The Ultimate Bathroom Accessory? (It's Not What You Expect)
A practical bathroom requires just the one place to sit. But for a more enjoyable space, why not add in a second seat?
Sarah Warwick
13 March 2018
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More
If you want to show that your bathroom is a space to spend time in rather than merely a functional area, a chair is the piece you need. Yes, I admit it: there are many bathrooms in which the idea of adding extra furniture is an impossible dream (though a petite wash space could perhaps accommodate a – sturdy – vintage child’s chair as an attractive extra surface). That aside, more averagely proportioned rooms as well as super-sized spaces can benefit from a chair. Take a look…
Live in colour
A bathroom chair can be modest in its proportions and still provide the seat for nail-painting that turns the space into a pamper spot. So if your room isn’t huge, pick a side chair design like this one.
White suite and white tiles making the ambience of your room a little cool? This choice of sunny yellow is worth copying.
If your perch is to live in a wet area, like this one, you will, of course, need to opt for a waterproof modern material.
Browse more bold colours in the bathroom
A bathroom chair can be modest in its proportions and still provide the seat for nail-painting that turns the space into a pamper spot. So if your room isn’t huge, pick a side chair design like this one.
White suite and white tiles making the ambience of your room a little cool? This choice of sunny yellow is worth copying.
If your perch is to live in a wet area, like this one, you will, of course, need to opt for a waterproof modern material.
Browse more bold colours in the bathroom
Dress a corner
This moody black and copper scheme is already gorgeous, but the woven chair positioned by the window completes the picture. The textural design adds to the already rich selection of finishes – from walls to floorboards to sink-in bath mat.
If you’re concerned about the steamy atmosphere, chairs designed for the conservatory and garden are a worry-free option that can look equally at home in a bathroom. Think weatherproof rattan as well as powder-coated metal.
This moody black and copper scheme is already gorgeous, but the woven chair positioned by the window completes the picture. The textural design adds to the already rich selection of finishes – from walls to floorboards to sink-in bath mat.
If you’re concerned about the steamy atmosphere, chairs designed for the conservatory and garden are a worry-free option that can look equally at home in a bathroom. Think weatherproof rattan as well as powder-coated metal.
See through
The Louis Ghost chair is a natural for the bathroom. Baroque lines make it a decorative addition, but its barely there presence means it’s neither a light- nor a view-blocker. The polycarbonate material is another bathroom-proof option and, here, it’s a complement to the loft room’s clear balustrade.
The Louis Ghost chair is a natural for the bathroom. Baroque lines make it a decorative addition, but its barely there presence means it’s neither a light- nor a view-blocker. The polycarbonate material is another bathroom-proof option and, here, it’s a complement to the loft room’s clear balustrade.
Get good wood
A wooden chair chimes with the flooring in this open ensuite to help link the two zones, and stands out nicely in the white space.
The simple wooden design is perfect for a steamy spot, but you could also consider one with an upholstered seat – an idea worth taking up if an armchair just won’t go in your bathroom, but a more yielding perch is desirable.
Why Wood Works So Brilliantly in the Bathroom
A wooden chair chimes with the flooring in this open ensuite to help link the two zones, and stands out nicely in the white space.
The simple wooden design is perfect for a steamy spot, but you could also consider one with an upholstered seat – an idea worth taking up if an armchair just won’t go in your bathroom, but a more yielding perch is desirable.
Why Wood Works So Brilliantly in the Bathroom
Pair up
In this glamorous bathroom, the chair is a striking echo of both the curvaceous lines and colour of the freestanding bath. The room makes the very most of its generous dimensions, but there’s no reason not to choose a chair that grabs attention because of its sinuous shape in a smaller room too.
In this glamorous bathroom, the chair is a striking echo of both the curvaceous lines and colour of the freestanding bath. The room makes the very most of its generous dimensions, but there’s no reason not to choose a chair that grabs attention because of its sinuous shape in a smaller room too.
Turn back time
In this Victorian home, a distressed wooden chair blends beautifully with painted furniture, traditional-style bathroom fittings and pretty shelving in a shabby-chic scheme. A genuine antique is not required, of course. A junk shop chair or even a new one can be painted then sanded back to create the look of wear accumulated over time. You’ll find tutorials online to guide you step by step.
In this Victorian home, a distressed wooden chair blends beautifully with painted furniture, traditional-style bathroom fittings and pretty shelving in a shabby-chic scheme. A genuine antique is not required, of course. A junk shop chair or even a new one can be painted then sanded back to create the look of wear accumulated over time. You’ll find tutorials online to guide you step by step.
Tap into pattern
Patchwork floor tiles make this bathroom characterful, and the flooring isn’t the end of the room’s pattern, with a floral on the upholstered chair.
Oversized blooms in an inky colourway on a white background make this seating contemporary rather than country, though, and the charcoal finish on the panelling also contributes to the room’s sophisticated feel.
What to Pair With Floral Upholstery
Patchwork floor tiles make this bathroom characterful, and the flooring isn’t the end of the room’s pattern, with a floral on the upholstered chair.
Oversized blooms in an inky colourway on a white background make this seating contemporary rather than country, though, and the charcoal finish on the panelling also contributes to the room’s sophisticated feel.
What to Pair With Floral Upholstery
Seat two
Never mind an armchair: if you have the space, why not try a love seat? One of these scaled-up chairs will complement a bathroom made to share, with twin basins, like this one. The look here is distinctly boutique hotel, with layers of subtle neutral shades for furniture, floor and wall cladding, and fuss-free Venetian blinds to keep things private.
Never mind an armchair: if you have the space, why not try a love seat? One of these scaled-up chairs will complement a bathroom made to share, with twin basins, like this one. The look here is distinctly boutique hotel, with layers of subtle neutral shades for furniture, floor and wall cladding, and fuss-free Venetian blinds to keep things private.
Play the angles
The shape of a loft bathroom can work in your favour if you want to create a sanctuary. Here, the bath is the focal point, with maximum head height above and feature wallpaper helping to draw the eye to the elegant freestanding design.
A pair of chairs, meanwhile, fits neatly against the roofline, filling the room with just enough furniture for comfort without crowding it. Chairs made for lounging are the right shape for the slope, and ornate ironwork is a match for the bath.
The shape of a loft bathroom can work in your favour if you want to create a sanctuary. Here, the bath is the focal point, with maximum head height above and feature wallpaper helping to draw the eye to the elegant freestanding design.
A pair of chairs, meanwhile, fits neatly against the roofline, filling the room with just enough furniture for comfort without crowding it. Chairs made for lounging are the right shape for the slope, and ornate ironwork is a match for the bath.
Perform a balancing act
A traditional chair needn’t take a bathroom scheme backwards in time. In this room, the button-back design is a nod to old country house style, but the fittings are 21st century. The upholstery is a soft contrast to the hard bathroom surfaces too, while the wood flooring warms the sanctuary space.
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A traditional chair needn’t take a bathroom scheme backwards in time. In this room, the button-back design is a nod to old country house style, but the fittings are 21st century. The upholstery is a soft contrast to the hard bathroom surfaces too, while the wood flooring warms the sanctuary space.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more inspiring bathroom designs
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I have a stool to put my foot on when drying my toes. Essential, as my bath has a raised lip, making it uncomfortable to rest on. And no toilet in this bathroom. Stool is actually a folding black metal one with a plasticised fabric seat that I picked up for a song from car boot sale! Not pretty but definitely practical. I quite fancy a little wooden stool and shall look for one - but a chair with back is not necessary - stool does the job.
Fabric chair in a steamy bathroom = mould. Love couch -Really