Anna Williamson reveals 8 simple bathroom 'icks and tricks' that most of us forget to fix
From splatters on the mirror to visible toilets, here's what you need to fix in your bathroom
Anna Williamson is best known for her dating and relationship advice, but her latest campaign explores a rather unexpected connection: how our bathrooms can influence the way we see ourselves, and even how we feel about others. After all, a bathroom is more than just a functional space. It's where we begin our mornings, wind down in the evenings, and carve out a little time for ourselves.
In collaboration with Wickes, the dating and relationship expert sat down with us to share her bathroom icks and tricks, exploring how a few thoughtful changes can transform your space into a calm, clutter-free sanctuary.
From stray toiletries and overflowing laundry to water-splashed mirrors, the little details can make a bigger difference than we might think, both to how we feel in our own homes and to the impression we leave on guests. Whether it inspires you to have a bathroom declutter, or simply to invest in some luxury candles for a treat, you'll certainly be surprised (and horrified) by some of the research she shares.
Anna Williamson Bathroom Advice: 8 tips and icks
For interiors enthusiast and television personality Anna Williamson, creating an inviting bathroom is all about thoughtful details, everyday luxuries and knowing how to keep your bathroom tidy.
We sat down with her to discover eight simple ways to transform your space, from fluffy towels and sparkling mirrors to clever styling tricks that bring a designer touch.
1. Keep your bathroom pretty, pared-back, and practical
You don't need an extensive collection of luxury toiletries or a five-star hotel suite to create a bathroom that feels special. Often, it's the simplest details that make the biggest difference, from beautifully soft towels to a hand wash that looks as lovely as it smells.
"I'm all about keeping it neat and tidy and having as few bottles and bits and bobs on display as possible to create a nice, calm environment," Anna explains. "Too much clutter just looks messy and unappealing."
Her approach is really achievable. "It's all about clean white fluffy towels, a few really nice products such as a nice hand wash or room spray, and always a decent smelly candle," Anna says. Coordinating your wash, hand cream and a room spray can bring a sense of cohesion without overwhelming the space too.
2. Make sure your mirror is clean
Lots of people look at the overall design and layout rules of a bathroom, but there are lots of elements that it's easy to overlook, but a sparkling mirror, neatly arranged toiletries and a toilet seat that's always put down can make a bathroom feel instantly more polished.
Anna emphasises these little touches with the research "almost half (49%) of people get the ‘ick’ from dirty, water-splashed glass. And please, put the toilet seat down, a visible loo puts off over a third (39%) of people!" They're easy, but obviously important elements of you bathroom that could put people off.
3. Ambiance is everything
After you've organised your space, Anna's tip for making a bathroom feel calming and charming is all about ambiance. "I love plants in the bathroom, and I think a little pot of greenery can really elevate a bathroom and make it look expensive and well curated," Anna explains. "Also, a scented candle is a big must."
Choose a plant suited to the light and humidity in your bathroom, then pair it with a candle in a fragrance you love. Together, these details bring softness, scent and a sense of intention to the room without taking up too much precious space. And make sure to have a cosy bath robe ready to step into.
4. Keep clutter and clothes out of the way
If there's one household item Anna would happily keep out of sight, it's the humble clothes airer. Practical it may be, but aesthetically pleasing it certainly isn't.
"The clothes airer is my biggest home ick because there is never a perfect place to have it, even though it is a home and laundry essential," she says. "It just looks so meh!"
It's a familiar dilemma. Laundry is part of everyday life, particularly in busy family homes, but a drying rack covered in clothes can quickly take over a room or creep into the background of a carefully styled space.
Anna's advice is to be mindful of what's visible, particularly when you're entertaining or taking photographs at home. Decluttering your home by finding a dedicated spot for laundry, keeping surfaces clear and putting away toiletries after use can help create a more restful environment without requiring a complete bathroom overhaul.
