Ideas for a Spa-Like Bathroom

A home bathroom can be turned into a mini-spa with a little creativity.

Few things are so relaxing and luxuriant as spending a day at the spa. Whether it's soaking in a hot tub, receiving a massage or steaming in a sauna, a spa will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. Recreate the same indulgent, soothing feeling at home by decorating the bathroom to look and feel like a elegant spa, turning it into an oasis of calm in a busy world.

Choose Themes

A calligraphy print is ideal for an Asian-themed bathroom.

Most spas have a unified theme which lends them style and elegance, unlike a typical bathroom, that may be filled with mismatched towels and accessories that create an unfocused, scattered appearance. Decide on a basic theme for the bathroom, like Asian retreat or natural garden and purchase related decorative items.

For example, a bathroom with the feel of an Asian spa might be decorated with calligraphy prints and washcloths, towels and carpets in red and black. To create the feeling of a lagoon, aim for anything exotic in shades of green or with a tropical theme.

Hints of Nature

Bamboo plants can be used to add a hint of nature to the bathroom.

Many spas harness the power of nature in their treatments and continue the theme with their decorating scheme, ensuring an aura of calm. To recreate this feeling at home, introduce natural elements into the decor. Vases of fresh flowers by the sink and on the edge of the bathtub will release their calming fragrance into the air, and a basin of smooth, flat stones makes for a simple piece of decoration. Bamboo plants require little maintenance and can make the room seem like a secluded retreat, as can jars of dried flower petals or seashells. Instead of using bright, artificial lighting, substitute scented candles that will give off a soft glow.

Mind the Towels

Treat towels like a decorative item, not just a practical one.

Spas tend to treat every little item like a piece of art, lending beauty even to the simplest things by displaying them in an attractive manner. Instead of leaving towels in a pile on the floor or tossed over the side of the tub, the Style Chicago website recommends rolling them up, tying them with a ribbon and placing them in a basket, creating a visually appealing, organized look. Small hand towels can also be rolled into tubes and then stacked in a pyramid shape atop a tray by the sink and a wicker basket can be placed on the floor to collected them after use.

Clear the Clutter

Keep clutter out of sight to make the bathroom a calming place.

Part of what makes a spa feel like an oasis is the lack of clutter and junk taking up space. Remove items from counter tops and place them into drawers and cabinets to keep things from looking messy. Place things that need to be kept out, like shampoo and soap, into decorated dispensers or plain, frosted glass bottles for a chic look. Avoid using bar soap at the sink, as it will end up as an unattractive, slimy hunk as it's used and substitute with a dish of shaped mini-soaps on the toilet tank.

Keep Unpleasant Things Out of Sight

Dirty laundry has no place in a spa bathroom, so keep it out of sight.

Nothing will break the illusion of a luxurious home spa like the sight of trash and dirty laundry, so consider what should remain hidden from sight in addition to what should be seen and enjoyed. Purchase a small dustbin that matches other items in the room and has a lid, concealing what's contained inside so guests aren't exposed to an eyeful of old tissues. If it's necessary to have a hamper in the room, choose a subtle wicker model that will conceal its contents to keep dirty laundry out of sight.

References

• Cottage Home Decorating: Spa Bathrooms
• Style Chicago; Spa Bathroom Retreat; March 2011

Resources

• She Knows: Give Your Bathroom a Spa Makeover
• A Bathroom Guide: Your Guide to Bathroom Design and Remodeling