Turning Your Bathroom into a Personal Spa: Luxury Upgrades
Your bathroom should be your own personal sanctuary, a place where you can relax and unwind after a long day. But if your bathroom feels more like a functional space than a luxurious retreat, don't despair. There are plenty of ways to upgrade your bathroom and make it feel like a true at-home oasis, and some high-ROI bathroom improvements will make your home more attractive to buyers. With just a few luxury upgrades, you can elevate your bathroom beyond a mere room where you do business: it can be your own private spa!
Heat That Towel Rack
If you're like most people, when you step out of the shower, you reach for a towel that's been sitting on a chilly towel rack. A warm towel is a welcome respite on a cold winter morning, but it's also a luxurious touch that can make your bathroom feel more spa-like. There are two primary ways to add heat to your towel rack. You can buy an electric towel warmer, which will gently heat your towels to the perfect temperature. Or, if you're handy, you can wire a standard towel rack to work with your home's electrical system. This option is only recommended for homeowners experienced in electrical work.
Upgrade Your Shower
One of the best ways to turn your bathroom into a personal spa is to upgrade your shower head. A high-quality shower head can provide a much more enjoyable showering experience, with greater water pressure and even improved temperature control. There are many different types of shower heads on the market, so you'll be able to find one that fits your budget and needs.
If you really want to achieve a spa-like atmosphere, you can install a rain shower head. These shower heads simulate the feeling of standing in a warm rain shower and can be an incredibly relaxing experience. Just ensure your bathroom is large enough to accommodate a rain shower head: they can be quite large, and you don't want your shower head spraying water all over your bathroom!
Not Your Father's Toilet
The invention of the quiet-close toilet seat was arguably the biggest advancement in toilet technology since the advent of running water. Nothing can ruin a calm and relaxing bathroom atmosphere quite like the sharp crack of a toilet seat that has slipped from one's fingers, and the quiet-close toilet seat removes that jarring possibility. This is a quick and cost-effective way to improve your bathroom experience.
If the goal is to turn your bathroom into an at-home spa, the heated seat is the next level up for your toilet. People who live in colder climates and those who are prone to catching a chill will most appreciate the added comfort of a warm embrace from their toilet seat.
The final luxury upgrade for toilets is polarizing, as it provides a service that some people can't live without and others want no part of. Installing a bidet can complete a bathroom's spa-like atmosphere, but more than any of the other luxury upgrades, this one comes down to very personal preference.
Install (or Upgrade) a Tub
For many people, taking a bath is the ultimate way to relax. If your home doesn't have a tub or your current one is old and outdated, installing a new one can be a great way to upgrade your bathroom and make it feel more like a spa. Clawfoot tubs are particularly luxurious, but any type of tub can provide a relaxing reprieve right at home.
If you have the resources to take your tub one step further, consider installing a waterfall faucet. The sound of trickling and running water is supremely relaxing; adding that to your bath experience will work wonders. Even if you don't have the space for a tub or it's too costly to install one, a small tabletop fountain can add the calming sound of trickling water to any bathroom.
Lighting
The type of lighting in your bathroom can also impact the overall atmosphere. If harsh fluorescent lights currently light your bathroom, it's no wonder you don't feel like spending any more time in there than you have to! Replacing these bright lights with softer, more inviting lighting will make a world of difference.
One popular type of lighting for bathrooms is recessed lighting. This type of lighting casts a soft, even light that can make your bathroom feel more inviting. Many homeowners find that the small added expense of installing dimmers can significantly contribute to the spa-like atmosphere. You can also add sconces or pendant lights to your bathroom for a softer, more relaxing atmosphere.
Candles can, of course, go a long way in adding to the calming ambiance of your bathroom. And if your ceilings are high enough, hanging a small chandelier can work wonders by bringing the room together and providing warm, soft lighting.
There are many different ways you can upgrade your bathroom to make it feel more like a personal spa, but if you’re doing any structural or electrical work, there are great builders who can guide you through your renovation. From simple changes like soft lighting or a new shower head to more substantial additions like installing a tub or bidet, there are plenty of options to choose from. Lean heavily on professional contractors for the intensive renovations. No matter what your budget is, with a little creativity, you can turn your bathroom into an oasis of relaxation.