The Only 10 Items You Should Have in Your Bathroom

When you reach a certain point in life, you start to prioritise things like bed linen and bath towels over frivolous endeavours like going "out" and having "fun". 

With these shifting priorities, it can be easy to get carried away—next minute, you've ordered dozens of gadgets and gizmos from Instagram ads that seem great in theory but actually add nothing to your day-to-day life. In reality, cutting down on clutter and investing in quality essentials is far wiser than trying to create a fully stocked home in one go.

Pause, regroup and then address each room separately. It's time to focus on what you need and consciously cut out the clutter. When it comes to the bathroom, these are the only ten items you should have—both in the interest of serving yourself and impressing your guests.

The only 10 items you should have in your bathroom

1. Towels

Is it time to upgrade your towels? Most likely, yes. They're a staple of any bathroom, but the traditional fluffy style of bath towel comes with some downsides—as they can be slow to dry, they can be quick to breed bacteria. Plus, they're bulky.

Upgrading to 100% French Flax Linen towels will vastly improve the situation—they're naturally moisture-wicking and quick drying, they're not bulky, and they're also more on brand with your personal aesthetic. Hang a fresh hand towel by the basin and store the rest elsewhere, either in the bathroom itself or, ideally, in a separate room with your bath towels and face towels.

2. Hand wash

This is one essential that is guaranteed to impress your guests, but most importantly will revolutionise every trip to the bathroom you make during your time at home. Ensuring your basin is permanently stocked with nice, non-toxic hand wash is a sign you've got your life together (even if you haven't).

We love Sisters Body hand wash, which is made from 100% natural essential oils (yuzu, basil, cedar and more) and housed in 100 per cent recycled, biodegradable packaging. 

3. Deodorant

If you haven't made the move to natural deodorant, first of all—we feel you. There are very few natural deodorants that actually, you know, deodorise, which is why we're delighted to offer Salt & Stone's Natural Deodorant In Lavender and Sage in our store. It's pricier than most of the stuff you'll find at the supermarket or pharmacy, with good reason.

In addition to smelling incredible, it is made with a whole lot of hyaluronic acid, which is designed to keep your skin nourished and moisturised, as well as probiotics to help banish odour.

4. Good lighting

Renters, put your hands up if the lighting in your bathroom bothers you. Your hands are up, aren't they? Either it's too dim, or way too fluorescent.

Improve the mood and the functionality by installing vanity lighting (available at IKEA, among other home solutions stores) and bringing in a lamp for mood lighting when you want to bliss out with a full body massage or relaxing bath.

5. Body wash

Your daily shower will be vastly more rejuvenating with the help of a refreshing body wash. That's just a fact. Place it beside your shampoo and conditioner and work it into your daily routine.

We love Sisters Body Gentle Body Wash, followed by a full body massage using Moon Bath Grounding Body Oil, of course.

6. Haircare kit

If you're someone who somehow collects half-used bottles of shampoo and conditioner without meaning to, make a commitment right now to, you know, just stop. Waste not, want not—leave each bottle in your shower until you get through them all, and invest in a fresh set of haircare products for future you. We love Sisters Body Balancing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner, as they're made with 100 per cent natural essential oils and no bad stuff. 

In case you thought bathroom essentials meant bare minimum, rest assured. Your haircare kit absolutely must include a hydration hero: take your pick between COMB Manuka Honey Infused Hair Oil and Ayu Ceremony Hair Oil, and don't forget you'll need a comb to help distribute it over every precious lock of hair on your beautiful head. Don't have one? Try Alder New York's All Purpose Comb, made from 100 per cent pre-consumer recycled plastic.

7. Oral care kit

Has your toothbrush seen better days? Now is the perfect time to overhaul your oral care inventory. In addition to a fresh toothbrush (that should be replaced every three to six months), get yourself an Ayurvedic Copper Tongue Cleaner by French brand A Tongue Cleaner Changed My Life and a tube or two of luxury Italian toothpaste.

Keep everything tidy in a glass somewhere well-ventilated to help each item dry off between uses, and be sure to wash that glass regularly.

8. Room spray and matches

With all of the cleansing and detoxing that goes on in the bathroom, it's a thoughtful touch to provide your guests (and yourself) a room spray and a box of matches. Just saying.

9. Skincare kit

Cleansers, exfoliators, hydrators—we love it all. Skincare is truly one of life's great joys, but it can also be daunting. To help, we're proud to offer a range of skincare saviours in store—cleansers, masks, oils, serums and moisturisers from Alder New York, Salt & Stone and Moon Bath. To up the ante in your skincare kit, add Alder New York's Black Obsidian Gua Sha Tool and Facial Roller. Don't forget your body—we love Moon Bath Every Body Grounding Body Oil.

If your skincare kit is on display, these will be a stylish addition to the room's décor. Keep all of your skincare essentials in a tub or on a marble tray to make it easy to transport between the bathroom and the bedroom.

10. Rubbish bin

Now, this might seem like a boring, practical item to spend as little thinking time on as possible, but the right rubbish bin can really take a bathroom from fine to next-level grown-up. Choose something inconspicuous that will fit in an alcove and out of the way.

Liked this? Here are 8 landlord-approved hacks to update your rental bathroom on a budget.