Is there anything better than unwinding in a luxurious, spa-like bathroom after a long day? As a busy interior designer and dog mom, I enjoy having your oasis to relax and recharge. But creating that kind of high-end spa experience at home doesn’t have to cost a fortune! With just a little creativity and know-how, you can transform your ordinary bathroom into a relaxing retreat on a budget.
If you want to bring the spa home, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve rounded up my top 10 affordable tips to create a spa-like vibe that’s simple yet indulgent. From customizing the lighting to introducing greenery, let’s dive in! I can’t wait to help you design your dream bathroom sanctuary.
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Set the Mood with Lighting
Let’s start with ambiance, shall we? Setting the perfect mood with lighting is one of the easiest ways to create a spa-like feel in your bathroom. Dimmable lights are a great option to adjust the brightness and create a relaxing atmosphere. Dimmable LED lighting is energy-saving and highly controllable, allowing you to adjust the lighting to your mood or activity. Installing dimmer switches can also help save energy and increase the longevity of light bulbs.
Incorporating candles is another affordable way to bring warmth and fragrance to your bathroom. Bath and Body Works, Yankee, and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day offer cheap candles. When choosing candles, consider the scent and size of the candle. Soy candles are a great option as they burn cleaner and longer than traditional candles.
Candles can help create a spa-like atmosphere in a bathroom by providing a relaxing and soothing ambiance. Scented candles are known for their aromatherapy qualities, which can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. The right scent can help shift your mind into relaxation mode, and the fragrance can evoke pleasant memories and promote a calming and stress-free environment. Candles also provide a soft, warm glow that creates a calming atmosphere, especially with dimmable lights. Additionally, candles are an affordable way to bring warmth and fragrance to your bathroom and are easy to switch out. When choosing candles, consider the scent, size, and candle holder or jar, which can add to the bathroom’s ambiance. Soy candles are a great option as they burn cleaner and longer than traditional candles. Overall, candles are a valuable tool that can help you create the perfect spa-like environment in your bathroom.
Upgrade Your Shower Head
Let’s transition to the shower next. Upgrading your shower head is an easy and affordable way to enhance your spa-like bathroom. Rainfall shower heads are a great option to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom. The rainfall effect mimics the calming rain, and the larger shower head provides a more immersive experience. Additionally, some rainfall shower heads come with mist settings, which can create a steam room effect. Mist settings can create a spa-like environment in your bathroom by providing a gentle, soft mist spray experience. Some shower heads also offer a concentrated center PowerSpray for easy rinsing of thick hair. PowerPulse Massage is another spray pattern that delivers a powerful and therapeutic massage up to 2X the massage force of other retail shower heads. Overall, upgrading your shower head can be an affordable way to create a spa-like environment in your bathroom.
Several affordable shower heads mimic the calming rain. One option is the Waterpik Rainfall Shower Head, which is available for under $20 and features a contemporary chrome finish, seven settings, and a pivoting head to find just the right stream for your preferences. Another option is Ailkuli’s rainfall shower head, a two-in-one solution for relaxing and efficient showers. Use the rainfall spray, handheld spray, or both. The Veken 12-inch Rectangle Shower Head is another option that provides broad coverage rainfall-style water spray and an adjustable showerhead with anti-clog nozzles. Additionally, FontanaShowers offers a wide range of rainfall shower heads with different types of functions, including the Waterfall and or Rainfall waterfall shower head with wand, which provide a top/down or natural downpour drenching effect and mimic nature in display and sound so you can have a relaxing shower.
Introduce Greenery
What’s a spa without lush greenery? Bringing plants into your bathroom instantly boosts the spa factor. Several air-purifying plants thrive in the warm, humid bathroom environment. Snake plants are among the best air-filtering plants around; they love the moist air created while showering. They are also known for removing toxic pollutants and boosting mental health. Aloe vera is another popular option that has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It may help reduce dental plaque, accelerate wound healing, prevent wrinkles, and manage blood sugar, among other benefits. Peace lilies are also considered one of the best air-filtering plants around, and they love the moist air created while showering. Other options include pothos, spider plants, and English ivy, low-light-friendly and air-purifying varieties that thrive in high humidity. When selecting plants for the bathroom, it’s essential to consider their ability to tolerate moistness and high humidity. Hanging plants are also a great way to use vertical space in the bathroom.
Several air-purifying plants can be used in a bathroom. Some of the best options include snake plants, peace lilies, aloe vera, spider plants, English ivy, and pothos. These plants are known for removing toxic pollutants and boosting mental health. Additionally, they thrive in high humidity and low-light environments, making them perfect for a bathroom setting. Other options include Boston ferns, bird’s nest ferns, and Tillandsia plants. When selecting plants for the bathroom, it’s essential to consider their ability to tolerate moistness and high humidity. Hanging plants are also a great way to use vertical space in the bathroom.
Declutter and Organize
A cluttered space instantly ruins the spa vibe, so it’s time to declutter and organize. Investing in some floating shelves is an aesthetic and functional way to organize your bathroom. Floating shelves can store items such as toilet paper, bathroom canisters, or personal care products, including shampoo, lotion containers, candles, and essential oils. They are perfect for use in various spaces, matching almost any decor, and are designed to bring functional style to any room in your home.
When it comes to stylish and affordable storage baskets, there are several options. Some popular options include wicker baskets, plastic bins, and wire baskets. These baskets can store towels, toiletries, and other bathroom essentials. Additionally, you can use baskets to corral small items, such as makeup or hair accessories. Overall, decluttering and organizing your bathroom can be an affordable way to create a clean, spa-like look.
