How To Create A Spa Style Bathroom
1. Assess your personal needs
The most important part of a new interior is to understand exactly what you need, otherwise in 6 months’ time you may find yourself redecorating!
The crucial element to planning your new spa space is to forget how you currently use the space and instead visualise how you would like to use it.
Are you seeking a soothing spa style retreat to seek sanctuary in? Maybe your more of an energise and invigorate kind of person and simply want to wash the day away? Your decision on this will surely affect the outcome of your interior, from the colour scheme you desire to the particular style of fixtures and fittings.
2. A personal approach
You may already have a strong idea of what your preferred style is however, keeping an ideas book could help you become a little more experimental and even discover new products and trends to fall in love with.
Start by flicking through interior & lifestyle magazines such as Good Homes and Grand Designs, and tear out your favourite parts to create an inspirational scrap book! If you don’t feel you have the time to do this, I recommend Pinterest; not only is this is brilliant for creating an online mood board and being able to search via keywords for inspiration; you can even pin directly from websites to save you hunting down your favourite products again!
From your mood board you will be able to narrow down your style and define characteristics of what appeals to you. Whether you end up with a relaxing, oriental-zen inspired look or something a bit more minimal & contemporary, even a Scandi inspired approach will be easily identified and you will be able to express your vision for your chosen bathroom style much easier.
3. Create a wish list
If your chosen spa space is a family bathroom, don’t be deterred from using key spas style features for all the family to enjoy, although the design and products of the bathrooms may need to be practical as well as desirable it’s not impossible!
Alternatively if your chosen space is an en suite don’t skip on luxury one bit – it may be your only chance to incorporate some self-indulgent décor into your home, a Japanese-style soak bath would create that real sanctuary feel.
Now you have identified your style and considered the end users, it’s time to compile a list of your ideal products; try to select key features first. Would you like a double vanity unit, a free standing bath, or even a huge lavish hotel style shower area complete with body jets? Once you have selected the key elements to your bathroom you can start planning around it – I would recommend the Walls and Floors Planning Sheet to sketch out your ideas – It has a scale on to allow you to be accurate, try a few combinations.
4. Surface Selection
When considering your options for both floor and wall surfaces within your spa style bathroom it’s important to understand not only your personal needs, but the practicality of materials for the setting itself; Bathrooms are typically steamy, damp environments making it essential to find suitable, efficient materials that will stand the test of time.
Carpet is a big no unless you want to create a breeding ground for the growth of mould and mildew, not only from direct water droplets that run from yourself, but simply from the vaporous atmosphere. If you long for that furry feel as you step out of the bath or shower, lay a bathroom matt down; this way it can be washed regularly or even replaced at an extremely low cost.
Hardwood floors that are sealed will combat moisture damage, and possibly provide a uniformed look if the rest of the house has wood flooring, however these are not only expensive, the cheapest starting at around £40/Sqm, but can be time consuming to prepare and maintain.
Tiles are the preferred choice for both Wall and Floor areas. Don’t be put off thinking this will compromise your favoured style or put a large dent in your budget.
To avoid any unwanted accidents, always select an Anti-Slip Floor tile. However, time has passed since the days of Bumpy White Walls and Black Floors. For those of you that desire that minimalistic Scandi – inspired approach, consider Wood Effect tiles; now more life-like than ever with realistic texture and knots, in varying colours and styles and much more durable than the real thing. However, if your style was to create a relaxing, oriental zen-inspired spa room for you to unwind in browse a selection of Glass Mosaics and glittering floor options; give your bathroom a sparkling backdrop and generate a more serene ambience that will enhance any accessories such as scented candles.
Tiling a whole room may not be possible if you have a smaller budget. If you find that you need to paint a wall surface and indeed the ceiling, it’s imperative that you use a Bathroom Paint.
Bathroom paint is formulated with anti-microbial additives which help resist mildew; they also have a tougher finish should you need to wipe down the surface with non-abrasive cleaners.
Take a look at our bathroom tiles selection – available from £3.95/Sqm. Order sample tiles with free delivery.
5. Moisture & Heat
Think about how you will combat that unavoidable moisture within your spa style bathroom. Everybody gets frustrated with steam that formulated on the mirror, but I bet you never notice the build-up on the walls… The most effective way of dealing with this problem is to install a bathroom fan, they also help to control any unwanted odours and add to the safety of the room by reducing fumes from cleaning agents that could potentially cause health related issues.
Secondly, nobody likes a cold bathroom! There are many heating solutions available these days if you don’t already have central heating in the form of traditional style radiators. A more sophisticated style of heating would be to lay electric underfloor heating and with handy kits now available, laying a heated floor has never been easier. Don’t worry, if you like a warm towel when you step out of the bath or shower, consider purchasing an electric heated towel rail too, and for ultimate luxury a heated mirror!
6. Research & Budget
Whenever you plan a project there is always that lingering question in the back of your mind… “Can I afford it?” Setting a budget from the start can help you avoid constant questions about money and help you prioritise where to save and spend.
When deciding on your budget there are a few things to consider, If you’re going to stay in a home for five years or less then the improvements should be viewed as improvements on investment, if you’re going to be there for a longer period of time, you want to look at what’s going to make you and your family the most comfortable – this could mean spending a little more money, but if you’re thinking long term, it will be worth it.
If the budget needs a trim, the first things to cut are the extras — little luxuries that would be nice, but aren’t essential to the room’s function like a towel warmer or a steam shower… these are also small improvements which could be made if financially viable in the future.
Remember it doesn’t have to cost thousands to give your new bathroom a spa style, shop around both online and offline, most respected companies have newsletters which not only showcase new interesting products and trends but also include numerous discounts and exclusive offers – it’s worth signing up to these in advance during your research phase.
7. Construction
So you have everything you need, and in your budget you will have decided whether or not you are getting a professional in to do all or some of the work, or you are taking on the project yourself. Attention to detail is key, your bathroom is being constructed to achieve your preferred spa style and ultimately there should be no mistakes – something trivial could ruin the finished effect.
It is important that the project is not rushed, you should plan in a realistic time scale that allows you to get everything done from researching, to buying products and finally, having everything delivered.
A common complaint is that when people employ a professional, items have not arrived on time for him/her to do the work; an ideal situation would be to have all products purchased in advance, otherwise this could put a strain on both the time scale and budget you have set.
Are you taking on the project yourself? Why not takes a look at our how to videos?
8. Finishing Touches
When it comes to choosing ornaments and accessories for your finished bathroom, it is important to refer back to steps 1 & 2. Spa style often means less in more; whilst keeping your personal style, perhaps use the budget you allowed for this project to indulge in some luxury towels or candles rather than numerous trinkets that may add clutter to your space – remember whether this is your space to escape from the world or re-energise yourself, feeling calm and relaxed by spending time in your new bathroom is the ultimate goal.
