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Bathroom Bliss

How to turn the humble bathroom into a luxurious spa


By Gurvinder Kaur | September 20, 2011


Who said a bathroom can’t be luxurious? Think of it as a spa; a rejuvenating respite in the comfort of your own home. Begin with the essentials: Rest and relaxation; a place to comfort your body and soul.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a key aspect in spas and can be easy to integrate into your bathroom. The method uses scents to stimulate your mood, and certain aromas are known for their calming properties. For the bathroom, choose scents that evoke mental and physical restoration: Lavender, for example, induces calmness and relaxation. Jasmine improves your mood and sense of wellbeing, not to mention the romantic atmosphere it generates, and marjoram can relieve muscle aches and pains.

Although scented candles and essential oils are great for filling a room, why not indulge in something a bit more luxurious? ThermaSol® provides a steam bath infused with the holistic powers of aromatherapy. Take advantage of the health benefits provided by steam and aromatherapy, in order to rid yourself of the stress and toxins of your day.

Colour
Black, chrome, red, silver, white, gold, blue... let’s not forget the impact of colour. We know how colour can help unite a space or diffuse a vision, which makes it an important feature of a bathroom.

White is reminiscent of pure, clean and modern. If you decide on white for the walls and floors, inject personality with coloured fixtures. Red and orange provide a burst of energy that can really help with those early morning wake up calls.

Black evokes pure elegance with an insinuation of strength. Layer black walls and tiles with a myriad of colours and chromes (just not all at once). For a sleek and chic look, why not experiment with black furniture and fixtures instead?

Depending on the shade, blues and greens look marvellous against white and black,  bringing elements of water and nature indoors. Nature-inspired textures are also incorporated with stone sinks and rich wood cabinetry.

Lighting
To further embrace the natural elements, explore your options for lighting. Skylights allow for sunlight to fill a room but also provide the opportunity to stare up at the star-lit sky during a late night soak in the tub (for an added touch of luxury, forget a traditional tub and try one with Jacuzzi jets or a Whirltub).

Fixtures
Are you longing for a gentle waterfall to cascade over your body? Or are you tempted to feel the exhilaration of dancing in the rain? Some of the most popular shower heads now attempt to mimic the experience of bathing outdoors, whether under a waterfall or in the midst of a downpour. Dornbracht has designed a series of shower fixtures that allow you to control and reinvent your experience with water.

Detailing
To create the bathroom as a space of personal luxury, focus on the details. The comfort added by a heated floor is impeccable as you step out of the warm bath, onto a stone tiled floor that meets your foot with gentle warmth. A heated towel rack is a nice addition too. Newer, mounted towel racks have built-in wall features that hide the technical elements and don’t compromise the aesthetic value. A simple way to avoid waiting for the mirror to defog is by investing in fog-free mirrors. Simple enough, right?

For an extra touch of personality and technology, consider adding a toilet that plays your music off an SD card, as well as self-flushes.

Designers and manufacturers provide limitless options to help you create the ideal bathroom environment. So, for your next renovation project, don’t skimp on the relaxation that a bit of lavishness can bring to a bathroom. •



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