7 Tips to Create a Luxury Bathroom Without Breaking the Bank
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We all love to stay in those luxury hotels with their ultra-luxurious bathrooms. You know the ones—they make you feel like you're at the spa! Well, you can recreate that same feeling at home! We've pulled together our top 7 tips (and some bonus tips too!) to help you create a luxurious bathroom in your home. And you don't even have to rob a bank to do most of them!
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Close your eyes and picture this: you're soaking in a beautiful, deep bathtub surrounded by bubbles and rose petals. You're enjoying the relaxing scent of lavender, and you feel pampered and decadent. Now open your eyes. Does your existing bathroom evoke those feelings? If not, it's time to change things up a bit. Let's talk about some ways you can make your bathroom feel more luxurious and lavish.
Our most important tip!
Before we get into our seven tips, I want to make one strong suggestion. Consider these upgrades for your ensuite bathroom or your main second-floor bathroom. I wouldn't recommend creating a luxury bathroom for the bathroom the kids use (or abuse) or a guest bathroom that seldom gets used. If you want to create a relaxing, spa-like luxury bathroom, it should be in your own personal space where you can truly treasure it and appreciate its value.
1. Upgrade Your Lighting
When it comes to lighting up your bathroom, our typical go-to is to install a light above the vanity. Some of them are quite blingy and do add a touch of luxury to a bathroom. However, most of them aren't much of an upgrade from 'builder's grade'.
Think like a designer when selecting lighting for your luxury bathroom upgrade. Consider sconce lights on either side of your mirror at the vanity. This provides a subtle ambiance.
If you prefer the look of pot lights, position them above your tub or shower and above the vanity. They will serve as task lights without getting in the way of your decor.
2. Freestanding Bathtub
This one's a no-brainer. A freestanding tub is a statement of luxury on its own, but you have to have the space for it. Before you get too excited about this option, consult your designer or contractor to see if a stand-alone tub will work in your bathroom.
As a rule of thumb, the minimum end-to-end (length) additional space you'll need for a clawfoot, pedestal, or freestanding tub is 6 inches. Any less, and the tub will look cramped in the space. We usually recommend allowing 6" at either end of the tub. A freestanding tub should look like a piece of furniture, not like it was crammed in to make it work.
3. Purchase the Best Towels You Can Afford
What's the point of a luxury bathroom if you're drying yourself off with thin, scratchy towels? Think about that luxury hotel bathroom again. The towels are plush, high-quality organic Egyptian cotton, fluffy, oversized, and soft! That's what you want to dry off with!
Consider soft greens and blues for a lavish spa feel. Have them monogrammed for an extra touch of decadence.
Don't forget the heated towel rack!
And what's the point of having luxury towels without having them heated?! Consider installing a heated towel rack so your towels are warm and cozy year-round.
4. Make Your Vanity Stand Out
This is one area where I suggest you spend a little more. Make the vanity the focal point of the room. It's the fixture in your bathroom that you will use the most.
Customize it for your needs. Ensure you have lots of drawers and the right kind of storage. Consider a quartz countertop. We have access to a remnant warehouse of quartz for our clients. This allows indulgence without breaking the bank.
What about a laundry chute?
One of our clients asked us to install a laundry chute while reconfiguring two of the drawers in her vanity. Although I wouldn't necessarily call a laundry chute a luxury, not having to drag dirty laundry down the stairs to the washer and dryer is an absolute gift!
5. Use Scents to Evoke the Spa Feel
Think about your last trip to the spa or even the last massage you had. What did it smell like? What feelings did those scents evoke in you?
Use scented candles and soaps and display them throughout your bathroom. Light the candles in the bathroom and use the scented soaps to wash. Pick scents that you like and that evoke feelings that you want to experience when in your luxurious bathroom.
Essential Oils
Try using essential oils in your bathtub water or even adding them to your shampoo. Each essential oil has therapeutic properties as well. For example, lavender is a wonderful oil for relaxation. Rosemary is said to aid in hair growth. Use a reliable source to learn more about which essential oils are right for you. Click here for information about essential oils from dōTERRA ©
6. Upgrade Your Shower Head
If there's nothing wrong with your current shower, there's no need to rip it all out to add a touch of luxury. Take that simple builder's-grade shower head and replace it with a luxurious rainfall showerhead.
Most rainfall showerheads have several waterfall functions as well as some jet options. They come in every type of finish, from chrome to matte black.
Body Jets
If you've got the budget for it, install some body jets in your shower. Try out some body jets first, though. Find a friend who has them or book a night in a hotel that has body jets in their showers. Make sure you like them first; they aren't cheap to purchase, nor are they cheap to install. However, they are a true luxury for those who like body jets!
7. Add in Some Seating
Think of the luxury bathroom you were in. Maybe it was a hotel or a bathroom at a golf and country club when you were at a friend's wedding. They probably had a place to sit down. It might have been a cushy upholstered bench, an ottoman, or an armchair, but a place to sit down offered that element of luxury.
Of course, you have to have the space for this; otherwise, it will just look like you needed a spot to store that useless chair. Adding a seat in your bathroom will not only make it look more luxurious, but it will also change the whole feel of the room.
Bonus Tips
8. Swap Out Your Tired, Old Bathmat
If you're trying to create a decadent bathroom, a dirty, old bathmat just won't do. Pick up a new plush bathroom mat, or go a step further and opt for a Turkish or Persian rug. They are made of tufted wood and are soft while being sophisticated. You'll be adding personality to your bathroom with the beautiful colours and patterns to choose from.
9. Tile the Bathroom Walls Floor-to-Ceiling
Now, this isn't for the budget-conscious, but it creates a grand effect and makes the bathroom easy to keep clean. There's a key to doing this right, though. Use large format tiles (LFTs). That means tiles that are 12" x 24" or larger. You don't want to install 6" x 6" or 4" x 4" tiles. That will look like your grandmother's bathroom from 50 years ago.
There’s nothing like beautiful tiles to add texture and interest to an opulent bathroom. Use both floor tiles and wall tiles for a really stunning effect, picking glossy finishes for the walls to reflect light and a slip-proof matt finish for the floor for contrast.
Marble
Consider the look of marble when tiling the walls of your bathroom. A gorgeous porcelain tile that looks like Carrera Marble can create a stunning, simple look while adding a touch of luxury to your bathroom. Keep it simple, though. Small, subtle veining throughout is best.
Final Words
You don't need to spend a fortune to create a luxurious, spa-like feel in your bathroom. From changing up your bathmat to upgrading your lighting, some of the simplest upgrades can make a big difference in adding a bit of opulence to your bathroom. If your budget is a little more flexible, then you can opt for a few improvements like a freestanding tub or body jets. Get inspired and create your perfect spa retreat!
For more information on bathroom renovations, click the links below for more articles.
7 Must Know Tips for Renovating your Bathroom
