A bathroom should be more than just a place to get clean – it should provide a relaxing, rejuvenating experience. This week’s featured bathroom does just that, with its serene, spa-like aesthetic and an abundance of natural light. Let’s take a tour of this light-filled oasis and see what makes it so special.
Introduction
The homeowners of this suburban Chicago home desired a bathroom retreat where they could unwind and de-stress from their busy lives. Working with a talented local designer, they transformed an outdated, cramped space into an airy, tranquil spa bathroom using smart layout changes, luxe materials, and abundant natural light.
The result is a bathroom that evokes the feeling of an upscale spa. From the marble accents to the freestanding tub, every detail works together to create a calm, soothing environment. The generous use of windows fills the space with soft, natural light which enhances the relaxing vibe. Just stepping into this bathroom, one immediately feels a sense of peaceful tranquility.
Read on as we explore this exquisite bathroom in more detail, and learn some tips and tricks that you can use to incorporate a serene, light-filled aesthetic into your own home.
Clean, Spa-Like Layout
One of the keys to creating a serene bathroom is in the layout. This light-filled bathroom employs some smart design choices to maximize the feeling of openness and tranquility.
Spaciousness
First and foremost, the space feels open and uncluttered. The homeowners removed an existing tub/shower combo and replaced it with a more spacious walk-in shower. This helped open up the room visually and make it feel more expansive. The shower is accentuated with glass walls which prevent it from feeling closed in or cramped.
Off to the side, a freestanding soaking tub serves as a luxurious focal point while still leaving plenty of floor space around it. The vanity is centered on the far wall, framed by two windows which make the space feel bathed in natural light.
Thoughtful placement of fixtures and deliberate use of open floor space helps this bathroom avoid feeling cramped or closed in. The overall effect is one of airy tranquility.
Spa Touches
Several design details evoke the feeling of a luxury spa. The freestanding tub placed by a window provides a soothing spot for soaking. Quartz shelves built into the shower offer space for bath accessories or decorative objects.
The frosted glass shower walls add privacy without totally closing in the space. And the fresh white color scheme enhances the spa-like ambiance.
Natural Lighting
One of the most striking aspects of this bathroom is how bright and airy it feels, thanks to abundant natural light. Multiple windows allow sunlight to stream in and prevent the space from feeling closed off or windowless.
The sunshine bouncing off the light walls and surfaces makes the room feel even more open and soothing. Strategic placement of mirrors also helps maximize the light.
Luxurious Materials
The materials used throughout this space were carefully curated to enhance the spa-like tranquility. Luxurious marble, quartz, glass, and porcelain elements elevate the design and create a feeling of indulgence.
Marble Accents
No spa-inspired bathroom would be complete without marble, used here to striking effect. Slabs of beautifully veined marble form the tub deck, shower niche, and vanity countertop – high-impact spots that really showcase the material’s luxury.
Marble porcelain tile laid in a herringbone pattern covers the floor and shower walls, adding subtle pattern and interest. The neutral white marble gives the space a crisp, bright aesthetic while also feeling indulgent.
Quartz & Glass
Sparkling quartz shelves in the shower and on the vanity offer the perfect place to display bath accessories and plants. This material has an airy, pristine quality that enhances the spa vibe.
Glass elements like the shower enclosure and vanity mirrors also lend to the feeling of openness while providing privacy and functionality. The interplay between the marble, quartz and glass creates depth and interest.
Fixtures & Hardware
The fixtures and hardware were also chosen to elevate the tranquil atmosphere. Polished chrome lever handles on the vanity and shower controls have a clean, reflective shine. The fixtures themselves have simple, rounded shapes complement the other elements nicely.
The freestanding tub is sculptural and slopes gently for ergonomic soaking. All the fittings and surfaces work together to create a soothing, spa-like environment.
Design Ideas To Steal
This sublime bathroom serves as a wonderful example for anyone looking to craft their own serene, spa-like retreat at home. Here are some of the top design ideas to steal from this light-filled oasis:
Abundant Natural Light
Take cues from how this bathroom utilizes ample window placement and mirror surfaces to infuse the space with soft natural light. If adding more windows is not feasible, consider installing skylights or solatubes to let sunshine in.
Spa Touches
Incorporate details like a freestanding tub, relaxing places to sit and enjoy the space, water features like rainfall showerheads, and storage for bath accessories. Warmer lighting and candles can also help achieve a spa ambiance.
Tranquil Color Scheme
Stick to a simple, neutral color palette like white marble and quartz to open up the bathroom and make it feel bright and relaxing. Pops of green from plants are also welcoming.
High-End Materials
Luxe finishes like marble, quartz, polished metals and glass communicating a sense of indulgence. Focus splurges on key areas like walls, tub surrounds and shower enclosures.
Smart Layout
Evaluate the layout with fresh eyes and look for opportunities to open up the floorplan. Removing visual barriers, allowing space around fixtures, and creating defined activity zones can help.
