Are you planning a bathroom design that not only serves your functional needs but also promotes relaxation? Start with careful planning to maximize your available space with an efficient layout and ample storage. Then create a design with a soothing color scheme, quality materials, and accessories that bring to life a luxury spa retreat in your own home. Learn more in our blog.

Deal with Practical Considerations First

When planning a bathroom remodel with relaxation in mind, you may be focused on soothing color schemes, open showers with rainfall showerheads, and pleasing textures. Before you can start planning your bathroom design style you must first examine the practical side of your remodel. From the layout to storage, consider what you need and what will work with your available space. Discuss your requirements with your bathroom design expert, and let their experience provide insights into how to best utilize your space and budget dollars.

1 Get your layout right

The layout is the foundation of every design, so it is critical that you get your room’s configuration right before you start planning anything else. Look at your existing layout and decide what works and what does not. Do you love the position of your tub next to the bathroom’s large window but hate the lack of storage?

If you want to change your layout, discuss what is possible and what would work best with your bathroom remodeling expert. Some changes are simple, but others involve moving plumbing or even a wall to accommodate your needs. Almost anything is possible but major changes will affect your budget and the complexity of your project so make sure you are happy with these impacts before you proceed.

2 Size up your room

Look at the size of your bathroom and decide what you can and cannot include in your available space. You may love the idea of having a freestanding tub and a large shower, but if your bathroom design isn’t large enough, they won’t fit, or you risk overcrowding your space. Prioritize your requirements and make sure the top items make it into the final layout first.

3 Declutter and plan storage

Ample, well-planned storage must be a top requirement for any bathroom remodel. Before you start planning storage, first take the opportunity to do a full clear out. Decluttering allows you to streamline what you store and to see what you really need to keep in your bathroom.

Start by taking everything out of the bathroom and get rid of anything that is out of date, broken, or no longer used. Then move items that should be stored somewhere else like a linen closet or utility room. Assess the remaining items and figure out what you prefer to keep tucked away in closed storage, what needs to be available in the shower, and what you would like to have in open storage.

Once you have a clear picture of your storage needs, as well as how much vanity storage your bathroom footprint will allow, then you can plan customized storage solutions. Storage means every item in your bathroom has a home and can be easily found when you need it. It also makes it easier to maintain your bathroom design and allows your room’s style to take center stage without becoming cluttered.

4 Design for your family’s needs

It helps to get inspiration from websites, social media, and from visiting bathroom design showrooms. However, your final choices must be catered to your home and your family’s requirements. Consider who will use the space, what type of bathroom you are remodeling, and how it will be used. Is this a master bath design used by adults or a kids’ bathroom? Is it a room that will be used daily or an infrequently visited guest or hall bathroom? Will it be used by more than one person at a time? Do you need to look at the needs of any users with limited mobility?

These considerations will influence everything from your vanity and shower style to the amount of storage you need and the materials you include. Remember you have to enjoy living in this space and will only find it relaxing if it is catered to your needs. For example, you may love the look of open storage in a spa style bathroom design, but if you cannot commit to minimizing what you store and maintaining it long-term then you are better off with an enclosed vanity.

large master bath design with freestanding tub

Just like in kitchen designs, bathrooms benefit from customized storage accessories to keep every item organized. Shallow drawers can be equipped with dividers to store small items, make up, or even jewelry. Pull outs can be equipped with racks for toiletries or inserts for hairbrushes and styling tools. Roll out shelves in cabinetry makes it easy to see the contents when you need them. You can even incorporate an electronics drawer with built-in charging ports for phones and other devices.

Create a Bathroom Designed for Relaxation

Once you understand the practical side of your bathroom remodeling plans you can then focus on the fun stuff! One person’s definition of a relaxing bathroom design may not be the same as the next, so really think about what design features will enhance your lifestyle. Determine your available budget limits, prioritize your preferred design features, and then figure out what you can include in your final remodeling plans. There are a few bathroom design principles that will help to guide your choices to achieve the ultimate relaxing bathroom.

1 Stick to clean lines

Contemporary styles let you effortlessly achieve that luxury spa style bathroom design, so it is best to keep it simple when planning a relaxing bathroom. Go for large format tiles or even a slab material that reduces or eliminates grout lines. A contemporary vanity with slab doors or even a wall-hung model gives you the storage you need in a simple cabinet. Frameless glass shower enclosures give the room a sleek appearance and allow more light to shine through the room.

