10 Quick Fixes for a Sumptuous Spa-at-home Vibe
Escape, relax and unwind in your very own spa bathroom
Who doesn’t love a trip to a luxury spa, where the overwhelming sense of wellbeing leaves you relaxed, revived and ready for anything? Such decadent days out are few and far between for many of us, so why not harness the spa vibe and create your very own sanctuary at home?
I’m not suggesting you blow your savings on an all-singing, all-dancing steam cabin, sauna and pool (although if you have the cash, why not…), but instead make simple tweaks to your bathroom – and your bathroom routine – to create your own relaxing and refreshing bolthole. Light a few scented candles, splash out on a plush robe or simply give your bathroom a top-to-toe scrub. Be inspired by these tricks and tips and let the daily spa treatments commence.
I’m not suggesting you blow your savings on an all-singing, all-dancing steam cabin, sauna and pool (although if you have the cash, why not…), but instead make simple tweaks to your bathroom – and your bathroom routine – to create your own relaxing and refreshing bolthole. Light a few scented candles, splash out on a plush robe or simply give your bathroom a top-to-toe scrub. Be inspired by these tricks and tips and let the daily spa treatments commence.
Wrap up in a robe
Every well-heeled spa worth its Himalayan salt is awash with soft, clean robes to put on after a relaxing sauna or swim. While you might not have all the fancy gadgets and facilities at your fingertips, you can have a freshly laundered bathrobe to hand, preferably in the softest, cosiest pure white towelling.
If you do fancy a DIY spa treatment, why not cleanse your skin and unblock your pores with a simple steam facial. Just tie back your hair, pour boiling hot water into a bowl and place your face over the steam (not too close!). Drape a towel over your head to capture the steam and stay there for 10-15 minutes or until the steam cools. Bliss.
Every well-heeled spa worth its Himalayan salt is awash with soft, clean robes to put on after a relaxing sauna or swim. While you might not have all the fancy gadgets and facilities at your fingertips, you can have a freshly laundered bathrobe to hand, preferably in the softest, cosiest pure white towelling.
If you do fancy a DIY spa treatment, why not cleanse your skin and unblock your pores with a simple steam facial. Just tie back your hair, pour boiling hot water into a bowl and place your face over the steam (not too close!). Drape a towel over your head to capture the steam and stay there for 10-15 minutes or until the steam cools. Bliss.
Plant greenery
Placing a few leafy plants around the bathroom will add an organic, ecofriendly accent to your bathroom – perfect for the spa-at-home look.
Plants and flowers that thrive well in the hot, humid atmosphere of the bathroom include ferns, orchids, bamboo and peace lilies. And the added shot of emerald green or floral infusion equals an extra hit of colour and pattern at the same time.
Be inspired by more ideas for indoor plants
Placing a few leafy plants around the bathroom will add an organic, ecofriendly accent to your bathroom – perfect for the spa-at-home look.
Plants and flowers that thrive well in the hot, humid atmosphere of the bathroom include ferns, orchids, bamboo and peace lilies. And the added shot of emerald green or floral infusion equals an extra hit of colour and pattern at the same time.
Be inspired by more ideas for indoor plants
Reflect in style
Big mirrors are a good addition to any spa bathroom (we all want a good look at our complexions after that glorious facial, don’t we?) but particularly so in compact or dark spaces. Covering one wall with mirrors will help to create a light and airy ambience for a fresh and uplifting spa spirit. They’re also a great backdrop to max the effect of twinkling candles after dark.
Plain and simple mirrored tiles will do the trick on a budget, or seek out huge mirrored cabinets with built-in storage for lotions and potions if space is tight.
Big mirrors are a good addition to any spa bathroom (we all want a good look at our complexions after that glorious facial, don’t we?) but particularly so in compact or dark spaces. Covering one wall with mirrors will help to create a light and airy ambience for a fresh and uplifting spa spirit. They’re also a great backdrop to max the effect of twinkling candles after dark.
Plain and simple mirrored tiles will do the trick on a budget, or seek out huge mirrored cabinets with built-in storage for lotions and potions if space is tight.
