Turn your bathroom into a cosy haven of loveliness

Do you love your bathroom? For some it’s a room that is purely practical. Get in. Get out. Others like to take their time to relaaaaaaax while an angry queue forms outside. Either way, who says you can’t inject a little luxury and turn it into a haven of loveliness? I recently enjoyed a wonderful spa weekend at Wyboston Lakes and it gave me some great ideas to up my bathroom game.

Fluffy towels and robes

Nothing says luxury like padding around in a robe and slippers, and if it’s monogrammed then you’ve hit the big time. Find out how the other half live and order your own gorgeously soft bathrobe from The Fine Cotton Company. You can also personalise it to ensure no one “accidentally” mistakes it for their own. Hands off!

Bathrooms can be harsh and cold looking but towels can add softness and colour to the room. They’re the scatter cushion of the bathroom world, if you will. The Made.com Aire towels come in a range of colours so you can opt for classic white or a splash of colour.

Candles

If you fancy a soak in the tub, you’ve got to have the obligatory bubbles and candles. It’s the law. A few flickering flames create a luxurious atmosphere and you can add a scented one to really give it that spa-like feel. These pretty Brooklyn candles from Loaf are hand made in NYC and come in four divine scents. Go on, treat yo self.

Lighting

It seems like every post I write has a bit about lighting. Nothing has a bigger impact on the mood and feel of a room. There will be other posts about bathroom lighting but for now, let’s stay on topic. No one wants to lie in the tub with an LED spotlight glaring in their face. Wall lights or an over mirror light switched separately to the main lights allow you to create a soothing spa-like ambiance while still being able to see where you’re going.

Heating

Tiles and ceramic surfaces aren’t the best materials for achieving a warm and cosy room but sufficient heating will help significantly and allow you to truly enjoy spending time in your bathroom. Once a luxury, underfloor heating is fast becoming standard practice in a bathroom, particularly with a tiled floor which can be chilly underfoot. An electric underfloor heating mat may not be as expensive as you might think and helps to take the edge off a cold floor.

A heated towel rail is a must in a bathroom these days which acts as a radiator as well as keeping your towels warm and fluffy. An electric towel warmer can be switched on and off as you please, or opt for a dual fuel model which also allows you to run it off the central heating.

Technology

Everything about a spa room is telling you to relax in the luxurious surroundings. The look, the smell and the sounds. Whether it’s plinky plonky music or the ever-popular whale song, you just can’t help but feel a little calmer and happier. These days, many bathrooms can come equipped with high tech features like speakers and televisions. You can even get a shower head with an in-built speaker! If you’re already refurbishing your bathroom then look into in-built options designed specifically for bathrooms or if you’re looking for a quick and easy addition, you can buy a neat little bluetooth speaker that you can attach to the wall via a suction cup. Then you just stream your music from your phone, tablet or laptop. Stick on “Sounds of the Ocean, Volume III” while you enjoy a relaxing bath, or use it to play your favourite guilty pleasure and take shower karaoke to a whole new level. I recommend “Frankie Valli – Can’t take my eyes off you” but y’know…each to their own.

Accessories

It’s my job to make a room beautiful, and obviously the most important bits are the main pieces, but to reach a room’s full potential then you have to add some accessories. Pretty bits, knick-knacks, thingamabobs. Vintage and antique shops are brilliant for seeking out little glass jars and colourful bottles. Use them to store cotton wool balls, as vases for flowers, or just purely for decorative effect.

Fresh plants and flowers always look gorgeous in a bathroom and little ceramic dishes are great for popping your jewellery in before you hop in the shower.

Practical bathroom accessories can also add interest and personality to the room while serving a purpose. Paper holders, towel rings, toothbrush beakers and hooks all have lovely options available which can turn a bathroom that’s plain and simple into something chic and stylish.

Pictures

Whether it’s a cool, framed print, some tongue-in-cheek typography or simply a lovely piece of art that makes you feel peaceful and happy, hanging something on the wall adds interest and personality to a bathroom. I always think it adds a little luxurious touch to a room, giving it a memorable feature. When you get bored of looking at it, just change it!

Walls

How gorgeous is this wallpaper from Farrow & Ball? Wallpaper or a warm paint colour can instantly inject both cosiness and elegance. Definitely worth considering if you’re keen to avoid a stark, cold bathroom. Don’t be afraid of wallpaper in the bathroom, as long as your room is well ventilated with a decent extractor, you’ll be fine.

Et voilà! A beautiful, cosy bathroom worthy of any spa. Light some candles, crack open some bubbles (both the bath and drinkable variety) and get your karaoke on!

J x