Best Vanity Stools

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

Updated 26/11/2021

Bathroom vanity stools are usually simple seats that allow the user to sit at the bathroom vanity or create a place other than the toilet seat for sitting down while toweling off or getting dressed. They can be simple, backless stools, or they can be more decorative. Usually, the style will be matched to the rest of the bathroom furnishings and fixtures. So, a bathroom with a seaside theme might have a rattan stool, while one that is more art nouveau might be a cushion supported by a gold-colored metal frame. Sturdy and water-resistant are preferred.

Buying Guide

If you need luxurious space to get ready at your vanity, choose a vanity stool to match! This article shows you how to choose the perfect makeup chair for a bedroom or bathroom.

For many women, the process of getting ready is almost sacred. That's why it is important to pick the perfect vanity stool! Although it seems like a small detail in the overall design of your bedroom or bathroom, a vanity stool is a perfect opportunity to search for accent furniture as it does not need to match any other chairs.

To help you choose the right vanity stool, this blog post will explain:

How to choose the right chair whether it is in the bedroom or bathroom
Tips and inspiration for vanity stools
And whether you should choose a stool, chair or ottoman for your vanity

How to choose a vanity stool for the bedroom or bathroom?

It is worth putting some thought into your vanity stool if you are curating your whole space. As an accent furniture piece, your makeup chair could pull the room together or look completely out of place.

If you need a vanity stool for sitting and applying makeup, opt for a chair with a back. Remember that because it is a unique chair, you can use any chair you want! Try looking in the dining and lounge sections of the furniture store as well as the office sections for more variety.
A popular choice for photogenic vanities is to choose an ottoman stool instead of a chair. This is a great choice for small spaces as there are many models with extra storage inside the seat and it can be used as extra seating for guests.
In the same way, a simple stool could serve as a bedside table as well as a seat. Choosing your vanity chair should be considered within the room as a whole.
For a large bathroom, you could choose an accent armchair to go in the corner as long as it is far away from the shower and sink. This will create a more luxurious feel in your bathroom as it makes space to relax while you get ready.
If you are designing the room decor from scratch, choose your vanity stool first! This means that you can get creative with the colors, textures and designs rather than choosing a plain chair to fit the rest of the room.
Already have the color palette for the room? Choose a vanity stool that complements it. A blue and grey color scheme could be accented by a gold vanity stool for example, and creamy neutrals could be paired with a tan or leather chair.

What style vanity stool should I choose?

Looking for inspiration to choose your vanity stool? Here are a few of our favorite styles!

Ideas for chic vanity stools. When you think of classic, beautiful vanities and bedrooms, think velvet, cushions, and bead accent details. For the ultimate chic option, find an ottoman with tufting with button finishes. If you already have a chair but want to update the feeling of it, you can easily choose blankets and throw pillows to put over it!

Ideas for modern vanity stools. If you have a minimal taste, you will need clean-cut edges. Some popular vanity stool trends include see-through acrylic (which you can warm up with accessories) as well as chairs with golden, metallic finishes. These can be stools, armchairs, or swivel chairs depending on the mood of your room.

Should I get a vanity stool or ottoman?

A vanity stool is a chair that allows you to sit up at your vanity or desk. An ottoman is a low, round or square footstool that can be used a decorative seating.

Both vanity stools and ottomans can add elegance and interest to your bedroom or walk-in closet, however, it will depend on your needs and habits.

For example, if you sit at your vanity applying for makeup for long periods of time, an ottoman will be uncomfortable even if it is aesthetically pleasing. It would be better to find a chair with a back that lets you sit up comfortably.

On the other hand, an ottoman is a chic choice for a modern bedroom. They can act as extra storage, extra seating, and give the feeling of being in your very own dressing room.

Make sure that you already know what furniture is going to be in the space and what you are primarily going to use the vanity stool for before you choose the perfect one!