Ahhhh, the privacy of your bathroom! Here is where you go to strip down to the basics and let your hair down. It is so important to make this space warm and inviting so that you can relax and rejuvenate at the end of a long, hard day. Even if no one else ever sees this room of your house, it should be comfortable and clean… a sanctuary for your weary bones.
But to achieve this goal, let’s examine what the anatomy of a perfectly serene bathroom actually looks like! In this article, we will discuss the 3 essential elements of a relaxing bathroom, and show you some cool tips and tricks along the way. Plus we will explore some awesome product recommendations to make your bathroom more relaxing, smarter, and fresh!
Are you ready to relax? Let’s get started!
What is the First Essential Element for a perfectly serene bathroom?
1: The whole room should be visually appealing
That’s right, the first thing you need to consider is what your eyes see.
CLEANLINESS:
Of course, it goes without saying that it is a must that this area stays clean and orderly, with a place for everything and everything in its place. Make sure to do a “deep scrub” on a regular basis so that all the grime is lifted and the surfaces are squeaky clean.
Tips & Tricks ~ Do a daily “tidy-up” with a quick wipe of the top surfaces to freshen & brighten everything that you see at a glance.
You can’t have a serene bathroom without having a clean bathroom, but to keep those wipes handy, you will love the KOHLER Disinfecting Wipes Dispenser so that they will always be at your fingertips! So smart! It fits a 30-35 count canister of wipes and has a silicone seal to keep the wipes fresh. The easy one-touch lid makes opening it simple and fast. The brushed stainless-steel canister is rust-resistant and gorgeous and matches any bathroom decor.
DECOR:
Only second to that is the effort you put into the decor of your bathroom. In order for it to be inviting, you will want to choose a soft color scheme and some carefully thought out pieces of decor. Go simple, yet unique, so that it personally appeals to you. Wall art, a beautiful shower curtain, succulents or other green plants, vases, or interesting wall hooks are elements that can lend to your particular decor design.
Tip & Tricks ~ A group of 3 is the perfect number for decor clusters. Generally avoid even numbers of objects when decorating.
One of my favorite bathroom decorations is the fabulous Mkono Ceramic Hanging Planter Wall Planters Set of 3. They are functional, simple, and go with any theme. Not only do they give you a unique way to bring some greenery into your space, but these work great when you don’t have a lot of counter space! Not only do you get the white ceramic planting pots, but they also come with real leather straps and brass screws for easy hanging. The porcelain has a smooth, matte glaze look to promote a modern and clean style.
STORAGE:
Along with decor, consider your storage solutions. By containing bathroom clutter, you will reduce the mess that takes away from the serenity of the space. Try including baskets for neat places to store your items, or shelves to display something beautiful. Coordinating accessories will help complete the look and give the room visual appeal.
Tips & Tricks ~ The more you tuck away the better, but make sure it is still handy to reach! Remember, a place for everything and everything in its place!
I love this cloth-lined Hosroome Handmade Bathroom Storage Baskets Set because the liners are easy to remove and wash. The three graduating sizes give you plenty of room for small, medium, and large items. Plus, they are durable and beautiful and will match any decor. The large basket is 15x10x6’, the medium basket is 13x9x5”, and the small basket is 11x7x4” and they nest easily when not in use. Plus, the neutral gray color makes these baskets easily adaptable to most decor schemes.
AMBIANCE:
Now consider your bathroom’s lighting. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights or bare bulbs that distort skin tones or are blinding. Recessed or covered fixtures with warm lights are very soothing, while cool tones make the area more crisp and white. The option for a bright bathroom is important, but you want to be able to tone it down to relax.
Tips & Tricks ~ Ambiance lighting can be achieved through the use of real, or even better, flameless candles.
Check out this beautiful RY King Set of 9 Large Pillar Real Wax Flameless Candles to really set the mood! The realistic flickering flame is totally safe and eliminates the risk of fire without sacrificing the beauty of candles. Control them via the included remote control so you can quickly and easily get your bathroom ready for a relaxing soak in the tub by candlelight! Altogether, this set comes with (1) 8”, (1) 7”, (1) 6”, (2) 5”, (2) 4”, and (2) 3” candles that are each 3” in diameter. You can program them to come on at set times and they will stay on for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours!
What is the Second Essential Element for a perfectly serene bathroom?
2: The atmosphere needs to tantalize your senses
In this section, we are going to consider the importance of smell and sound.
ODOR-FREE:
To create a bathroom that helps you feel calm, it is essential to include elements that will appeal to your sense of smell. First, make sure it passes the nose test and is fresh and clean by giving it a frequent scrub down. But also equally important, use cleaning products that don’t leave harsh chemical odors.
Tips & Tricks ~ To keep your bathroom smelling fresh between cleanings, use activated charcoal to absorb any potential unpleasant odors.
