If you’re tired of looking at the same cluttered wardrobe, it might be time to upgrade with one of the best dressing room ideas that marry style and organisation. Instead of spending hours searching for your things, imagine a life where everything is seamlessly arranged in a dedicated space – turning the getting-ready process into a joyful experience.
While dressing rooms are often associated with luxury and larger spaces, you’ll find a mix of inspiration here to suit any room – whether it’s an awkward sloped loft, a small alcove, or even a spare bedroom you’re planning to convert into a multi-functional space.
With so many bedroom ideas out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about which ones to focus on for your dressing room area. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to our top 12 picks, with practical tips from interior experts to help you bring them to life.
1. Add a vanity station to your dressing room to simplify your morning routine
A dressing room isn’t complete without a dedicated vanity station, which can make your getting-ready routine feel seamless and streamlined. By keeping your clothes, accessories, and makeup all in one place, you’ll have easy access to everything you need in the mornings.
One important (and often overlooked) factor to bear in mind is lighting. Both natural and artificial sources matter – you won’t want to place your vanity just anywhere, and the same applies when considering bedroom lighting ideas.
Massimo Buster Minale, Founder and Creative Director of Buster + Punch explains that natural lighting is always the most flattering for a vanity. However, you can carefully plan artificial lighting to achieve a similar effect, such as using vertical lights on either side of your mirror for a balanced setup.
Massimo Buster Minale is an architect, industrial designer and the founder and creative director of Buster + Punch. Established over a decade ago, his London-born label has grown into a leading global name in interior detailing, acclaimed for its use of solid metal to turn everyday fittings into bold design statements with an unmistakable attitude.
2. Show off your style with open dressing room storage
If you have an enviable collection of clothes, why not put them on display with an open storage unit? To strike the balance between a beautiful set-up and a practical dressing room, interior designer Katie Malik suggests using decorative boxes, baskets and stylish containers to conceal clutter (and other items best left off display).
Before you get started on your dressing room, declutter your belongings to decide what will stay and what will be removed – plus how everything will be arranged to fit the overall decor of the space. You might also want to browse these walk-in wardrobe ideas for inspiration.
“Balance that with beautiful objects, like an empty vase or stack of books, to create a visual coherence,” adds Katie. “If you put only boxes, for example, it’s going to look very monotonous, so it’s very important to balance with accessories to give it a more curated, designer look.”
Shop these dressing room essentials
Keep your undergarments in order using these budget-friendly organisers that slot neatly into drawers.
These metal trunks are the perfect place to store accessories in style, plus they’re a great way to add a splash of colour to your scheme.
Featuring a non-slip trouser bar and classic wooden design, this 20-pack of hangers keeps your clothes in perfect shape.
Katie Malik is the founder and creative director of Katie Malik Design Studio, based in Cambridge. She originally studied at Cambridge University as a linguist, then retrained in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Art in London and the National Design Academy. Katie launched her own business in 2014 after gaining previous experience at high-end London design studios.
3. Let your lighting make a statement
One of the easiest ways to make your dressing room shine is by investing in a statement lighting focal point. If your aim is to create impact, choose a modern lighting idea such as a sculptural pendant or bespoke chandelier; for a light and balanced feel, a glass design works best, explains Massimo Buster Minale.
To avoid the harsh, unflattering glare of typical fitting-room lighting, opt for a warm, white bulb that will flatter your skin and clothes without distorting colours. You can also create ambience in the room (and help save energy) by adding a dimmer switch to control the brightness.
To prevent your statement light from getting lost or overwhelming the space, Massimo says, ” Before making your selection, measure your space and be realistic about the proportions of the overall room. It’s important to ensure the design of the light is in keeping with the wider scheme.”
4. Link bedroom and dressing room colours for a seamless transition
To achieve a seamless transition between your bedroom and dressing room, choose a bold, coordinated colour palette – a great way to inject personality into these two very personal spaces.
For flow and consistency, Katie Malik recommends choosing the same colour for both rooms, which will prevent them from feeling separate and disjointed.
