The 50 Best Bathroom Luxuries

2. Baroque mirror
“Contemporary bathrooms don’t always have to be about clean white lines and shining surfaces,” says Sandra Colamartino. “If you really want to add a luxurious edge, a gilt-edged or baroque style mirror works well. There’s a good selection available online from Mulberry Tree Furniture, which was formerly known as the French Furniture Company. I particularly like some of the gorgeously ornate designs in their Chateau Collection. They’re very Les Liaisons Dangereuses.”
How much: carved acorn mirror, £249
Where from: (01278 671640; www.mulberrytreefurniture.co.uk)

3. Damask Venizia tiles
“Pattern can be a difficult thing to get right in a bathroom,” advises Sandra. “But if you want to rebel against monochrome, these new damask-style tiles from Porcelanosa are a fabulous way to do it. Use them with conviction, and these bold ceramics will make a real style statement.” The effect is decadent and sensual – the sort of thing Casanova would have had in the bathroom of his Venetian palazzo.
How much: Venezia crystalline-finish ceramic tile, from £60 per sqm
Where from: (0870 8110 345; www.porcelanosa.co.uk)

4. Medicine cabinet
“I just love this classic lacquered metal cabinet designed by Thomas Eriksson for Cappellini’s Progetto Oggetto range,” says Sandra. “The price tag is hefty and there are much cheaper reproductions on the market, but there is nothing quite like owning the real thing. And, remember, the best thing about investing in decent accessories, is that you can always take them with you if you move.” Available in white, red, green, blue and yellow, with one of these on your bathroom wall, you might even look forward to being ill.
How much: £392
Where from: (0870 2424 128; www.designshopuk.com)

5. Pelican basin and WC
“For a long time, coloured bathroom suites were a no-no,” says Sandra. “But it’s hard not to be taken with the new Pelican basin and WC from Shires’ Italian range.” While the interior of these products comes in crisp white enamel, the black, blue, green or yellow exteriors add warmth and playfulness. The distinctive design mixes curves and square edges, while matching shelves, tables and units complete the range.
How much: basin £295, wall-hung WC £759
Where from: (01274 521199; www.shires-bathrooms.co.uk)

6. Tykho rubber radio
The winner of seven design prizes around the world and chosen for the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art, Marc Berthier’s Tykho AM-FM radio has a rotating antenna to help find the right frequency. Completely encased in tactile rubber, it is both splash proof and shock resistant. The Tykho offers excellent sound and reception and comes in four bright colours, including lime yellow, rose and turquoise.How much: £45
Where from: (020-7940 8753; www.designmuseumshop.com)

7. Bisazza tiles
Founded in 1956, the Italian firm Bisazza is renowned for the way it combines traditional Venetian-glass mosaics with the up-to-the minute design and manufacturing processes. Its beautiful tiles run the gamut from elegantly ostalgic to verging on vulgar. Bisazza creations have included a trompe l’oeil fireplace and ceiling range designed to look like the viewup a woman’s skirt.
How much: from £150 to £3,000 per square metre
Where from: (020-7584 8837; www.bisazza.com)

8. Missoni Stripes bathmat
Fashion house Missoni has brought a little Italian chic to the bathroom with its Stripes terry-towelling bathroom range; the designs feature more colourful pin-stripes than a row of deckchairs. “You don’t need to go mad,” advises Sandra. “Instead, choose a few key pieces, such as this gorgeous bath mat and the odd hand-towel, and combine them with plain white bath sheets to keep your budget under control.”
How much: bath mat £27.30
Where from: (00 498945 692066; www.artedona.de)

9. Keramag Formula 1 Porsche washbasin
Something about the name and look of this vanity unit suggests it may be aimed at the boys, although on further inspection the F1 in the title has nothing to do with Grand Prix racing. The basin is designed to lean forward as if “offering” the user water, which after a night on the tiles might be a little disconcerting. But someone has taken a lot of care to ensure that the curves and real-wood stand make this the ultimate bachelor-pad washstand.
How much: from £1,972, without the tap
Where from: (0141-954 7700; www.novabathrooms.com)