My favorite way to neutralize smells in my bathroom is by strategically placing a 4 Pack of 200g Naturally Activated Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags throughout the area. Super cute, these little pyramid-shaped bags are organic and chemical-free. Rejuvenate them by setting them in the sun for one hour each month. After two years, recycle them by adding the charcoal to your garden! The activated charcoal in the bags is made from sustainable Moso bamboo, so you can get cleaner air and feel good about it! The bags come in assorted colors of green, gray, blue, and red and look so classy that you don’t even have to hide them!
AROMATHERAPY:
If you don’t have flameless candles, consider the use of a scented candle, which not only has the potential to cast a soft glow about the room, but can also fill the air with a pleasant fragrance. Another idea is to burn incense, or use a diffuser for essential oils. As you fill your bathroom with a pleasing aroma, it will help you breathe deeply and settle your nerves.
Tips & Tricks ~ Choose your fragrance carefully. Some scents, such as lavender or vanilla will lend more to a state of relaxation, whereas peppermint may give you a boost of energy. Some scents, such as jasmine, eucalyptus, citrus, and sandalwood, have both properties, leaving you refreshed and yet calm.
If you haven’t given essential oil aromatherapy a try, you will love this Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser! Not only is it a beautiful addition to any bathroom, it has an ultrasonic ‘coolmist’ operation that works with no heat or hot steam. Plus, it has a timer, adjustable mist mode, and it is whisper quiet. The top of the diffuser also has a 14 color changing LED light to provide ambiance. Plus it adds vapor moisture to the room, which means it doubles as a humidifier. All you need to do is fill the reservoir with water and add your favorite essential oil for a relaxing experience like no other.
SOUND:
Your bathroom should also be a space to tune out the busy-ness and craziness of the world. Just the sounds of a warm bath filling or the white noise of relaxing shower may be enough to drown the stress. But if you need something extra, consider adding soft music, a sound machine, or a water fountain to your space.
Tips & Tricks ~ If you will be soaking in a hot tub, use this time to close your eyes and bask in the restfulness of the moment while enjoying instrumental music or nature sounds.
A popular zen bathroom addition is this HoMedics Silver Springs Indoor Relaxation Fountain with an Asian-inspired design. So beautiful, the 3-tiered waterfall blends in beautifully with a serene bathroom-scape. With the soothing sound of a tranquil stream, it promotes relaxation and restfulness. It also gently illuminates, adding to the ambiance of the room. The fountain comes with the main basin with 3 leaf tiers, natural river stones, an immersible pump, and a cord with on/off switch. The pump continuously moves the water over the layers and the stones, keeping the water free of algae build-up and simulating a natural waterscape.
What is the Third Essential Element for a perfectly serene bathroom?
3: This space must allow you to be comfortable in your skin
Here we are going to be talking about how your bathroom makes you feel.
WARMTH:
The first thing to consider is the temperature of the air, as well as that of the bath. Making sure you feel warm is the first step to feeling relaxed. Consider investing in soft, fuzzy area rugs to delight your toes and keep you from having to prance around on cold floors.
Tips & Tricks ~ If you don’t want to crank up the heat in your whole house just to feel warm in the bathroom, use a space heater!
Since bathtime involves stripping down and getting wet, sometimes it is really helpful to have just that extra burst of warmth from a small Ceramic Portable Heater. This little beauty has a stylish 3-legged, tip-proof design and lets you choose from 3 settings: 1000W-high heat, 500W-low heat, and 5W-natural wind. This heater is designed with high-efficiency and takes only 1 second to heat up. It has a built-in safety override that automatically shuts it off after 6 hours and the outer case stays cool to the touch. All this, plus it is super quiet!
COZINESS:
Don’t forget to make sure that you have a stock of warm, fluffy, soft towels to wrap yourself in after bathing. This is crucial for reducing tension and increasing comfort. It would also do to have a snuggly bathrobe handy to help ease the transition from your bathroom time.
Tips & Tricks ~ To get an instant warm hug when stepping out of the shower, use a towel warmer!
You will love the gorgeous and safe design of the energy-saving Homeleader Towel Warmer and Drying Rack, but even more, you will love stepping into a warm, dry, and comfortable towel after your shower! Plus, if you don’t have enough floor space, it can also be mounted to the wall. It has 120-watt power and reaches its optimum temperature of 131-141 degrees F in just 30 minutes. It has a built-in thermostat to regulate the temperature, which conserves energy and a waterproof switch to help keep it safe. It is made of white lacquered steel that goes with any decor and is designed to be elegant and stylish.
PRIVACY:
Add to that, the added necessity of ensuring your privacy and this will get you thinking about window treatments, properly working doors/locks, and even the state of your shower curtain. Once you secure these basics, it is time to consider some other elements.
Tips & Tricks ~ If you have a large shared bathroom that you would like to partition off, use a room divider to enhance privacy and promote relaxation.
