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Liberty towels in bathroom

Spa-throom: How to Make Your Bathroom a Sanctuary

Create a bathroom-meets-spa retreat that will conjure a feeling of serenity and calm at the open and close of each day
By: Charlotte Olby

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Spa-throom: How to Make Your Bathroom a Sanctuary

Spa-throom: How to Make Your Bathroom a Sanctuary

Create a bathroom-meets-spa retreat that will conjure a feeling of serenity and calm at the open and close of each day

By: Charlotte Olby

Tending to err on the side of clinical and cold, your bathroom is not often considered as one of the more relaxing rooms in your home. So let’s fix that. In our fast-paced lives, finding the time and space to retreat from your tech and prioritise self-care is not just coveted – but essential. And if you’re feeling a little ‘new year, new me’ this January, now is the perfect opportunity to make even the gloomiest of days brighter with some simple ways to transform your bathroom into a sanctuary designed for relaxation.

Read More: Soothing skincare products for a cosy January refresh

Bathrooms should not be solely reserved for showering and brushing your teeth, but reimagined as a personal relaxation space, a thinking space, a taking-care-of-you space. A spa-throom, if you will. Consider all the best elements of a luxury spa: low lighting, a heady herbaceous scent, plush towels, calming colours, a distinct lack of rubber ducks, and most importantly: the chance to spend some uninterrupted time focussing on yourself. Each of these details contribute to a sense of serenity and can be easily reflected in your own bathroom with just a few helpful hints from Liberty to achieve that feeling each and every day.

Read More: Relaxing guest bathroom ideas

Choose a Calming Colour Palette

While you may be intent on sticking to a light palette evocative of calming spa environments, that doesn’t have to mean white and bright. Take things up a notch with a nod to the restorative elements of nature and employ a neutral palette punctuated with gentle sage greens or sky blues mixed with premium hardware and warm woods to convey a serene sensibility. Or perhaps take your inspiration from Hammam spas that are typically colour drenched in rich colours like terracotta, burgundy and oranges to cocoon the room in warmth. Don’t forget details that heighten the room’s personality like cosy textiles (bath mats, shower curtains and window treatments come into their own here) and inviting accessories to pull together a scheme without any harsh contrasts to disrupt your peace.

Stock Up on Plush Towels and Robes

Let’s be honest, nothing says “luxury spa” more than wrapping yourself up in a fluffy towel or robe after a long soak. The zen-like experience should continue from start to finish of the pampering experience so for an extra special touch, invest in a heated towel rail so you can bundle up in comfort straight out of the tub. A new set of Liberty towels, a luxury bath mat or something as simple as hanging a robe on the back of the door can make all the difference, giving you that hotel feeling in the comfort of your own home. The feel of textile underfoot or against the skin needs to be calming, natural and cocooning to all the senses so consider washing your towels (and bedding) in relaxing laundry fragrances like lavender and eucalyptus.

Read More: Bathroom shelf ideas to elevate your space

Incorporate Ambient Lighting

Lighting has such an impact on mood so it makes perfect sense that bringing as much natural light into your bathroom as possible will positively impact your wellbeing. Of course, the most direct way to achieve this is by removing any heavy fabrics from your window and instead look to hang lightweight cafe curtains at the bottom of your window, as opposed to the top. It’s a lesser known fact that almost half the light comes in via the top third of the window, so by opening up the top section you’ll be allowing a lot more sunlight into your bathroom in one swift swap. Hang as large a mirror as possible to bounce light around the room and add wall lamps either side to better illuminate your skincare routine. A dimmer switch will transform any harsh overhead lights from a functional, ritualistic space into a soothing environment – particularly when layered with flickering candlelight.

Read More: Bedside lighting ideas for creating an ambient bedroom

Scent Your Senses

Any dream spa-like experience begins the minute you step through the door and are met with a scent that instantly moves you from stressed out to serene. So why should entering your bathroom be any different? Certain scents like lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang can transport you to a peaceful mental space and can be easily diffused throughout the bathroom with scented candles, diffusers, bath salts and luxurious body care to set a tranquil mood. In addition to being the perfect accessory, plants in the bathroom can help to improve air quality so try adding some small succulents or ferns on your windowsill or try hanging a bundle of fresh eucalyptus in your shower for a herbaceous burst when you turn on the water. By incorporating a personalised olfactory experience to your wellness routine, from waking up to an ocean breeze to the soothing aroma of essential oils before bed, the power of scent will work to infuse tranquillity and harmony into your spa-throom.

Declutter with Stylish Storage

Get ahead of your spring cleaning crusade and start to organise your bathroom pronto. As you well know, a good declutter can be a rather cathartic experience so start by ensuring all empty and expired products are recycled and give your suite a deep clean. Decent storage in a bathroom (particularly one tight on space) can be a tough brief to nail without having to make structural changes to create recessed niches or built-in cabinetry, but there are some nifty ways to incorporate a successful storage system without compromising on style. Under-sink cabinets can be bought easily off-the-shelf to slide under a pedestal and can even be hidden with yet another cafe curtain and upcycled with a little DIY – while HAY’s cult-status stacking crates and baskets can hold your overflow lotions and potions that don’t sit pride of place on your bathroom shelf.

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