Go with the glow
Candles are a sure-fire, fast-track route to a relaxing, spa-at-home vibe. Group clusters of chunky church candles on flat, stable surfaces and dot pretty tealights on shelves to cast an ambient glow while you soak. Scented aromatherapy candles that harness the soothing properties of lavender, sandalwood or vanilla will infuse the room with a calm serenity.
Make sure candles are placed in appropriate holders and jars or else burn essential oils in a ceramic oil burner for the ultimate in an aromatic ambience. Never leave lighted candles unattended (a good excuse to stay in the bathroom a bit longer).
Candles are a sure-fire, fast-track route to a relaxing, spa-at-home vibe. Group clusters of chunky church candles on flat, stable surfaces and dot pretty tealights on shelves to cast an ambient glow while you soak. Scented aromatherapy candles that harness the soothing properties of lavender, sandalwood or vanilla will infuse the room with a calm serenity.
Make sure candles are placed in appropriate holders and jars or else burn essential oils in a ceramic oil burner for the ultimate in an aromatic ambience. Never leave lighted candles unattended (a good excuse to stay in the bathroom a bit longer).
Set the mood
If you’re refitting a bathroom from scratch, there are all sorts of clever audio solutions you might look at, from wall-mounted docks for music players to fully integrated home audio streaming systems. But the quick-fix version will soothe your mood just as well: take your wireless radio or portable speaker dock into the bathroom for an enhanced chill-out session.
Tip: DAB radios get through batteries incredibly quickly, so it’s worth investing in rechargeable ones.
If you’re refitting a bathroom from scratch, there are all sorts of clever audio solutions you might look at, from wall-mounted docks for music players to fully integrated home audio streaming systems. But the quick-fix version will soothe your mood just as well: take your wireless radio or portable speaker dock into the bathroom for an enhanced chill-out session.
Tip: DAB radios get through batteries incredibly quickly, so it’s worth investing in rechargeable ones.
Load up your laundry
Bins and baskets for used towels are a must-have for every spa – and equally for busy family bathrooms everywhere.
A messy bathroom littered with damp towels, facecloths and dressing gowns draped over the bath and basin isn’t a relaxing one, after all.
These spacious tin bins with lids are conveniently placed for throwing in dirty flannels and used towels, while the wicker basket is perfect for chucking in dirty laundry and robes that need freshening up. Now you just have to persuade the other people in your house to use them…
Browse more ideas for twin basins in the bathroom
Bins and baskets for used towels are a must-have for every spa – and equally for busy family bathrooms everywhere.
A messy bathroom littered with damp towels, facecloths and dressing gowns draped over the bath and basin isn’t a relaxing one, after all.
These spacious tin bins with lids are conveniently placed for throwing in dirty flannels and used towels, while the wicker basket is perfect for chucking in dirty laundry and robes that need freshening up. Now you just have to persuade the other people in your house to use them…
Browse more ideas for twin basins in the bathroom
Spruce it up
This might be an obvious one, but it’s fair to say that any top-notch spa will pride themselves on top-to-toe cleanliness and a fresh, spruced-up vibe with not a grubby mark, stray hair or soapy smudge in sight. So make sure your bathroom is squeaky clean by giving it a good old scrub.
If you don’t like the idea of using too many chemical-based products, take a more natural approach with a microfibre cloth (or ripped-up old rags) and a 50/50 water and vinegar solution to clean mirrors, tiles, counters and cabinet fronts. Now doesn’t that look better…
This might be an obvious one, but it’s fair to say that any top-notch spa will pride themselves on top-to-toe cleanliness and a fresh, spruced-up vibe with not a grubby mark, stray hair or soapy smudge in sight. So make sure your bathroom is squeaky clean by giving it a good old scrub.
If you don’t like the idea of using too many chemical-based products, take a more natural approach with a microfibre cloth (or ripped-up old rags) and a 50/50 water and vinegar solution to clean mirrors, tiles, counters and cabinet fronts. Now doesn’t that look better…
Buy a bath cushion
If you intend to fill your bath to the brim, pour in the oils and lock the door, it might be wise to invest in a bath cushion to enhance your long, luxurious soak.
