Creating a relaxing and serene bathroom is an essential part of making your home more comfortable and calming. Making your bathroom feel more like a spa, however, does not always require spending more money.
While an ample budget is always useful, you can also create a more serene bathroom experience with just a few well-chosen items. Whether it is clever storage solutions, stylish accessories, or subtle decorative touches, making the most of your available budget will result in a more luxurious and inviting bathroom environment.
Inexpensive Items and Ideas for Your Bathroom
Transforming your bathroom into a spa-like oasis doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are some of the best ideas and products for creating a luxurious spa atmosphere.
Declutter and Clean
Bathrooms are the natural disposal sites for much of our personal belongings, from half-used travel toiletries to old makeup and cleaning supplies. This clutter can detract from our bathroom experience by increasing anxiety and distraction. When you are first beginning the endeavor of making your bathroom more serene, the first step is to remove all the unnecessary and used-up items and reorganize all the spaces, like your drawers, cabinets, and closets.
Take this opportunity to deeply clean your space, wiping out drawers and completing a thorough scrub of your toilet, bathtub, and shower. This will give you an ideal foundation for the next ideas that you will implement.
Plush Textiles
Spas are known for their luxurious textiles, such as bathrobes, towels, and rugs. Invest in soft, high-quality textiles to mimic the look and feel of a spa. Look for textiles made from natural fibers such as woven cotton, linen, or a combination of the two. Towels made from long-staple Turkish cotton are especially luxurious and durable. Bath mats, robes, and shower curtains are also available in Turkish cotton.
Linens in neutral colors look the most classic. Opt for off-white colors, if you feel like white linens are too difficult to maintain. To keep your light neutral towels in good condition, add some dark makeup towels to your collection.
Replace Standard Grade Mirrors
Replacing those large, frameless bathroom mirrors is a do-it-yourself project with a significant visual impact in the bathroom. Upgrading your single wall-to-wall mirror to several smaller and framed styles will have a transformative effect and help to give your bathroom a more distinct style. Consider replacing your mirror with one or more in unusual shapes and sizes; shapes such as round, oval, vertical rectangular, or asymmetrical can distinguish your bathroom from the norm and provide a stylish focal point.
Glass Dispensers
Replace your plastic dispensers with glass bottles for lotions, hand soap, shampoo, and body wash; this simple upgrade will instantly make your bathroom feel more expensive. Glass dispensers are more expensive initially, but they will last for years, allowing you to buy replacement soaps in more environmentally friendly containers rather than purchasing soap in plastic bottles every time. Select a clear or opaque glass in a style and color that complements your bathroom. Put them in the shower or keep them on a tray on your countertops. These dispensers are so attractive that there is no need to hide them away.
Incorporate Seating
Seating is an excellent addition to the bathroom, and you can add seating in a variety of locations, including in the shower, near a vanity, or in a large corner space. Shower seating is typically made of water-resistant woods such as teak and acacia, but shower stools and benches are also available in bamboo, pine, and synthetic solid surfaces.
Many bathrooms have a built-in vanity with an opening in the cabinetry that is ideal for seating. Add an upholstered chair or stool that fits into the opening to give you an easy place to rest as you put on the last-minute touches for the day. If you are fortunate enough to have a large bathroom with open spaces, an accent chair can function well as a resting place before and after bathing or relaxing in the quiet environment.
Replace Your Shower Head
Adding a new shower head to your shower can transform the morning ritual of the shower. There are numerous shower head options, so be sure to consider all of the different types and materials to determine which one is right for you. Shower head choices include rainfall, handheld, massaging, and water-efficient options. Be sure before you purchase a showerhead that it is compatible with your plumbing and water pressure. Seek professional guidance and expertise if you are unsure about installing or choosing the right shower head option for your bathroom.
Bring in Natural Greenery
Greenery in a bathroom has both aesthetic and practical benefits. Greenery like cut stems and plants brings life, freshness, and color to any room. Plants are also natural air purifiers that absorb toxins and release oxygen. This quality can be particularly beneficial in bathrooms, where moisture and humidity can create stagnant air.
When choosing specific plants for your bathroom, consider the room in terms of natural light and humidity and evaluate the maintenance requirements of particular plants. Some excellent plant varieties for bathrooms include spider plants, Boston ferns, pothos, snake plants, rabbit’s foot ferns, zz plants, and aloe vera. Place them in a convenient place so that you can easily care for them. For the most accessible locations, place plants on window sills, shelves, or in hanging baskets.
Use an Open Shelf to Display Spa-Like Products
Open shelving in a bathroom can add texture, depth, and visual interest. Open shelves are a practical option for displaying spa-like products that give your bathroom a more relaxing vibe. This design also makes your products easier to access.
Incorporate open shelves on wall spaces above the toilet, bathtub, or any available wall that is accessible. Display products like candles, towels, bath salts, essential oils, natural sponges, plants, and glass jars. Arrange these items in a visually appealing manner that makes them both accessible and organized.
Add a Bath Tray
A bath tray will improve your bathing experience by keeping essential items close at hand. Trays that extend over the top of the bathtub provide a convenient surface for placing books, drinks, candles, soap, and sponges. They come in a variety of sizes and materials, so you are sure to find one that complements the look of your bathroom. Choose from among options of bamboo, teak, acrylic, or metal.
When selecting a tray, measure the width of your bathtub to ensure a good fit. Opt for a tray made of durable material that can withstand water and regular use. Some of the most durable choices include teak and bamboo varieties.
Incorporate Wallpaper
Wallpaper in a bathroom feels extravagant, instantly elevating your space and making it appear more luxurious. Rather than covering every wall, you can choose to just use wallpaper to define a specific area of the bathroom or to create a focal wall. Be sure to consider the moisture and humidity conditions of a particular bathroom before you decide on a pattern.
Wallpaper is made of different types of materials, some of which work in bathrooms and some of which do not. Look for water-resistant wallpapers made of vinyl or those that are coated with a top layer of vinyl. Some peel and stick wallpaper options work well in bathrooms because they are easy to put up and take down when you are ready for a change.
