Dressing room ideas: from chic islands to bold display areas

There is one infamous walk-in wardrobe, of a fictional character, I envy and that is Carrie Bradshaw’s from Sex and the City. Drenched in a calming blue shade, her dressing area included rails stuffed with couture, shelves decorated with colourful shoe and hat boxes, and pull-out drawers filled with accessories – one can dream, right?

Whether you’re renovating your space from scratch or planning to transform a spare room into your dream dressing area, I couldn’t help but wonder… what are some popular design features in 2025?

Dressing room with open storage, a bench, clothing rails, and sophisticated lighting.
String System, from £136, and Cabinet with flip door in Oak, £306, String Furniture.

On display

“We are moving away from purely functional spaces and increasingly making dressing rooms almost performative spaces, rooms where you can spend time, your own personal runway and boutique,” says Philipp Nagel, director at Neatsmith, who has noticed a trend for having shoe and handbag collections on display rather than concealing them.

So, take this as your sign to put your prized possessions front and centre, from decorating open shelves with elegant shoes to adding interest to your glass-fronted cabinets with colourful clothing. To elevate your design further, add built-in LED lighting, which will add visual impact while enhancing functionality.

His and hers dressing room areas with open shelving with smoked glass doors and LED lighting.
Bronze Reflex with Champagne Frame and Walnut, Neatsmith.
Pastel wardrobe area with open and closed storage, and a basin area for getting ready in the morning.
Peach Pink Vendôme collection, Schmidt.

Open and closed storage

Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry is also on the rise, as well as maximising storage with both open and closed solutions. “We’re seeing a strong demand for full-height wardrobes with integrated lighting, plus a mix of open and closed storage so you can display your favourite items on open shelving, while hiding any messy areas behind closed doors,” says Tam Reed, designer at Tom Howley’s Brentwood showroom.

Rebecca Nokes, design director at John Lewis of Hungerford, agrees and adds, “We’re seeing a real trend of both concealed and open storage when it comes to designing dressing rooms, allowing you to neatly store what you’d rather not have on show and display special items such as handbags and shoes.”

So, storage optimisation is key, as says Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at Rotpunkt. “Keep an eye out for furniture which can be configured in different heights and widths, as this will ensure a perfect fit as well as create a modern bedroom space with boutique-style dressing area,” he advises.

Dressing room with open and closed storage and a marbled island.
Dressing room by Roundhouse.
Walk-in wardrobe with open and closed storage, mirrors, drawers for accessories, and parquet flooring.
Shaker dressing room, from £20,000, John Lewis of Hungerford.
Walk-in dressing room with floor-to-ceiling furniture, and an architectural ceiling.
Dressing room by The Vawdrey House. Photography: Malcolm Menzies.
Walk-in wardrobe with blue furniture, LED lighting, and parquet flooring.
The walk-in wardrobe is drenched in colour, from the architectureal ceiling to the cupboard interiors, and features LED lighting.
Galley style layout with floor-to-ceiling furniture, open shelves, drawers, and a vanity area for getting ready.
Design by HollandGreen.

Dressing room islands

Dressing room islands remain a popular feature, complete with glass or stone worktops, drawers with clever dividers, and even built-in seating. “These islands can also incorporate a dressing table, offering a dedicated spot to sit and get ready, while adding even more functional storage,” says Tam. “Our clients also love incorporating casual seating, bespoke shoe storage, and mirrored panels to enhance the experience of getting ready. The goal is to blend beauty with utility – spaces that feel indulgent yet tailored to individual needs.”

Dressing room with tall furniture, open shelves, a central island, and a dressing table.
The Devine collection in Moonstone, Tom Howley.
A pink dressing room with a leather island with a built-in seat, open shelves for shoes, and metallic accents.
This bespoke dressing room, created in collaboration with Peter Mikic Interiors and architects Rundell & Associates Ltd, features a leather-clad island by Bill Amberg Studio in a soft blush tone, with suede-lined drawers. The shelves and pull-out shoe trays are wrapped in pink calfskin. Photography: David Cleveland.
Dressing room next to a bedroom with an island and a mix of storage.
Zerox FM Beach Grey dressing room, Rotpunkt.

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