10. Dualit scales
There’s a certain circularity to the Dualit range: after stuffing yourself with toast from your Dualit toaster, you can weigh yourself on their bathroom scales. The look of this mechanical weighing-machine is retro design at its best, with a smart chrome footplate that resembles the radiator of a 1930s sports car and a speedometer-style dial to match. Measurements are given in metric and imperial and it comes with a five-year guarantee.
How much: £79
Where from: (08456 049049; www.johnlewis.com)

11. Sole radiator
“Sole” is the Italian for sun, although at this price the spectacularly flamboyant Sole Radiator might have to be the sole radiator in the house. A heater with pretensions to being a sculpture, the Sole has a surprisingly large output and can be ordered in a wide range of colours. It also has a little brother, the half-sun Mezzo Sole. Would you ever dare to drape a soggy towel over its elegant rays?
How much: Sole from £4,276, Mezzo Sole £2,209)
Where from: (08707 302250; www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk)

12. Zinc cabinet
As the name suggests, the Holding Company is a reliable specialist when it comes to storage. Too much metal can make a bathroom feel clinical, but the solid, unfussy lines of this almost medical-looking zinc floor-standing cabinet are hard to beat. With a handy niche as well as shelves, it has enough room for both towels and all the bits and pieces that you don’t want on open can always use it as a bedside table.
How much: £150
Where from: (020-8445 2888; www.theholdingcompany.co.uk)

13. Roca Silver Crown tap
To call Roca’s Silver Crown range the “Rolls- Royce” of taps is only slightly an exaggeration: the design of these uniquely shaped taps is said to be loosely based on the luxury car company’s Silver Spirit logo. Their sleek lines make a refreshingly curvaceous alternative to the chunky minimalism that predominates at the moment. It’s also eco-friendly: a built-in “ecodisc” allows users to choose between a reduced or full flow of water.
How much: from £295 for a basin mixer
Where from: (01282 862509; www.boundarybathrooms.co.uk)

14. Magnifying mirror
“Any woman needs a magnifying mirror in her bathroom, preferably near daylight to ensure that her make up is spot-on,” says Kathy Phillips. “It also gives that look of a five-star hotel bathroom.” They say you can’t put a price on beauty and it’s certainly true of this freestanding magnifying mirror from Artedona, handcrafted in Italian buffalo horn and chromium, and yours for a modest £412.30.
How much: £412.30
Where from: (00 8945 692066; www.artedoma.de)

15. Television mirror
If you believe the bathroom should be a place for silent contemplation, you’ll probably consider the Mirror Media television a nightmare, not a luxury. But for anyone who finds bathing – or shaving – a chore, it’s certainly one way to reclaim dead time. A standard (800mm x 700mm x 60mm) brushed stainless steel mirror is available with a choice of 6.4in, 10.4in, 20in or 26in screens, which are invisible when the set is off.
How much: From £1,399
Where from: (0116-2705777; www.waterprooftv.co.

16. Aquis towels
“Aquis Towels are brilliant if you have long and thick hair because they really absorb moisture fast and take up absolutely no space,” says Kathy. Made from Aquitex, a super-absorbent material woven from ultrafine microfibres, these towels are both gentle on the skin and much less bulky than their terry equivalents. Designed to be lightweight, they’re also ideal for the gym or travelling and come in a reusable vinyl bag.
How much: £29.95 for an extra-large body towel
Where from: (020-8948 8956; www.mojolondon.co.uk)

17. Pure Stone WC
Toilets are one area in which function normally trumps form, which means even the designer ones can seem a bit dull after a while. This pebble- shaped Pure Stone toilet from Villeroy & Boch is the exception to the rule however. It doesn’t look quite like anything else on the market. It comes in white, grey or edelweiss ceramic and can be combined with an oak or walnut seat for a sophisticated natural look.
How much: £605
Where from: (020-8290 1777; www.rixson-green.co.uk)

