Depends how damp and steamy the room gets. Standard book binding glues can get loosened by dampness and books can mold or mildew if they absorb too much humidity. Many bathrooms I've been in that kept magazines in them it was easy to tell which ones had been there awhile because the pages were all curled or stuck together from dampness. My family are big readers, but we were always encouraged NOT to take reading material in there because it can get damaged by dampness and it encourages taking too long in a house where there was only one bathroom for 4 people.

I'm a no. Generally I find that they have gotten damp and all crinkly and don't look all that great. Plus I kinda get this germ phobia thing going, like someone was reading doing their thing, then wiped, then touched the book/magazine that they were reading to put it back before washing hands, and then I come in the bathroom and touch the magazine with eww...particles on it.

Reading material for personal use is one thing. But displayed as a design element? Gross. Magazines advertise bowel movements. I'd rather someone's first thought was "what a pretty, welcoming room" rather than "there's a lot of pooping going on here."

I don't know about you all, but I WASH MY HANDS before I leave the bathroom, so magazines wherever, make no dif!

ok , why would anything end up on reading-material ? who is sitting down doing their thing , wipe and then get the magazine and read ???? doesn't make much sense to me.
But do you put the lid down before flushing ??.

Why do people leave public bathrooms without washing their hands? I don't trust people in the bathroom, lol. I still can see someone reading the book/magazine, setting it on the counter while wiping, standing up, putting the magazine back and then washing their hands...it's a no go for me, but if other people have them in the bathroom I just don't read them, it's not a big deal...

I don't read in the bathroom but I've had guests that "need" to so rather them take my morning paper, I have a few golf and travel magazines in there that they're free to use. Plus they know that bathroom magazines can never leave except to go in the trash. To each his own.

I can't imagine a bathroom without magazines. It's always been a given in my world. Books tend to end up in there too but that's not intentional. I do remember a Boston antiquarian book dealer's half bath that was featured in the Sunday magazine's design page. He had a beautiful display on the wall of turn-of-the-century illustrated book covers (before the days of book jackets there were decorated bindings). I dream about replicating it someday.

This is swanky! He puts them on the back of the toilet and they throw them in the floor............

Katie, how about people who leave a public bathroom without flushing the toilet?? This is beyond my comprehension.

Tacky. It says "lounge here half naked while you get rid of human waste". Gross. Nothing to do with hand washing or sharing germs, just dumb. Family have other places to read, guests need to get back to the party. And magazines as a design element? I buy magazines because I like to read or view them, not to impress people, and if I am gonna try to impress them it isn't while the have their pants down.

I vote no, not in the bathroom. Do you really want someone to linger in there? I think this is one room that it would not be a decorator item.

For kids... yes.

I would only do it in the bathroom(s) used by the family. If general guests have access then I wouldn't do it. Just doesn't feel right for everybody to find magazines/books by toilet. Sends messages to the guests..

come on what are you going to read????

I actually prefer having a great piece of art to look at.

Yes, I have magazines available in the bathroom.

What, no TV? ;-)

If it's private bath used specifically by one or two people, then sure, put whatever you want in there. A bath used by general household members -- meh... no.

Hmmm If I go to someone else bathroom and happen to have a magazine or book or something, I read it. But in my home I don't have them on the bathroom. Doesn't look good at all.

And nowadays with the smartphones everyone has their lecture on their pocket. So, it's a clear NO NO to mags on the Bathroom

Absolutely not! I cannot understand the need to read while on the toilet. You shouldn't need to be there that long, you need to review your diet not books! However, I do love to read in the tub. I take reading material with me when I go to bathe and it leaves with me when I am done. This is also why I do not like a toilet in the bathroom, they should be seperated.

Yes, of course! Plenty of people have bowel problems and having magazines is helpful to them. I hardly think people are going to cart a smart phone or lap top to the bathroom. It adds a nice classy touch to a bathroom. Also it is very convenient for those who like to read in the tub. I like putting something with lots of pictures or short articles- something like a travel magazine or Reader's Digest.

When my kids were little, their bathroom had a blank wall directly across from the toilet. So that's where I put up a poster I found at a teacher's supply store of the multiplication tables that was really cute...it had all kinds of little cartoony pictures of multiples of things, very colorful and busy and fun to look at (rather like a Where's Waldo book). My kids never had trouble with math (like I did...sigh...) :) You couldn't see the poster unless you were seated; it was behind the door.