2 Or keep it all open

For a truly spa style bathroom design, embrace the open shower style and forego the enclosure entirely. This gives your room a completely uncluttered look and makes your tile design and color scheme the star of the show. Pair this look with a feature tile wall to create a centerpiece for your bathroom design.

3 Neutral tones work best

Color is known to affect mood, so choose your color scheme carefully to create a space that promotes relaxation. Keep your color scheme simple with minimal patterns so it offers a pleasing backdrop reminiscent of your favorite spa. Keep it interesting by adding textures in the same color palette, in everything from tile to soft textiles like bathmats and window treatments. Finish it off with fluffy robes and slippers for a true spa experience.

White is always a classic choice, but beige and gray are also relaxing neutrals that are a bit softer on the eyes. Wood tones bring warmth to a relaxing bathroom design, and could be incorporated in cabinetry, floating shelves, or bamboo bathmats.

4 Invest in quality

It always pays to invest the best quality materials you can afford if you are planning a bathroom design for your own use. You get what you pay for when it comes to the materials you use in your home, as better materials tend to be more durable and look better. They bring luxury and sophistication to your home without being fussy. Determine your priorities and focus your budget on those materials. For example, if you love a soothing shower, put your budget dollars into the tile, enclosure, storage, and showerheads that help you achieve your dream shower. Or, if a bath is your time to relax, then create a beautiful setting for a comfortable soak in the tub.

5 Add a natural influence

Spending time in nature has been shown to promote health and well-being, so why not bring a natural influence into your home in your relaxing bath design. Get this connection to nature by including natural materials with wood and stone elements. Incorporate a natural wood vanity or floating shelves to provide storage while connecting you to nature. River rock surfaces are a natural choice for a spa-style bathroom design and can be used for a shower floor or even for wall tile. They give your shower a natural appeal and feel soothing underfoot.

Use your plumbing fixtures to bring nature into your bath design. A rainfall showerhead gives the natural feel of showering in the rain while a waterfall bathtub faucet that has the appearance of naturally flowing water. Both these items are visually pleasing but also make a relaxing sound. There is a reason why waterfalls and rainstorms feature prominently in popular relaxation apps like Calm and Headspace!

Place plants in your finished bathroom design to add more natural influences. Plants create an obvious connection to nature, but also boost your mood, produce oxygen, and help to purify the air. Do your research and choose plants that thrive in a humid environment. If you are lacking a green thumb, be sure to select plants that are low maintenance.

6 Layer your lighting

Task lighting in key areas is essential and any bath design benefits from well planned, layered lighting. In a bathroom remodel geared to relaxation, your lighting plan is even more important. You must achieve a balance between targeted lighting around areas where you will shave or apply make up and soft, ambient light sources that create a soothing atmosphere. A dimmer or smart lighting system allows you to control light levels, and uplighting under a floating vanity or freestanding tub provides a softer light source. A backlit mirror offers the perfect amount of light at the vanity mirror without glare.

Natural light through windows and skylights provides vitamin D while you soak in the tub or natural light when you get ready in the morning. Finish it off with decorative light fixtures like chandeliers, sconces, and pendants that provide light while accessorizing your space.

7 Enhance your relaxation with accessories

You’ve decluttered, planned, designed, and installed your ideal version of a relaxing bathroom design. Now finish it off with the perfect balance of understated accessories. A small selection of simple accessories that bring in natural influences and promote mindfulness will enhance your relaxation in your finished bath remodel. Candles and diffusers deliver aromatherapy scents throughout the room. Plants add color and bring a natural element to the room. Fluffy towels and bathmats are both practical and a luxurious touch for a soothing bathroom design. Add personal items or a special piece of artwork or photo that will bring you joy while getting ready. You could finish off your space with a Bluetooth speaker, so you can play soothing music while you soak in the tub.

Start with a functional layout and plenty of storage, add quality materials and layered lighting to create the foundation for a relaxing bathroom design. Choose a simple color scheme that will promote a calm atmosphere for you and offset this by varying textures. Add accessories that promote mindfulness and personalize your bathroom. Check out our bath design gallery for more ideas and then contact us to start planning your relaxing bath remodel.

Top Ideas for Relaxing Bathroom Designs