Do you ever come back from a long weekend at a spa hotel and wish your bathroom oozed that feeling of rest and relaxation? Most of us think it’s impossible to replicate the aesthetic. It’s just too expensive, right?
Not quite. There are ways that you can transform your bathroom into your favorite room without having to take out a second mortgage. Sure, some statement pieces will require a bit of an investment, but if you’re creative, you can keep the overall renovation costs low.
Invest in a Luxury Bath Mat
Bath mats can quickly turn your bathroom from a spa haven to looking quite unkempt. If yours is looking like its best years are behind it, replace it. And make sure you give it a little bit of TLC next time; occasional washing never hurt anyone.
But if you really want to go the extra mile, ditch the classic cloth mats. Instead, go rogue with a Turkish or Persian rug. Companies that sell them specifically for the bathroom offer rugs that are exceptionally soft, and they’re also equipped to deal with some additional moisture.
The best thing about these rugs is that age and damage actually add character over time. Sure, you still need to clean them once in a while, but a little bit of fraying or change in shape will only serve to make your bathroom look even better.
The price? You can get a decent one for under $200.
Free Standing Bath = Pure Luxury
There’s nothing that screams opulence more than a freestanding bath. Add a rainfall showerhead and you’ll never need to book a weekend spa trip ever again. You really can’t go wrong with this; if your bathroom allows it, invest in this type of bath.
You won’t have to spend a fortune, either. The only thing we recommend is picking a quality brand when choosing these two products. Cheaper alternatives will look exactly that, cheap. And considering the bath is going to be your statement piece, it’s worth using a decent part of your budget. Nothing crazy, but don’t go to the bargain bucket either.
Change the Lighting
When you go to a 7-Eleven in the middle of the night, notice just how horrible you look when catching a glimpse of yourself in one of those mirrors. You may not be at your best, but what’s really giving that depressing return image is the lighting.
Lighting is everything. Why do you think restaurants spend so much effort ensuring you have that beautiful candlelit dinner? It creates an atmosphere, changes the mood, and relaxes you.
When it comes to lighting, you want options. For example, when you want to do your make-up and check that it looks good in more than just dark lighting. Or if you want to take a relaxing bath, you want to be able to dial things down a notch.
Replace Your Shower Curtain
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make when it comes to the bathroom aesthetic is using a cheap, low-quality shower curtain. You’ve spent thousands renovating, yet you choose a $5 basic from IKEA? Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with trying to save a bit of money (we encourage it, of course!), but this is not where you want to be scraping the pennies.
And it’s not just because a moldy shower curtain just looks gross. It’s also a potential health hazard, especially if you suffer from allergies. We recommend using a shower liner; it means that all you need to do is replace that, instead of the nicer, more expensive curtain. Once you notice a bit of mold at the bottom of the liner, it’s time to get a new one.
Avoid Standard Mirrors
It’s painful to see just how many people go for standard contractor-grade mirrors for their bathrooms. This even applies to expensive hotels and spas! Going from the cheapest option to something that has a little bit of character won’t break the bank, but it does require a little bit of creativity.
We like using non-standard mirror types. Perhaps even mirrors that have not been designed for the bathroom. Antiques work very well for this, and they can often be had for cheap online. Avoid dedicated antique sellers as they’ll know the value. Instead, sniff around eBay or similar. You’ll be surprised by just how much class this can add to your bathroom.
Don’t Forget the Practical Elements
The bulk of this guide has focused on how to transform your bathroom using aesthetic improvements. Nothing wrong with that, humans are visual beings. But remember that your bathroom also serves a practical function.
So here’s our final tip: don’t get carried away with the superficial. Ultimately, the room should serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose. And ideally, they should be complementary.