18. Loo table
Usually, it’s hard to get excited about toilet-roll holders. Like toilet brushes and extractor fans, they’re one of planet bathroom’s necessary evils. The exception is this cute solid beech loo table, from online retailers Thorsten van Elten. Dutch designer Richard Hutten (part of the Droog Design collective) first created it as joke for the cloakroom in his studio, but was convinced to sell them after a German distributor dropped by to spend a penny and came out raving.
How much: £47
Where from: (020-7388 8008; www.thorstenvanelten.com)

19.Vetro Modular tiles
“White tiles will always look good in a bathroom, and I’ve always thought that the tiles used in subways and surgeries look rather beautiful, says Sandra. “There is a range that has picked up on this retro look called Vetro, which feature long rectangular tiles of different sizes made from white Italian glass mosaic with a pearlescent sheen.” At almost £500 per square metre, they’re not cheap: alternatively, standard Metro tiles can be bought at B&Q for about 50p each.
How much: £497.62 per square metre
Where from: (020-7736 9610; www.criterion-tiles.co.uk)

20. Train-luggage racks
Fans of classic design will find these 180cm long 1950s aluminium and steel luggage racks right on track. Salvaged from decommissioned British Rail train carriages, they make great alternative bathroom shelves, ideal for storing towels, toilet paper and other bathroom esentials. The one catch is that getting hold of them is a bit like waiting for a bus – sometimes there are none in stock, sometimes 10 come along at once.
How much: £195
Where from: (020-8960 6060; www.retrouvius.com)

21. Stanneus bath
William Holland’s baths challenge the received wisdom that baths should be cold, clinical and white. Because copper and brass are naturally heat-retaining metals, these baths should feel as well as look warm. Some even say copper has properties that help soothe away aches and pains. Look out for the Stanneus, which is handcrafted in copper then tin-plated, making it look a little more industrial than some of the other models.
How much: price on application
Where from: (01305 849490; www.williamholland.co.uk)

22. Sidelit mirror
“As a beauty editor who has worked with some of the greatest photographers, I know that the most flattering light is on either side of your face, not over head, so it’s crucial to have this effect in your bathroom,” says Kathy. This Image Illuminated Mirror from John Lewis will add a little contemporary glamour without making your bathroom feel like a dressing room at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre.
How much: £130
Where from: 08456 049049; www.johnlewis.com)

23. Brunel roll-top bath
This is a battleship of a bath – literally. Inspired by the maritime engineering feats of 19th-century designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this luxurious cast-iron tub has satisfyingly chunky rivets and a battleship-grey exterior. The Brunel’s luxuriously deep interior is a rather less austere porcelain enamel. Berth it in the centre of the bathroom or, if space allows, in your bedroom for maximum wow factor.
How much: £1,879
Where from: (020-7226 7220; www.astonmatthews.co.uk)

24. Organic waffle robe
Conventional cotton accounts for about a quarter of the world’s agricultural insecticide production. By buying organic cotton towels and bathrobes, you’re helping to cut down on pollution, as well as protecting your skin from any chemical residues. The Organic Towel Company’s range of towels, baby clothes and robes, includes this appealing kimono-style women’s waffle dressing-gown.
How much: £32.40
Where from: (0870050 1261; www.organictowel.co.uk)

25. dline shower shelf
Knud Holscher is one of Denmark’s most feted architects and designers, whose projects have included Copenhagen airport’s extension. Yet despite this he’s probably best known for his d line series of acrhitectural hardware, such as door-handles and washroom accessories. “I love the d line shower shelves,” says Marcia. “They’re fabulous and they show off product.
How much: prices on application
Where from: (020-7387 9951; www.allgood.co.uk)