A gorgeous addition to any bathroom, the Roundhill Furniture Black Japanese 4-Panel Screen Room Divider in Plum Blossom provides beautiful decor while promoting a private space. It is lightweight, but stable, and can fold flat for easy storage. The overall dimensions when in use is 71” high by 71” inches, giving you almost 6 feet of coverage in both directions. The beautiful wood frame has a black finish and the panels are made of opaque white rice paper. The design is a unique red and black plum branch print.
PERSONAL PRODUCTS:
Do you own skincare and hair care products that make you feel your best? Is it a joy to slather them on, and do they lend to the concepts of smooth, soft, or silky? Perhaps you enjoy a good scrub or mask that leaves you feeling a glow? For some, a nice bubble bath is the perfect solution to a tired body. All of these things can make a difference to the state of your relaxation, so consider them carefully.
Tips & Tricks ~ Feel pampered and reduce clutter by installing a product dispenser in your shower, just like you would find in a fancy hotel!
Stop fumbling around, lose the separate bottles, and streamline your bath products by investing in the Better Living Products Aviva Three Chamber Dispenser. You will have space to store your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash which you can access with just the touch of a button. So handy! Each of the 3 chambers holds 11 oz. of product and each of them can be lifted individually for cleaning and filling. The unit only takes a few minutes to install with the included waterproof silicone adhesive and 2-way tape and requires no tools. Plus the dispenser has handy hooks for razors and other accessories. The housing is made of plastic with a chrome-look finish and the pump mechanism comes with a lifetime warranty.
FUNCTION:
When you look around your bathroom, make sure that everything works as it should. If anything is broken, get it fixed. Though you may pick a few elements strictly for design purposes, the vast majority of your bathroom should include functional objects that help you in your daily bathroom routine. Do you have something to hold your toilet paper? Do you have cleaning tools handy? Do you have plenty of hanging hooks or towel bars? Invest in a bidet attachment if you’d like.
Tips & Tricks ~ Don’t overlook the necessity of having a step stool in your bathroom. Great for reaching high cabinets, doubling as a seat, or using for proper positioning on the toilet, a bathroom stool can be your best friend for making life easier.
Lightweight, but sturdy, plus beautiful and made from pesticide-free sustainable bamboo, the Growing Up Green Bamboo Step Stool is an awesome addition to any bathroom. It stands 7 inches high and is 14 inches wide and can hold up to 200 pounds. Easily one of my favorite products because of its design and usefulness! The feet on the stool has non-slip rubber stops so that it won’t easily slide out from underneath you. Plus it only weighs 1 pound, so it is super easy to carry around. Great for kids and adults alike.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Not generally associated with bathrooms, this piece of the anatomy of a serene bathroom might surprise you. When you escape to the bathroom, the idea of course is relaxation, right? Well, sometimes, quiet entertainment can be the perfect escape from the busy world around you. If your brain has something fun to do, it probably will allow your body to get even more downtime and feel even more relaxed, so grab a book or a word puzzle and wind down!
Tips & Tricks ~ If you have enough space in your bathroom, create a zen garden to help you keep your brain and hands busy, while reaching a maximum state of relaxation.
Chill out and meditate with our favorite mini decorative Zenfy Zen Sand Garden with Rake, Rocks and Figures. Perfectly sized for your bathroom, this enjoyable feature combines decor with function. It measures 8.5” x 6.7”, so you can easily make space for it on your bathroom counter or stool. It comes with sand, smooth stones, little figures, and a tiny rake. Calm your busy mind, shoo away boredom, and find your zen.
Well, there you have the anatomy of a perfectly serene bathroom. To sum up the parts that we’ve discussed while dissecting the 3 essential elements, let’s look at this checklist:
- Cleanliness
- Decor
- Storage
- Ambiance
- Odor-free
- Aromatherapy
- Sound
- Warmth
- Coziness
- Privacy
- Personal Products
- Function
- Entertainment
When you think of your bathroom, how often do you consider all these things? Do you agree that each of these bathroom topics can contribute to a complete state of relaxation if addressed properly? If you haven’t been using your bathroom to achieve a meditative state, would you like to start?
I hope that you have enjoyed learning about the untapped resources that your bathroom has to offer and have been inspired by the 13 awesome products I’ve shared. I would love your feedback on how you make your bathroom a peaceful place to relax at the end of a long day!
In conclusion
Pampering yourself in the comfort of your bathroom is the ultimate expression of self-care. You may not have the time or money to frequent a spa, but just having the perfect space to retreat to in your own home is worth so much. May you leave the cares of the world behind as you say…
“Bathroom….Take me away!”
Melanie is mom to five energetic kids, including a sweet little toddler. She enjoys homeschooling her children from a peaceful parenting perspective and traveling with her family whenever she can.