Five steps to the perfect spa-style bathroom
From your budget to your expectations, understand exactly what you want to achieve before you take the plunge
These days, size and budget are no obstacle in turning a regular bathroom into a sanctuary. Scaled-down steam rooms and a deluge of luxe showering ideas, clever ways with tiling and spa-inspired solutions – there are lots of ingenious ideas to make a style statement. Follow our must-read advice before you embark on your project.
1. Assess your needs
Are you seeking a haven to escape to, or are you more of an invigorate and energise kind of person? This will affect the fixtures, fittings and colour scheme you choose. ‘The key to planning a spa space is to forget about how you currently use the space, and instead imagine how you would like to use it,' says designer Hayley Tarrington. ‘Draw on your experiences when you've visited great spas, for example, and visualize how you would like your new scheme to function.'
2. Identify your style
Flick through interiors magazines to gather tear sheets and try to bring together a visual checklist of what appeals to you, whether that's an Eastern-Zen look, or something more Scandi-inspired. ‘This will really help formulate your ideas for the look,' says Hayley Tarrington. ‘It's easier to show someone a mood board to express your vision.'
3. Make a wish list
Do you want a huge shower? A double vanity unit? Or have you always dreamed of your own freestanding bath? Identify your starting point and plan around it.
Although the design and the products you include need to be quite practical, for a family bathroom, say, it is still possible to create a spa feel with core fittings, such as an overhead rainshower or body jets. For an en suite, you have license to go all-out with more indulgent elements, such as a deep soak bath.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
4. Set a budget
Deciding on a budget in advance means you can prioritise where to spend and where to save. And the good news is that it doesn't have to cost thousands to create a spa feel. Invest in just one beautiful piece, such as a freestanding bath
(which you can pick up for under £500) and show it off against a more budget-conscious backdrop. Bear in mind you also need to allocate some money to practical elements. You might need a larger water tank if you are planning a drench shower, and a water softener can be a smart idea to prevent the build-up of limescale.
5. Consult a professional bathroom designer
There is no question that an expert will help you to get the most out of your budget.
They can suggest small and inexpensive details that you may have not considered, such as recesses for candles or oils. This will make the difference between a functional bathroom and a relaxing, spa-like space.
******
-
What is a proving drawer? Kitchen experts explain whether you really need one - even if you're not a star baker
This nice-to-have piece of kitchen tech will have you winning Bread Week from the comfort of your own home
By Holly Cockburn
-
Can I use a patio heater under a pergola or gazebo? Yes, but these are the things experts want you to know first
It's possible, but you need to take some precautions
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Experts reveal running your washing machine at this time can save on your energy bills - but it all depends on your tariff
Did you know certain times of the day are cheaper than others?
By Kezia Reynolds