26. Dornbracht Meta02taps
“When it comes to taps and shower fittings, Dornbracht is just typical good German workmanship with great aesthetics,” says Kathy. The German firm is renowned for combining technical innovation with the best of minimalist design, and nowhere is this more evident than in the elegantly spare Meta02 range. “It’s one step on from Vola, which has been the architect’s favourite for so long,” she adds.
How much: from £165.49 for a single-lever basin-mixer in chrome
Where from: (01923 224784; www.waltonbathrooms.co.uk)

27. Fired Earth Shaker mirror
Fired Earth’s new Shaker bathroom range stresses simple lines, traditional carpentry and attention to detail. But if you don’t want the whole Shaker look (or you can’t afford £2,450 for the Volvic lavastone-topped washstand), this Shaker mirror makes a great stand-alone purchase. It’s distinctive enough to draw admiring remarks from visitors but discreet enough not to fight with contemporary fixtures and fittings.
How much: from £250 without a peg stand
Where from: (0845 366 0400; www.firedearth.com)

28. Unikko towels
“If you choose to keep your bathroom colour palette simple, you can still indulge in some colourful accessories,” says Sandra. “Made from Jersey cotton, the Unikko bath towel range features Marimekko’s bold trademark poppy design. Huge in the 1960s, Marimekko is a brand that’s been enjoying a revival in recent years, and it feels very much of the moment. Having this by the side of the bath will make a real style statement.”
How much: from £14 for a hand towel
Where from: (08702424 128; www.designshopuk.com)

29. Jaime Hayon bath
You may need a drink when you see the price of the “bath”, from ArtQuitect Edition. According to the range’s designer Jaime Hayon, the aim was “to give the bathroom back the elegance it had in other times but without sacrificing modernity in the shapes or the functional nature of the piece”, and it succeeds brilliantly. “With its sweeping lines, curvaceous limbs and monochrome palette, it will make your bathroom feel like a boudoir,” raves Sandra.
How much: from £5,150
Where from: (01322 422035; www.cphart.co.uk)

30. Vipp pedal bin
“The Danish design company Vipp’s pedal bin has long been established as the bucket of choice for design devotees,” says Sandra. “The only thing that’s stopped most of us indulging has been the price. Now Vipp has launched a limited-edition 24-carat gold bin, which retails at an eye-popping £1,700. The knock-on effect of this is that its normal range now seems an absolute snip at only £145. Very cunning.”
How much: £1,700
Where from: (0131-556 6551; www.tangramfurnishers.co.uk)

31. Leather laundry bin
It’s often said that a decent set of leather luggage pays for itself in the long run, but a leather laundry bin is pure extravagance. Lined with cotton and built with sturdy wooden handles, these round bins from the Holding Company will take years of bashing between washing machine and bathroom, especially if regularly fed with leather balm. Alternatively, you can use them as extra linen storage.
How much: from £150
Where from: (020-8445 2888; www.theholdingcompany.co.

32. Steam shower
“It’s a real luxury to have a built-in steam room in your shower stall, so you can unclog your pores while you’re shampooing and sudsing,” says Marcia. It’s not as expensive as you might think: basic models start at around £1,000. But if you’ve got money to burn, the dramatic looking Hansgrohe Pharo Anthropos “shower temple” includes eight body sprays, a heated storage space for towels, a fold-down seat,radio and “chromotherapy” function.
How much: £8,201
Where from: (0845 0099545; www.boundarybathrooms.co.uk)

33. Spring Duck
If you’re still splashing about with a trad old yellow bathroom duck, get with it daddio. Designed in Australia, this deluxe white version is printed with cute spring flowers (each has a slightly different pattern, although it’s not likely that an ornithologist would be able to find them in any field reference guide to wildfowl). Made from non-phthalate plastic, each bird comes in its own box, so they make good gifts, too.
How much: £6.95
Where from: (020-7704 1999; www.ariashop.co.uk)

