When you need to unwind after a long day, a spa-like master bathroom can be a welcome, calming oasis. Whether you’re soaking in a tub surrounded by candles or letting a rain shower relax your muscles, the worries of the day melt away.
As you plan your master bathroom renovation, or sketch out a new spa-like master bathroom in your new custom home, elements to consider include adding natural light where possible, using multiple lighting types to create a well-lit and balanced space, and choosing the best tiles, hardware and other accents for your space. Know that even a small space can be transformed into a beautiful, spa-like bathroom.
Recently, we helped a client turn a dark and cramped bathroom into an inviting, luxurious spa-like room. Overall, our goal was to give them a brighter master bathroom with a more open feel, a room that they wanted to spend relaxing time in.
The existing bathroom included a large shower and a built-in soaking tub, two excellent elements for a spa-like bathroom. But the room was dark, with inadequate natural light and dim lighting above the sinks. The positioning of the cabinets and the sinks along with the tub made the room feel smaller than it is, busy and cluttered.
The room had an octagon-like shape, so one of our first steps was to straighten the corners on the cabinet side of the room to give it a more open feeling. We swapped out the built-in tub with a more modern-looking freestanding white bathtub with a freestanding tub filler. The extra space allowed our clients to move around the room more easily.
Freestanding White Bathtub with a Freestanding Tub Filler
In the shower, glass block windows were outdated and they didn’t let in enough light. We changed them to clear windows that have a privacy film on the lower three-fourths of the glass. We also opened up the shower wall and installed all glass instead. Both of those changes let sunlight stream into the room while maintaining privacy.
New Shower Clear Windows with a Privacy Film
As the project proceeded, we found that the original construction of the windows and shower bench was faulty. Water was leaking through both the window sills and the bench. First, we corrected water damage inside the walls. Then we installed the new windows correctly, with the right water proofing methods.
We used vinyl windows to eliminate corrosion and installed counter top material as the window sills as another way to prevent water from seeping in. With counter top material, there are no gaps or grout lines, and that prevents water from going through the window sill.
Next came tiling, wall colors and cabinetry. The bathroom is a good size, so our client decided to go with dark walls to make the space feel nice and cozy. They chose large tiles with bold veining for the walls, turning the walls into the focal point of the bathroom.
Large Format Bathroom Wall Tile and Floating Vanities
With that decision made, we knew the other elements would have to be more neutral without any bold patterns so the room wouldn’t look and feel too busy. Often, bathrooms with too many bold colors and patterns can detract from a relaxing experience.
A New Spa-like Master Bathroom
So our client picked a simple white tile for the floor and then we added a bit of warmth with a wood color and texture for the bathroom cabinets. The veins on the wall tiles are similar in color to the wood tone of the cabinetry, and that was on purpose. We wanted to create a united, cohesive look. Other great flooring options for a spa-like master bathroom include porcelain tile that mimics wood or even a heated floor.
The warm stainless steel hardware that was picked for the cabinets complements the wood texture and it looks great with a white tub and white tile.
To complete the spa-like experience, we installed a rain shower head in the shower and a slide bar with a hand shower. The wand and shower head have separate temperature controls. Finally, we put in lighted mirrors, heated towel racks and cabinet hardware including the Rev-A-Shelf Vanity Grooming Organizer as well as a laundry hamper.
Our clients were thrilled with their bathroom makeover and they were excited to add their own special touches. To complete a spa-like master bathroom, extra touches could include a wooden stool by the bathtub, soft, luxurious cotton towels, bath bombs, candles, plants, an essential oil diffuser, and special soaps.
Learn more here about how we work with our clients at Arieli.