This is where clever bathroom storage earns its place. Baskets can conceal everyday essentials, while cupboards and vanity units keep spare products tucked away but within easy reach. The aim isn't to hide every sign of real life, but to make sure the things you love about your bathroom aren't competing with the clutter.
5. Soft lighting and little luxuries make a big difference
With the right lighting, a few tactile accessories and a little attention to atmosphere, even a compact space can become somewhere you look forward to spending time.
"I think less is more when it comes to feeling truly relaxed and pampered in your bathroom," Anna says. "You don't need a five-star hotel suite to get that feeling, but keeping your bathroom spick and span, free from any personal grooming debris and ensuring the lighting is not too harsh can make a real difference."
Lighting is particularly important. Bright, functional illumination has its place when you're getting ready in the morning, but softer lighting can help create a more relaxing atmosphere in the evening. If you're planning a renovation, consider how different lighting options can work together to make the room practical as well as inviting.
6. Schedule cleaning and chores
Of course, making a bathroom looking beautiful is one thing; keeping it that way when several people share the space is quite another. Between morning routines, piles of laundry and competing demands for hot water, even the loveliest bathroom can become a source of household tension.
For Anna, the secret to a more harmonious home is communication and compromise. "Compromise is the key to families sharing a bathroom without it becoming a battleground," she explains. "Ascertain a bit of a schedule and who needs to be ready when. This can hopefully create a bit of a pecking order of priority on who should be using the bathroom first, who perhaps can wait a bit, and everybody being respectful enough not to hog all the hot water."
The same principle applies to sharing household chores. Rather than letting resentment build over who cleans the bathroom, empties the bins or tackles the laundry, Anna recommends having an honest conversation about how to divide responsibilities. "Without a doubt, what I dub the 'chores wars' is the most common home-related argument," she says. "It's about having a proper conversation, owning what you think you are best at, and dividing the rest between you so everybody feels respected and valued."
7. Make your bathroom a place for sellf-care
A beautifully styled bathroom might make a lovely backdrop for a photograph, but Anna believes that feeling good about yourself matters far more than having the perfect setting.
"My favourite confidence trick is what I call the Mirror Self-Talk Reset," she says. "Before taking your bathroom selfie, look in the mirror and notice the first thing you say to yourself. If you wouldn't say it to a friend, don't say it to yourself. Confidence is the ultimate green flag!"
It's a lovely reminder that our bathrooms can be spaces for self-care in more ways than one. Rather than focusing on whether the room looks impressive enough for a photograph, think about how it makes you feel when you're using it every day. Anna adds that she's "'a sucker for a nice bubble bath too, just gives the epitome of relaxation and luxury," so if you need an extra pick-me-up, that's the place to go.
8. Don't skimp on the practical purchases
"I'm delighted to say that there is actually nothing I would change about my bathroom, purely because we have just had the bathroom of our dreams designed and fitted after many years of wanting to do it," she explains. "I love our shower, bath and basically everything about it, particularly the mood lighting."
Her remaining shopping list is a reminder that you don't need to undertake a major renovation to make a bathroom feel more considered. "I still haven't got round to buying nice toilet roll holders, bins, baskets and all of those bits for the bathroom, so that is definitely on my list to pop down to Wickes to get," she says.
These practical accessories will refresh your bathroom and coordinating them with your existing finishes can help bring the whole room together. And if you're looking for smaller updates rather than a full redesign, they're a lovely place to start.
Thanks to Wickes research, Anna's tips and tricks for avoiding bathroom icks are simple. Minimising clutter, keeping everything clean, and trying to take the messy parts of life out of the way are key for making a space that can be seen as chaotic, curated and calming instead. Whether that's finding storage solutions, giving your mirror a quick polish, or investing in a few beautiful finishing touches that make everyday routines feel more special. As Anna's advice reminds us, our bathrooms deserve the same care and consideration as the rest of our homes. After all, this is the space where we get ready to face the world, so why not make it somewhere that helps us feel our very best?