They graduated to comic strip books (Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes, etc) and also "Uncle John's Readers"...good vocabulary builders and inferencing skills developers!

No, due hygiene.

Maybe a magazine of your choice for your OWN bathroom, but not for the guest bath. It just kind of grosses me out

I am afraid that's an astounding no from me. If shared bathroom, everyone will be in there forever. Reading is for other areas in the house. My thoughts anyway!

This is hysterical, I'm realizing I have conversations on Houzz that I don't have with people I've known for 30 years. Books, magazines and bathroom time are all part of life. It's okay with me, just wash hands and don't linger. :)

0f course I have magazines in the bathroom! I even bring my laptop to review Houzz and I am obsessive about cleanliness and hygiene!

This is hilarious! I've never put any reading material in my guest bathroom (which is through the library), but maybe I should?

I like to put magazines in my bathrooms. I like to buy pretty magazine holders so I don't think it looks tacky. We all know why we are in there. Haha

Magazines only in my bath, not the guest. They only get paper towels and toilet paper.
It's a sanitary thing!

I agree with grobby, my guest bathroom is clear of everything other than a hand towel, toilet paper and scented hand soap, interesting wall art and thats it. I do however have my favourite magazines in my ensuite right beside the bathtub!

No-no. To bring your own reading material when using the bathroom and taking it with you when you are done is acceptable, but to keep reading materials in the bathroom for anyone to use is iffy.

I find that having the book/magazine/crossword in the bathroom is fine especially if you have a private location for them and they don't sit out and take up usable space or look messy. Under cover in a cabinet drawer next to the toilet is fine and it is neat.

We have the "Bathroom Reader" books there. Just sounds right :)

Absolutely not, I think it's unsanitary. I hang pictures in my bathrooms and if you need to look at something look at them. If you live alone and no one visits, go for it.

UPDATE
I posted my original bathroom design dilemma way back in 2012 as we were coming to the end of our bathroom re-model.
I've really enjoyed reading all the responses from the Houzz community - some of them have made me really laugh & without exception they were helpful.
Sometimes you need others to point out things that aren't obvious to you until they're spoken. It was great that some people provided photos too.

I came to the conclusion the magazines were a no-no but...
We have a waterproof TV built in to an armoire, so should I/we/guests need to have an 'extended visit' to the bathroom there's always that option.
Many thanks to everyone.

I prefer to bring my reading materials to the bathroom and take them with me when I done. I don't think it is a good idea to have magazines there all the time.

You might as well display a jar of Boom-a-Lax.

Find another way to decorate your bathroom. If a relative or guest needs a magazine to relax, they will realize that beforehand and bring one with them. For the rest of us, we don't want to see a pile of lovingly-thumbed copies of Readers Digest, RedBook, Field & Stream, Prevention and AARP Monthly.

No books, no TV, nothing to keep you in there. I have one bathroom & when I soak...I don't even read. Mud mask...Stoli & Cranberry & probably one or both of my cats.

No. But I do like elevator music! Haha

Love the multiplication tables poster in front of the toilet idea...reminds me of when I used to manage residence halls in college, and we taped up our weekly dorm one-page newsletters on back of bathroom stall doors for our captive audience. Nobody missed an issue!

Whatever reading material is taken into the bathroom is taken out-materials not allowed to stay in the bathroom.

No no no no no no no. Multiplication table is great!

Magazines in a bathroom remind me of germs in a confined airplane restroom. #BeSeenBeSafe

I think that a small quantity of tasteful books and magazines would be fine, especially if placed in a nice magazine rack that goes with the overall décor of the room. I know people who absolutely do have to have good reads in every room of the house!

My, what a difference 7 years makes, since I first read this article. Of course family bathrooms vs. those shared with visitors add valuable layering to considerations.

We can now reflect on 2 impacts since then:

1. Seems nobody goes anywhere without personal mobile devices, so we can read whatever whenever and it leaves with us,

and

2. 17 months of COVID challenges have certainly shifted perspectives. And hopefully hand washing habits.

😀

I agree its kind of gross but we have them there whether I like it or not so I got something to put them in. its a decorative box so visitors don't see them. In the family bath in have a wall hanging mag rack. I've given in.

You go in the bathroom and you sit down. While your body is doing its thing you can read a book or magazine. When you are done you put book down and clean yourself. At no time do dirty hands touch the book. I dont see it as a sanitary issue.