A quick guide to choosing furniture and accessories: essential criteria and targeted advice for organizing your space with order, quality materials, and attention to detail.
There is a room in the house where design becomes discipline and measure, where every choice expresses a precise idea of comfort. Today, the bathroom is no longer just a utility room: it is an intimate, architectural space, where functionality and aesthetics must coexist without compromise. Beyond the sanitary ware – sink, toilet, bidet, bathtub and shower – preferring certain furniture and accessories, rather than others, means create a balanced mix of proportions, materials, and light, avoiding decorative excesses and improvised solutions. All of this, obviously, depends on the space you have available..
The key elements for a well-structured project:
- Sink unit with organized drawers.
- Vertical column or compact container module.
- Mirror with integrated lighting.
- Coordinated accessories in durable finishes.
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WASHBASIN UNIT PROTAGONIST
The fulcrum of the project is the washbasin cabinet, an element that determines rhythm and aesthetic-conceptual hierarchies. The suspended versions lighten the overall impression and amplify the perception of space; the floor-standing ones introduce a more structured presence. Quality is measured in the details: fully extendable drawers, modular internal dividers, cushioned runners. Order is not a stylistic option but a functional choice that impacts everyday experience.
Double floor-standing vanity unit with drawers from the Grate collection by Inbani, design by Norm Architects, wild oak S3, base module 50x78xh cm, width and various customization options in the catalog both suspended and floor-standing, price based on project. Photo © Inbani – inbani.com
The dimensions must be established with millimetric precision. Before purchasing, it is essential to note the dimensions, door openings, and location of the utilities, and always take into account the dimensions of the sink. Careful design avoids disproportions and ensures harmony between sanitary ware, coverings and furnishings.
Suspended bathroom column collection Pilar by Pirovano, designed by Gianluigi Landoni, walnut-stained bamboo, 36x22x144h cm, price based on project. Photo © Pirovano – pirovanobagni.it
VERTICAL CONTAINMENT AND VISUAL LIGHTNESS
In contemporary homes, often characterized by small floor spaces, height development becomes strategic. A wall-mounted column or compact module allows you to store textiles and beauty or cleaning products without weighing down the composition. The key word is essentiality: a few well-calibrated volumes are more elegant than a disordered sequence that appears random.
Bathroom column collection Plissè System by Artelinea, designed by Bizzarri Design Associati, groove walnut exterior finish, walnut interior, 4 open compartments with bronze side glass and 1 central open compartment, PYCC170 swivel model, 40x40x170h cm, from €2,769. Photo © Artelinea – artelinea.it
Another idea? Open shelves, if placed wisely, introduce space. They must accommodate carefully selected objects, avoiding accumulations. Lightness comes from subtraction, not addition. And many, not to be underestimated, also have an integrated towel rack.
On the left, shelf from the Plural collection by VitrA Bathrooms, design by Terri Pecora & VitrA Design Team, solid dark oak wood, 55x16x2.5h cm, from €290 (VAT excluded); on the right,ensola Plural con porta asciugamani di VitrA Bathrooms, design by Terri Pecora & VitrA Design Team, legno massiccio dark oak, 75x18x9,5h cm, da € 460 (IVA esclusa). Photo © VitrA Bathrooms – italy.vitrabathrooms.com
ACCESSORIES: COHERENCE AND MATERIAL
Mirrors and accessories define the bathroom’s identity. A backlit model offers uniform light, functional for personal care and capable of creating atmosphere. For those with adequate depth, it’s also helpful to consider a cabinet with mirrored doors. Towel racks, hooks, and dispensers should complement each other in terms of finish and style: satin stainless steel, chrome-plated brass, or matte finishes, even treated wood, guarantee moisture resistance and visual continuity.
Theta mirror by Etrusca, LED backlit, round with perimeter sandblasting, 11 sizes from Ø65x30h cm to Ø120x30h cm, power from 16 W 1600 Lm to 33 W 3370 Lm, various optional extras in the catalogue, from €237. Photo © Etrusca – etrusca.it
Porta asciugamani Servietto di Zanotta, design by Achille Castiglioni, struttura in acciaio verniciato/polipropilene, Ø31,5xh86 cm, da € 457,50. Photo © Zanotta – zanotta.com
Even a basket or a rug contribute to the final result. They must be discreet, easy to maintain, and consistent with the chosen palette. Every superfluous element creates perceptual confusion; every thoughtful choice strengthens the whole.
Coat hook collection Cut by Schönbuch, design studio tashide, solid wood, 3.2×6.5x15h cm, from €60. Photo © Schönbuch – schoenbuch.com
Dispenser sapone Ply Soap di Geelli, design by Eli Gutiérrez, gel poliuretanico struttura in ferro verniciato colori Grigio Ombra, Tortora, Sabbia, Senape, Avio, Cotto; impugnatura bianco, nero, ottone satinato, sabbia; 11,5×11,5x20h cm, da € 106,75. Photo © Geelli – geelli.com
OTHER TIPS
Humidity requires reliable surfaces: treated wood, quality lacquers, advanced laminates and technical ceramics ensure durability and ease of maintenance. Neutral tones amplify brightness, while deeper accents can define character and personality. Lighting completes the project. In addition to the task light near the mirror, it is advisable to provide a soft, diffused light source that can transform the bathroom into a welcoming space. The quality of living depends on these details.
On the left, Cognac Wastepaper Bin by Newport Home Interiors, rattan, Ø32xh30 cm, €63; on the right, Storage Basket With Lid by Newport, rattan, Ø20xh25 cm, €71.20. Photo © Newport Home Interiors – newporthome.eu
Designing methodically, choosing consciously, limiting the superfluous: this is true elegance. In a well-designed bathroom, every gesture has its place, and beauty coincides with precision.
Tappeto Amone di Missoni Home, spugna di cotone, colori Arancio (in foto) e Nero; 160x70xh cm, € 250. Photo © Missoni Home – missoni.com
On the cover, collection Pilar by Pirovano, designed by Gianluigi Landoni. Photo © Pirovano – pirovanobagni.it
