8 Key Elements for a Calming, Indulgent Bathroom
Keen to create a space where you can relax and wash away the cares of the day? See whether you can slot in any of these
Recent Houzz research has reinforced the fact that, these days, many of us want our bathrooms to be less of a quick wash station and more of a relaxing haven where we can linger and wind down.
Even if your room is quite small, you could consider pushing the basics to be better. From a thoughtfully designed vanity unit and pleasingly layered lighting to a mini steam room and high-tech loo, see whether any of these ideas could work in your space.
Even if your room is quite small, you could consider pushing the basics to be better. From a thoughtfully designed vanity unit and pleasingly layered lighting to a mini steam room and high-tech loo, see whether any of these ideas could work in your space.
2. A steam room shower
Imagine popping into your own private steam room after a long day. Think you don’t have the space? This scheme by Yoko Kloeden might inspire you.
A relatively small shower, enclosed by a floor-to-ceiling glass door, has been fitted with a steam generator, cleverly tucked within a smooth-lined bench. It takes this little en suite up a notch from a quick ablutions station to a space where the owner can relax and unwind.
See all of this en suite and bedroom and find out more about the steam room.
Imagine popping into your own private steam room after a long day. Think you don’t have the space? This scheme by Yoko Kloeden might inspire you.
A relatively small shower, enclosed by a floor-to-ceiling glass door, has been fitted with a steam generator, cleverly tucked within a smooth-lined bench. It takes this little en suite up a notch from a quick ablutions station to a space where the owner can relax and unwind.
See all of this en suite and bedroom and find out more about the steam room.
3. Layered lighting
Bright lights are essential for daily washroom tasks, but if you’d like your bathroom to also be a retreat, layering different types of lighting is a good idea.
Ambient is general lighting and may be as simple as ceiling spots or as ornate as a chandelier, depending on your taste and the height of your ceiling.
Task lighting helps with activities such as applying make-up. Wall lights, like these in a scheme by Sims Hilditch, can add a cosy vibe to the room as well as being useful. If your room is too small for wall lights, consider a mirror with integrated lighting.
Accent lighting is the low-level illumination that will create a spa feel. Think hidden lights in niches or under a vanity unit that give a soft glow. And don’t forget dimmer switches, so you’re in control of light levels for those times when winding down is the order of the day.
More: What Are the Best Ways to Light My Bathroom?
Bright lights are essential for daily washroom tasks, but if you’d like your bathroom to also be a retreat, layering different types of lighting is a good idea.
Ambient is general lighting and may be as simple as ceiling spots or as ornate as a chandelier, depending on your taste and the height of your ceiling.
Task lighting helps with activities such as applying make-up. Wall lights, like these in a scheme by Sims Hilditch, can add a cosy vibe to the room as well as being useful. If your room is too small for wall lights, consider a mirror with integrated lighting.
Accent lighting is the low-level illumination that will create a spa feel. Think hidden lights in niches or under a vanity unit that give a soft glow. And don’t forget dimmer switches, so you’re in control of light levels for those times when winding down is the order of the day.
More: What Are the Best Ways to Light My Bathroom?
4. A steam-free mirror
We’ve all had those moments when we’re peering into a steamy mirror, trying to vanquish a blemish via a hazy reflection; it’s frustrating and not conducive to a relaxing experience.
For maximum Zen, a demisting mirror is a must-have. There’s a huge range available, including recessed mirror cabinets, like this one in a scheme by Sagar Ceramics, and motion-activated heat-up mirrors that will quickly clear post-shower.
Easily find and hire plumbers, tilers and bathroom designers through Houzz.
We’ve all had those moments when we’re peering into a steamy mirror, trying to vanquish a blemish via a hazy reflection; it’s frustrating and not conducive to a relaxing experience.
For maximum Zen, a demisting mirror is a must-have. There’s a huge range available, including recessed mirror cabinets, like this one in a scheme by Sagar Ceramics, and motion-activated heat-up mirrors that will quickly clear post-shower.
Easily find and hire plumbers, tilers and bathroom designers through Houzz.
5. A bath made for relaxing
Even if you tend to be a whip-through-the-shower-before-work person, it can be nice to have a bath for times when you want to escape for an hour and ease away the tension of the day.