34. Merry crystal chandalier
“If you want bath-time to feel special, a chandelier can have the desired effect,” says Sandra. Based in Nice, the French company Merry Crystal produces flamboyant light-fittings. Those willing to wait three or four months, can have one made specially in up to three different colours of bohemian glass. But should you prefer to buy off the peg, says Sandra, “its latest collection, hand-painted with pretty jewels and ribbons is particularly special.”
How much: from around £1,000
Where from: 00 33 660 10 88 71; www.merrycrystal.com)

35. Hydrotherapy tub
“It’s great to have a professional standard hydrotherapy tub, because sometimes you just don’t want to make conversation with your massage therapist,” says Marcia. There’s something pleasingly cocoon-like about the design of Jacuzzi’s Morphosis Gamma, with its futuristic arch that curls upwards into the corner of the room. This spa bath has a four-jet whirlpool system, back-jets, remote control and coloured spotlights that glow in sequence.
How much: £6,995
Where from: (0845 607 6944; www.victorparis.com)

36. Cucciolo toilet brush
If you have to have a toilet brush on display,why not make it a work of art? Makio Hasuike’s ultraergonomic Cucciolo design has been part of the New York Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection since 1977. At a little over a tenner, this style classic is cheaper than a Jackson Pollock, too. Soft but durable PVC bristles make this a practical choice, and the way that base and brush fit together means neither the eye nor the nose will be offended.
How much: £10.95
Where from: (08701221 007; www.prezzybox.com)

37. Firman glass
Glass is an underrated material for bathrooms. “There are so many ways to use it,” says Kathy, “from shelves to panelling and even flooring. The look and feel of it is very modern, and because it’s so easy to wipe it’s very practical. Also, it’s a great way of introducing blocks of colour into anydesign. ”Kathy recommends using super-clear low-iron glass from glaziers Firman, whose colorfast process means that the range of shades available is almost infinite.
How much: prices on application
Where from: (01708 374534; www.firmanglass.com)

38. Eurotrio basin
If your bathroom is bijou and your budget is tight, there’s always the Euro trio basin. At just 15cm high by 40cm deep, this smart sink is ultra-compact, but there’s still room for a tooth mug and soap dish. Looks-wise, it manages to remain the elegant side of chunky. It comes in two versions, with or without a tap hole, and the Bathstore does a matching suite if you want to go the whole hog.
How much: Normally £149, reduced to £109 until 24 June
Where from: 08000 232323; www.bathstore.com)

39. Glass wiper and holder
One of the problems with cleaning a shower screen is that you risk coming out dirtier than when you went in: by the time you’ve got the J Cloth out, you’ll need another shower. Dwell.co.uk’s glass wiper is an obvious solution. Simply styled in stainless steel, this squeegee comes with a discreet wall mount, which means none of the family has an excuse for not clearing up after themselves.
How much: £12.95
Where from: (0870 241 8653; www.dwell.co.uk)

40. Bamboo towels
Dubbed the eco-friendly material of the 21st century, bamboo is being used in an increasing number of products – including towels. It’s natural, fast-growing (even without pesticides), can be converted into yarn without the use of chemicals and is 100% biodegradable. What’s not to like? Especially given that these towels, made from 70% bamboo and 30% cotton, are also highly absorbent.
How much: £25 for a bath sheet
Where from: (0800 288 8970; www.nigelsecostore.com)

41. Wall-mounted wash stations
This is the sort of space-saving unit that screams “capsule living”. The whole idea of a “wash station” sounds space-age in comparison to that basin nonsense they had back in the 20th century. Made by Alape, in Germany, this worktop and bowl are manufactured in heavy-gauge glass-enamelled steel, with a chrome-mixer tap and built-in towel rail included.
How much: £808, including UK mainland delivery
Where from: (01722 415000; www.livinghouse.co.uk)

42. White Havaiana flip-flops
If you want a bathroom that feels luxurious, start with your feet. Kathy is a fan of Havaianas – once the footwear of choice of Brazil’s working classes, now the most celebrity-friendly flip-flop in the world. “I think they’re just an example of brilliantly simple design. They’re very comfortable on hard and cold surfaces – for example,marble floors – and of course they’re totally waterproof.” Buy in white for the full spa effect.
How much: from £10.99
Where from: (www.b-ware.co.uk)

