> bathroom

Bathroom

A great bathroom should help you start and end the day in the right mood. This edit of products encompasses all the bathing essentials and indulgences you’ll need. For more inspiration, see the Complete Collection – and don’t forget the Accessories room.

Wall mounted ladder drying rack Not on the High Street

I have a very unattractive small metal one of these fixed to the shelf between my boiler and washing machine and it’s completely invaluable. It’s used not only for drying things in winter, but for keeping damp tea towels out of the way and even pulled out as a shelf for the clean folded laundry to sit on. It comes in two sizes and there is a choice of natural wood or white painted. If you’re trying not to use your tumble drier as much then you need one of these.
Marrakech M&S x Fired Earth

Continuing the trend for high street and high end collaborating we have the somewhat unlikely partnership of tile company Fired Earth working with M&S on a collection of soft furnishings. This patterned towel is, for me, the highlight among a sea of cushions and throws that are all very pretty but not necessarily ground-breaking. I’m a fan of a patterned towel though a) because it hides the dirt well and I’m not suggesting you use dirty towels but when you get the smudge of mascara on it on the first day out of the cupboard that doesn't really justify washing the whole thing and b) because bathrooms are often low on pattern and texture and a towel like this can really bring it.
Glass soap dispenser Cox & Cox

Perfect for the downstairs loo where, let’s be honest, those solid bars of soap can end up looking a little grubby if they’re used for gardening and toddler hands. Instead, buy a big refill that you can stash in the cupboard, fix this to the wall so it won’t slip onto the floor or sit in a pile of soap scudge, and welcome to your elegant cloakroom. Trend tip: this antique silver is more classic and won’t date like the antique gold one which is already on sale.
Lovise laundry basket Made

All laundry baskets are better with lids. That’s just a fact. And a bit of rattan will bring character and warmth to a room traditionally full of hard white sufaces. This has a carrying handle and a narrower base, which helps when we have the smallest bathrooms in Europe. Buy this one for the whites and the black one for the darks and that’s saved you a sorting job.
Round Roddy ip44 flush ceiling light Pooky

Perfect for those with low ceilings who don’t want the infamous (and ubiquitous) downlights. This is also IP44 rated which means you can put it in the bathroom as well and – that other forgotten place where pendant lights can be tricky – halls, stairs and landings. It’s a bit Deco inspired but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t put it in any period or place.
Barlow Glass soap dish Soho Home

Now that we’re all moving towards soap and shampoo bars we need to up our soap dish game as well. This is a lovely one made from ribbed coloured glass and has a vintage 70s feel to it. There is a matching toothbrush holder should you so wish but I fancy one of these for the downstairs loo.
Black Iron Bathroom Mirror With Shelf Rockett St George

No-one’s bathroom is ever big enough – the more space the more you fill it – but there’s no denying that a shelf under the mirror can be useful for all those things you feel for on a daily (or twice daily) basis. Black goes with both chrome and brass so it doesn’t matter what colour your taps are this will work.
Baby Roddy wall light Pooky

If you are renovating your bathroom then do think of adding side lights by your basin mirrors. This is where you start and end your day and you want to look your best – side light is much more flattering than overhead so give yourself an easy boost with these bathroom-rated (IP44) lights
Mabel Table Anthropologie

Sensible fashion people will tell you to never buy a new item of clothing unless you can think of three outfits you can make with it. Always worth applying the same thought to furniture to make sure you will get good use out of it. This pretty ceramic table is billed as indoor outdoor. But it will also liven up a sitting room, or work as a matching pair of bedside tables. It would also work brilliantly in a bathroom to rest a glass of wine by the bath or even stand the soap in a large shower. Turns out this is so useful it should practically be mandatory.
Stainless Steel Toothbrush with replaceable bamboo heads Wearth London

I have just bought one of these. The handle is pleasingly heavy (naturally bacterial and will never deteriorate) and the bristles (I have soft) perfect. It comes with one head and I bought a second for £3.50 but you can also subscribe to receive regular replacements which I will do.