From Annabel’s hyper-floral and pink onyx powder room to the egg-shaped cubicles at Sketch, a London bar or restaurant with a posh loo can be a draw all of its own.
Aside from being the setting of an insane level of selfie-taking, the capital’s hottest spots and smartest bars are ripe hunting grounds for inspiration of what you could recreate in your own home, albeit on a much smaller scale.
Bathrooms, often the smallest room in the house, can be a place where you allow your maximalist interior dreams to run free, or be a tranquil temple devoted to self-care, in the style of your favourite spa retreat.
That said, the pendulum doesn’t have to swing to the extremes; a quick lick of paint or doing something as simple as changing the light fittings or adding a framed print can make your wet room a more interesting place to be.
If you’re not sure where to start, or you’re in need of inspiration, ES Best is here to help. Head to our dedicated bathroom section for ideas on how to elevate your space as well as roundups on practical storage ideas (you can never have too much storage, especially in the bathroom) and bathroom accessories. Towel sets, bathmats, nice candles - you name it, we’ve probably got a list you can shop it from.
For those with bigger renovation dreams to realise, we’ve created a little black book of luxury bathroom brands that can help below. Whether you have your heart set on a calming Japandi scheme or want a look that will help you feel energised during the morning rush, our list of retailers and brands promises to take your three-piece bathroom suite to new heights.
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Soho Home Bathrooms
One peek at any of Soho House’s private member’s clubs and you’ll fall headfirst for its plush fabrics, chic accessories and midcentury modern furniture, all given a tasteful leg-up with wall art and lighting. The brand ventured into homewares in 2016 but it’s only just added bathroom furniture and fittings to the mix.
The vanity units will be familiar to anyone who’s darkened the doorway of West Hollywood-based Holloway House, Soho House Paris or the quaint Oxfordshire Soho Farmhouse and there are lighting and sink-side accessories to lust over as well.
Read more about Soho House Bathrooms here.
Buy now, Soho Home
House of Hackney
Of the view that more is most certainly more? You’re a House of Hackney fan in the making. The brand is celebrated for its bold and lively mix of patterns that won’t fail to breathe life and character into your space.
Run by a husband-and-wife team, the offering spans everything from wallpaper, fabric and curtains to kitsch table lamps, lots of which can be used in a bathroom if carefully placed. There’s leopard print, floral, animal, stripes and so much more; it’s easy to lose hours browsing House of Hackney’s online wares.
Buy now, House of Hackney
Better Bathrooms
While finishing touches are all good and well, for a bathroom to really feel luxurious, it’s the headline attractions that need to be up to scratch. If you have the budget to replace your bath, swapping it for a roll-top design will give you that swanky hotel feeling every time you bathe.
Better Bathrooms has - as you’d expect - wet room options coming out of its ears, including a lovely range of roll-tops, starting at just under £350. Some are freestanding while those who prefer a quick shower in the morning can source single-ended models here too.
Buy now, Better Bathrooms
London Basin Co.
When is a sink not a sink? When it’s a work of art, like the pieces on sale at London Basin Co.
The luxe brand specialises in unusual shapes and hand-painted porcelain designs to the extent that they almost look like fancy dinnerware. These basins guarantee to make your sink the bathroom’s main attraction.
Prices sit hover at the £900 mark reflecting the level of craftsmanship devoted to each one, and you can shop complimenting accessories like mirrors, taps and vanity units too.
Buy now, London Basin Co.
Amara
A one-stop shop for high-end homewares, Amara is the place to go if you’re looking for small accessories to dress your space. The bathroom section has all those little details covered and often spotlights practical products given a luxe makeover. Big names include the likes of Dolce and Gabbana Casa, LObjet, and Missoni Home.
Buy now, Amara
Addison Ross
Pretty scallops are the order of the day at Addison Ross: you’ll find them on everything from mirrors and wastebins to trays to hold your most display-worthy toiletries. Everything comes in soft pastel hues and is sold separately rather than in bundles.
Buy now, Addison Ross
LuxDeco
If you rent or haven’t got the money for a full on renovation right now, some choice accessories can smarten up your bathroom’s act. LuxDeco has lovely bundles of accessories in neutral hues to bring order and style to your tub and sink.
There’s lots of marble and mother-of-pearl effect to bring gentle tone and lustre to your space.
Buy now, LuxDeco
Walls & Floors
When you’re decorating, it’s easy to focus so much on the walls that you completely forget about the floors, throwing carpet or a rug over them as a final thought. Walls & Floors, the leading tile specialists, are on a mission to change that.
The online emporium is teeming with beautiful tiles of every description, lending inspiration and giving your interiors an elevated look. There are bold looks to help your hallway or bathroom pop, and others with reclaimed wood finishes that will create a homely, rustic feel - if that’s what you’re after. As well as the tiles, you can find adhesive, grout, accessories and tools all on the site.
For a splashback with oomph, we like these glazed ceramic brick effect tiles, which come in a high gloss olive green tone.
£42.95 per sqm.
Buy now £42.95, Walls & Floors
Total Tiles
Can’t be bothered to go out? Spend a night online at Total Tiles, which offers boutique designs at competitive prices. It’s all here, from bathroom, wall and floor tiles to wood effect designs and options for the garden too. You can even choose coordinating floors and tiles to give your room a polished, tied-together look. Once you’ve selected your favourite, don’t forget to pick up adhesive and grout to get the job done from start to finish.
Buy now, Total Tiles
Flooring Superstore
Flooring Superstore has dozens of options to make your floor part of the home design party.
Take this Moorish-inspired roll of vinyl flooring, for instance, offering an easy way to give your bathroom or WC floor new life. It boasts a slip-resistant finish to curb accidents and falls, making it a hardworking, durable choice for high-traffic rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
Buy now, Flooring Superstore
Topps Tiles
One of the biggest names in the industry, Topps doesn't just offer a world of tiles - it's a whole universe.
As well as the usual lineup of indoor and outdoor tiles, Topps also offers antibacterial tiles to help keep things hygienic and Victorian-style floor options, for those who favour a vintage vibe at home.
Create an Insta-worthy run up to your front door or give your hallway the drama it deserves with geometric patterned tiling. As first impressions go, it doesn't get better than this.
Buy now £31.73, Topps Tiles
