I'm always curious about the things designers buy for their own homes. Not the homes they work on, but their actual homes – the spaces in which they live, hang out with friends and family, and relax. Since designers are constantly working with home decor, they know what's good, what's not, and what's actually worth buying.
I recently asked designers to share their favorite kitchen products, and that got me thinking about another hardworking space – the bathroom. Just like the kitchen, the bathroom is a frequently used room that deserves both high style and high quality. And who better to share the best bathroom products with us than interior designers themselves? They have a complete understanding of the best bathroom ideas and the latest bathroom trends, so I think it's wise to trust their opinions when it comes to the best bathroom products.
9 products designers buy for their own bathrooms
If you're tired of your fabric bathmat constantly feeling wet underfoot, it might be time for an upgrade. According to designer Lauren Saab, SOIL's Gem Bathmat is the best pick, and it just so happens to be her favorite product that she's bought for her bathroom this year. 'The SOIL Gem Bath Mat trades fabric for stone,' Lauren explains. 'A Japanese blend of diatomaceous earth and vermiculite absorbs water quickly, then dries back to a clean, dry surface. The minimal slab feels architectural and brings a finished look. No laundering needed, just fast drying and fuss-free.' This bathmat has a sleek, minimal look that ensures dry feet and chic style in your bathroom.
Every bathroom needs good lighting, and for Micaela Quinton, Copper Sky Design + Remodel's Director of Design, Pooky's quirky Brighton wall fixture is her best purchase this year. 'The whimsy and charm of the Brighton wall fixtures from Pooky is unmatched,' she says. 'I love a hand sconce, so they’re easily my favorite purchase so far this year for my bath. What makes them even better is that they have so many shade options to choose from (or you could also add your own shade). Plus the price point can’t be beat!'
Another one of Lauren Saab's favorite bathroom purchases this year is this Mist Soap Dish from Ferm Living. It's a 'small upgrade with big impact', according to Lauren. 'Raised ribs lift the soap to dry quickly, reducing residue and helping it last longer, while the compact footprint keeps the counter clear,' Lauren tells me. 'Finished in marbled resin that looks like stone, it adds a subtle sculptural note that sits easily in any bathroom, from classic to pared back modern.' Along with this tasteful green and white color combination, this soap dish is available in four other color options that are equally as chic.
If you want to create a luxury bathroom within your home, consider installing a chandelier like this one – the model that designer Debbie Mathews LeRoy added to her bathroom. 'I love the scalloped shape and think it looks beautiful hanging over my white freestanding tub. The floor of my bathroom is a green and white marble checkerboard – it plays so well with it while infusing a light and airy feel into the whole space,' Debbie tells me. This chandelier has a height of 30.25" and a width of 21". It's a design that'll certainly make a statement and help your bathroom feel like a luxury oasis.
'This year’s best bathroom purchase has to be a set of Weezie monogrammed towels,' designer Liz Williams shares with me. 'I chose a green piped edge to coordinate with my wallpaper and color scheme, and they’ve been a joy ever since. The quality is exceptional – thick, soft, and remains fluffy wash after wash. The monogram gives them that polished, custom feel, turning an everyday essential into something truly personal.' These towels are sold individually or in a set of six, and if you so choose, you can also buy the matching bathmat.
Every bathroom vanity needs some sort of catchall tray, and for Lauren Saab, the best pick is H&M's marble bathroom tray. '[It] makes a vanity look designed in one move,' Lauren says. 'Real marble adds weight and texture while keeping daily essentials together so the counter stays uncluttered.' Although Lauren's small dark brown pick is currently out of stock, H&M offers the same model in a larger size and in white beige. This tray is equally as stunning and provides a stylish spot for jewelry and accessories on your vanity.
If the bathtub is your favorite spot to unwind and relax after a long day, here's an accessory to streamline your relaxation: a bamboo bath caddy. According to designer Darci Hether, it's her favorite bathroom buy of the year. 'I'm obsessed with this bath tray! As someone who unwinds most evenings in a hot bathtub, this accessory is the perfect addition to my bathing rituals,' Darci says. 'The secure slatted tray is wonderful for holding my sparkling water and favorite salt scrubs, but the best part, the 'book holder' is the perfect backdrop to place my iPad so I can binge watch my favorite series while exfoliating!'
According to designer Amanda Sinistaj, her favorite bathroom product this year is the Jolie showerhead – a product that 'genuinely enhances wellness', she tells me. 'The Jolie filtered showerhead pairs sleek design with effective filtration, removing chlorine and other contaminants,' Amanda says. 'It’s a simple upgrade that truly elevates everyday comfort and water quality.' Not only is this showerhead a stylish upgrade, but it's good for your hair and skin health, too. Consider this showerhead a win-win design upgrade for your bathroom.
'Vanities with built-in electrical outlets and storage for hair tools are game changers,' designer Peggy Haddad tells me. 'I love Kohler’s Malin vanity by Studio McGee, it has hidden outlets inside the drawers so curling irons, blow dryers, and electric razors stay plugged in but out of sight. No cords snaking across the counter, no juggling hot tools. Just a clean, functional bathroom that’s ready for real life.' Aside from the size shown above, this vanity comes in a variety of different sizes to fit the needs of your bathroom.
Although some designers found specific products that have enhanced their bathrooms this year, for designer Gillian Gillies, the best thing for her bathroom isn't a product at all – it's establishing a mood. 'Serenity, health and wellness have been at the forefront of our designs,' she tells me. 'I want a bathroom that feels more like a personal sanctuary – a place where you can restore and recalibrate.' And with these designer-owned and approved bathroom products, you can create a spa-like bathroom right in the comfort of your home.
