10 Tips for Making Your Bathroom a Peaceful Haven
The most private room in the house should also be the most conducive to relaxation, don’t you think? Be inspired by these serene schemes
Not many of us would call the bathroom our favourite part of the house, and I feel it’s only fair to redress this balance. As one of the only rooms where we can shut out the rest of the home, it deserves special attention, and décor that cements its place as a sanctuary away from domestic chaos.
Clutter, poor lighting and cramped quarters aren’t conducive to relaxation, but a few tweaks can transform the mood of a utilitarian space into a quiet zone where you can leave your troubles behind.
Clutter, poor lighting and cramped quarters aren’t conducive to relaxation, but a few tweaks can transform the mood of a utilitarian space into a quiet zone where you can leave your troubles behind.
Camouflage for privacy
If you have a bathroom with a view, it might seem a shame to cover it up with traditional window dressings. To retain the view without sacrificing your modesty, consider a semi-opaque, patterned screen, like this punched metal window covering.
This material is the perfect complement to the metallic textures in this bathroom; for less modern bathrooms, a patterned window film would achieve the same effect while maintaining a cohesive style.
Browse more ideas for bathroom window privacy
If you have a bathroom with a view, it might seem a shame to cover it up with traditional window dressings. To retain the view without sacrificing your modesty, consider a semi-opaque, patterned screen, like this punched metal window covering.
This material is the perfect complement to the metallic textures in this bathroom; for less modern bathrooms, a patterned window film would achieve the same effect while maintaining a cohesive style.
Browse more ideas for bathroom window privacy
Turn it into a living area
If your living room is your favourite part of the house, extend the theme into the bathroom with comfy seating and rich fabrics.
This upholstered chair wouldn’t look out of place in the cosiest of living rooms, and the pretty blind is an unusual choice that lends a sense of occasion to bath time. The pink floral prints contrast with the monochrome theme to make this one chic and comfy bathroom.
If your living room is your favourite part of the house, extend the theme into the bathroom with comfy seating and rich fabrics.
This upholstered chair wouldn’t look out of place in the cosiest of living rooms, and the pretty blind is an unusual choice that lends a sense of occasion to bath time. The pink floral prints contrast with the monochrome theme to make this one chic and comfy bathroom.
Choose thought-provoking décor
Bathrooms are associated with switching off and unwinding, but they’re also a great place for reflection. The bathroom is an ideal setting for carefully chosen items that promote mental relaxation, clarity or inspiration.
Whether it’s a quote, a picture or an ornament, pick something you’re happy to gaze at every day while brushing your teeth or soaking in the tub that will have you leaving the bathroom mentally as well as physically refreshed.
Bathrooms are associated with switching off and unwinding, but they’re also a great place for reflection. The bathroom is an ideal setting for carefully chosen items that promote mental relaxation, clarity or inspiration.
Whether it’s a quote, a picture or an ornament, pick something you’re happy to gaze at every day while brushing your teeth or soaking in the tub that will have you leaving the bathroom mentally as well as physically refreshed.
Colour it quiet
Grey might make for gloomy weather, but when it’s used indoors, it acts like a mute button, cocooning us from the outside world. While this quietening shade can have a draining effect if we’re exposed to it for too long, in small doses it promotes relaxation and calm – making it the perfect colour for a bathroom.
For depth and dimension, use tonal variations throughout the bathroom, as seen here on the panelling, curtains and tiling.
Grey might make for gloomy weather, but when it’s used indoors, it acts like a mute button, cocooning us from the outside world. While this quietening shade can have a draining effect if we’re exposed to it for too long, in small doses it promotes relaxation and calm – making it the perfect colour for a bathroom.
For depth and dimension, use tonal variations throughout the bathroom, as seen here on the panelling, curtains and tiling.
Zone your tub with textured flooring
Zoning is a smart design trick that defines sub-spaces according to their function. This is particularly effective in a small space such as a bathroom, where it can be achieved using contrasting flooring to carve out a designated space for relaxation.
