Nothing compares to coming home after a long day to soak in a warm bath, surrounded by scented candles, and listen to soft music in the background. If you’re wondering how to achieve that spa-like atmosphere in a plain bathroom, you’ve come to the right place.
Luckily turning your bathroom into a spa retreat does not need thousands of dollars or spending months on a remodeling project. You just need to know what to add – and remove – to create the perfect cozy bathroom you look forward to at the end of a stressful day.
-
Upgrade bath mats and towels
No matter the temperature in the rest of the house, bathrooms tend to be cold first thing in the morning. So the first thing you can do to warm up the room is to upgrade the bath mats. Buy a high pile rug or bath mat that feels soft and comfy under your feet.
No spa experience is complete without fluffy towels. Invest in a nice set of bath towels for that ‘wrapped in a cloud’ feel! If you have a small bathroom, chances are your towels are always visible. Switching to a premium set will also add a stylistic upgrade.
Another solid investment to a heated towel rack. While some options can run into thousands of dollars you can find inexpensive choices for much less online.
-
Create the perfect shower nook
If you have a shower stall, upgrade it with a rain showerhead and a bench. These showerheads simulate the feel of rain, giving you a more relaxed experience. Try to choose a showerhead that has a handheld attachment for even more water options. A shower bench lets you sit down and pamper yourself, especially useful if your bathroom does not have a tub.
-
Design your mini-spa
For those who have bathtubs, designing the perfect spa experience is much easier. Opt for a freestanding tub for a design statement. Invest in a bath caddy so you have space for your headphones, a tablet for watching Netflix, and books. A handy shelf or ledge nearby is the perfect place to store bath accessories like bath bombs, shampoo, moisturizer, etc.
-
Create a dedicated place for all your bath accessories
Small bathrooms are perpetually short on storage space. But getting rid of clutter is necessary for you to relax. Invest in some vertical shelving or over the toilet stands to store necessities like cotton balls, q-tips, extra soap, shower gels, hand towels, cosmetics, etc.
Another easy way to add a decorative touch to your bathroom is to use matching dispensers for all your soaps, lotions, creams, and gels. This one is easy to execute but you’ll be amazed at how good it looks.
-
Keep the bathroom smelling fresh
There are no two ways around it, bathrooms can smell all kinds of funky. Keeping the room dry will prevent odors and mold but for a true spa experience, your bathroom should smell nice.
Indulge in some aromatherapy with scented candles, incense, or potpourri. You can even vary the scents according to the season – cinnamon and spicy scents work well for fall and winter while flowery/fruity scents smell amazing in spring and summer.
-
Find a statement mirror with excellent lighting
If you’re tired of looking at the same old mirror, up the ante by replacing it with a stylish mirror and LED lights. Consider using some unique shapes (rectangle, round, oval, etc.) or even several smaller mirrors to create a bigger piece. Task lighting around the mirror should be bright and welcoming. A dark bathroom is not a relaxing one.
-
Create a cozy feel with string lights and votives
The lights around your mirror should be bright. But for ambiance lights throughout the bathroom and especially around the tub, focus on smaller and warmer options. Try using string lights (but be mindful of wires and batteries) on your cabinets or the top of the shower stall.
Hang them around the mirror or vanity to create a cozy ambiance. Scented candles can pull double duty to keep the space smelling nice and for warm lighting. You can also opt for flameless votives in the bathroom.
-
Hang some plants
Plants add a sense of luxury to any bathroom but not everyone has a window to let in sunshine. Try using succulents on a shelf or other plants that don’t require a lot of light or that thrive in high humidity areas. If you have a window or two, then you can go all out. Hang some pots where you won’t bump into them, place a row of them along the window sill or tub ledge.
A cozy bathroom should be a treat for all your senses. So fluffy towels to touch, nice things to look at, fragrances to relax, and soft music are the perfect ingredients for a cozy bathroom.