When you get right down to it, design is about making everyday life better. At it’s best, it enhances the function of a room while elevating it visually until it becomes a place that we love to be in. It gives us bedrooms we can sleep in, living rooms we can relax in and kitchens that make us feel like we’re the best chefs on the planet. And in the bathroom, it can take one of the most functional rooms in the home and make it a place of peace and serenity, an escape from the cares of the world.
To turn your bathroom into the ultimate in-home spa, you don’t need millions of dollars and thousand of square feet (although neither hurts). It’s more about the little things — finding the small details that you can add that will give your powder room the same sense of luxury, relaxation and calm that you’d find in your favorite spa retreat. Not only can we help get you there, we can do it in just 6 easy steps. Yup, we’re good like that.
Surround Yourself With Luxurious White Linens
When most of us think of a spa, one of the first images to spring to mind is of amazinglyplush white linens and towels. There is a reason for that. First, the whiteness of the linens conveys a sense of cleanliness as it leaves no place for stains to hide. Secondly, believe it or not, it’s easier to keep white towels looking their best. Most of us try to enhance our bathroom décor with towels in a variety of colors and patterns.
It’s a good idea to begin with, but over time body products like benzoyl peroxide or continual trips to the washing machine can cause the colors to fade. In creating your home spa oasis, invest in luxurious white linens in high-grade cottons like Egyptian, Supima, orTurkish that will be soft on your skin. The higher quality towels are also less likely to pill, fray, or leave lint. White towels can also work in your design scheme to cool down a more lively color palette or add a serene note to more neutral surroundings, all while conjuring up the decadent feeling of a five star hotel or a fancy spa. For the more functional moments in life, it’s still a good idea to keep a few black wash cloths on hand (for things like makeup removal) while stocking your linen closet with the large, soft, beautiful white towels that will begin your spa adventure. While you’re at it, don’t forget to pick up a nice, comfortable, spa-style bathrobe to wear while you lounge.
Upgrade Your Tub
The tub is the central piece to any bathroom. A great tub is what makes a spa the glorious experience that it is. If your tub isn’t quite at the level of great (I once had an apartment with a bright orange tub from the 1960’s), then this is the next step to address on your way to bathroom bliss.
Replacing or remodeling a tub can be an expensive and lengthy process. That said, if your budget allows you to invest in a brand new tub, there are lots of great options to look into.
Want a deep tub that adds vintage charm to your bathroom? Try a classic clawfoot tub. If you frequently have achy muscles, consider a tub with jacuzzi jets to help ease tightened, straining muscles. For a truly spa-like experience, think about installing a beautiful sunken tub.
On the less expensive end, you can have your tub reglazed. Reglazing your tub involves applying a primer and at least three coats of a highly durable acrylic polymer with a finish coat. The results tend to last about five years and can give your tub a fresh look. Perhaps easier still – especially for renters – is the option to find a jacuzzi attachment that will add some relaxing new functionalities to your existing tub arrangement.
Purify The Air With Plants
Spas are tranquil spaces intended to help people unwind, reconnect and leave feeling rejuvenated. Creating that kind of atmosphere usually requires bringing in a strong sense of nature, usually by incorporating a substantial number of plants into the décor. This is a simple and effective method for creating a serene environment and one that you can easily recreate in your own bathroom space. In addition to adding a pop of color, manyhouseplants can even make your space healthier.
Plants like the peace lily, dracaena, chrysanthemum, aloe and bamboo palm are effective at cleaning the air, eliminating many harsh chemicals commonly found in bathroom cleansers. Other plants like the snake plant or areca palm are excellent for producing oxygen, which in abundance will increase the feeling of calm you get while in the space. All of these plants are hearty and can thrive in the bathroom despite humid conditions and indirect access to sunlight. For your home oasis, it’s a good idea to cluster plants to maximize their air purifying impact. And be sure to hang healthy scented lavender or eucalyptus to create a lovely aromatherapy element. Add the oils from either of these plants to your next bath for the full spa experience.
Adorn Your Space With Natural Elements
Plants aren’t the only little reminders of nature you need to have around to create a true spa experience. There are plenty of other opportunities to bring a bit of the outdoors in, and every one will make you smile a little bit broader every time you ease into the tub. Even smaller spaces offer plenty of chances to do something amazing. You can create the allusion in an abstract way, painting your bathroom walls in earth-tone colors or get literal with combinations of slate (faux or natural) or marble tiles paired with hardwood floors.
If your bathroom floor consists of linoleum tiles, don’t worry – there’s ways around that too (see above). From your walls to your floors you are sure to find new ways to stretch your creativity while coming up with a look that is very feng shui. – an exercise which might keep you spiritually balanced all by itself.
Create Mindful Lighting
Every bathroom needs bright lights to aid in grooming and with the application of makeup, but when you’re in the mood for a bit of relaxation, it helps to have some other options. One possibility is to go a little bit retro in your design and fill your bathroom with candles to create a warm romantic glow. Alternately, you can add soft lighting with lamps, wall sconces, or even a unique chandelier.
Dimmer switches can also help you choose the level of light that you want while keeping your utilities bill under better control. Whichever route you choose, you’ll be surprised at how much the right lighting can do to help you take a break from the stressors in your life.
Indulge In Aromatherapy
True, you can skim a little oil from any of your hanging plants to enhance your next bath. But in the long run that’s going to take a toll on your little green friends. Besides, one of the nicest things about walking into a spa is being greeted by the incredible smell of the oils. It’s that scent that initially works to put you at ease while triggering the sensation that you are about to treat yourself to something special.
Whether you prefer lavender, peppermint, or lemongrass, the benefits of aromatherapy are substantial and should not be overlooked. Having the right smells around you can reduce anxiety, ease depression, boost energy levels, speed up the healing process, eliminate headaches, boost cognitive performance, induce sleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, improve digestion, and even increase circulation. These Himalayan salt lamps (as seen above) are just one method to diffuse the smell of essential oils throughout your bathroom. You can also start simply by adding a few drops to your tub. Many essential oils also have wonderful anti-bacterial benefits meaning they can have a great impact on your skin, too, making this one of the most important steps you can take to turn your bathroom into your own private resort. See? We told you it was about the little things.
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