectic vintage feel.

Similar sign

Notonthehighstreet.com

Similar frames

Tesco

7/10 Storage baskets

bathroom with storage basket and white tiles

(Image credit: Future PLc/David Giles)

Smarten your bathroom with a monochrome look for a personalised touch. Have a go at stencilling onto plain storage baskets to bring a chic look to your bathroom space, or grab some shop-bought patterned ones. Place the baskets under the sink or near to the bath, so that loo rolls and bath towels are always within easy reach. 

Similar baskets

Wilko

Similar bath mat

Ikea

8/10 Fresh flowers

bathroom with white wall and yellow flower vase

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jamie Mason)

When you receive a pretty bouquet of flowers, it’s not likely that you’ll think of the bathroom as a place to display them. It might seem unusual, but putting a sweet arrangement of cut flowers in your bathroom will bring a natural, elegant feel, which is perfect for relaxing your mood. Pop in a vase that matches your colour scheme and you’ll have an easy update in no time.

Similar vase

Habitat

Similar shelf

Argos

9/10 Slimline storage

bathroom with white narrow storage unit and towels

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jamie Mason)

If space in your bathroom is at a premium but you still need some essential storage, then opt for a narrow unit. Something this size is perfect for bathroom toiletries and accessories in your colour scheme. Fill with matching towels and flannels and pop in a complementing bubble bath or two.

Similar unit

Argos

Similar towels

Sainsbury's

10/10 Wall art

bathroom with grey bolded wall and framed photo

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jamie Mason)

Your bathroom is a room like any other, so don’t neglect its walls. Pay attention to the décor in the space and bring in character with framed prints. Go for a colour scheme that is punchy and bold and complement with a playful print design. Go for a cool leather-strap magazine rack that doubles up as storage and a feature.

Similar towels

BHS

Similar magazine holder

John Lewis

See, with minimal effort you can transform your bathroom space by styling your room with chic and practical accessories.

Amy Hodge
Contributor

Amy Hodge has been working on interiors magazines for over 11 years. She's a freelance writer and sub editor who has worked for some of the UK's leading interiors magazines including Ideal Home, Style at Home and Country Homes & Interiors. She started at Style at Home just after it launched as food editor and is now chief sub editor for Ideal Home, Style at Home and Country Homes & Interiors.