How to Turn Your Bathroom into a Relaxation Haven
Photo by Lisa Moyneur on Unsplash
For many of us, the bathroom is a purely functional space we visit to take care of necessities like bathing, grooming, and other bodily functions. However, with the rising wellness movement, the bathroom presents an opportunity to create a sanctuary devoted to relaxation and self-care right at home. The recent emergence of the spathroom trend shows that people are transforming their bathrooms into spa-like havens where they can retreat, recharge, and indulge in therapeutic rituals.
What is a Spathroom?
The term spathroom, a combination of “spa” and “bathroom,” refers to a bathroom designed with elements of a luxury spa retreat. This wellness-focused, spa-like bathroom trend has steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, influenced by several factors.
The stresses of modern life have made people increasingly interested in carving out sanctuaries for relaxation and self-care at home. “Bathrooms are arguably the most ritualistic room in the home, and we have seen a surge in demand for spa-inspired spaces that can double up as a private sanctuary,” says expert Rosie Ward. The COVID-19 pandemic also fueled the spa bathroom’s growth as spas and gyms closed, causing people to seek out ways to recreate the spa experience at home.
The spa bathroom aesthetic gained traction on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Influencers and interior designers began showcasing beautifully designed spa-inspired bathrooms with luxurious details. The aspirational imagery sparked a new obsession with elevating the home bathroom into a private oasis for pampering and rejuvenation. This trend exudes affluence and luxury living. With soaking tubs, opulent finishes, and high-tech additions, the spa bathroom makes an elegant style statement and demonstrates the homeowner’s means and taste.
At its core, a spa bathroom allows you to experience the immersive, restorative benefits of a spa day in the comfort and privacy of your own home. “This transformation in bathrooms isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a rejuvenating and relaxing environment and a personal retreat from the hustle and bustle of life,” says designer Liz Beal. A thoughtfully designed spa bathroom provides a relaxing atmosphere to wash away stress, soak in tranquility, and engage in therapeutic rituals daily. It represents the ultimate dream bathroom for wellness devotees and design aficionados alike.
Spa Bathroom Essentials
Certain key features instantly evoke a spa-like feel in your bathroom. Here are some of the most essential elements to include when designing your at-home spa bathroom:
Deep Soaking Tubs
One of life’s greatest pleasures is sliding into a warm, bubble-filled spa bath at the end of a long day. Options like stone or acrylic freestanding tubs make a particularly bold style statement. A whirlpool or jetted tub takes relaxation even further, with water jets to massage away tension. A long, luxurious soak in your own deep tub is a signature spa bathroom experience.
Rain Shower Heads
Elevate your regular shower with an indulgent rain shower head. Rather than a harsh single stream, rain showers mimic gentle falling raindrops for a soothing, spa-like cleanse. Opt for a large shower head, at least eight inches in diameter, for full coverage. Adjustable body sprays add even more of that pampering spa feeling. Rain showers bring the restorative experience of bathing outdoors inside your bathroom.
Natural Materials
Think stone, wood, wicker, and linen. Natural textures and elements infuse your space with cozy, earthy vibes for that spa-bathroom feel. Warm wood vanities, travertine floor tiles, natural stone sinks, and bathtubs create an inviting, spa-like foundation. Bamboo or rattan furniture and accessories lighten the look. The natural beauty of these materials connects us to nature and its restorative properties.
Creating a Serene Environment
Beyond specific features, thoughtful design choices impart a soothing, peaceful ambiance. Make your spa bathroom a relaxing space to wash your cares away.
Maximize Natural Light
Abundant natural light energizes the spirit and makes any room more open and airier. “Good lighting is a spathroom essential, as light greatly affects our wellbeing,” says expert Chloë Luxton. Try a skylight, a large window, or even a sun tunnel to flood your spa bathroom with daylight. This will make the space feel brighter and more uplifting. Dimming lights allow you to control the amount of light in your spa bathroom.
Use a Muted Color Palette
Cool tones like sage green, sky blue, and lavender are intrinsically calming, especially in a spa bathroom. Neutrals like beige, tan, and gray make serene backdrops. “White, a color that has long been associated with wellness, should dominate the room, in both the fittings and decoration,” says expert Richard Ticehurst. Accent the aesthetic with metallics like bronze and silver for subtle glamour. Avoid loud colors, softer pastels, or earthy shades to cultivate a relaxed vibe.
Incorporate Natural Elements
Houseplants infuse fresh life into a spa bathroom while also purifying the air. Greenery like ferns or bamboo elicits thoughts of the outdoors. “Succulents are a great plant of choice, as they are easy to care for and survive well in most bathroom environments,” suggests Luxton. Float flowers in bowls or display branches in vases to bring nature inside. Natural stones, shells, and wood carvings make tranquil decorative accents.
Relax with Different Scent’s and Sound’s
Use scented candles or essential oils in a diffuser to scent your spa bathroom with soothing aromas like lavender, eucalyptus, or mint. The pleasant fragrance promotes relaxation. Quiet, meditative music is another subtle yet powerful way to create a spa-like bathroom. Combining calming scents and sounds helps block stress and clutter from your mind.
Bathroom Design Tips
Achieving the whole fancy spa experience means paying attention to all facets of bathroom design. Follow these tips to craft a layout and look that pamper.
