4 key ideas for designing a bathroom for relaxation and self-care

Societal attitudes to mental health have evolved a lot in the past few decades, and today, thankfully, we know that self-care is a vital part of our day-to-day lives – and that makes it the perfect central theme to anchor your bathroom design. Now of course, the idea of self-care can mean different things to different people, so it can be initially a bit hard to define. So if you need a bit of inspiration, here are four great approaches to consider starting off with – and your bathroom can evolve from there! 

Zen minimalism

You can achieve a lot with very little, if you’re smart about how to implement it. Simplicity and minimalism are excellent principles to embrace in your bathroom. It might seem difficult to perfect right off the bat, but one of the best ways to start is by clearing it of everything that you don’t absolutely need. (If you need a bit of help, look no further than the famous mantra of Marie Kondo – what sparks joy?) If necessary, you can cheat a bit by using concealed storage, keeping the place visually clear but still with the necessities in reach when you need them. 

Neutral colours are the best shades to use for this kind of style, such as whites and greys, as they can help to create a serene ambience. If it starts to look a little cold, you can add a few extra understated touches, with natural elements like bamboo or teak.

Comfort and luxury

The bathroom can be the perfect place to live like royalty – and don’t you deserve it, after all? Plush bathroom towels can be an excellent place to start, and in terms of setting the overall mood, you can go a long way with soft lighting fixtures like wall sconces or pendant lights with warm toned bulbs. The end result is a gentle and inviting atmosphere, which you can complement by choosing elegant fixtures and finishes to enhance that overall sense of opulence. If you’d like, you can even go as far as underfloor heating – the ultimate in bathroom luxury! 

Bring the outdoors indoors

This is a major recent trend that’s only been becoming more popular over the last few years – and you can use it to amazing effect in your bathroom. Natural materials like wood and stone can make for excellent flooring and countertops. There’s also plenty of opportunities to integrate plant life into your bathroom – you can do so via indoor plants on your sink or windowsill, for example. If you’ve got the room (and inclination) maybe even a small indoor garden! This style of bathroom works best if you’ve got plenty of natural light to play with, through large windows or skylights – and even if you haven’t, you can still use earthy tones and textures throughout to further evoke a connection to the world of nature.  

A multi-sensory experience

If nothing has quite clicked with you so far, here’s an option where you can get particularly creative, by designing your bathroom to engage multiple senses, for a truly holistic relaxation experience. You can go down the aromatherapy route, for example, by introducing scented candles to create calming fragrances. Plush rugs or towels can also add a tactile element – and if you’ve got the space or budget, a waterfall or small fountain feature can bring the soothing sound of running water. (Of course, if you haven’t, you can always just ensure there’s a plug socket in a safe place to install a smart speaker instead!) 

Finally, adjustable lighting can help create different atmospheres, depending on the mood you want to achieve. It’s all up to you!

Whatever your vision for your own bathroom, you can count on us to help you achieve it here at NPM Bathrooms. We’ve got more than 30 years of experience behind us, giving us all the expertise, passion and experience we need to help bring your dream bathroom to life! Come pay us a visit at our Manchester Road bathroom showroom, or call us on 01282 697717, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.