9 Luxury Upgrades To Elevate Your Bathroom 

A trip to the spa is always an uplifting and rejuvenating experience and a great way to relieve stress. Spas are intentionally designed to transport visitors to a tranquil and relaxing environment where they can escape their worries outside and focus on self-care, and self-repair. 

So how do you capture some of this feeling at home? Upgrading your bathroom into a spa-like retreat might not be as time-intensive, or expensive, as you think. Yes, you can go big, but there are also smaller changes, and low-lift steps that will go a long way in creating a luxurious zen vibe in your bathroom space—use these tips to achieve that spa-like feeling every day.

Incorporate Natural Décor 

Want to create an earthy, warm vibe in your bathroom? Bring the outdoor, in. Integrating natural materials like wood, marble, and other stones will certainly add some outdoor flavor. You can also incorporate furniture with woven elements, or baskets, that use natural materials like cane, rattan, wicker, natural rush, et al. which will create a transportive effect. Of course, incorporating plants is an easy way to make your bathroom feel ‘spa-like’. Whether potted on the floor, placed upon a countertop, or hanging from the ceiling, not only can plants brighten a room, but they can also create a soothing effect. We don’t always think of putting flowers in the bathroom, but a beautiful bouquet on a shelf or countertop can create a luxurious and zen feeling. Best of all—these ideas have been approved by Mother Earth.  

Declutter & Streamline Your Bathroom Space 

Clutter and disorganization can make us feel, well, cluttered and disorganized. Nobody likes feeling out of control, and untidiness can amplify that feeling. Streamlining your bathroom isn’t always difficult; start by getting rid of any products you haven’t used in a year or so—they’re only taking up valuable real estate. Items you use on a regular basis can probably be ‘neatly’ tucked away inside baskets, cabinets, and drawers—that’s right, hide them! Only leave your counter space to the items you use frequently and deem as being critical. Overall, when it comes to clutter, ‘out of sight out of mind’ can be a good thing for both your eyes, and your sense of well-being. 

Stock Plush Bath Towels 

Luxuriously soft, fluffy towels can help achieve a spa-like mood. Think ‘high quality' and know that bath towels made from cotton or bamboo are known to be effectively absorbent and will stand up to repeated washings and dryings. Presentation matters—a bountiful display of additional towels in ‘neat and tidy’ arrangements, rolled or stacked, can evoke a subtle sense of opulence. If you're looking for a high-end upgrade, a towel warmer might be the way to go—there’s nothing more comforting than wrapping yourself in a warm towel when getting out of the shower. All of these ideas can add up to a 5-star feeling, which can make for a better day. 

Install a New Showerhead

Many of us have a basic showerhead—so upgrading to a more luxurious brand can turn your daily routine into something aesthetically inspiring and physically and mentally rejuvenating. You may be surprised how much showerheads have evolved from a functionality and design perspective—look for features that resonate with you, like a massaging spray pattern or a handheld component, and a design that suits your style. Depending on your budget, you might also consider upgrading other bathroom hardware, like a well-designed luxury faucet or a high-end toilet with innovative ‘smart’ technology, heated toilet seats, and a modern, streamlined look.  

Use Color to Create Calm

We recently talked about the soothing effect greens can have here on DOT—and there’s credible science to back up the notion that color can play a powerful force on our bodies and minds. So, it makes sense that if we want to create a space that calms, we need to consider color choices. For instance, you might choose soft, muted, or earthy colors to establish a relaxing environment, while avoiding high-contrast, high-energy pairings like red and gold, white and black, or purple and yellow. Pairing nature-inspired hues with warm neutrals like a soft sage green or almond brown create peaceful palettes that feel right at home in a luxury spa. 

Upgrade your Toiletries

Reinforcing the spa look can come down to the smallest of details including the toiletries that you choose or choose not to display. If you’re looking to create a chic boutique moment for you and your guests, beautiful toiletries can elevate the mood. Find products that are well designed and work with your personal style and the environment you’re creating. If your favorite products don't come in spa-worthy packaging, you can always transfer your hand soaps, shampoos, etc. into attractive containers. Clear glass jars of all shapes and sizes are easy to find and great for holding sponges, cotton rounds, and other small items. 

Soften Floors with Rugs

There’s nothing like stepping out of a hot soak or shower onto a plush rug. Rugs can take coziness to the next level and can add significant charm and texture to a room. During chilly months and early mornings bathroom rugs also allow you to avoid contact with cool tiles. Lastly, if you’re buying a rug for a space next to your shower or tub, make sure to select materials that dry quickly to avoid bacteria growth or mold. 

Brighten your Bathroom with Reflective Surfaces 

Bright, shiny things tend to lift our mood; a bright welcoming bathroom can certainly have that effect. How to create an airy vivid bathroom vibe? Equip your bathroom with lots of shimmering reflective surfaces like polished brass or chrome fixtures, big mirrors, added light fixtures (or brighter bulbs), and polished tiles can all give bathrooms a sense of lightness and brightness, which will lift and cheer up those that use it.

Incorporate Calming Scents 

Scent has the power to take us to another time or place in an instant, and who doesn’t want to be transported to a more tranquil mental space? You can easily incorporate aromatherapy into your bathroom with soothing scents like vanilla, clary sage, lemon, lavender, and many others that tend to trigger a sense of well-being and relaxation. There are a variety of ways to do this—lotions, soaps, scented candles, and essential oil diffusers are easy to find and will help to elevate your bathroom into a relaxing, personal sanctuary.