What are the best bathroom accessories to have in a modern and stylish space?

Bathroom accessories can be hugely influential in a bathroom, seamlessly elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary. While there are literally hundreds of different products to choose from, we thought we'd focus on the accessories we feel make the biggest difference, many of which can be acquired and included quickly and easily for one and all to enjoy.

Sometimes the best bathroom accessories are the ones designed to do one task and one task alone. Hand towel holders are a great example, allowing you to store your hand towels within arm's reach of your basin without taking up too much space in the process. They're an incredibly efficient addition that also allows you to make a feature of your decorative hand towels, should you have any, adding visual interest to your space too.

A robe hook is a humble feature in the bathroom but one that can deliver on many levels. First, its practical function means that you'll have a dry, plush bathrobe to put on as soon as you step out of the bath or shower. Second, it allows you to showcase your robe enhancing those spa-like vibes. Lastly, the design and finish of the robe hook itself can act as a nice visual accent, that you can coordinate with other hardware features like your bathroom taps, for cohesive styling.

For those interested in contemporary styles of bathroom design, a strong characteristic to embrace is minimalism. Sleek soap dispensers are one way to help you get there as they allow you to choose a dispenser that actually matches your bathroom decor. This is in contrast to unsightly branded soap dispensers that often have a jarring effect on the ambience. They are also manufactured with much better and stronger dispensing mechanisms making them a long-term solution.

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Soap dishes present a real opportunity to make an impression on an otherwise blank canvas of porcelain or stone that is the bathroom countertop. While small, they can be striking in this context, especially with a contrasting colour choice or a particularly ornate design. They will also stop soap from slipping and sliding all over the place, keeping all the residue within the dish, and helping you maintain your pristine clean surfaces.

Clutter is toxic when it comes to classic and contemporary styles of bathrooms which is why an elegant toothbrush holder can play such an important role in establishing a positively pleasing bathroom environment. Toothbrush holders keep your toothbrushes grouped nicely together, taking up minimal space while allowing them to dry more effectively for better hygiene.

Vanity mirrors are incredibly handy features to have in a bathroom, making busy, modern lives that much easier. In the rush of a morning routine, we've often got limited time to take care of our grooming needs like applying make-up, shaving etc. A vanity mirror, especially one with an LED light, provides a clear, magnified view of ourselves from which we can work precisely and quickly. This essentially allows us to look better with less time, making it a win-win situation all around.

Bathroom accessories should improve the experience in the bathroom, making your time in it easier, more relaxing and enjoyable. Modern demister mirrors do exactly this by ensuring you have a crystal clear reflection as soon as you step out of the shower. It saves you the ordeal of having to wipe away the condensation yourself, allowing you to keep the focus on your stunning self, which is the way it should be.

One of the most important traits of a comfortable and welcoming bathroom is warmth and high-quality bathroom heaters are key to this. There are a number of bathroom heating options to consider like traditional heaters, underfloor heating, and extractor fans with heat lamps allowing you to choose something that best suits your needs. Many come equipped with modern features like smart technology, programmable timers and the latest models are also incredibly energy efficient saving you money on energy bills from the outset.

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Is there anything better than wrapping yourself in a warm toasty towel after a soothing bath or shower? Not much beats it which is why the heated towel rail has become a mainstay for most. They've come a long way in recent years too with plenty of technological advances which have made them more effective and energy efficient. There have also been some interesting design incarnations too including freestanding ladder towel rails, towel racks and more for those interested in something a bit different.

Tissues are very handy to have in the bathroom but the boxes themselves can quickly deteriorate with constant exposure to a moist environment. Tissue box holders can mitigate against this, largely protecting them from moisture while housing them in an orderly way. They also allow you to control the aesthetic as the box and its branding will be covered from view — again a helpful trait for an uncluttered bathroom.

In most bathrooms, toilet roll holders are purely functional inclusions and nothing more. However, more and more homeowners are looking at innovative toilet roll holders that offer a little bit extra. This isn't just with respect to design and aesthetics either, for which you can find some exquisite options. These days, you'll find additional features like shelves, which you can use to display decor items like plants or as a handy resting place for pocket items like keys and phones.

A toilet brush isn't something you ordinarily want to draw attention to, that is unless you've picked a sophisticated toilet brush holder. Not only does this remove what is typically a bit of a visual eyesore but it replaces it with something that has aesthetic appeal. Toilet brushes can often be something that people skimp on which can really let down all the hard work that's gone into a bathroom's design so be sure you don't fall into that trap and pick something worthy.

The bathroom should be a sanctuary of cleanliness and hygiene, first and foremost, so bathroom bins sit high on the list of bathroom essentials. However, they can also do more. Opting for a designer bathroom bin allows you to incorporate an option with strong decor value as well, either as a subtle accent or an eye-catching highlight.

Space comes at a premium in a bathroom, a fact that rings truer when focusing on the shower in isolation. Shower shelves are a great way to relieve some of that pressure by providing a storage area for all your toiletry essentials. They are also much more refined than most shower caddies and, as a permanent fixture, feel designed into the space.

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An indoor pot plant is an excellent thing to incorporate in your bathroom interior to give it a feeling of freshness. Plants represent life and vitality, sentiments that are great to evoke in a bathroom where such ties to nature can make you feel at ease. It's also common knowledge that plants improve overall air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen giving you an important health benefit as well.

The ambience is important in a bathroom, arguably more so than any other space in the house, and there's no better way to instantly ramp it up than with some beautiful candles, complemented by equally dazzling candle holders. They fully come to life when lit in the evening of course but one also shouldn't discount their ornamental quality during the day either as there are some amazingly intricate candles that are incredibly unique and easy on the eye.

The more senses you can touch, the more enriched and immersive the experience. Diffusers personify this idea by adding a wide range of aromatic scents to a bathroom, bringing a feeling of tranquillity akin to that of a spa or wellness retreat. Their impact is instantaneous, taking your bathroom to another level of sensory delight.

A bathroom accessory exclusive to bathtub owners only, the bath rack is a great product to consider for those who insist on truly indulgent experiences. If you haven't come across this product before, it's essentially a detachable tray that sits across your bathtub as you lie in it. It provides a flat surface for you to place all manner of things that add to the atmosphere like candles, incense, treats, a glass of wine — some are even designed to support an iPad for catching up on your favourite shows as you soak and relax.

Last but not least, investing in bathroom linen is hugely important as it influences the appearance of your bathroom and the way you feel in it. We don't always think of our towels and bath mats as decorative items but given their visibility in the space, it's vital they are seen for their design potential too. On top of this, the comfort they bring is key to how you'll start and finish each day.

As you can see, there are some fantastic bathroom accessories that you can consider to instantly refresh your bathroom or include in a brand new build. Whether it's a sophisticated robe hook to hang your plush bathrobe or a new bathroom heater to keep your space warm in an efficient way, you'll find that these small additions are the details that can really be the difference you're looking for.