Decorating a Dressing Table

A dressing table -- whether in your bedroom or bathroom -- is more than just a place to get ready. It adds to the style of your room and heightens your enjoyment of preparing yourself for the day ahead. Decorate a dressing table with elements that make the piece functional but also suit the look of the space in which this piece of furniture is situated. Does this Spark an idea?

Fabric

If you don't particularly care for the style of your dressing table, liven it up with fabric. Choose a type of fabric that complements the look of your room; toile for a country French room or solid-colored velvet for a room with a posh atmosphere. You can either drape the fabric over the dressing table so that it extends down to the floor, covering the entire table, or you can set the fabric so that it covers just the top of the table, allowing the legs to be seen.

Mirrors

Since the dressing table is likely the area where you will be putting on your makeup, fixing your hair and getting dressed, including mirrors in the design adds function and style to the table. Display a decorative pedestal mirror on top of the table in a finish that coordinates with the room, such as decorative wrought iron for a vintage space or sleek chrome in a contemporary room. Hang a mirror on the wall behind the dressing table. The mirror hung on the wall should coordinate with the style of the room.

Boxes

Boxes serve as decorative elements on a dressing table and are functional for this piece of furniture. Fill decorative boxes with items that you use at your dressing table -- makeup, hair supplies and jewelry, for example. Arrange the boxes in neat stacks or spread them out along the surface of the table. These boxes provide storage for your dressing table, allowing you to neatly tuck away the items you use most frequently and making them easy to access.

Lighting

Lighting adds to the visual appeal of the dressing table, but also makes the space more functional. Set up a lamp or two on the table to create task lighting. Select lamps with bamboo bases in a beach-themed setting or a streamlined black lamp base for a modern space. In addition to lamps, you can also set candles out on the dressing table. Place scented taper candles in candlesticks or votive candles in decorative holders. While the candles may not serve a functional purpose, they will add a scent and a romantic touch to the space.