As self-care becomes an increasing priority, today’s bathrooms are following suit as hotel-style luxury makes its way into the comfort of our own homes.
Who remembers the days when the bathroom was simply a place to shower after a long day at the office? Or a room to remove make-up before slipping into bed for a long, peaceful slumber? In our fast-paced, digitally-driven society where the importance of self-care and mindfulness has become more significant than ever, today an increasing number of interior design clients are realising that their bathrooms should not only be a place for bathing but also a personal sanctuary, transforming them into the most ritualistic room in the home. Enter the ‘spathroom’.
“This transformation in bathrooms isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating a rejuvenating and relaxing environment, and a personal retreat from the hustle and bustle of life,” Liz Beal, design associate at Goddard Littlefair tells Effect. “With the right design elements, a bathroom can become a mini spa that provides a luxurious, calming and pampering experience.”
The materials that matter
A connection to nature is essential in creating that restorative feeling that is synonymous with spas and wellness spaces, meaning luxurious yet natural varieties of stone and timber should take pride of place in any spa-inspired bathroom. “The facility and texture of the space is key,” says Beal. “The feel of a material underfoot or against the skin needs to be calming, natural and cocooning to all senses.”
Quality marbles like Carrara and Calacatta are particularly popular for this trend, used to create an elegant and timeless finish on a larger scale. “Creating a wet room or a walk-in shower using beautiful marble or tiled finishes will transform the feel of a space, while incorporating decorative elements such as a beautiful antique mirror or a freestanding tub can create material contrast and an elegant silhouette to soften any harder finishes,” adds Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove.
It’s also important to take into account hardware and fixtures here, which most certainly shouldn’t be an afterthought. High-quality pieces deliver a sense of simplicity and allow for sleek surfaces and clean lines, and they can also boost the market-value of a home. “Bathroom hardware should be resilient and practical as well as aesthetically pleasing,” explains Lion. “We recommend sticking to one finish throughout the space for a cohesive and elevated design, and anything from polished chrome to bronze hardware can be used to create practical yet beautiful details.”
“Gessi is a fantastic Italian brand that focuses on private wellness with absolutely stunning and unique designs,” adds Beal.
Do sweat the small stuff
Function is one of the most important considerations in achieving the spathroom, and keeping it free from clutter is essential to creating a zen-like ambience. “Innovative and sleek storage solutions, including recessed shelving in the walls and vanity units keep a space open and serene,” explains Beal. If space is at a premium, she suggests investing in some attractive storage baskets to keep everyday items tidy.
Blowing the budget
If money is no object, there are plenty of innovations on the market designed to transform a mere dwelling place to a personal wellness retreat centred around enhancing both physical and mental wellbeing.
One new addition that has become a real highlight in modern high-end residential design is the experience shower, which mimics various natural elements like rain, mist and waterfalls. “They may also include cryotherapy with changing lights to boost a client’s mood or help them relax, and aromatherapy scents that infuse the air, just like you would find in a luxury hotel spa,” explains Beal.
In-home sauna and heat therapy spaces are also increasingly popular investments that will ensure the bathroom goes well beyond bathing. “If space and budget are no issue, these can range from traditional Finnish saunas and infrared saunas to hammam-style steam rooms,” she adds.
This transformation in bathrooms isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating a rejuvenating and relaxing environment – a retreat from the hustle and bustle of life.
Liz Beal, Goddard Littlefair
On larger-scale projects, Francis Nicdao, principal & chief creative officer of Pembrooke & Ives, is a huge fan of connecting both indoor and outdoor spaces to pay tribute to a biophilic design that has been proven to aid wellness. “We once designed a home where the bathroom opened onto its own balcony, so we created an outdoor shower that allowed the client to seamlessly move inside and out. We’re also seeing an increased request for saunas and cold plunges, but in our opinion they work better if they can sit adjacent to the bathroom rather than in it.”
Opt for calming colours
Hotel spas tend to evoke a serene sense of relaxation, with all-white colour schemes, so most clients should shy away from a bold print if they are looking to make this translation into their everyday life. A neutral palette of beige, stone, oat and soft pale grey works wonders in this instance, which creates a simple canvas to which a client can add their personality over time. “A light and neutral palette is timeless and immediately evocative of calming spa environments,” explains Beal. “For a client that wants to be bolder and commit to colour, denim blues and soft sages work beautifully too and are also a nod to the restorative elements of nature.”
Layered lighting
Any designer worth their salt will know lighting is a key consideration in creating a soothing space, which should remain hidden and unnoticeable while still adding depth and warmth to the bathroom. “One way this can be achieved in a really subtle and effective way is by adding lighting beneath a clawfoot bath, illuminating the space and giving a sense of depth to the floor and surrounding bath area,” advises Beal.
Programme lighting can also be installed here, allowing the client to curate their lighting depending on what they are doing or how they are feeling – whether it be bright light for applying make-up or low light for relaxing. “Low voltage LED light strips can accentuate areas around mirrors and shower niches, adding a soft lighting that contributes to a spa-like experience,” says Nicdao. “I also highly recommend dimmers to fully cater to desired light levels.”
The four most important senses
The importance of all the senses – with the exception of taste – cannot be ignored when creating a spa-like experience at home, with sound and smell just as imperative as sight and touch. “Music is an important element here, so we install discreet speakers in these spaces that are tied to the main house system and give the user full wireless control,” says Nicdao. Be it setting tranquil background music for a bath or wanting nature soundscapes to soundtrack a moment of meditation, there are many products on the market that boast a humidity resistant design, including Sonos Architectural speakers, which can be installed in-wall and in-ceiling to disappear into any space and withstand environmental conditions like humidity, water, heat and more.
“Personalised olfactory experiences are the ultimate bespoke wellness addition to any home, allowing clients to select from a range of scents depending on their mood, time of day, or activity,” concludes Beal. “From waking up to a refreshing ocean breeze to the soothing aroma of lavender to help unwind before bed, they are an incredible way to incorporate wellness into any bathroom experience.” And who wouldn’t want that?
Read more: Interior Designers I Interiors | Design | Bathrooms | Spas | Wellness | Hotels