How Can I Make My Bathroom Feel Calm?

 
Duravit bathroom display at Hobsons Choice Swindon, Wiltshire

CREATE A WELCOMING BATHROOM

Any bathroom in a home can be a place of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of the more social living spaces. The careful choice of colours, materials and patterns will set your desired mood, soft and minimalistic, natural, or spa-like luxury. Let the colours that you choose flow onto towels, mats, and accents, to create a cohesive feel.

Add to this the use of efficient storage to maintain a clutter-free environment, and you will be well on your way to creating a restorative space whether it is a master ensuite or guest cloakroom.

  • The Layout of the Space

  • The Type of Shower or Bath

  • Tap Position and Style

  • Functional Storage

  • Accessories - Plants and Decorative Items

 
Carefully plan the layout of your bathroom

THE LAYOUT OF THE SPACE

Every bathroom should be well planned, there are a lot of individual day-to-day workflows that take place and technical aspects to consider. Different users will have different needs and specific products that they wish to use, charge and store. 

The distances between furniture and sanitaryware, how far you must reach to grab a dry towel, the position of shower controls in relation to the showerhead spray, and even the location of your loo roll holder, are all important reference points and will form part of the layout design.

By thinking through all of these aspects, during the design phase, you will create a space that is tuned to your needs and will be a joy to use.

 
Create a spa-style experience with a luxury bath or walk in shower
 

THE TYPE OF SHOWER OR BATH

In a bathroom designed to be calm, the space offered by a bath or shower is often key, I don’t believe anyone has ever said they are relaxed whilst feeling cramped and bashing their elbows.

If space allows, then a long, deep bathtub will allow you to fully immerse yourself in your bath water without compromise. If you like to share a bath then selecting a double-ended bath, with curved ends on both sides and centring the filler tap would allow both of you to comfortably lean back.

A niche or surface near the bath with soft lighting and space for candles and a glass of wine certainly adds to the relaxing ambience.

Walk-in showers offer freedom of movement, while large showerheads and strategically placed controls enhance the experience, enabling you to start the flow of water without having to reach in and get wet. Further shower options include massage jets and body sprays which can elevate the experience even further.

Male and female shaving habits conducted in a shower can be made easier with a little thought. If a lady or gentleman wants to shave their legs, a low deep niche or fold-down seat can help facilitate this. For men who like to wet shave whilst showering, the addition of a small mirror in the shower can be useful.

For those days when you want a quick shower but don’t wish to get your hair wet, a hand wand or a shower head on a riser bar is often useful. It also helps to rinse down the shower screen when cleaning.

Create visual impact with modern tap finishes.

TAP POSITION AND STYLE

Cohesiveness is key. The brassware, taps, bath mixer, shower controls and showerhead, should have a similar appearance to maintain a sense of continuity around the space. Soft curves could be more appropriate in a bathroom designed for calm, equally a more angular design with a matte surface may also appeal as the geometric lines are toned down.

For a timeless appearance, classic chrome can be a good choice, offering a hard-wearing and easy-to-clean surface. For a more modern touch, brass, matte black, and brushed metal finishes can create eye-catching accents in the space.

As with anything style-focused, it is personal, and there are options to suit everyone but remember, quality matters – invest in durable, well-made pieces for lasting peace of mind.

 
Bathroom storage for every day items and towels

FUNCTIONAL STORAGE

Evaluating what you wish to use on a day-to-day basis helps plan your storage needs. A cluttered vanity unit full of charging toothbrushes flashing away, powders and lotions might not give the calming vibe you desire as you try and relax in the bath. Equally, having a warm fresh towel within easy reach of the shower door as you exit is going to help you stay calm as you get ready for the day ahead.

Floating vanity units and cabinets will maintain a sense of airiness within the room whilst providing vital storage. Choosing a natural material finish can also help bring interesting detail, texture and pattern that doesn’t conflict with decorative tiling. Adding hidden charging ports within vanity units provides a useful place to keep your toothbrush or shaver battery topped up without having to see unsightly wires.

 
Accessorise Your Bathroom with Plants

ACCESSORIES - PLANTS AND DECORATIVE ITEMS

Biophilic design, increasing connectivity to the natural environment, is a great way of calming a bathroom space and cleansing the air. To keep your plant-care requirements to a minimum, choose plants like Pothos or Snake plants, and display them on illuminated shelves, windowsills or alcoves.

Pictures are also a fantastic way of bringing a sense of character to the room, places you’ve been or would like to go, people you love, and memories you cherish.

It all adds to the environment of your own calming sanctuary in which you can switch off, even if it is only for a few minutes before one of the children starts banging on the door and demanding a snack!