The final touch when decorating the bathroom is the choice of shelves, cups, towel holders and everything else that creates coziness, makes the use of the room convenient. All these “things” are called “bathroom accessories” and choosing them is not the easiest task.
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Bathroom accessories: what is necessary
The bathroom acquires the final look and becomes comfortable in use only after it is installed all the necessary little things. The little things are little things, but you need a lot of them. And the “little things” of good quality cost, sometimes, not much less than the same ceramic tiles on the walls. So to the choice of accessories in the bathroom should be balanced. Here’s what you may need for your bathroom:
- Washbasin accessories:
- Shower or bath accessories:
- Detergent shelves (corner ones are often used);
- a rod for attaching the shower head;
- towel holder;
- hinged shelf on the bathtub;
- inflatable pillow under the head;
- anti-slip mat for the bathtub or shower tray.
- Toilet accessories;
- Wall hangers for clothes and towels.
- Shelves for storing clean towels.
- Basket for dirty laundry.
- Foot mats.
- Bath mat.
The room of the bathroom is usually small, and bathroom accessories are required a lot. Some of them may be mounted on the wall, while others may stand on the countertop, on the sink, in a cabinet or on shelves. Another small group is placed on the floor. And all this number of “things” need to find a place, and choose so that they all fit together.
Choice of material
Bathroom accessories can be made of plastic, glass, metal, wood and a combination of these materials. In terms of styles and appearance, there is now a very large selection. So much so that the problem is not to find what you need, but to choose one thing. Often it is the material and/or the price that helps to choose.
Plastic – inexpensive, but not always elegant
The cheapest bathroom accessories are plastic. Practical are plastic cups for brushes, a pump for soap, etc. There are also plastic shelves – linear or angular, a variety of hooks. The cheapest are not too elegant, quickly go out of order. This is not a bad option “for a while” – if the funds have run out, and you need to use the bathroom now. Then inexpensive plastic hooks, shelves and other things will come in handy.
There are more expensive plastic sets for bathrooms, which already look interesting. Their plus is that there are very bright and cute products that can please both shape and color. The minus – to make plastic look good, it needs appropriate care. And because of the peculiarities of the material shelves are made or solid with several holes or thick slats, which accumulate soap deposits, salt, dirt. In general, to wash plastic bathroom accessories – not the fastest and most pleasant occupation.
Let me give you some advice: if you decide to buy plastic shelves “for a while”, buy those models that are on suction cups. Yes, they do not withstand significant loads, but they do not need to hole the walls. After all, buying a new shelf, or soap holder, you will have to drill new holes, since they very rarely coincide. What to do with the extra holes? How to fix them? No one has yet come up with an adequate answer. Some people put hooks in these holes – as long as they are not visible, others try to cover them with some decorative elements – stickers and so on.
Another tip: do not buy plastic with a shiny coating “ala nickel”. This coating lasts for a couple of months, then begins to peel off ugly flakes, under it – a completely unsightly color plastic. Better white, gray, black colored plastic. It will remain like that, as it is colored in the mass.
Glass is impractical
If we talk about glass accessories for the kitchen, it is usually cups, cups and other containers. They certainly look more elegant than plastic, but they cost much more and are broken more often. If you want, you can try and glass, but few people stop at it – too often broken on the tiled floor.
One more thing: glass accessories are even more difficult to take care of – you need to rub them thoroughly, otherwise there are streaks and stains.
Metal bathroom accessories: expensive or cheap
The main “battle” begins when buying metal accessories for the bathroom. The price range is very large: there are very inexpensive products with a price tag of about five dollars for a wire soap dish, and there is a very similar product, but with a price ten times higher – about 50$.
How to choose? In fact, everything is clear to everyone. If you buy a “thingy” for 5$, after about half a year it will begin to rust, the protective (usually chrome) coating will fall off in pieces. As a result, you will have to buy and mount a new one. And it’s good if the distance for fasteners will be the same… If you buy the same thing, but branded, but for 50$ or more, with it for years nothing happens. And a lot of people have experienced that. And almost everyone realizes that this is exactly what will happen. But such “things” are required about a dozen, with a price not lower, and often much higher than $50, then the amount to buy accessories for the bathroom requires a lot. That’s the crux of the problem. To give for a set of cups/holders/shelves more than a solid sum is very difficult.