The trick to keeping your bedroom colours cohesive without going overboard? “It could be just be one feature wall, but equally that boldness can be carried through fabrics and textiles,” says Katie. “Rugs, curtains and upholstery fabrics on a chair or ottoman will create a natural visual connection and unify the areas.”
5. Create a boutique-style space with spotlights and glass doors
Do you dream of shopping every day and falling in love with your clothes all over again? If the answer is yes, there are plenty of ways to make your dressing room feel like your very own boutique – such as installing directed spotlights inside the wardrobe and using glass doors for a fresh store look.
“Flush ceiling lights or track spotlights are ideal, and choosing fittings with a colour rendering index (CRI) of 80+ ensures textures and finishes are shown at their best,” says Massimo Buster Minale. “Narrower beams highlight individual pieces, while wider angles will help to showcase a wall or collection.”
To avoid harsh shadows, place your spotlights slightly in front of the items (rather than directly overhead) to give a soft, curated look, adds Massimo. If you need more wardrobe lighting ideas, consider adjustable spotlights or track lighting, which provide the flexibility to re-aim or reposition them as needed.
6. Make your dressing room a sanctuary with a cosy nook
To make your dressing room warm and inviting, try adding a cosy, yet practical, nook. It can become your own personal retreat, whether you want to curl up with a book or simply get ready for the day.
If you’re working with a small bedroom for your dressing room space, consider a multi-functional bench: it offers a spot to sit while putting on your shoes, space underneath to store footwear and accessories, and a comfortable perch to relax.
For larger rooms, you could add a comfortable armchair or chaise longue to create a luxurious lounge feel. Alternatively, add cushions and blankets to a window seat for the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee before getting ready.
7. Transform awkward spaces into a practical dressing area
Whether it’s a tricky corner in your bedroom or an unused alcove going to waste, turning it into a dressing area is a brilliant way to make the most of these often-awkward spaces.
To prevent the space feeling cluttered, choose a design that blends with your bedroom, hang clothing on matching hangers, keep less attractive items (like pyjamas and underwear) hidden away in a decorative box, and use these small bedroom storage ideas to keep things tidy.
As Katie Malik mentioned, sticking to the same colour palette (or at least coordinating patterns or styles) will help the space blend seamlessly with the rest of your room.
And if you like the idea of a little more privacy, Melissa Denham, Interior Design Expert at Hammonds Furniture, suggests installing a curtain or sliding screen to create a subtle sense of separation.
With over two decades of experience designing and delivering interior projects, Melissa creates stunning interiors for residential projects as well as events, workspaces and showroom staging. She aids clients in creating their vision of a dream space through her interior design expertise and creative eye.
8. Maximise your space with sliding wardrobe doors
If you’re stuck on which bedroom wardrobe idea to choose and are working with a smaller space, we’d recommend sliding doors. Thanks to their space-saving design that doesn’t require swinging open, they’re the perfect choice for narrow dressing rooms.
Unlike traditional doors that block the entryway and take up space when opened, sliding doors don’t encroach on the room, allowing you to move around and use the space more freely.
They also let you view just one section of your wardrobe without opening the entire thing, and give you the freedom to place a chair or other furniture in front of your wardrobe without blocking access.
9. Open up the layout using mirrors
The fastest way to open up your dressing room and cheat more space? Add a reflection to your storage unit or walls, either by choosing mirrored wardrobe doors or sticking them on using surface-friendly adhesive pads (like these Command Strips from Amazon).
Placing a full-length mirror opposite a doorway or along the longest wall will trick the eye into perceiving a larger room. To make your space feel brighter, position a mirror opposite a window that brings in natural light. To create an “infinity reflection”, place two mirrors opposite each other on wardrobe doors, as shown above.
However, while this space-enhancing hack can amplify the look of your room, it will do the same for clutter – so it’s important to keep your space minimalistic and neat to avoid a chaotic appearance.
10. Personalise your dressing room to make it uniquely yours
Much like your bedroom, your dressing room is a very personal space that should feel like a private sanctuary. By adding sentimental items, like photographs of loved ones or meaningful trinkets, you can make the space feel like your own.