There are plenty of models to choose from, including compact designs that could work in smaller bathrooms. Consider a wooden Japanese soaking tub, a whirlpool wonder with muscle-relaxing jets, an elegant slipper bath like this one in a scheme by VSP Interiors, or simply a standard bath, perhaps fitted with a comfy head cushion. Then just add bath oil, candles – and maybe a glass of wine.
Even if you tend to be a whip-through-the-shower-before-work person, it can be nice to have a bath for times when you want to escape for an hour and ease away the tension of the day.
There are plenty of models to choose from, including compact designs that could work in smaller bathrooms. Consider a wooden Japanese soaking tub, a whirlpool wonder with muscle-relaxing jets, an elegant slipper bath like this one in a scheme by VSP Interiors, or simply a standard bath, perhaps fitted with a comfy head cushion. Then just add bath oil, candles – and maybe a glass of wine.
6. Good storage
There’s nothing worse than being in a bathroom and having nowhere to hang clothes and towels, set down shampoo bottles, or store essentials.
Both to keep visual clutter to a minimum and make the bathing experience calmer, consider a range of storage, from a cupboard or roomy drawers to shelves and shower niches. And don’t forget a scattering of hooks – endlessly useful.
The storage in this en suite by An Artful Life includes a shelf in the shower, a towel rail, a mirrored cabinet, and a midcentury-style chest of drawers converted into a vanity unit with the addition of a marble top and basin. This vintage piece not only offers plenty of room to stash towels and toiletries, but adds warmth to the scheme for a room in which it’s a pleasure to linger.
Tour the whole of this bathroom and adjoining loft bedroom.
There’s nothing worse than being in a bathroom and having nowhere to hang clothes and towels, set down shampoo bottles, or store essentials.
Both to keep visual clutter to a minimum and make the bathing experience calmer, consider a range of storage, from a cupboard or roomy drawers to shelves and shower niches. And don’t forget a scattering of hooks – endlessly useful.
The storage in this en suite by An Artful Life includes a shelf in the shower, a towel rail, a mirrored cabinet, and a midcentury-style chest of drawers converted into a vanity unit with the addition of a marble top and basin. This vintage piece not only offers plenty of room to stash towels and toiletries, but adds warmth to the scheme for a room in which it’s a pleasure to linger.
Tour the whole of this bathroom and adjoining loft bedroom.
7. A comfy place to sit
If you have the space, a chair or stool can be a welcome addition in a bathroom. A simple place to perch is useful, but if you want to add a decadent feel to your bathroom and create somewhere to spend time, an old armchair like this one, in a part-bathroom, part-dressing room by Cairn, would be perfect.
Look around the whole of this room and the rest of the house.
If you have the space, a chair or stool can be a welcome addition in a bathroom. A simple place to perch is useful, but if you want to add a decadent feel to your bathroom and create somewhere to spend time, an old armchair like this one, in a part-bathroom, part-dressing room by Cairn, would be perfect.
Look around the whole of this room and the rest of the house.
8. A high-tech loo
Finally, they’re not cheap, but if you want to go the whole hog with your indulgent bathroom, consider a Japanese-style toilet. Think features such as automatic flushing and washing functions, as well as that boon for winter mornings – a heated seat.
More: What Kind of Technology Could Improve My Bathroom?
Tell us…
Are you attracted to the idea of a spa-style bathroom? Would you consider any of these features – or do you have some already? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Finally, they’re not cheap, but if you want to go the whole hog with your indulgent bathroom, consider a Japanese-style toilet. Think features such as automatic flushing and washing functions, as well as that boon for winter mornings – a heated seat.
More: What Kind of Technology Could Improve My Bathroom?
Tell us…
Are you attracted to the idea of a spa-style bathroom? Would you consider any of these features – or do you have some already? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
A basin is, of course, one of the non-negotiables in a bathroom. However, with a little thought, you can make the humble sink both high-functioning and a pleasure to use.
This design by Emma Merry illustrates the possibilities. Double basins avoid family squabbles; there’s enough set-down space for everything you might need for your ablutions, and there’s plenty of storage in the form of roomy drawers.
In addition, the fact the unit is on slim legs means it feels light in the space, despite its multifunctionality.
Read more about this bathroom design.