Some top-end baths come supplied with ergonomic backrests and sculpted interiors for a decadent bathing experience. If yours doesn’t, splash out on a comfortable padded or inflatable headrest that can be moved in and out of the bath and kept for those special occasions when you simply need to lie back and do nothing… for a very long time!
If you intend to fill your bath to the brim, pour in the oils and lock the door, it might be wise to invest in a bath cushion to enhance your long, luxurious soak.
Some top-end baths come supplied with ergonomic backrests and sculpted interiors for a decadent bathing experience. If yours doesn’t, splash out on a comfortable padded or inflatable headrest that can be moved in and out of the bath and kept for those special occasions when you simply need to lie back and do nothing… for a very long time!
Treat yourself
With every inch of the bathroom scrubbed clean and a stash of fresh towels just waiting to be used, why not take the whole spa-at-home experience to another level with an array of gorgeous new products? Think rose-scented bath oil, an invigorating body scrub, a natural sponge, a thick slice of organic soap or a beautifully scented body butter. Treat yourself… you deserve it.
With every inch of the bathroom scrubbed clean and a stash of fresh towels just waiting to be used, why not take the whole spa-at-home experience to another level with an array of gorgeous new products? Think rose-scented bath oil, an invigorating body scrub, a natural sponge, a thick slice of organic soap or a beautifully scented body butter. Treat yourself… you deserve it.
Create dedicated spa storage
If you have the wall space, add storage just for spa goodies – it might just encourage you to make time to indulge in impromptu pampering sessions more regularly. You don’t need to splash out on expensive fitted units – simply scour the rest of your house or local charity shops for baskets, boxes, shelves or freestanding cupboards that could be put to good use in the bathroom.
I love this wall cabinet, which might originally have been intended for books or CDs, but is perfect for stashing soft towels, rolled for that instant beauty salon aesthetic. Slot in a basket for cotton wool and other smaller essentials – and don’t forget that all-important Buddha statue.
To keep your towels beauty spa soft, avoid fabric softener – which can have the opposite effect on towelling textiles – and try washing them with vinegar and baking soda.
If you have the wall space, add storage just for spa goodies – it might just encourage you to make time to indulge in impromptu pampering sessions more regularly. You don’t need to splash out on expensive fitted units – simply scour the rest of your house or local charity shops for baskets, boxes, shelves or freestanding cupboards that could be put to good use in the bathroom.
I love this wall cabinet, which might originally have been intended for books or CDs, but is perfect for stashing soft towels, rolled for that instant beauty salon aesthetic. Slot in a basket for cotton wool and other smaller essentials – and don’t forget that all-important Buddha statue.
To keep your towels beauty spa soft, avoid fabric softener – which can have the opposite effect on towelling textiles – and try washing them with vinegar and baking soda.
Dim the lights
Candles are one way of lowering the lights to lend a more relaxing, spa-like mood to your bathroom, but swapping your regular light switch for a dimmer allows you to soften the look any time. We don’t always think of the bathroom as a place to install dimmers, but it’s the perfect space for adjustable lighting. As long as your lights aren’t fluorescent, it’s a quick job for an electrician.
TELL US…
Do you have any simple tips for creating a spa-at-home bathroom? We’d love to hear them in the Comments below.
Candles are one way of lowering the lights to lend a more relaxing, spa-like mood to your bathroom, but swapping your regular light switch for a dimmer allows you to soften the look any time. We don’t always think of the bathroom as a place to install dimmers, but it’s the perfect space for adjustable lighting. As long as your lights aren’t fluorescent, it’s a quick job for an electrician.
TELL US…
Do you have any simple tips for creating a spa-at-home bathroom? We’d love to hear them in the Comments below.
We don’t always make space for somewhere to sit in our bathrooms, but a comfy chair or bench will encourage you to linger and put your feet up after an invigorating shower. Or why not take five while you wait for that face mask to do its magic?
Plump for low-level benches covered in a wipeable fabric (which can also double up as a storage area) or even a sumptuous padded pouffe for a decadent spa feel.