Take your bathroom to the next level with this unexpected accessory

Author: Sarah Warwick on Houzz

If you want to show that your bathroom is a space to spend time in rather than merely a functional area, a chair is the piece you need. Yes, I admit it: there are many bathrooms in which the idea of adding extra furniture is an impossible dream (though a petite wash space could perhaps accommodate a – sturdy – vintage child’s chair as an attractive extra surface).

That aside, more averagely proportioned rooms as well as super-sized spaces can benefit from a chair. Take a look…

Live in colour
A bathroom chair can be modest in its proportions and still provide the seat for nail-painting that turns the space into a pamper spot. So if your room isn’t huge, pick a side chair design like this one.

White suite and white tiles making the ambience of your room a little cool? This choice of sunny yellow is worth copying.

If your perch is to live in a wet area, like this one, you will, of course, need to opt for a waterproof modern material.

Dress a corner
This moody black and copper scheme is already gorgeous, but the woven chair positioned by the window completes the picture. The textural design adds to the already rich selection of finishes – from walls to floorboards to sink-in bath mat.

If you’re concerned about the steamy atmosphere, chairs designed for the conservatory and garden are a worry-free option that can look equally at home in a bathroom. Think weatherproof rattan as well as powder-coated metal.

See through
The Louis Ghost chair is a natural for the bathroom. Baroque lines make it a decorative addition, but its barely there presence means it’s neither a light- nor a view-blocker. The polycarbonate material is another bathroom-proof option and, here, it’s a complement to the loft room’s clear balustrade.

Get good wood
A wooden chair chimes with the flooring in this open ensuite to help link the two zones, and stands out nicely in the white space.

The simple wooden design is perfect for a steamy spot, but you could also consider one with an upholstered seat – an idea worth taking up if an armchair just won’t go in your bathroom, but a more yielding perch is desirable.

Turn back time
In this Victorian home, a distressed wooden chair blends beautifully with painted furniture, traditional-style bathroom fittings and pretty shelving in a shabby-chic scheme. A genuine antique is not required, of course. A junk shop chair or even a new one can be painted then sanded back to create the look of wear accumulated over time. You’ll find tutorials online to guide you step by step.

Tap into pattern
Patchwork floor tiles make this bathroom characterful, and the flooring isn’t the end of the room’s pattern, with a floral on the upholstered chair.

Oversized blooms in an inky colourway on a white background make this seating contemporary rather than country, though, and the charcoal finish on the panelling also contributes to the room’s sophisticated feel.