10 Tips to Create a Beautiful Bathroom 'Vignette'
Don't leave your washroom out of the loop – dial up the décor with a chic ensemble
If you’re not up on your interiors lingo, a ‘vignette’, for our purposes, is a collection of objects displayed in an appealing way. Although this concept might sound irrelevant to non-designers with only themselves to please, the technique is actually a simple method of infusing your home with personality. Spending a few minutes styling your bathroom will lend a lived-in look that improves the feel of the space. Read on to discover the small changes you can make to set the scene for motivated mornings and blissful bathing.
Make-over everyday objects
For a quick lift, consider decanting handwash into a sleek dispenser – or seek out premium-looking packaging that works with your colour palette. Likewise, even a purse-friendly kilo bag of Epsom salts will warrant a vignette once ensconced in a luxe glass jar and given its own mini wooden scoop. You’ll feel pretty fancy taking a bath, too.
For a quick lift, consider decanting handwash into a sleek dispenser – or seek out premium-looking packaging that works with your colour palette. Likewise, even a purse-friendly kilo bag of Epsom salts will warrant a vignette once ensconced in a luxe glass jar and given its own mini wooden scoop. You’ll feel pretty fancy taking a bath, too.
Stay relevant
When considering how to compose a bathroom vignette, try to use objects that are relevant (or at least appropriate) for the space. For example, you may want to include products, plants, ornaments, etc, but steer clear, for example, of images of food or items associated with the kitchen. This little ensemble has a subtle seaside theme – and the navy tone of the picture mount is a match for the bathroom tile.
The clever details designers use to upgrade interiors
When considering how to compose a bathroom vignette, try to use objects that are relevant (or at least appropriate) for the space. For example, you may want to include products, plants, ornaments, etc, but steer clear, for example, of images of food or items associated with the kitchen. This little ensemble has a subtle seaside theme – and the navy tone of the picture mount is a match for the bathroom tile.
The clever details designers use to upgrade interiors
Get guest ready
While you might not want to put out fresh towels on a daily basis or raid your posh soap stash, the imminent arrival of house guests is a good excuse to have fun dressing your wash space. A pile of fluffy towels, tiny toiletries, a vase of flowers – these small touches show care and your bathroom will look as impressive as your hosting prowess.
While you might not want to put out fresh towels on a daily basis or raid your posh soap stash, the imminent arrival of house guests is a good excuse to have fun dressing your wash space. A pile of fluffy towels, tiny toiletries, a vase of flowers – these small touches show care and your bathroom will look as impressive as your hosting prowess.
Discover an elegant disguise
If you’re planning a full bathroom renovation, pipes and plumbing will require camouflage – either under the floor or inside built-out walls. Benefit from necessity by creating a display area above a concealed cistern or a shelf out of boxed-in pipes. This picture ledge almost certainly has a practical purpose, as well as offering a neat nook for the all-important (and ever-changing) vignette.
If you’re planning a full bathroom renovation, pipes and plumbing will require camouflage – either under the floor or inside built-out walls. Benefit from necessity by creating a display area above a concealed cistern or a shelf out of boxed-in pipes. This picture ledge almost certainly has a practical purpose, as well as offering a neat nook for the all-important (and ever-changing) vignette.
Bag yourself a basket
Everything from toilet roll to towels and toiletries can be corralled into baskets for convenient storage and an improved aspect. Choose different styles and textures to add visual interest. This bathroom features traditional wicker containers beneath the vanity and a jute magazine bag under the stool (in the background).
Everything from toilet roll to towels and toiletries can be corralled into baskets for convenient storage and an improved aspect. Choose different styles and textures to add visual interest. This bathroom features traditional wicker containers beneath the vanity and a jute magazine bag under the stool (in the background).
Bring in a table
If you have a freestanding bath and a pedestal basin, your bathroom may be short on surface space. Even when this isn’t an issue, a small table is often an advantageous addition – giving you an area to display treasured trinkets, place a book while you’re in the bath, or just provide a spare surface to hold a fragrance diffuser. The mixed metals in this scheme deliver subtle sheen without dominating the delicate colour palette.
Like a soft colour palette? See these 10 ways to enjoy a bit of pink in your bathroom
If you have a freestanding bath and a pedestal basin, your bathroom may be short on surface space. Even when this isn’t an issue, a small table is often an advantageous addition – giving you an area to display treasured trinkets, place a book while you’re in the bath, or just provide a spare surface to hold a fragrance diffuser. The mixed metals in this scheme deliver subtle sheen without dominating the delicate colour palette.
Like a soft colour palette? See these 10 ways to enjoy a bit of pink in your bathroom
Gather together
Make your vignette-worthy selection look more purposeful by placing the items on a small, shallow tray. This simple method works with pretty much all decorative pieces. Start with your ‘star’ item, often the largest piece – doesn’t have to be a starfish – and work forwards. This bathroom makes use of two trays, split by content type.
Browse more photos of contemporary bathrooms in the Houzz photo stream
Make your vignette-worthy selection look more purposeful by placing the items on a small, shallow tray. This simple method works with pretty much all decorative pieces. Start with your ‘star’ item, often the largest piece – doesn’t have to be a starfish – and work forwards. This bathroom makes use of two trays, split by content type.
Browse more photos of contemporary bathrooms in the Houzz photo stream
Try a Turkish bath
Layering linen is an easy and effective way to make your bathroom décor work harder, without bringing in too many unnecessary objects. If you have a towel rail, be sure to fold and hang towels attractively; but better still, invest in a couple of thin cotton ‘hammam’ styles. These traditional Turkish towels feature striped designs and fringed edging, making them ideal to drape elegantly over the side of the bath. When you go on holiday, pack one in your beach bag – they’re light but absorbent.
Layering linen is an easy and effective way to make your bathroom décor work harder, without bringing in too many unnecessary objects. If you have a towel rail, be sure to fold and hang towels attractively; but better still, invest in a couple of thin cotton ‘hammam’ styles. These traditional Turkish towels feature striped designs and fringed edging, making them ideal to drape elegantly over the side of the bath. When you go on holiday, pack one in your beach bag – they’re light but absorbent.
Don’t overthink it
Legitimacy is key to an effective bathroom vignette. An ensemble that looks awkward or unnatural isn’t what you’re after. For this reason, it’s best not to overthink things. Go with what appeals to you and change things up every so often. This charming corner feels authentic and appealing, thanks to the bright bag and relaxed wooden stool.
How have you added character to your bathroom? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Legitimacy is key to an effective bathroom vignette. An ensemble that looks awkward or unnatural isn’t what you’re after. For this reason, it’s best not to overthink things. Go with what appeals to you and change things up every so often. This charming corner feels authentic and appealing, thanks to the bright bag and relaxed wooden stool.
How have you added character to your bathroom? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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When it comes to bathroom styling, it’s a balance between the pieces you need for practical purposes and the artful objets you wish to add for aesthetics. Aim to achieve parity through effective storage – preferably including an enclosed space where you can hide ugly odds and ends. In this bathroom, the three shower nooks contain a mixture of decorative and useful items, while the hanging shelf is stocked with (tasteful) toiletries. Everything else is hidden in the vanity unit.