How to Choose Bathroom Accessories

What Should I Do Before Choosing my Bathroom Accessories?

• Know your budget. Do not make too many compromises and find accessories that are within your budget but still of good quality.

• Make a list of the things you need. Try and not bulk buy and start with the essentials. Then you can assess the space available and match additional pieces to existing ones.

• Popular brands are not always the best. Look at individual items instead of relying on the brand's reputation.

Should I Choose Fitted or Free-standing Bathroom Accessories?

From the basic soap holder to a magnifying mirror, bathroom accessories come in two main installation options:

• Fitted Bathroom Accessories

Some soap dispensers and toothbrush holders require installation, but they are still considered more convenient and will last longer because they are subject to less wear. In regards of installation, you will need a drill to make the necessary holes in the tiles. Unless you prefer accessories that have a suction cup, but some of them can be a real nuisance. Keep in mind that drilled in accessories can handle heavier things.

• Free-standing Bathroom Accessories

The advantage of this type of accessories is that you can place them on any surface, but only if you have the space. You can also move them around until you have found the perfect spot and replace them easier. However, they will need more regular cleaning and maintenance.

What Are the Best Materials For Bathroom Accessories?

• Plastic low-end bathroom accessories are usually free-standing ones and are a temporary solution. They will most probably come in kits, which can be placed around sinks and bathtubs.

• Stainless-steel might be on the more expensive side but it is justified since they are more durable, resistant and have a longer life span.

• Chrome-plated steel is a cheaper alternative; however, it might be worth investing more since chrome is not as durable and will wear away with time.

• Ceramic and glass bathroom accessories are easiest to clean and maintain but that comes with the risk of them accidentally breaking.

As for which materials will best suit your bathroom style:

• Contemporary interiors are not picky; therefore, any material can be interpreted as long as it has a simple and streamlined design.

• Vintage and retro bathrooms ask for combined materials of glass, iron, porcelain and enameled steel.

• Zen style bathrooms usually incorporate ceramic, stone or wood within their design.

What Types of Bathroom Accessories Are There?

Soap and Toothbrush Holder Sets

Unlike individually sold accessories, an already arranged set of a soap dish, toothbrush holder and liquid dispenser can save you a lot of time and trouble. They will also have a big of variety in materials, designs and patterns as the individually sold ones.

Shower Accessories

• Shower curtains are usually made from polyester and you might need to buy a rod separately. Depending on your personal taste, you can then pick a curtain that has hooks, rings or is lined for a cleaner appearance. If you happen to find a fabric shower curtain, make sure it is water resistant.

• Shelves and shower baskets can save you space and help you organize your shower products. It is best to choose fitted ones because suction cups can lose their vacuum because of the water.

• Bathtub and shower mats are usually made of PVC or rubber and have suction cups on the bottom to stick to the tiles. They help reduce the risk of slipping and falling. For zen style bathrooms you can find wooden mats.

Towel Rails and Hooks

These small accessories are quite useful for hanging your towels or even store them if they come with a shelf. They should be placed in a convenient spot for when you exit the shower. You can find free-standing and fixed ones.

Toilet Accessories

Toilet accessories can be free-standing or fixed and the most common one you will find are:

• A toilet paper holder, which is generally fixed on a wall, but there are some originally designed free-standing ones for people that do not want to use a drill. They will sometimes feature a lid, which is quite handy if you shower is nearby. Material-wise you will have a plethora of choice with the most common and stylish being stainless-steel, aluminium and wood.

• The toilet seat might not be as important to people that would like it plain and standard; however, for the more expressive people, you will find so many patterns to choose from

• The bathroom waste bin is made of various materials and can come in many sizes, but the only thing to remember is that the bin should have an easy to operate pedal.

• A toilet brush and holder are one of the necessities a bathroom needs to have. They can be free-standing or fitted, but it is highly recommended to get a fitted one due to its convenience and the fact it will last longer.

• A pedestal mat rug is not an essential piece to add to your bathroom, but it can add a tad of comfort. It is best to choose a microfibre one, which is machine washable.

Bathroom Lighting

Many would not consider bathroom lighting as part of the accessories, but it is still quite important to choose the right ones that complement your bathroom.

• Wall lights offer sheer versatility of function and attractive design. Add two on both sides of the mirror to create a stylish ambience.

• Ceiling lights provide all-around illumination and are a must in darker bathrooms.

• Shower lights can bring you so much joy during your daily shower; however, you need to remember to buy the proper dimmer for your shower lights.

• Mirror lights can be bought separately if your mirror does not already have that feature and can be an accent of their own in contemporary aesthetics.

Bathroom Extractor Fan

This device should be on your essentials list because it is the most effective item when it comes to stopping mould in its tracks. You can fit in the bathroom window, wall or ceiling. Choose an extractor fan that has a sensory feature that senses the humidity level and turns on automatically.

How to Match Bathroom Accessories to a Color Scheme?

• If you have a cream and white bathroom, it is best to not introduce other colors. You can choose a ceramic soap and toothbrush holder set in a cream color.

• For an all-white bathroom, a pinch of red would do wonders to your aesthetic. Choose a red shower mat, red stainless-steel toilet paper holder and red waste bin to match.

• Turquoise and gold look fabulous together. If you already have elements of these colors, you can add matching sets in turquoise or choose towel hooks and rails in gold.

• You can incorporate golden metallics in a cream inspired bathroom as well. Imagine a mirror with a gold frame and two golden wall lights on each side of it.

• For a pink inspired bathroom, you can go with a simple white set of accessories or go bold and merge two bright colors such as pink and teal or combine pink with white and black.

• Light blue, turquoise, teal, and navy blue, when paired with light colored wood and rattan accessories, lend a coastal vibe to all-white bathroom.