There is a way out: immediately buy a high-quality (read – expensive) one or two things, the rest – from the budget series (plastic or cheap metal – it’s up to you). Gradually, planned or as needed, replace cheap things with expensive ones. So spending will be stretched over time, which for many is more acceptable. But this option has a disadvantage: after some time, the desired collection may simply not be on sale. That is, there is a risk that you will have to buy bathroom accessories from different manufacturers, slightly different in appearance. If you are not frightened by this possibility, you can try.
Drewniane
It would seem that wood is not the most successful material for high humidity bathrooms, but they also make accessories from it. And in contrast to the tile, such products look very, very good. The good news is that the shelves in the bathroom from wood can be made with your own hands, even with not very much experience in carpentry. It is “simple” in style models and give an interesting effect. And in order that the increased humidity does not harm the wood, there are varnishes, oil-based impregnations, paints. And paints are not often used – the point of wooden bathroom accessories is just to preserve and emphasize the natural texture and color. It is this combination with tile (especially light colors) is more attractive.
How wood varnishes look like is known to everyone. There are matte and semi-matte surfaces, there are glossy and semi-glossy. It is only necessary to take those compositions that are designed for direct contact with water. They are often called “yacht” varnish, but there are others.
Less known are impregnations for wood based on organic and synthetic oils. They often come with pigment. Color – the most different – from various shades of brown, white, grayish, to bright. Unlike varnish, oil-based wood impregnation does not create a film on the surface, but penetrates to some depth into the wood fibers, simply plugging the pores and closing the access to water in any form. Oil-treated boards can lie for years on the street, under the open sky and do not lose their appearance, so for the bathroom this type of coating is also suitable. The only thing that is necessary – periodically, once every year or two, to update the coating. The old one does not need to be removed. Another layer of oil impregnation is applied to clean, dry wood.
Bathroom mats
Bathroom accessories include both mats and shower curtains. If not everyone needs shower curtains, then mats in the bathtub or toilet are required. It is better to choose them with anti-slip base: with rubberized threads woven into the base or rubber “pimples” applied on the base. Such mats even on smooth tiles or porcelain tiles will not go under your foot. The length of the pile, its color – it is your choice, but the base with rubber elements – a mandatory element.
There may still be questions about the type of fiber: what material is better to use. In this case, it is best to use synthetics, but the one that absorbs water and is pleasant to the touch. Of the most popular materials – microfiber. It is hygroscopic, soft fiber, which does not lose color and shape for a long time, quickly absorbs water and also gives it away well (dries quickly). Not a bad option – acrylic. Also a synthetic fiber with good characteristics. Just microfiber absorbs water faster.
There are also rubber mats in the bathtub and PVC. They are usually put in the bathtub, in the shower tray – so that in a smooth and slippery acrylic bathtub do not slip. This is especially important for children and the elderly, although those who are “in the prime of life” can slip in the bathtub.
Choice of color
Choose what color should be accessories for the bathroom should be based on the rules of color matching in the interior (about the tables of matching colors and the rules of their use read here). There are two possibilities. The first is to use the main color. This is the one, which in the design “a lot”. But then the color accents should be arranged in the same tiles and etc. This option is good if the design of the walls of the bathroom non-concrete, and different colors in the interior and already enough.
The second option is to use one of the possible accent colors. They may not be in the design of walls and floor/ceiling at all. It is the accessories that can set the tone, create the mood.
If you often change your preferences, if you like to change the environment, this is one of the best options. Choose a beautiful but neutral tile for the walls and floor, make the ceiling standard – white, and set the color with little things – accessories and textiles. If you use plastic accessories for the bathroom, it will turn out not very expensive.
I absolutely loved scrolling through those bathroom accessory ideas! It’s amazing how little touches can transform the whole vibe. I remember jazzing up my own space with some colorful towels and cool storage bins—it made such a difference. Can’t wait to shop for more!