As well as expressing your style and interests, seeing your favourite photos can be a quick mood-booster and the perfect way to start your morning when getting ready for the day. You could add a simple bedroom shelving idea, filling it with items you’ve collected over the years.
Joanne Dodsworth, Head of Bedrooms at Wren Kitchens, says: “Thoughtful details like a perfume tray or a piece of art will personalise your dressing room and transform it into a space that feels both practical and truly yours.”
11. Use a partition wall to zone a larger bedroom space
You don’t need a spare room to create the dressing room of your dreams. By adding a half partition wall in your bedroom, you can easily create a dressing area that feels separate from your sleeping space.
As shown in the bedroom space above, a partition wall with openings at either end can zone the room into sleeping and storage spaces. The bed can be placed against one side of the wall with the dressing area tucked away out of sight on the other side.
If you don’t want to go to the expense of building a dividing wall, however, you could opt for a more temporary, budget-friendly solution.
“It could be something as simple as a folding screen, which ties in with the decor and can be easily removed,” says Katie Malik. “Equally, it could be a curtain with a ceiling-mounted track that separates the spaces. When it’s time to move, it could be dismounted.”
Katie also suggests using tall plants (which as a bonus, can help purify your air) or a freestanding bookcase and shelving unit for a budget-friendly room divider idea.
12. Optimise your dressing room with floor-to-ceiling storage
If you’re anything like me and have more clothes than you have storage, making use of the whole space – from floor to ceiling – is a smart move. In this dressing room, for example, the wardrobe has been extended over the doorway to maximise the space even further.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth investing in a custom-sized option, we’ve explained the pros and cons of fitted wardrobes vs freestanding.
Melissa Denham, Interior Design Expert at Hammonds Furniture, says: “Wardrobe accessories like drawer dividers, shoe racks, pull-out laundry baskets, and a space saving ironing board will help keeping your dressing room in order. Every ich of valuable space will be utilised.”
As for your drawers and shelf space, Melissa recommends adopting folding techniques that strike a balance between looking attractive on display and being easy to access and assemble. To speed things up in the mornings, fold your T-shirts and jeans vertically in drawers so you can see everything at a glance.
Dressing room FAQs
What should be in a dressing room?
Your dressing room should include plenty of storage that’s tailored to your specific needs, explains interior designer Katie Malik of Katie Malik Design Studio. If possible, she also recommends bespoke joinery to maximise your space, using a mix of hanging spaces for clothes of different lengths, as well as drawers and shelves for shoes.
“One thing that’s often overlooked is good lighting design,” she says. “It should be a combination of task, accent and ambient in a dressing room; this is for both function and atmosphere. You also need a place to sit, like a nice chair or ottoman, as well as a mirror, of course!”
What is the ideal size for a dressing room?
The ideal size for a dressing room depends on two things: where it’s going to go and how much space you have, according to Melissa Denham, Interior Design Expert at Hammonds Furniture. Will you transform a spare room? Or perhaps give a large cupboard or an empty alcove a makeover?
Melissa advises building your dressing room around your everyday routine, in a way that will save you time and enjoy the getting ready process. She says, “You need to consider if it’s a space that is simply to store clothes or whether you will be getting dressed in the room too.”
If you’re planning on doing your hair and makeup in your dressing room, you’ll need to ensure the space is big enough for a vanity station and comfortable seating, as well as plug sockets for straighteners and access to good lighting in any weather.
Before finalising your dressing room project, you’ll want to carefully consider the layout of your space, too.
“A U-shaped design offers maximum storage with the option of adding a seating area, while a galley style is brilliant for efficiency, especially when paired with floor-to-ceiling fitted furniture,” says Joanne Dodsworth, Head of Bedrooms at Wren Kitchens. “If you’re working with an L-shaped room, flush corner fittings and good lighting are essential to keep the space feeling open and accessible.”
If you’re looking for alternative spaces to build your perfect dressing room, some of our favourite loft conversion ideas could inspire you to extend up into the roof to create the master suite of your dreams.
View the original article and our Inspiration here
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