Have you ever wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax in a serene, natural setting? As much as we may want to, it’s not always feasible to pack up and head to a secluded cave or forest on a whim. But what if I told you it was possible to bring those calming, earthy vibes into your bathroom? By designing your shower with a cave-like atmosphere, you can create a peaceful oasis to retreat to any time.
In this post, we’ll explore how to transform your existing shower into a modern cave-inspired sanctuary. I’ll share plenty of tips for attaining that natural stone look, choosing earthy accents, selecting fixtures, and lighting your cave correctly. We’ll also look at some stunning cave shower designs for inspiration. Get ready to take some notes!
Contents
Defining the Cave Shower Aesthetic
Let’s begin by talking about what precisely the cave shower aesthetic entails. At its core, this look is about emulating a natural underground cavern’s textures, tones, and mood. The goal is to make your bathroom feel like a secluded wild escape.
Key elements of the cave vibe include:
- Natural Stone Surfaces: Think rough, unfinished slabs along the floors and walls. Slate, limestone, and granite make great options.
- Earthy Tones: Warm, muted colors like beige, brown, terracotta, and grey resemble the natural hues found in caves.
- Minimalist Design: The less clutter, the better. Allow the textures and shapes of the space to take center stage.
- Ambient Lighting: Dim, indirect light sets the relaxed tone.
These components can transport you to a serene subterranean world when combined purposefully. Let’s explore how you can infuse your shower with this earthy elegance.
Choose Nature-Inspired Finishes
The first step in cultivating a cave vibe is to decorate your surfaces with natural stone and related finishes. As a blogger who loves repurposing flea market finds, I’m seeking affordable options that mimic high-end looks. Here are some of my favorite cave-worthy materials that won’t break the bank:
Natural Stone Tiles
Genuine stone slabs can get pricey, but stone tile makes a great budget-friendly alternative. Slate, travertine, and granite tiles can line your shower walls and floors with beautiful earthy patterns. Opt for large format tiles and grout with a neutral color. Try a mosaic tile rug for added visual interest!
Faux Stone Panels
Faux stone panels are a lightweight and wallet-friendly way to get the look of real stone. These artificial panels are molded from natural materials like clay and concrete. Cut them to size and adhere directly to your walls. Faux-stacked stone panels work nicely to create that rough, craggy cave texture.
Pebble Mosaic Tiles
Nothing says “cave entrance” like a pebble-strewn floor! For a natural effect underfoot, try installing pebble mosaic tile. These small rounded tiles interlock to create an uneven, organic ground. Opt for a muted color scheme and add a non-slip mat for safety and comfort.
Wood Accents
Wood introduces warmth and visual contrast. Try a reclaimed wood bench or shelf, a driftwood framed mirror, or even a paneled cedar ceiling for a dash of nature. Distressed, weathered wood with knots and natural edges boosts the cavernous ambiance.
By combining these budget-savvy materials creatively, you can design a shower backdrop that looks like it came straight from the side of a mountain. Let’s carry that earthy style through to the fixtures and details.
Incorporate Rustic and Natural Accents
Your cave shower’s fixtures, furnishings, and finishing touches can make or break the overall look and feel. Focus on simple forms, natural materials, and a subdued color palette to complete the cavernous transformation. Here are some accent ideas to try:
Stone or Wood Shower Bench
A built-in stone or wood bench makes a functional and decorative addition to your cave shower. Choose a solid, unfinished slab of stone or a hand-carved wood bench. Place it out of direct water contact. Add a cozy natural fiber bath mat for comfort and a pop of color.
Waterfall Showerhead
Trade your standard showerhead for a dramatic waterfall version. Watching water cascade from the ceiling adds motion and the soothing sound of flowing water. Or install multiple showerheads at different heights along the walls for a drenching effect.
River Rock Floor
Use small river rocks instead of tile for a super realistic cave floor. Spread the smooth stones across the floor, leaving some gaps for drainage. Consider installing a submerged linear drain to complete the riverbed look.
Wicker Baskets
Natural wicker brings texture to towels, bath mats, and essentials. Look for baskets in soft neutrals like cream, tan, and brown. Hang them on the walls or place them on shelving. Opt for unlined baskets so water can drain quickly.
Wood Crate Shelving
Rustic wood shelving built from old crates or pallets can provide storage nooks for bath products. Try positioning them at different heights along the shower walls. Leave them unfinished for an outdoorsy look.
