Apr 27 2010
Transform Your Bath Into An Exquisite, Relaxing Sanctuary
Is your bathroom no more than a room where you shower or bathe? Do you not give much thought to its appearance or how it can really be used? Why not think of it instead as your own little private sanctuary—a place to escape to! What’s better after a hard day’s work than to relax the stress away and rejuvenate your spirits?
There aren’t many places in your home where you can actually escape the rest of the family. Often your young children follow along right on your heels and it’s difficult to get time to yourself. Everyone needs and deserves a little time now and then to unwind. Your bathroom provides the perfect spot to do this, but for it to be relaxing, you need to create the right atmosphere.
Get Rid of That Cold, Sterile Look
Sometimes bathrooms end up looking like, well, no more than just a bathroom. Is it decorated with nothing more than stainless-steel towel racks and toilet-paper holders—the works? Is everything in the room pretty basic and straightforward, with nothing too fancy? If this is the case, then here’s where you need to start.
The first step is to soften the look. This can be done by adding wrought-iron towel racks or white or pastel-colored wood. Lavender, sea foam, or another soft, relaxing shade is perfect for the walls. In terms of flooring, two great options are carpet and colorful ceramic tiles. If your linoleum is plain-looking and hardly noticeable, definitely consider updating your floors.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Look at your large bathroom mirror—does it look a little stark? Does your mirror just hang there with nothing around it? Then perhaps it’s time to make a change. As an alternative, hang a mirror trimmed with gold edges or place wallpaper border around it. Choose a border that contrasts with color of the walls. Another option is to completely change the shape. An oval mirror, for instance, adds a romantic touch.
Decorate the Tub
Spruce up that tub, especially if you’re lucky enough to have a garden tub or one with wide edges. For starters, set greenery around the edges. You can make the tub look really inviting with small ceramic pots filled with herbs and greenery. Include some votive candles in the arrangement, and you are ready to soak in a bubble-filled tubs, letting the delicious scents of the candles float your worries away. There’s nothing quite like filling the tub, lighting a few candles, and bathing in a warm candlelight glow.
Accents Pull It All Together
Pull your new bathroom together by adding a few accents. For the perfect touch, consider an oblong or square basket to hold a few bath towels. If you have room, add a small table, painting it a contrasting color and decorating it with stenciled flowers and greenery around the edges. Add some clear glass containers to hold cotton balls, Q-tips, and other items. If you have any attractive body splash and lotion bottles, you might display them as well. Of course, there’s always room for more plants and more candles. Just make the room your own.
It’s so much more relaxing to bathe in a room that’s both exquisitely beautiful and wonderfully smelling. Then there’s no need to jump in and out of the tub. Instead, you can to relax, unwind, and enjoy yourself. By taking along your favorite book or magazine and a glass of wine, you can make it the most peaceful part of your day! Who said bathroom décor needs to be boring?