Design Breakdown
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the specific design elements that make this bathroom so stunning:
Clever Layout
This bathroom’s clever layout enhances functionality while also contributing to the peaceful vibe. Here are some of the layout highlights:
- Centered vanity provides symmetry and separation from shower/tub
- Walk-in shower with built-in shelves instead of cramped tub/shower combo
- Free-standing tub located by window to act as soaking sanctuary
- Open floor space and lack of visual barriers create spacious aesthetic
Abundant Natural Light
Sunlight streams into this bathroom from multiple sources, making the space feel bright and airy:
- Large window beside freestanding tub
- Pair of windows flanking centered vanity
- Skylight above walk-in shower lets in additional sunshine
- Mirrored wall behind tub reflects and amplifies natural light
Soothing Color Palette
The crisp, neutral color scheme enhances the spa-like tranquility:
- White marble tile, quartz and porcelain throughout provide clean, bright backdrop
- Taupe-gray stained wood vanity adds subtle contrast and warmth
- Pops of greenery from plants provide refreshing accent color
High-End Finishes
Luxurious materials give the bathroom an elevated, indulgent feel:
- Carrara marble on tub deck, vanity top and shower niche
- Marble-look porcelain tile laid in herringbone pattern on floors/walls
- Quartz shelves in shower and on vanity offer pristine display space
- Polished chrome fixtures and hardware provide sleek shine
Spa-Like Touches
Design choices like these enhance the overall spa-like ambiance:
- Free-standing soaking tub positioned by window provides serene escape
- Glass shower walls & rainfall showerhead make shower feel like rejuvenating escape
- Off-center placement of tub and shower zone creates open, uncluttered layout
- Floating wood vanity lightens up the room and contributes to the spacious vibe
- Quartz shelves in shower and frosted glass enclosure add subtle luxury
This bathroom covers all the bases when it comes to crafting a serene, spa-like retreat. The harmonious use of natural light, clean minimalist layout, luxe materials, and rejuvenating features results in a perfectly tranquil space.
Achieving This Look Yourself
While you may not be able to replicate this exact bathroom, there are many ways to work a similar serene, spa-like aesthetic into your own space on any budget. Here are some tips:
Let the light in – Take advantage of all available natural light by keeping windows/skylights uncovered, opting for translucent window treatments, and using reflective surfaces like mirrored cabinets
Keep it simple – Stick to a pared-down color palette of whites and neutrals. Avoid clutter and minimize busy patterns.
Add texture – Incorporate natural materials like stone, wood and wicker to add cozy texture to offset sleek surfaces.
Include rejuvenating features – Even if you don’t have room for a soaking tub, add spa-like features like a rainfall showerhead, massaging jet tub, or heated floors.
Use calm colors – Soothing cool tones like blues, greens and grays can help create a relaxing vibe. Avoid bright, energetic colors.
Incorporate plants – Greenery brings life and freshness to bathrooms. Display succulents, ferns or orchids in hanging planters or on shelves.
Splurge on key elements – Focus higher-end finishes in prominent spots like tubs, showers, counter surfaces and accent walls.
With the right combinations of materials, lighting and layout decisions, you can craft your own personal bathroom sanctuary. Let this light-filled, luxurious space serve as inspiration next time you remodel!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about creating a serene, spa-like bathroom retreat:
What colors work best for a relaxing bathroom?
Cool, tranquil colors like white, pale blue, gray, and light green are ideal for bathrooms looking to cultivate relaxed, spa-like vibes. Avoid loud, energetic colors and opt for muted, subtle hues.
What flooring is best for a bathroom sanctuary?
Porcelain tile, marble, and limestone are excellent bathroom flooring choices that also enhance a spa-like aesthetic. Opt for large-format tiles with minimal grout lines for a seamless look.
Should you have plants in a bathroom?
Yes! Greenery is a great way to bring nature indoors and enhance feelings of tranquility, perfect for a bathroom sanctuary. Opt for low-maintenance plants that thrive in humid conditions like orchids, ferns, philodendrons and succulents.
How can you make a bathroom feel more open?
Using a neutral color palette, maximizing natural light, minimizing visual clutter, and creating an open, barrier-free floor plan are great ways to help a bathroom feel more expansive.
What are some key things to include in a spa bathroom?
Some hallmarks of a spa bathroom include a soaking tub, rainfall shower, luxe materials like natural stone, minimalist furniture, radiant heated floors, towel warmers, and storage for bath accessories.
How do you add a spa-like experience to a small bathroom?
In a small bathroom, include special features like a wall-mount waterfall faucet, decorative vessel sink, fog-free mirror, towel warming rack or creative LED lighting to elevate the space.
Should you use marble or quartz in a bathroom?
Both marble and quartz make fabulous bathroom materials that align with a luxurious, spa-like aesthetic. Marble offers an elegant, timeless look while quartz provides durability and a fresh modern feel.
Is a freestanding tub worth it?
For those desiring a central soaking sanctuary, a freestanding tub can be worth the investment, visually opening up floor space and providing a relaxing focal point. Ensure it fits your bathroom’s size and your soaking preferences.
Should you get a rainfall shower head?
Absolutely! A rainfall shower head infuses your shower with a soothing spa vibe. The abundant water coverage relaxes muscles, washes away stress, and makes an everyday shower feel special.
Final Thoughts
This sublime, light-filled bathroom provides loads of inspiration for crafting a relaxing, spa-like retreat in your own home. Clever layout, an abundance of natural light, high-end finishes, and rejuvenating amenities merge to create a perfectly peaceful sanctuary. While your bathroom may be a different size and style than this suburban Chicago one, there are many takeaways here that can inform your design. Keep things simple but special, focus on quality over quantity, let the light in, and the end result will be a bathroom that nourishes your mind, body and spirit. A space like this makes it tempting to linger in the tub or shower and wash your cares away. Everyone deserves that kind of personal escape – use the tips and ideas from this serene bathroom to make it happen for yourself!
