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5 easy ways to make your bathroom feel like a spa, according to experts
Kick back, relax and discover professional tips — plus practical product picks — for creating a peaceful oasis at home.
Nothing says "me time" like going to a luxurious spa: From the soothing products and scents to the elegant or earthy ambiance, it transports you to another world where all of your problems seem to drift away. For most of us, a visit to one of these retreats is a luxury (read: rarity), but you can still create a spa-like experience in your bathroom to elevate your everyday.
The key is to tap into different senses, creating a cohesive story (and feeling) that will set the tone for your day. "Storytelling is really important to us," says Steve Carbajal, manager of spa operations at The Grand Floridian Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. "Story incorporates scent, sound and a touch of nature to create a holistic experience."
Choose a story, or theme, and let it inspire your bathroom's scent and decor. "For example, if your sanctuary is woodsy and decorated with rich colors, go with a fragrance that has cedar, sandalwood and green leaves," says Jim Reding, CEO of Aroma Retail, which creates scents for hotels across the United States.
Ready to get glowing? Read on as spa and fragrance experts and an interior designer share their top tips for achieving a cozy, elevated bathroom that you'll look forward to visiting every morning and night.
More scent-sational reads:
Amp up the mood
One of the easiest ways to transport your space (and mind) is by integrating an uplifting fragrance that brightens your mood. "If your sanctuary is minimalist and modern, go with a fragrance that has amber, light florals and perhaps a tangy citrus," advises Reding. Citrus is a key component of The Grand Floridian's signature scent (described by Carbajal as a sweet orange); the spa also uses a "citrine orange blossom" fragrance to evoke a positive energy, or good vibration.
This spray from Caldrea is infused with orange peel and ylang ylang flower essential oils for a harmonious fragrance that's equal parts fresh and floral. It's recommended not only for the air, but linens so you can feel free to spritz your robe or clothes to keep the zen feelings going. You can also layer in Home-Pourri's Grapefruit Lychee Vanilla spray for added sweetness or Diptyque's Orange Blossom Spray for something a bit more luxurious.
Get a dopamine boost with every pump of your hand soap, thanks to this zesty fragrance that's infused with notes of citrus and grapefruit and made with coconut, olive and argan oils for moisturizing benefits. I'm also currently using and loving Compagnie de Provence's Orange Blossom soap, which is pricier (but the glass pump can be reused when you're finished).
Neroli, mimosa and lemon are at the heart of this, well, heart-warming candle from Neom, which is made of 100% natural fragrances that, as the name would suggest, radiate positive energy. It's also available as a reed diffuser for amplifying the scent. I can't get enough of it!
Luis Enrique Hill, an interior designer at Safavieh, loves placing diffusers in bathrooms to create a zen-like experience as clients are getting their day started or winding down (they're also a great alternative to candles for when you don't want to burn something in the house). "My go-to Nest scent is Bamboo," he says "which provides an abundance of floral and lush green notes."
Or, calm it down
For a soothing rather than energetic effect, opt for a complex fragrance with at least a couple of therapeutic notes "like lavender, eucalyptus, any kind of mint, cedar or pine," says Reding. He gravitates towards Aroma Retail's Eucalyptus Forest. At the Four Seasons Whistler Spa, the signature scent includes notes of cedar and sandalwood.
For a lighter, more versatile option, grab this essential oil spray from Positive Essence, which features rosemary, a scent used often at The Grand Floridian. The mist also comes in other fragrances including eucalyptus (infused with wild mint), lavender, sweet vanilla and rose. I like to spritz them in the shower or bath before running the water, as well as on towels and other linens for an aromatic effect.
Eucalyptus and white sage linger throughout this calming coconut wax candle from Voluspa, grounded by sun-warmed Hinoki bark and cardamom for added dimension and a touch of spice. It has a burn time of 60 hours for maximizing your relaxation, and the simple yet elevated design looks good in any space.
Channel desert vibes with this soy wax candle, a blend of woodsy, musky notes softened with calming rose. We also like XCleen's low-maintenance Reed Diffusers, available in sandalwood and a range of other scents, for adding a soothing fragrance to your countertop, corner of the bath ... really, anywhere!
Pura's smart diffusers provide up to 120 hours of fragrance per refill, using an adaptable technology to adjust to factors (like temperature) for consistency. This Lavender Fields fragrance features lavender mixed with soft florals and sweet woodsy notes. You can also purchase this scent on its own, as well as lavender-cedar and lavender-rosewood variations for a bit more depth.