Keeping accents and furnishings simple and natural allows the cave-like surroundings to take center stage. Now, it’s time to shed some light on lighting options.
Light Your Cave Shower
Lighting makes a significant impact on ambiance. Bright, harsh overhead lighting would detract from the cozy cave mood. Instead, aim to install a mix of soft ambient and accent lighting. Here are some suggestions:
Recessed Ceiling Lights: Install recessed can lights on a dimmer switch across the ceiling. Keep them behind the shower enclosure, so they cast a soft, indirect glow.
Sconces: Flank the vanity mirror with rustic sconces made from concrete, rope, or oiled bronze. They provide mood lighting and a unique natural texture.
Shower Niche Lights: Line the inside of your shampoo niche with LED or fiber optic lights. Their glow will gently illuminate bath products and add very subtle lighting.
Lanterns: Hang simple glass lanterns from hooks on the ceiling. Choose solar-powered options to avoid wiring. Flickering battery-operated candles amp up the ambiance.
Skylight: A skylight over the shower lets in natural light from above, mimicking the openness of an actual cavern. Install a textured glass pane to diffuse the light.
By keeping light sources concealed and subdued, you can control the ambiance while keeping your cave shower safe and functional. Now for the fun part – let’s look at how these ideas and elements come together in authentic cave shower designs!
Cave Shower Inspiration
One of the best parts of designing any room is gathering inspiration from spaces you love. As a visual blogger who learns by seeing stunning spaces, I’ve created some beautiful cave shower designs to ignite your creativity. Let’s peek at how homeowners and designers have artfully translated the cave concept using finishes, lighting, and details we’ve discussed.
Rustic Wood Cave Shower
This nature-infused design celebrates the textures and grains of unfinished wood. The stone floor, reclaimed wood walls, and bench seating resemble showering in a woodland cave. Touches like the woven basket, driftwood framing, and textured glass door retain the simple, earthy style.
Modern Spa Cave Shower
While many cave showers lean rustic, this space proves you can also take a more contemporary approach. The staggered stone tile walls, frameless glass door, and linear drain have a sleeker feel. But the muted palette, ambient lighting, and indoor greenery still evoke a relaxing, cave-like atmosphere.
Natural Stone Cave Shower
This shower fully embraces the splendor of raw natural stone. Granite boulders protrude from the walls, and scattered pebbles cover the floor. The glass corner entryway seamlessly connects the indoor bathing space to the cavern beyond. Simple sconce lighting accentuates each craggy texture and natural hue.
Minimalist Gray Cave Shower
For a pared-down take, try a monochromatic stone scheme. This shower uses beautiful gray slate tile on the walls and floor for a uniform, cavernous look. The absence of color allows you to appreciate the veining and depth of the stone. A skylight overhead adds a pop of natural light.
Which aspects of these inspiring designs resonate with your shower goals and style? As a secondhand shopping fanatic, I’d love to work lots of reclaimed wood into my dream cave shower. Maybe you envision a more sleek, contemporary look with clean lines. Gather images and ideas to create your vision board.
Bringing Your Cave Shower to Life
After all this planning and inspiration, are you ready and excited to cave-ify your shower? As with any major home renovation, executing a project like this requires careful preparation, patience, and, often, professional help. Here are my tips for bringing your cave shower vision to life:
- Consult with contractors experienced in bathroom remodels. They can assess what’s feasible for your space and budget.
- Create a detailed plan with measurements, materials, lighting placement, and fixtures.
- Budget for unexpected costs and timeline delays that can happen mid-remodel.
- Seek input from interior designers if you need help perfecting finishes and layout.
- Check that finishes, fixtures, and fittings meet the code and are waterproof.
- Upgrade ventilation to handle increased humidity from multi-jet showers.
- Include a waterproof LED light to brighten up your cave shower safely.
- Add non-slip surfaces for safety and grab bars if needed for accessibility.
Most of all, have fun putting your spin on this earthy, soothing vibe. Soon, you’ll have a relaxing cave oasis steps from your bedroom. No hiking boots are required!
I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring how to infuse a little nature into your shower design.
What’s more, showering in a cave-like setting can also help to improve your skin and hair. The humid environment is ideal for keeping skin hydrated and can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The increased moisture in the air can also help to prevent hair from becoming dry and brittle.
So, if you’re looking for a way to upgrade your showering experience, creating a cave-like atmosphere is a great option! You will feel more relaxed and pampered, but you’ll also enjoy some profound health benefits.
