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9 best dressing tables that turn any room into a boudoir

Invest in a functional piece that can display beauty products and stow away unwanted items

Ali Howard
Thursday 20 August 2020 16:45
We tested for great design, functionality and affordability
We tested for great design, functionality and affordability

By its very nature, the dressing table is a glamorous and indulgent furniture piece, but it’s also a functional one – providing accessible storage for our getting ready needs.

It awards the room an inviting focal point, too, so you’ll want to find a stylish unit to suit your bedroom or dressing room decor.

No dressing table is complete without a mirror, and where some designs come with an integrated looking glass, others rely on a freestanding or wall-mounted one, so think carefully about both floor and wall space when you’re planning on where to place your new vanity table.

Just like pairing a chair with a home office desk, you’ll need to think about posture and comfort if you’re intending to spend any time at your dressing table.

If you’re short on space, opt for a narrow console-style unit that doesn’t impose on the room, but one that will still allow for a stylish pouffe, stool, or dressing table chair to slide underneath.

And if you’re unsure of the type of seating to choose – opt for a complete dressing table and stool set that guarantees a perfect match.

Most of the dressing tables we tested arrived with some self-assembly required, but none were beyond our (admittedly amateur) abilities.

We put our best to the test looking for great design and functionality, affordability, as well as durability and a high-quality finish because as furniture pieces go, this one’s a key part of our daily routine.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Noa and Nani Camille dressing table and stool in grey

Dimensions: H78cm x W100cm x D45cm

Finished in a chic and contemporary grey colour, this two-drawer dressing table and stool set won us over for its elegant shaping and impressively low price –it looks much more expensive than it is. It successfully marries sleek and modern design with curves that pay homage to the classic Louis XV architectural style. The set is crafted from solid pine with MDF and includes a comfortable upholstered cushion – the stool neatly tucks in when not in use. Team it with an equally elegant three-way mirror.

Habitat Emil birch dressing table with storage

Dimensions: H142.3cm x W95.3cm x D35.5cm

Most mid-century inspired pieces come in dark wood but this uniquely designed dressing table from Habitat is refreshingly light in colour. The beautifully pale birch and slimline silhouette work to keep it bright and airy. We loved the oversized circular mirror, which sits angled and unsupported atop the table section (but don’t let that fool you, it is fixed and sturdy). Handy side storage comes in the form of five drawers, two of which are perfectly sized for our smaller jewellery bits.

Made noorali dressing table, black and white resin

Dimensions: H122cm x W90cm x D40cm

This showstopper of a bedroom furniture piece is dripping in Art Deco-inspired glamour, and we can’t get enough of it. The striking monochrome stripes and the octagonal shape (note how the angles of the table are echoed in the mirror), mean this is a lovely sculptural affair. Made from a strong resin and brass coated iron, it may look delicate, but it is one sturdy unit. Storage comes in the shape of a wide and generous front drawer to keep the look clean and clutter-free.

Swoon piet dressing table, mango wood

Dimensions: H130cm x W90cm x D42cm

Another equally attention-grabbing piece is this stylish offering from Swoon. Mixing contemporary, industrial shaping with a wholly glamorous brass finish, we loved its unique design. The piece is crafted from mango wood with a heavy steel frame, while the front of the unit is finished in a brass foil cladding. Ingeniously, the brick-like front opens out to reveal two handy drawers. Given its tangibly high-quality craftsmanship, we think this mid-priced dressing table is well worth the investment.

La Redoute topim contemporary dressing table

Dimensions: H137.5cm x W70cm x D40cm

This small dressing table gives big impact – making it an ideal buy if you’re short on floor space. The mirrored unit is economical in its design, too, featuring just one drawer which extends to the width of the table. This compact and elegant vanity has a fixed circular mirror, supported by its elegant brass-finished frame. We loved this sleek and slimline piece in our bedroom. Available in white or dusty pink, it wouldn’t look out of place in a dressing room or indulgent bathing space, either.

Maisons du Monde Portobello solid oak one-drawer dressing table

Dimensions: H128cm x W105cm x D45cm

Full of mid-century charm, this Danish-inspired furniture piece is straight out of the 1960s and we loved it for its sleek, angled frame and adjustable oval mirror. Made from solid French oak with a medium golden stain and finished in an acrylic varnish, this one makes a convincing vintage piece that fitted right in with our true twentieth-century finds. But of course, it is only pre-loved in looks. Clever hidden storage comes in the form of a slim front drawer that you wouldn’t know was there – simply slide it open from below.

Rosdorf Park Valencia two drawer chest

Dimensions: H82cm x W122cm x D40cm

Finished from top to toe in mirrored panels, this dressing table was a gleaming addition to our bedroom, attracting and bouncing light around the space and keeping the look light and airy. It has a wide but shallow footprint, meaning it doesn’t jut or impose on floor space, and its fuss-free shaping means you can easily fit a luxuriously wide stool underneath. A sturdy furniture piece with top quality craftsmanship. Just watch those fingerprints.

Painted Furniture Company Oxford double dressing table

Dimensions: H78cm x W126cm x D42cm

If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, this handsome dressing table offers oodles of storage in the form of six generous drawers. The top is a sizable and practical surface, too. But what we loved most about it was its customisation: we were able to choose from a range of sophisticated paint shades from white to grey; we had a choice of top finish including Victorian or Tudor oak; and even the unit’s hardware – we loved the antique brass cup handles. Suffice to say, this is a brand that pays attention to the finer details – and that goes for the overall craftsmanship, too.

Dunelm Samira carved dressing table

Dimensions: H81cm x W80cm x D38cm

This is a versatile dressing table that would look equally at home in a hallway. But whether it functions as a vanity unit or a console table, it really is a pretty addition. The two-drawer desk features ornately carved detailing, which recalls Moorish design – adding a relaxed, boho feel to any room. The wooden furniture piece is on the smaller size, ideal for compact spaces, but the drawers are deep. This is another dressing table that looks more expensive than it is.

The verdict: Dressing tables

Noa & Nani’s Camille dressing table and stool set is a great buy at just over £100. We loved the combination of the chic, contemporary grey and the classic shaping, while the deep drawers offered ample storage. On the pricier end of the scale, Painted Furniture Company’s Oxford double dressing table proved a substantial investment piece, which is classic yet timeless in design, and offers longevity.

For other great bedroom storage solutions, take a look at our review of the best bedside tables that will keep your essentials close to hand, but tidy

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