This is also a great opportunity to add texture that creates a non-slip surface around the bath or shower – the pebbled texture above is a smart alternative to the bathroom’s potentially slippery wooden floor.
Read expert advice on what you should know before designing a new bathroom
Zoning is a smart design trick that defines sub-spaces according to their function. This is particularly effective in a small space such as a bathroom, where it can be achieved using contrasting flooring to carve out a designated space for relaxation.
This is also a great opportunity to add texture that creates a non-slip surface around the bath or shower – the pebbled texture above is a smart alternative to the bathroom’s potentially slippery wooden floor.
Read expert advice on what you should know before designing a new bathroom
Take relaxation beyond the bath
If your bathroom is where you go to escape and unwind, the bath doesn’t have to be the only place you can sit back. A relaxing chair, such as a rocking chair or recliner, could find its perfect home in a bathroom if you’d welcome a place to take a minute before your night-time routine or ease yourself into the day as you get ready, or simply want somewhere to flop after a bath.
If your bathroom is where you go to escape and unwind, the bath doesn’t have to be the only place you can sit back. A relaxing chair, such as a rocking chair or recliner, could find its perfect home in a bathroom if you’d welcome a place to take a minute before your night-time routine or ease yourself into the day as you get ready, or simply want somewhere to flop after a bath.
Dress up the windows
When shopping for bathroom curtains, don’t stop at the shower – the right fabric can turn your window treatments into a feature that can really enhance the homely feel of the space.
If you already have a shower curtain, choose a complementary design, bearing in mind that too many patterns might overwhelm a small space. For windows within splashing distance of the bath or shower, a water-resistant fabric is a smart and durable choice.
When shopping for bathroom curtains, don’t stop at the shower – the right fabric can turn your window treatments into a feature that can really enhance the homely feel of the space.
If you already have a shower curtain, choose a complementary design, bearing in mind that too many patterns might overwhelm a small space. For windows within splashing distance of the bath or shower, a water-resistant fabric is a smart and durable choice.
Channel a spa mood
Decorating a bathroom with rich tiling is an easy way to emulate a relaxing spa experience in your own home. This bathroom uses two types of decorative tiles – black mosaics on the floor and patterned gold tiles in the shower. These work together because the black flooring complements the more ornate wall tiles, which are cleverly limited to the shower room to zone the space and avoid overwhelming the bathroom. The white metro tiles dial down the bohemian vibe to keep the aesthetic clean and modern.
Check out more mosaic tiles to dress up your bathroom
Decorating a bathroom with rich tiling is an easy way to emulate a relaxing spa experience in your own home. This bathroom uses two types of decorative tiles – black mosaics on the floor and patterned gold tiles in the shower. These work together because the black flooring complements the more ornate wall tiles, which are cleverly limited to the shower room to zone the space and avoid overwhelming the bathroom. The white metro tiles dial down the bohemian vibe to keep the aesthetic clean and modern.
Check out more mosaic tiles to dress up your bathroom
Keep your indulgences close at hand
Whether it’s a glass of well-deserved wine, a good book or your most divine bath salts, you don’t want to have to stretch for anything when you’re enjoying your soak. A tray table is about the right height for easy access from a bath, and can easily be transported to a nearby comfy chair to prolong the relaxation.
TELL US…
Is your bathroom your haven? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Whether it’s a glass of well-deserved wine, a good book or your most divine bath salts, you don’t want to have to stretch for anything when you’re enjoying your soak. A tray table is about the right height for easy access from a bath, and can easily be transported to a nearby comfy chair to prolong the relaxation.
TELL US…
Is your bathroom your haven? Share your tips in the Comments below.
A quick way to cosy up a bathroom is by swapping standard bath linens for something with a more decadent feel. A sheepskin bathmat is a particularly indulgent choice, but it’s a surprisingly water-resistant and antibacterial fabric thanks to naturally present lanolin, as well as being machine washable. The rich softness underfoot provides the ultimate luxurious end to a relaxing bath.