How to create a luxury spa bathroom

Are you in desperate need of some me time so that you can recharge your energy levels?

You could choose a bold colour pallete for a more revitalising and dramatic, but stylish end result.

Perhaps transforming your bathroom into a serene spa is the answer.

A spa-style bathroom is a clean-lined and clutter-free environment that exudes a calming atmosphere and acts as your own personal sanctuary and getaway in your own home.

Clearing clutter, using muted colours, soft lighting and well placed task lighting, as well as adding a few luxurious accessories to enhance the in-home spa look are just some of the things you can do to transform your bathroom.

Organise and declutter

To create a sense of serenity, it is imperative that your bathroom be well organised and that there is sufficient storage space for all your sanitaryware essentials – this will not only lessen your anxiety, but it will help create an instant calming effect.

To clear out the clutter install a vanity that offers ample storage space or use beautiful wicker baskets to create extra storage facilities.

You can clear out your clutter by installing a vanity that offers ample storage space or use beautiful wicker baskets to create extra storage facilities.

Be sure to choose furniture and accessories that complement your bathroom style.

Another way to take care of a messy bathroom is to create various storage solutions for different bathroom functions. For example, instead of having towel racks and hooks located around your bathroom, rather install a heated towel rail – this will not only store your towels in one neat spot, but it will also dry them and ensure that you have lusciously, warm towels on hand whenever you need them.

Include some sumptuous soaps, creams, bath salts and bubble bath for added luxury that truly completes the in-house spa experience.

Clever and attractive storage solutions contribute to a chic and practical space where you can relax and focus on the things that matter, says Kate van Niekerk, marketing manager of Tile Africa.

Choosing a colour palette

Most spas choose warm, neutral colours for their décor compositions.

Browns are earthy and will make you feel safe and calm, while whites are clean, fresh and pure.

Alternatively, you can choose bold colour combinations for a more revitalising and dramatic, but stylish end result.

When choosing which tiles to use for your bathroom wall and floor, stick with colours that will calm your mood. Make sure to choose similar tones, as variations of the same colour will enhance the harmony in your space, says van Niekerk.

Get inspired by nature

Take your inspiration from nature by bringing natural elements into your bathroom to help you restore your sense of serenity.

For example, if you like the seaside, why not create a colour combination of turquoise, white and beige – colours inspired by the beach.

For a more dramatic effect, choose a ladybird-inspired colour palette comprising black and red.

Your fixtures and accessories can also resemble nature – use a wooden vanity or freestanding bath on a wooden base, sandstone cladding used as a feature wall, a stone basin, or choose natural stone listelli as an interesting choice of border.

Alternatively, you can add nature-inspired images in the design of your bathroom, such as printed glass splashbacks or shower screens.

Saville Jacobson from Bathroom Bizarre says they have launched a range of glass décor, glass panels and shower screens for the South African market.

The range comprises a selection of glass panels with quality artwork printed directly onto them. The glass panels are robust and the images won’t fade, discolour or scratch easily.

The choice of images is nature-inspired and offers a great way of adding beauty and individuality to an otherwise often sterile composition, he says.

If you’re looking for a slightly simpler way to include nature in your spa bathroom, increase the green factor with the inclusion of plants, both large and small.

Indoor plants contribute to making a space appear airy and bright. When it comes to placement, try to protect your plants from the shower spray and direct streams of water as this can damage their leaves.

Appeal to all the senses

Spas don’t just appeal to your sight and touch; they also soothe you with sounds.

Keep a CD player hidden in your bathroom and play calming music whenever you dip into a relaxing bath.

Ryno Goosen from The HFX Group says it is a great idea to install sunken waterproof speakers into the ceiling of your bathroom, which can be hooked up to your home’s main music centre.

Goosen says this way, you won’t run the risk of your sound equipment being damaged by the wet conditions, as well as the safety risks involved when it comes to electrical equipment in these areas.

Another great addition to any spa bathroom is to ensure that it smells wonderful – burn incense, include some pot pourri, scented candles, or fragrant oil burners will all ensure that your spa bathroom smells as good as it looks.

You could also include some sumptuous soaps, creams, bath salts and bubble bath for added luxury to truly complete the in-house spa experience.

Light the way

Candlelight is a great way of creating a calm and serene atmosphere in a bathroom.

However, with the fast pace of today’s lives, there isn’t always time to light candles.

Melissa Davidson from The Lighting Warehouse says different forms of lighting can be used to completely transform the look and ambience of a bathroom – from a bright and functional area to a softly lit, relaxing spa-like space.

In fact, a cleverly designed and thought out lighting design can offer you the best of both worlds.

If you are completely redoing your bathroom, you will need to plan your lighting so that the necessary electrical work can be done during the building stage.

Walls may need chasing, to allow wires to be concealed.

However, if you are working with existing electrics, you can still use them to your advantage by changing the types of light fittings you have.

Added luxury

And of course, what would any spa-style bathroom be without a spa bath?

Jasmin Kraneveldt from Bathroom Bizarre says no longer just a utilitarian space, today's bathroom can be a place of luxury and convenience – and installing a sumptuous spa bath is the best way to achieve this.

Kraneveldt says today’s spa and jetted baths use the healing power of hydrotherapy to revitalise tired muscles, and maintain and restore health and well-being.

Spa baths are a great stress reliever – their jets gently massage tired muscles as you soak in the tub, allowing you to get out of the bath feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, she says.

"To cater for the increased demand for spa baths, Bathroom Bizarre opened a Spa Conversion Division, which is able to convert most fibreglass baths into luxurious spa baths at a fraction of the cost of buying one new." - Antonella Desi