43. Visnu chrome cabinet
Made by the Spanish firm Metalkris – which is known for its metal work – this chrome sink-top cabinet has the sort of timeless styling that fits easily into both contemporary and traditional spaces. There’s nothing fussy about this unit, which is why it’s so good. The mirrored doors conceal two deep shelves and a deceptively large bottom drawer. It’s the bathroom furniture equivalent of an Audi – quietly classy.
How much: £175
Where from: (08700 240780; www.heals.co.uk)

44. Corian basin
Corian is a hard-wearing mixture of natural minerals and acrylic polymer. It’s non-porous, comes in 100 colours and can be cut, moulded, routed or heat-shaped. “I’m even thinking of having a bathmade in it,” Kathy says. “I love the idea of there being no seams. I like the longevity of it, and the modernity of a matte finish.” Avante Bathrooms sells a range of Cielo sinks made from Corian, including this bright pink one.
How much: £139
Where from: (0113-201 2559; www.avantebathrooms.com)

45. Duckboard
Fluffy bathmats are great, but not the most practical objects if your bathroom feels like Piccadilly Circus in the morning. For a less soggy way to keep your toes warm, Argos’s wooden version is a bargain. It comes in white or a pale pine, which can be stained or varnished for a slightly more textured, distressed look. A luxury? It is if it stops you having to wash a never-ending cycle of bathmats.
How much: £8.99 for pine or £9.99 for white
Where from: (0870 600 3030; www.argos.co.uk)

46. Jantar Mantar tiles
Inspired by a 18th-century observatory in Jaipur, these geometrical ceramic tiles will give your bathroom a touch of Oriental exoticism. Dominic Crimson’s range mixes ancient design with up-to-the-minute-technology; a revolutionary digital print process means they should last a lifetime.
How much: £11.40 per 15sqcm tile (minimum order 44), also available in 10sqcm and 20sqcm
Where from: (020-7729 3800; www.hiddenartshop.com)

47. Jigsawmirror
A jumble of seven square sheets of mirrored glass which look as though they’ve been thrown at the wall rather than hung, this is
perfect for those who tend to feel that their life is in bits until they’ve had a good shower. The surprise is that it’s actually quite functional; set the central square at headheight and it’s perfect for a spot of conscientous tooth-brushing.
How much: £1,050
Where from: (020-722 44406; www.mintshop.co.uk)

48. Pebble soap dish
Available in marble, slate or granite tones, this pebble-shaped soap dish is the very definition of feel appeal. It’s also very practical – heavy enough to not slide around your sink-top, and with a drainhold at the bottom to allow your soap to dry out and a tiny hidden tray that catches drips. For the full sea-shore effect, try combining it with the same company’s pebble tea-light holders.
How much: £20.50
Where from: (020-7729 3800; www.hiddenartshop.com)

49. Sloegrin shower enclosure
Finding a shower enclosure is one of the biggest challenges when designing a bathroom. Most off-the-peg phone box-style cubicles look cheap, but a customised walk-in will blow the budget. Not so Sloegrin’s Walk Thru Panel. Designed for wet-rooms or standard showers trays, this 1.9mx1m sheet of safety glass, mounted with concealed fixings, makes an elegant, easy-to-fit shower screen
How much: £289 including fittings
Where from: (0131-208 3214; www.allbitsupplies.co.

50. Sauna mitt and back scrubber
Forget slaving away with a body scrub, or scrubbing yourself to within an inch of your life with a scratchy-bristled brush. This sauna mitt and back scrubber combo aremade up of 70% linen and 30% cotton, leaving you with the pleasure of silky soft skin with none of the pain. Because they’re so malleable, they’re also a lot less cumbersome to use than some other exfoliators.
How much: £15 for both
Where from: (0870900 9555; www.thewhitecompany.com)