How to Give Your Bathroom the Spa Treatment

Indulge your senses by creating your very own spa oasis without spending a fortune

Amanda Peters 9 February 2017

Houzz India Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist who loves writing about all things travel, culture and design. My favourite pieces to write are the Houzz Tours, as I love exploring real homes of all shapes and sizes.

Houzz India Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist who loves writing about all things... More

Comment2

Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog.

It’s been a long and stressful day at work and the clock is taking an excruciatingly long time to trickle down. You shut your eyes and go to your happy place – where all your senses are being pampered and you are being waited on hand and foot. The word “spa” flashes across your eyes and you instantly light up and relax. Then reality sets in and you realise what a spa weekend would cost. And even if you could afford it, do you really have the time to get away for that long? It all seems like a distant dream now.

But fret not. What if you could bring the spa home? What if you could transform your bathroom into a sophisticated space that was made for self-pampering? From a bit of remodelling to splurging on accessories, here are a few ideas to indulge each of your senses and make every bath a spa-like experience.

Laura Rizzi

Focus on what the eyes see
The first sense to tickle for a spa-like vibe is the visual appeal. Adopting the “less is more” philosophy becomes a great way to open up the room, giving it a serene and restful feel. Create an open space, or at least the illusion of it by opting for light or white walls. Continue the light-toned tiles from the floor to the ceiling to make the room not only look bigger but give it a calm airiness.

Gast Architects

Create clean storage
Cabinets are a godsend when it comes to concealing a majority of your bulkier bath products. But it’s important to find some middle ground. As long as you use wicker baskets to store your bath products and neatly roll up your towels, an open vanity is ideal to make the space seem bigger and emphasise the spa-like vibe.

Tip: For the quintessential spa treatment, roll-up your towels instead of folding them and display a potted orchid plant on the counter. If white fluffy robes or towels are not an option, stick to buying all your soft furnishings in the same colour.

Design 1 Kitchen & Bath

Everyone knows that clutter creates stress. You wouldn’t want to go to a spa with countertops overloaded with accessories or sloppily folded towels. The same rules apply; keep most of your products tucked away in drawers or cabinets.

ETRELUXE India Pvt. Ltd.

Let in natural light
It may be impossible to have an outdoor shower area, especially if you live in a city apartment. But the important take away here is opening your bathroom up to natural light. Even a small window near your tub or shower stall will allow you to unwind as you soak in the tub and gaze outside.

Transparent or mirrored surfaces are a great way of maintaining continuity, whist adding volume. You can thus separate the shower area from the rest of the bathroom without chopping up the space.

Tip: Although a large window allows you to enjoy the view of the outdoors, it can also spur on a lot of unwanted attention towards your bath area. And if you don’t want to be an exhibitionist, choose glass that lets in the natural light but keeps the prying eyes of the notorious peeping Toms away.

Monica Khanna Designs

Create a green area
Nature comes with an instant calming effect; thus a bathroom should ideally never be a plant-free zone. Plants will add colour, personality and fresher air – and given the high humidity, you won’t need a green thumb to keep your plants alive here.

8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants

Architecture BRIO

Opt in for a ‘natural’ look
If plants are not your thing, then there may be other ways of bringing in natural materials. Although wooden surfaces evoke the feeling of peace and warmth, it isn’t ideal in damp spaces. However, thanks to technology faux wood tiles are so realistic, it is near impossible to tell the difference. But if you still want the real thing, introducing stone surfaces, or pebbles can also emulate the spa decor. An added bonus, pebbles on the floor in the bath can give your feet an amazing massage while you shower.

Rakeshh Jeswaani Interior Architects

Continuing with the natural theme, a stone sink becomes a great option to add some drama to the space. It is so versatile that you can pair it with wooden slats for that South East Asian spa feel or textured tiles to give it a more contemporary look.

Zodiac Design

Accessorise with light
A chandelier in the bathroom may be a bit much, given this space seems larger than most bathrooms. However, think about adding a surprise element – whether it is a piece of art, a giant mirror in an unusual spot, or a tiled mural running along one of the walls – to give the space some whimsy.

Eldorado Stone

Great lighting can dictate the energy of your room. It’s difficult to relax when you’re under the glare of harsh fluorescent lights. Think of installing a dimmer and if you’re in a rental, then smaller lamps and candles are ideal to set the mood and create a soft ambience.

Essentia Environments

Stock well
You may not be able to afford to install the expensive hydrotherapy facilities available at your favourite spas, but you can stock up on your favourite bath amenities. Indulge yourself with everything from body scrubs and scented candles to fluffy towels and robes. Serving as both, decoration and a reminder to prioritise relaxation, display them on open shelves or in glass jars.

Darlene Shaw Design Inc.

Invest in a good shower
For your spa-like bathroom soaking in the tub may seem like a must-have. Yet, chances are fitting one into the given space may require some superpowers. A great alternative is swapping the very expensive tub for an upgrade on your shower – think massage shower head. Time may not allow you to use the tub everyday, but the shower head is another story. And you won’t have to sacrifice the extra footage area.

Susan Jay Design

Don’t hesitate to wine and dine
You may wonder how does one design their bathroom to engage their taste buds? And there may not be a direct relation; rather it involves you taking the bath experience to the next level by making provision for a glass of wine, nibbles and a book, without having to stretch or get out of the tub for it.

Alloy Workshop

Build in a sound system
A book and a glass of wine with mood lighting is great to unwind at the end of the day. But no spa experience would be complete without some soothing music to drown your worries away. Alloy Workshop renovated this bathroom to convey the elegance and tranquility their clients desired, as well as make provision for a dedicated sound system that was protected from any wet elements.

Read more:
Bathtub vs Shower: Which is Right for Your Home?
10 Ways to Beautify Your Bathroom Niches

Tell us:
What is your must-have for a spa-like bathroom? Comment below.