On the bedroom furniture list, the bed is the undisputed star. The wardrobe is the quiet workhorse. But the dressing table? It's more of an optional extra. Nice to have, but life goes on without it. And that's exactly why so many people get stuck: do I actually need one? Or will it just end up as a dumping ground for random stuff?
This isn't some marketing trap to make you spend money. It's a genuine question about how you think about "taking care of yourself" at home.
Chapter 1: When Do You Actually Need a Dressing Table?
A dressing table isn't a must-have for every bedroom. But for certain routines, it becomes a real quality-of-life upgrade. Here are four signs you might genuinely need one.
Sign One: You Have a Regular Beauty Routine
If you spend time every day on skincare, makeup, or just getting ready in front of a mirror, a proper dressing table lets you escape the bathroom rush. Standing up to do your makeup, bending over the sink, balancing bottles on a tiny shelf—it's all doable, but it's also draining over time. A dressing table gives you a space to sit down, slow down, and actually pay attention to yourself.
Sign Two: Your Bedroom Has an Awkward Corner
Some bedrooms end up with that one corner that's too small for an armchair but too empty to ignore. A dressing table fits perfectly. It doesn't need much space, but it turns wasted square metres into somewhere with purpose. It turns your bedroom from "just a place to sleep" into a place to actually live.
Sign Three: You Need a Home for All the Small Stuff
Skincare bottles, makeup, jewellery, hair stuff—they don't belong in the bathroom (too humid), they get lost in drawers, and they look messy on any flat surface. A dressing table with drawers or compartments is made for exactly these things. Everything has a place, the surface stays clear, and mornings stop being a treasure hunt.
Sign Four: You Want a Little Ritual in Your Room
Your bedroom isn't just for sleeping. It's the first space you see when you wake up. A well-chosen dressing table, with a nice mirror, a comfy chair, a warm little lamp—it turns a corner into a moment. It's not essential, but it makes the start and end of your day feel a bit softer.
Chapter 2: What's a Dressing Table Actually For? More Than Just Makeup
If the bed sets the mood, the dressing table adds the finishing touch. Its job goes way beyond giving you somewhere to sit and do your face.
1. It Adds Layers to the Room
A lot of bedrooms are just bed + bedside tables + wardrobe. Functional, but visually flat. A dressingtable breaks that up. It can sit next to the bed, under a window, in that empty corner—suddenly the room has more to look at.
2. It Lets You Show Some Personality
Beds are practical choices. Wardrobes try to disappear. But a dressing table? That's where you can have fun. Maybe it's that vintage piece you've always wanted. Maybe it's a bold colour. Maybe it's delicate French curves or a floating minimalist slab. It's the thing that stops your bedroom looking like a hotel room.
3. It Creates a Mood Corner
This one's about how it makes you feel. A thoughtfully set-up dressing table isn't just functional. It's a place to sit for five minutes in the morning, putting on moisturiser, brushing your hair—a small ritual to start the day. And at night, taking it all off, winding down. That everyday little ceremony? It makes a house feel like home more than any decoration can.
Chapter 3: How to Choose One – Three Things That Actually Matter
The biggest mistake people make is buying something that looks amazing but works terribly. Here's how to avoid that.
1. Style: Match Your Room, Don't Fight It
Your dressing table should feel like it belongs.
- Modern minimalist:Clean lines, no fuss. Black, white, grey, natural timber. Simple frameless mirror or geometric shape.
- French vintage:Curves, carved details, metal handles. Cream, off-white, light timber. Arched or oval mirror with a frame.
- Italian luxe: Mixed materials—leather drawer fronts, metal-edged mirror, marble top. Dark grey, taupe, cream.
- Japanese / Scandinavian: Solid timber, soft edges, light wood tones. Rattan details or simple ceramic handles.
2. Size: Measure First, Buy Second
Size decides whether it actually works in your space.
- Width: Usually 60–120cm. Tight on space? 60–80cm is enough for a mirror and the basics. Got room to spread? 100–120cm gives you space to rest your arms.
- Depth: Usually 40–50cm. Too shallow and nothing fits. Too deep and you're stretching to see the mirror. When you sit, your elbows should rest naturally on the surface.
- Height: Usually 70–75cm, same as a desk. Pair with a chair around 45–47cm high so your thighs are level and your arms sit comfortably.
Heads-up: Before you buy, measure exactly where it's going. And leave at least 60–80cm of walking space. Lots of people forget that drawers need room to open.
3. Features: Get What You Actually Use
Don't pay for stuff you don't need.
- Storage: Lots of bottles? Get drawers, ideally with built-in dividers. Minimalist? A simple surface might be all you need.
- Mirror: Sit-down user? Fixed mirror at the right height. Stand-up user? Tiltable mirror, or go mirror-free and bring your own.
- Lighting: Dim bedroom? Look for built-in lights or add wall sconces. Good light comes from the front or sides—overhead lights cast shadows on your face.
- Extras: Jewellery trays, built-in powerpoints for styling tools, flip-top desks for small spaces. Nice to have, but only if you'll actually use them.
Chapter 4: The Final Step – Why You Have to Visit a Showroom
Every photo, every spec, every review is just a clue. The real answer lives in your body and your actual room.
First, sit in it. Not just for looks.
Sit down. Rest your elbows on the surface. Is the height right? Look in the mirror. Can you see your whole face? Reach for things. Is it comfortable? A good dressing table feels natural. A bad one will never feel right at home.
Second, test the storage. Imagine your stuff in it.
Pull out the drawers. Are they smooth? Picture your bottles and pots inside. Will they fit? If there are no dividers, is there room to add your own? Photos don't show you this.
Third, check the colour in real light.
That perfect shade under showroom lights might look completely different in your bedroom. Ask to see a sample by a window. Is your bedroom warm light or cool light? You only know by seeing it where you live.
Fourth, see it next to your stuff.
Bring a photo of your bedroom. Or at least remember the colours and materials of your bed and wardrobe. In the showroom, put the dressing table next to something similar. Step back. Does it belong? Sometimes a beautiful thing on its own feels totally wrong in your space.
Endgame: It's Not Essential, But It Might Be the First Thing You Use Every Day
A dressing table isn't just another piece of furniture. It's your corner. It's where you start and end your day. It's a small ritual that says "I'm taking a moment for myself." You don't need it. But find the right one, and it'll be the first place you want to sit when you wake up.
At our Peachpod showroom in Sydney Olympic Park, we've got dressing tables for every mood. Clean modern lines, soft French curves, textured Italian luxe, warm Japanese timber. Dozens of them, all waiting to meet your bedroom.
Bring a photo of your room. Bring your measurements. Hell, bring your tape measure. Come sit, reach, look in the mirror, open the drawers. Let our team guide you. Let your body vote.
Get it right, and it's not just a dressing table. It's your five minutes of calm, every single day.
Peachpod Showroom:3 Figtree Dr, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Open daily
Online: https://peachpod.com.au/