Creating a Bathroom Spa in Five Steps

What is a bathroom spa? I like to think of it as a "ritual chamber" in which I not only clean my body and do bathroom business, but also pamper my skin, unwind my mind, and luxuriate in the moment of peacefulness. Not everyone can afford going to a spa every day. So why not turn our own bathroom into a private spa? This project is not that hard to achieve, really. I'm not talking about remodeling the whole bathroom, changing the tiles, installing a brand new toilet or any kind of stuff that will require professional help. You should be able to bring all these bathroom spa ideas into fruition all by yourself within a few days or maybe just a few hours.

How often do you see a filthy spa bathroom with a mildewed ceiling? If spa owners let their bathrooms deteriorate like that, they certainly won't receive many customers. No matter how spacious or well-decorated your bathroom is, it will not become a true place to relax unless it is sparkling clean. So the first step of creating a bathroom spa is to make everything look spotless. Pay extra attention to all the corners and hard-to-reach spots. Throw away old bottles of shampoo and soap that have been sitting there untouched for ages.

If your white bathtub is not so white anymore, simply fill it up with water, add about half cup of bleach (or more if your tub is huge and hopelessly dirty), then let it sit overnight. The next morning your tub will be white and shiny again. If your toilet bowl is plastered with murky stains that are so impossible to scrub off, sprinkle half cup of baking soda all over it, wait about 5 minutes, then pour in half cup of white vinegar. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to work on the stains for about 15 - 30 minutes, then scrub and flush.

What kind of place usually helps you find your inner peace and leave all your worries behind? It could be a flower garden, a beach, countryside scenery, etc. Pick one place you prefer and make that the theme of your bathroom. Try to visualize how you can "bring" your favorite greenhouse or mountaintop into your bathroom spa. For example, if you want your bathroom to have an ocean theme, little seashells and blue rugs might be decorative items you should seek. If you love lush forests, a mini-waterfall and shower curtain with lovely pictures of trees might lead your imagination into the wilds while having a bath.

Now your bathroom is clean and has a theme. The next step is to accessorize and perhaps repaint it. Do you like the color of the walls? If you find simple white walls pleasant and comforting, keep them that way. If you would like to give the room a whole new look, repaint it with a color that resonates the bathroom theme you have in mind. For instance, use sea foam green to bring back your fond memories of a vacation in the Caribbeans, or use golden yellow to create a bold visual interest that reminds you of a sunflower garden, etc. Keep in mind, however, that the color of the walls should not clash with the shades of the tiles and bathroom fixtures.

Pick all the bathroom accessories carefully. Bathroom gadgets made of natural materials, such as wood bathmats and seashell soap dishes, tend to lend a spa-like atmosphere more than plastic or ceramic products do. Try to buy hair and skin products of high quality that come in stylish containers. Store your bath salt in cute little glass jars and line them up nicely. Place a vase of fresh flowers in a corner to generate a lively vibe. And if space allows, put a chair or stool somewhere in the room. You may want to sit on it while soaking your feet in a foot massage tub, so make sure it's a comfortable chair.

Make sure the lights in your bathroom spa are not too harsh. Save those super-bright fluorescent bulbs for the kitchen where detail-oriented tasks are performed. In the bathroom, the lights should be soft, soothing and flattering. A quick fix for this would be to install a wall sconce (that doesn't expose the light bulb). Better yet, you might consider installing a small chandelier on the ceiling. This will add not only an eye-friendly light but also an extra glamorous touch to your bathroom. To create a truly relaxing ambience, some people even pass over electric lights completely and opt for candles instead.

Now your bathroom looks like a pretty nice spa but it's not quite complete. Give it a little more personality. Give it an aroma. A lot of people like scented candles, but I personally prefer using a small jar of scented oil and reeds. Some might favor plug-in air fresheners. And some might simply use air-freshening sprays. It's all up to you, but here are some recommended scents to use:

For calming effects: lavender, cinnamon, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, gardenia

For invigorating effects: amber, basil, citronella, sweet grass, eucalyptus, geranium

The last thing to think about is whether you like to spend your time in your bathroom spa silently, or you would prefer having some music and sounds. If the latter is your answer, find a good spot to place a small stereo system or just a stereo speaker to use with your iPod. Besides your favorite music, try listening to some healing sounds of nature (waterfalls, birds singing, waves, etc.) while luxuriating in your bathroom ritual. I guarantee it will be a lovely experience.