Your home sanctuary: relaxing bathroom ideas
Your bathroom deserves a spa treatment. After all, it's one of the hardest working rooms in your house. Give it a makeover to transform it from a hum-drum workhorse into a personal sanctuary that leaves you feeling relaxed, pampered, and rejuvenated.
These tips will show you how to recreate the soothing atmosphere of your favorite retreat with calming decor, upgraded fixtures, and better organization. Get a stylish and affordable spa-like bathroom in the comfort of your own home.
1. Go wild
You might not think of bold design when you envision a serene spa, but maximalist choices can ooze luxury and opulence, making your home relaxation zone feel extra special. No matter how tame your interiors may be, your spa-like bathroom is one place where you can really add unique touches. Try an aesthetic that's loaded with personality. Think unique prints, bright colors, and plenty of plants and art.
2. Go neutral
If the maximalist look isn't for you, opt for a more subdued color scheme. Creating a neutral palette with clean lines will feel serene, inviting, and timeless in any room. Try desert-inspired hues and vintage pieces to add warmth. You can layer various shades of the same tone to create depth without overwhelming your space—great in smaller bathrooms. Add in calming accent colors like lavender or sky blue to give your relaxing space a luxurious feel.
3. Paint your walls white
When it comes to bathroom color palettes, this one is popular for a reason. Always classic white walls create a clean, cohesive look that will never go out of style. Add botanical accents or pops of gray for even more luxury and richness. Cover your floors in shaggy white throw rugs to complete the luxe look.
4. Bring in nature and natural light
Create a calm, tropical rainforest retreat with lots of plants and natural materials. Incorporate greenery, natural wood finishes, or stone accents to give your bathroom design an earthy feel. Pick plants that thrive in minimal light and variable humidity. Try hanging one from the ceiling or draping a robust fern over a shelf. Change out your light bulbs to bring in a glow that feels like natural light.
5. Brighten your room with reflective surfaces
If your bathroom feels a little dark, try brightening it up with reflective surfaces. Interior designers know that reflected lighting can make the space feel larger. Use their design trick by adding other shiny surfaces like chrome fixtures or glossy tiles that can also help bounce light around the room.
6. Upgrade your shower for an at home spa experience
Swap out your shower head for a more elevated model. Look for luxurious elements like adjustable spray patterns that mimic a rain showerhead and a handheld component. The low-flow and high-flow hai shower heads from high include both of these features, plus smart technology that allows you to optimize your shower's temperature and low-flow and high-flow hai shower heads monitor your water use over time. A slider on the handle makes it possible to switch to a water pattern that's right for you with the push of a finger. With wide coverage similar to a rain shower, hai provides a major shower experience upgrade.
7. Create a scent experience with essential oils and botanicals
Fragrance is one of the most important aspects of any spa trip. Incorporate essential oils from a diffuser, scented candles, or even potpourri sachets into your décor. Calming scents can make a big difference in how you feel when you step inside your bathroom.
Try hanging eucalyptus leaves from your shower head. The steam from your shower will release essential oils, producing an inviting aromatherapy experience. The soothing scent can also temporarily clear up congestion. Plus, eucalyptus leaves look beautiful.
8. Use your bathroom window frame as open shelves
If you don’t want to hang anything on your walls, try using your window frame as open shelves. Add visual interest by displaying small finishing touches like reed diffusers, fresh flowers, or your favorite products.
9. Fake a freestanding tub
While a brand new freestanding bath might not be possible in your space, especially if you rent, these luxurious tubs create an undeniably luxurious look. Fortunately, you can fake it with a few design tricks.
Invest in a quality shower curtain. Look for one that’s extra long so it drapes elegantly around the tub and pools on the floor. If you want to get really fancy, purchase a second shower curtain rod and loop the fabric around it to create a billowing effect. Add a tray that extends across your bathtub to hold candles, a book—or your wine glass. You could also try hanging some greenery or placing a small potted plant on the floor next to the tub.
10. Rethink your vanity area
The typical bathroom vanity is not exactly inspiring. If you want your bathroom to feel like a personal oasis, consider upgrading to a freestanding vanity unit. These pieces make a real statement and can really change the look of your space.
If you rent and can't update your vanity, you can still fake the freestanding sink look. Place a stool or plant stand on the floor next to your vanity and top it with a tray or basket to hold all of your essentials. This creates the sense of a freestanding unit and gives you extra storage space too. If you need easy access to products that don't make the cut for being displayed, check out Pinterest for stylish organization tips.
11. Curate your products
Keep most of your products hidden from view. Only a chosen few should be left out to enhance the aesthetics of your room. Good contenders might include a statement-making bottle of perfume and refillable glass containers for your favorite creams or soaps.
12. Add thoughtful storage
As you declutter and curate your products, it’s important to add some thoughtful storage options—especially if you have a small bathroom. Your bathroom should have a place for everything, including extra toilet paper, towels, and your hairdryer. If you don’t want to leave these items on open shelving, consider investing in a small cabinet for hidden storage.
13. Create a cozy spot
For larger bathrooms, consider copying your favorite spa lounge by adding a comfortable side chair. Place it near your tub or shower for a comfy spot to towel off or get ready in the morning.
When choosing furniture for your bathroom, be sure to pick pieces that are waterproof or can stand up to the humidity. Also consider pieces that go with the decor in other parts of your home, like the bedroom, to create flow from room to room.
14. Add calming sound
Get a water-resistant Bluetooth speaker to bring your favorite tunes into the bathroom. Or, pick a white noise machine that plays nature sounds so you can unwind and relax during your favorite bathroom routines.
15. Make it your own
At the end of the day, it’s important to design a bathroom that feels like you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a different design idea until you find a look that you love.
Use these tips to turn your bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary to escape the outside world. With a few thoughtful details, you can create the home spa-like bathroom of your dreams.
