The dressing room is a part of the house where home owners can give their decorating flair free rein, whether that’s creating a girly grotto in pink and lavender. But whatever the decorative scheme, it’s important to remember that in most cases the primary purpose of a dressing room is to supply storage.
Therefore a starting point for the majority of designs will be to work up a plan for a series of fitted cabinets and shelves, all ideally open (i.e., without doors) so as to give an inspiring overview of all the assembled clothes and accessories. With the optimum blend of symmetry and repetition, this structure can help to give the dressing room both a feeling of order and a sense of theatre.
Colour for dressing room
There are two basic approaches as regards dressing room colour. One is to use a neutral palette – for example, various shades of off-white, or natural wood tones – to provide a discreet backdrop that will show off clothes and shoes without distracting from or clashing with them.
The other is to employ bold colours and patterns to create a subtle mood of fantasy – for instance, lavish striped wallpaper for a baroque, vintage boudoir feeling. Which to choose will largely depend on whether the focus of your dressing room is on the clothes or on relaxing and socialising.
Flooring
Soft carpeting is the ideal option for a dressing room floor, which needs to be comfortable to walk around on in bare feet. Carpets in pale pastels and neutral tones work well as they reflect light upwards, making the dressing room feel bright and flesh.
A smooth hardwood floor can also feel very opulent, with a few thick rugs placed in those parts of the dressing room (i.e., in front of mirrors) where the occupant is most likely to stand trying on clothes.
Dressing room designs
Different dressing room designs will suit different people depending on their individual priorities. For example, a couple planning a “his and hers” closet will probably want to avoid anything too overtly feminine and look for a style that makes them both feel at home.
For a fashion lover who wants a place where they can showcase a large designer collection, a dressing room with no frills and plenty of storage is probably the best bet.
If the home owner has a particular fondness for shoes, then these might be the key feature of the dressing room design, with different sizes of shelving for high heels and knee-high boots. Alternatively, for social butterflies who love to go out, a nightclub inspired décor, with neon hues and jazzy wallpaper, might be more appropriate.
Tips for decorating dressing room
There are lots of little touches that can be incorporated into a dressing room to make it a pleasure to use, such as back-lighting for shelves, angled shelving for shoes and cubby-holes for handbags.
In addition, remember to include a dressing table, a full-length mirror, and some kind of versatile and compact seating for sitting down and trying on shoes. If there’s room, it’s also a good idea to add a small sofa or daybed where friends can relax and enjoy a sip of wine.
A very large dressing room can benefit from having a central island – this creates a focal point, and can also be a convenient place for laying out a tray of drinks and displaying a selection of recently purchased handbags, shoes and trinkets.
Accessories in dressing room
Accessories can be a great away of introducing an element of fun and fantasy into a dressing room. Mixing together some new pieces with a few antiques can create an uniquely eclectic, individual style that will mark the dressing room out as a special, private place in the house.
For instance, a vintage chandelier can provide soft, sympathetic lighting, while a large Victorian footstool can make a great all-purpose seat or coffee table. Other quirky accessories that could be added to a dressing room include library steps for reaching high shelves, a coat-stand for displaying hats and a favourite suitcase for days when it’s necessary to pack in a hurry to jump on a plane.
In addition, one shouldn’t overlook simple but useful dressing room accessories such as padded hangers that will protect clothes from wear.
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