8 Easy Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Relaxing Spa

There’s nothing like taking a nice hot bath at the end of a long day or a steamy shower after an intense workout. Our bathrooms should be our sanctuaries. But what if your bathroom isn’t a space where you can decompress? Fortunately, making your bathroom a more relaxing place isn’t difficult and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Whether you’re doing a quick refresh or a full renovation—here are eight pro-approved ways to make your bathroom more relaxing. 

Start By Decluttering

Want to make your bathroom more relaxing without spending a dime? Interior designer Tamarra Younis of Union of Art tells me decluttering can instantly make a bathroom more relaxing. “Declutter all of the surfaces. Only keep the essentials and everything else can be organized behind closed doors. Keep it simple and clean, and let your eyes only focus on the beautiful things you bring to a room.”

It’s virtually impossible not to keep a few things out on the bathroom vanity like a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand soap, and lotion. So, display these items on a decorative tray. 

Then declutter the surfaces you can’t see, such as the insides of cabinets and drawers. Get rid of empty or expired products. Then use organizers or containers to corral the rest. After all, searching for a bottle of pain reliever when you have a bad headache is a headache in itself. 

Fix What’s Broken

When a bathroom isn’t functional, it can feel more stressful than calming. Dripping faucets, along with broken or dirty grout, or a cabinet that’s falling off its hinges are anything but relaxing. Simply fixing these issues instantly eliminates a source of stress when you’re in the space. 

Swap Out Old Hardware

Shay Holland, interior designer and star of HGTV’s Unfinished Business, tells me that small touches can make a big difference. She suggests upgrading the bathroom hardware. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or have DIY skills to do this. For example, you can swap out builder-grade silver hardware, opting for gold or bronze knobs that may be a better match for your style.

Think Small

When it comes to creating a more relaxing environment, Holland recommends thinking about the small details. “Accessories like stylish storage baskets, products decanted into pretty bottles, and framed artwork add to the retreat feel. If you have the space, a small chair or stool, a planted tree or two, and a deluxe rug will elevate the space even more.”

Add Luxurious Features When Possible

If you want your bathroom to feel more like a spa, add spa-inspired features and finishes. “If a remodel is in the cards and your budget allows, go all out with radiant heat flooring, double sinks, towel warmers, luxury materials, and Japanese-inspired separate walk-in shower and soaker tub combo for the ultimate pampering,” says Holland. 

And if a big renovation isn’t in your budget? Even just a set of fluffy new towels can do the trick. 

Less Is More

Samantha Gallacher of IG Workshop tells me that when it comes to materials, less can be more. “It is important to keep to just two materials, such as one wood and one stone, to create a spa-like feel. I often will run the flooring up halfway on the wall; it gives the feeling of being enveloped into one.”

Along the same lines, Olga Fox, associate director at Studio Indigo explains, “Large format stone will make a bathroom feel luxurious, while generous proportions of the shower, as well as vanity and bath surrounds, will make a bathroom feel spa-like and provides a great opportunity to dress it with beautiful decanters of bath salts, lotions, and candles.”

Light It Up

According to Younis, lighting can create a more relaxing environment. “Install dimmers and wall scones if possible, and you can never go wrong with candles to create a relaxing atmosphere. Think of indulging those key spaces when bringing calming elements into your bathroom.”

If you want to go bold with lighting, Holland recommends using a chandelier over the bathtub. This can make your bathroom feel like it belongs in a hotel. 

Privacy Is Key

What’s not so relaxing: worrying about the neighbors seeing you get out of the shower through the window. So, it’s nice to add an element of privacy. “If you are lucky enough to have a window in the bathroom, dressing this with a sheer curtain will provide privacy and bring softness and diffused light into the space,” Fox says.