Scented Elegance
What’s a spa without divine scents? It’s time to infuse your bathroom with soothing aromas. Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular for relaxation. Lavender is known for its ability to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It is believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps. Several studies have shown that lavender essential oil may help promote sleep and fight insomnia. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that combining sleep hygiene techniques and lavender essential oil therapy helped college students sleep better than sleep hygiene alone. Lavender essential oil offers a calming effect without sedation, dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal.
Eucalyptus essential oil is another excellent option for relieving mental exhaustion, enhancing spiritual practices, clearing nasal passages, and eliminating harmful airborne bacteria. It is famous for its soothing, stimulating, and anti-bacterial properties. It can be used in numerous body care products, from skin and hair care to emotional care through aromatherapy. Eucalyptus essential oil can relieve coughs, colds, and sinus congestion. It can also relieve sore muscles, ease headaches and pain, ward off mosquitos, combat stress, treat wounds and burns, disinfect your home, and even help with skin and hair conditions like acne, dandruff, and lice. Eucalyptus essential oil’s cooling and healing scent relieves mental exhaustion by boosting circulation, stimulating the mind out of sluggishness, and rejuvenating the spirit.
When it comes to affordable essential oil diffusers, there are several options on the market. The Urpower 2nd Gen 300ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser is a simple white plastic cylinder that is one of the least expensive diffusers available and works better than models four or five times the price. The medium-size tank provides water for seven hours of a strong stream of mist, and it is recommended to add more oil during that time for continued scent. Another option is the Homeweeks 300ml Essential Oil Diffuser, a quiet aromatherapy mist diffuser for essential oils with a wood grain ultrasonic oil diffuser with a remote control, timer, and 7 LED light color options.
There are several ways to use essential oils in the bathroom. You can use a diffuser to disperse the oil into the air, which creates a relaxing atmosphere. Add a few drops of oil to your bath water for a soothing soak. You can also create a DIY cleaning spray using citrus oils like lemon, lime, orange, or tea tree. Another idea is to add a few drops of oil to the inside cardboard portion of your toilet paper roll to release a fresh scent. Overall, scented elegance can be an affordable way to promote tranquility in your bathroom oasis.
Bathtub Tray for Luxurious Soaks
Now, let’s focus on upping the luxury factor of your bathtub. A bathtub tray or caddy is an easy way to elevate your bath time. You can create a DIY tray using reclaimed wood, like cedar, or a board of attractive timber. Drill holes to add a wine glass holder and slots for candles or bath salts. Several affordable bathtub tray options are available for holding books, wine glasses, or bath salts. Some even come with adjustable legs, detachable spa trays, and phone slots. When selecting a bathtub tray, consider the size of your tub and which features are important like a book/tablet holder or cup/wine glass slot. A bathtub tray can add a touch of indulgence to your relaxation routine.
Upgrade Towels and Mats
It’s time to talk about the tactile experience. Upgrading your towels and bath mats can make a big difference in creating a plush, spa-like bathroom. For fluffy towels, invest in plush ones on sale or at discount stores like Target, Walmart, or Macy’s. Swap your essential bath mat for a memory foam-style mat to add luxury underfoot. Affordable memory foam bath mat options are available at stores like Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Kohl’s. When selecting towels and mats, consider the material, size, and absorbency. Luxurious towels and cushy mats are an easy way to enhance the spa experience right at home.
Neutral and Calming Color Palette
Let’s move on to visual appeal with a soothing, spa-worthy color scheme. Cool, calming colors like soft greys, light blues, and clean whites are perfect for creating a tranquil environment. Some popular grey paint colors include Behr Dolphin Fin, Behr Silver Drop, and Behr Misty Coast. Consider hues like Benjamin Moore Gibraltar Cliffs, Sherwin Williams Tradewind, or Sherwin Williams Big Chill for light blues. Crisp whites like Sherwin Williams Pure White, Extra White, and Benjamin Moore White Dove are excellent choices. When selecting a color palette, consider the overall mood you want to achieve. Pick towels, bath mats, and accessories that coordinate with your color scheme. The right hues can make all the difference in creating a relaxing spa sanctuary.
Sounds of Serenity
Let’s tune into the auditory experience next. Incorporating soothing sounds is an affordable way to complete the spa vibe. Waterproof Bluetooth speakers can play calming spa music or nature sounds in your bathroom. Relaxing audio options include gentle piano, ambient zen music, or recorded ocean waves. Small tabletop water fountains can also be used as charming fountain accents to create a tranquil, trickling sound. Fountains come in a variety of styles, materials, and prices. Tuning into peaceful sounds is a simple way to promote deep relaxation.
DIY Spa Amenities
Lastly, providing spa amenities is a budget-friendly way to customize your space. Making bath salts is easy and affordable, using ingredients like Epsom salt, sea salt, baking soda, dried flowers, and essential oils. You can create custom scents and colors and store the salts in pretty glass jars. Whip up your own facial treatments like oatmeal and honey mask using natural ingredients from your kitchen. Look up DIY recipes online or get creative making your blends. Add a touch of luxury with homemade spa products you can use in your personalized sanctuary.
There are ten tips to turn your ordinary bathroom into an oasis without breaking the bank. With creativity, you can customize the lighting, sounds, scents, and accessories to design your dream spa-inspired space. Don’t be afraid to get crafty with DIY projects and shop sales to save. Your at-home spa experience is closer than you think. Follow these tips to create your affordable oasis – you’ll be relaxed and rejuvenated. Let me know if you have any other questions about designing your budget-friendly spa bathroom! I’m always happy to help a fellow spa-space enthusiast.
