Dressing Room Inspiration: Furnishing Your Space

Dressing Room Inspiration: Furnishing Your Space

A dressing room is an opportunity to be a little more creative. It’s a room that will see a lot of use but, unlike the living room, kitchen, and dining room, it’s less likely to be ‘on show’ to the guests.

A lot of people worry about those rooms for that exact reason. But, if you find yourself trying to reign-in your creativity for the sake of cohesion in the busier parts of the house, then consider the dressing room an outlet for a more exciting level of self-expression. 

Don’t get us wrong – you don’t have to ‘go wild’ for the sake of going wild – but you can feel at least a little liberated from having things just-so, perfectly coordinated, and on-trend.

Opt for Ambient Lighting, but Also Versatility

Hair and makeup, in the very least, both require good lighting, or you’ll find yourself dashing back-and-forth from the dressing table mirror to the bathroom mirror throughout your routine. You’ll want to invest in a makeup light – one that provides around 100 watts of light and isn’t too cool or too warm.

It’s also a good idea, if you can, to position the dressing table under a window. Natural light is always going to be the best test of a face.

For the rest of the time, ambient lighting is far more restful and enjoyable than stark overheads. Decorate the room with a few statement lamps to create depth, and to enable you to layer light depending on the mood and the time of day.

Don’t be too rigid in your choices. The right lamps can make as much of a statement as a solely decorative piece and create a beautiful colour story for the room. Check out our full lighting range for inspiration.

Furnish for Comfort, not Just Convenience

A dressing room really only needs a place to hold your clothes and, inarguably, a mirror – but what a dressing room really wants are those extra touches that make it a space to spend time in, relax, and enjoy your own company. Having your own dressing room is definitely a luxury, but, if you’re not careful, it could easily turn into a very utilitarian space.

Introduce one or two pieces that are there for no other reason than to encourage you off whatever mission you’re on when you walk in there. Getting ready is a marathon, not a sprint, and you don’t need any excuse to turn your own little slice of the home into a space worth lingering in.

We’re lifelong fans of the classic and versatile slipper chair, but the ottoman is the ultimate piece for storing hats or bags, while also offering a place to perch and try on shoes.

Tie Your Décor Together with a Comfortable Rug

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – a room without a rug is simply an invitation to buy a rug. It’s one of the best purchases you can make if a room feels close to perfect, but not quite as you’d envisioned it.

A rug softens a space. It’s particularly useful if you find yourself wincing at the sound of high heels on wood floors, but also a must for creating a more intimate, cosy vibe in a space that won’t see a lot of footfall throughout the day. Generally, it’s best to consider the largest sizes your room (or section of the room) can accommodate, as an undersized rug will stand out for the wrong reasons most of the time.

Our rug collection is perfect for adding a splash of colour and print to the room, and tying it all together seamlessly.

Know How to Use Mirrors to Your Advantage

Like the dressing table or the clothes themselves, the dressing room mirror needs no real introduction. It’s the central focus around which the rest of the room orbits, and 100% necessary for any effective dressing room redesign.

But it’s not just useful for OOTDs and try-ons. The mirror (or mirrors) are also very useful for making a room feel larger and brighter than it really is, which is great for rooms that, in general, tend to be some of the smallest in the house. And, even if your dressing room has a healthy square footage, the rails and shelves tend to shrink these rooms down, so knowing how to use your mirrors to your advantage pays off. 

If you can, position one mirror directly opposite the room’s main window. This will reflect the daylight and create a ‘widening’ effect. A few additional mirrors will help to reflect that natural light further around the room, and widen the parameters further still.