Choose Spa-Like Surfaces
Select waterproof, low-maintenance flooring and wall finishes that emulate high-end spas. Polished porcelain, marble, limestone, and glass tiles add natural beauty and gleam to a spa bathroom. Rich wooden benches and wide planks of teak wood flooring impart warmth. Stainless steel, stone resin, and solid surface basins resist moisture with a sleek style.
Optimize Storage
Adequate shelving, cabinets, and drawers keep towels, toiletries, and shower essentials organized, hidden away, and conveniently accessible. Built-in nooks and benches offer space to store spa essentials neatly. Maximize storage so surfaces feel uncluttered and serene.
Utilize Floating Vanities
If there’s no room for bulky cabinets, a sleek floating vanity with an airy feel opens up floor space visually. Contemporary vessel sinks paired with floating vanities lend a modern, minimalist edge. Their lightweight appearance can make even a small spa bathroom feel more spacious and Zen.
Let Your Bathtub Be the Centerpiece
Let your tub take center stage. A freestanding tub becomes a striking focal point and anchor for your spa bathroom design. Place it in a spot with optimal views and lighting. Complement with luxe details like floor-to-ceiling drapes, sconces, or a mural behind the tub.
Zone for Layout and Flow
Zone your spa bathroom into different experiences, like a soaking area and separate shower. Have towels and robes within arm’s reach. Ensure unobstructed pathways between each area so moving around flows smoothly. Eliminate clutter that interrupts a minimalist spa bathroom’s clean, open feel.
Consider a Wet Room
For the ultimate spa experience at home, consider incorporating a wet room into your spa bathroom design. A wet room is a bathroom where the shower area occupies most or all of the space, with no separation between the shower area and the rest of the room. The entire bathroom essentially becomes a giant shower enclosure.
Wet rooms create a sensational, spa-like atmosphere as water flows and accumulates across the floor, unencumbered by glass walls or shower curtains. The open layout provides freedom and relaxation, like showering in the rain.
Spa-Like Touches
Subtle touches of luxury help realize the full spathroom vision. Include any of these spa bathroom ideas for an extra layer of pampering.
Metallic Accents
Warm metallics like brass, copper, and gold add a touch of glamour. Use metallic finishes for faucets, shower fixtures, mirror frames, sconces, and accessories. Brass pendant lighting casts a soft glow for nighttime soaking. Just a few metallic touches lend an upscale, luxurious note.
Spa Accessories
Outfit your DIY spa with all the little extras that make it feel professional. High-quality bath towels in white or spa-like blue hues feel plush and indulgent. Baskets provide convenient storage for slippers and bath salts. Back brushes, loofahs, and beauty products make it easy to continue care rituals at home.
Technology
Your home spa can offer high-tech features that rival luxury destination spas. Digital interfaces allow you to customize settings for jet tubs and showers. Ambient lighting sets the mood. Waterproof Bluetooth speakers let you sync your favorite music. Heated floors and mirrors prevent fog.
Bidet Attachments
The European-style bidet is becoming an increasingly popular fixture in American bathrooms. Attachments are easily installed onto existing toilets for a refreshing cleansing experience. Going the extra mile to install a bidet demonstrates your commitment to creating a legitimate at-home spa bathroom.
Bringing It All Together
With the right combination of elements, you can turn your existing bathroom into a cohesive spa bathroom that meets your relaxation and rejuvenation needs. Here are some finishing touches for pulling your spa bathroom together:
Unify the Design
Tie the look together through the color palette, materials, shapes, and ambiance for a consistent spa feel from the floors to the ceiling. Repetition of natural stone, wood tones, metallic accents, and neutrals creates flow. The space should transport you as soon as you enter.
Make the Most of Your Space
Big or small, any bathroom has the potential for a spa transformation. In smaller baths, floating shelves create discreet storage and minimize visual clutter. Install a mirrored wall to make the room feel doubled in size. In larger bathrooms, designate separate activity zones and utilize dead space. A chic shower curtain works well to partition soaking tubs and open shower areas.
Maintain the Sanctuary
Preserve that fresh, clean spa aesthetic with regular upkeep and care. Follow manufacturer instructions on maintaining stone, grout, wood, and metals. Use squeegees, towels, and bathmats to minimize water pooling and drips. Keep surfaces like mirrors and glass shower doors spotless. Declutter messes and quickly air out dampness.
Relax In Your Own Spa Bathroom Retreat
Transforming your basic bathroom into a homey yet luxurious sanctuary devoted to health, relaxation, and self-care is extremely rewarding. Follow this comprehensive guide to implement the most critical spa bathroom elements cohesively. Soon, you’ll have your spa bathroom to experience daily rejuvenating benefits. Treat yourself to little moments of indulgence at the convenience of your home.
Create your Spathroom With Kaiyo
Transforming your bathroom into a relaxing spathroom sanctuary has never been easier, thanks to Kaiyo. Our online secondhand furniture and home decor marketplace makes it simple to find high-quality, pre-owned pieces that will give your bathroom the luxurious, spa-like style you crave.
Kaiyo’s vast selection includes vanities, mirrors, accent tables, artwork, and more — all gently used and ready to elevate your spa bathroom design. And because our inventory is used and discounted, you can achieve the elegant spa bathroom of your dreams at only a fraction of retail prices.
As a sustainable company committed to a circular economy, Kaiyo helps keep furniture out of landfills by reselling high-quality, used pieces. Give your bathroom the spathroom treatment it deserves with help from Kaiyo’s treasure trove of secondhand finds. Kaiyo makes enjoying the spa experience at home easy and eco-friendly!