Make it cozy
Consider upgrading to a soft new set of towels and/or a robe to layer on the comfort. You can even experiment with giving them a scent and heating or cooling them. "We have towels that are infused with eucalyptus and then stored in a refrigerator for a cooling, calming effect following the steam room or other wet areas, like the whirlpool," says Carbajal. The Grand Floridian, like many other luxury spas, also offers plush towels that are kept warm for ensuring guests stay cozy during treatments and beyond.
This bestselling bath towel from Frontgate is among our top picks for its classic look, absorbent fabric and long-lasting softness (full review here). Scoop it up in one of 27 shades, and don't forget a matching bath mat for softness underfoot or a robe for your own "lounge room."
Brooklinen
Brooklinen earned one of the top spots in our review of the best bath towels for its breathable, lightweight, ultra-soft waffle towels that are great for adding texture to a bathroom. Grab classic white, soothing blue, sophisticated gray, or the limited-edition botanical green (shown) for more of a botanical or woodsy feel (matching robe here). Last time we checked, there was a promotion for 15% off.
Garnet Hill
Lavish yourself in comfort with this super-plush towel from Garnet Hill which, as the name suggests, feels like you're floating on (or wrapped up in) a cozy cloud. It's another one of our top picks, based on rigorous testing. Bonus: It's available with monogramming options for added customization.
Target
Take your spa to the next (ahh) level with this towel warmer from Zadro. It's big enough to fit two oversized towels at a time and has an automatic shutoff feature so you don't need to worry about leaving it on. You can also use it to warm robes and blankets, especially handy during colder months.
Add natural elements
Flowers, plants and even stones can help transform your bathroom from a utilitarian space into something more special. "We have orchids in the front area and the nail area, as well as some orchids displayed in the wet area and the lounges," says Carbajal. "When you enter the spa, you get to pick a stone with a different color that represents a different aura [light] and scent experience. That then follows you throughout your whole spa journey."
For an immersive effect, plug in a sound machine to play noises you'd hear in the great outdoors, like a babbling brook or crashing waves. And don't forget the rainfall shower head!
For minimalistic and low-maintenance greenery, scoop up some dried eucalyptus that can be hung right from your shower head. This bunch costs less than $10! You can also give your shower a fragrance boost with a spritz of eucalyptus spray.
These petite orchid pots from Bouqs are perfect for adding a pop of color and nature to bathroom shelves and countertops. Don't have a green thumb? Consider a silk option that will nod to nature while remaining low maintenance. Says Hill, "While silk florals are sometimes frowned upon, they are a great alternative to help boost your mood. They are beautiful and last forever!"
Dance in the rain with this popular shower head, equipped with five spray modes for recreating a waterfall, mist or massage effect. It comes in six finishes for matching your bathroom's decor and is backed by over 17,000 five-star Amazon customers. (For those who prefer more of a traditional waterfall style like shown with the eucalyptus above, consider this shower head from Voolan, which is also highly rated.)
BrownNoise
Make it a sound bath with this handy pod, which boasts 15 nature sounds (like rainfall), plus lullabies and other features. It comes in three finishes and radiates different light colors to create a truly spa-like aura.
Prefer to DIY? Consider some color-changing LED light bulbs and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to listen to meditations or music any time you like. Bonus points if you scoop up some colored crystals to set the intention for your journey — this is also a great way to make guests feel special during their stay!
Complete the scene with decor
Tie together your spa theme with decorative accents. "Personally, I love mixing materials in a way that helps the eye move throughout the space," says Hill. "For example, raw wood textures contrasted by brushed bronze finishes always help elevate the look." He says he likes to then incorporate some black elements to help the eye focus, while "mirrors and reflective surfaces add a bit of glam without being overbearing."
Consider integrating a shower caddy — or upgrading the one you own — to add another design element while keeping toiletries organized and easily accessible. This one comes in a range of finishes, including black and glamorous gold. (We also love these adjustable organizers and sink essentials.)
Amazon
One of Hill's favorite spas, at the Avra hotel in Crete, Greece, uses trays like this in the restroom. "It has a Mediterranean-relaxed atmosphere, and when you walk in, there's always a candle lit with attractive hand towels set on a gorgeous tray, just elevating the look," he says. This tray comes in three sizes, but if you want a bolder look, try something similar in dark marble.
Scoop up this zero-maintenance bamboo floor mat for an earthy, minimalistic look. Stone bath mats have also been trending as a natural, equally absorbent alternative to plush terry mats. We like this one from Mondano, available in four colors, for more of a polished vibe.
Last but not least, consider adding a splash of pattern with peel-and-stick wallpaper to play up your theme or add some extra panache. Hill, who likes Osborne & Little wallpapers when decorating for clients, recommends patterns with gold and silver finishes to create "a space which is inherently glamorous." Another fun option: tropical patterns like the one shown, for channeling more of a botanical Beverly Hills Hotel spa vibe.
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