Many of you will be keen to give your bathroom that Spa Feeling.

We have assembled some thoughts and advice from our associates to inspire and assist you in achieving your aim.

Budget.

Budget is as always an important consideration.  Yes, it's always a great feeling to be able to just start from scratch, tear out your existing fittings and completely renew your whole bathroom, but it is still possible to achieve great results simply by  making a few clever changes and adjusting decor and colours to create the ambience you want.  So if your budget is tight don't dispair, there are still some tricks to achieve a spa feel without spending a fortune.

If you are contemplating a total makeover a closer look at costs is essential.  You must be aware of your resources to be able to select the most suitable design schemes and products for your new spa bathroom.

First let's look at a few ways to create that luxury spa vibe without a major overhaul.

Colours and Textures

Tranquil colours will help to create a relaxing bathroom.  Can you introduce some colour by painting a wall, or even part of a wall to provide a relaxing feature?  Soft pastel shades will work well, tints of pale green, buttermilk and pastel pinks provide a calming warmth which will not be found with the harsher monochromes and greys.  Wood and natural stone will bring warmth to any room with added texture and earthy colours boosting that feeling of serenity.

If it's not possible to make big changes to wall or floor surfaces use your imagination and introduce some artwork, drapes or floor rugs which provide the desired colour input.  If there is space for some type of furniture then you have an opportunity for introducing wood, and the added benefit of storage can lead to an uncluttered bathroom, again boosting the calm, spa-like atmosphere.

Remember furniture can be wall mounted if floor space is tight, and wall cabinets will offer convenient storage with the possible added benefit of a mirror which could create an illusion of added space.

Rolls of chunky, soft towels

Here's something you will see in any spa and is so simple to reproduce at home.  Fold your towels to create a rectangle then roll them neatly.  The rolls can be stacked on a shelf, perhaps at the end of your bath of even set carefully on the floor in a visible spot.  To be sure not to stack them where they will get splashed!

Pure white towels will provide the best effect, but pale colours can also work.  Just be careful to ensure a continuity of colour with any other features you have added.

Aromas

Scented candles or diffusers will reinforce that luxurious atmosphere of a top hotel spa.  Place one or more on any available shelving, or even on top of a cabinet, anywhere where there is a little space, but of course beware of the risk with candles and place with care.  If you have room to safely use a number of candles, even the unscented variety will produce a beautiful soft lighting experience which of course adds to that calm and peaceful feeling. 

Bringing in nature

Plants are a brilliant addition if its practical to include one or even several.  There are many varieties ideal for the humid conditions in a bathroom and lots are also pretty low maintenance so you don't even need to worry too much about killing them off.  How's that for low stress?  A plant will introduce several of the essential elements we have looked at, bringing natural colours and textures, not just in the leaves and stalks but in the pot or container your place it in.

If you are lucky enough to have a window with a lovely view, there's another source of nature to exploit, and if you don't then maybe consider a leafy, forrest vibe in some artwork on your wall.

Creating a Spa Style bathroom from scratch.

If you intend to go the whole hog and build yourself a spa every gadget you need will be available, but do get a handle on the cost, some of the features you may want to include can be pretty costly.

Styles and Theme

Colours and materials will need to reflect the shape and size of your room.  The amount and direction of natural light is also a big consideration, for example a north facing small window will let in less light than a large window facing south, so your use of dark colours should be considered.  Not to avoid them, but to consider the amount and position.  Just look at the picture above with the dark walls and bath, but the window is extra large. 

Putting the style aside just for a moment, lets have a look at some of the items available for you to consider.

Whirlpool type bath.

Lots of options here with the very basic types being "bolt on" whirlpool systems which can be fitted by a dedicated specialist to a standard bath.  Other companies specialise in manufacturing whirlpool baths as a finished product, meaning the the bathtub and the jet system are made and supplied by the same manufacturer, avoiding any warranty issues and providing a total product guarantee, but tending to be more costly.

A true whirlpool is a system which pumps water from the bath and directs it through a series of pipes to be forced through jets (nozzles) back into the bath again.    As the water is pumped around there is a mechanism for introducing air into the flow, so the jets will introduce a stream of air bubbles along with the moving water.  The amount of air in the flow can usually be controlled, more air makes a more turbulent bath.  The beneficial qualities of a whirlpool are greatly increased by the introduction of air bubbles which provide a greater stimulus to your skin than a jet of water alone.  Its worth looking at the jets in a bath you are considering; larger jets will produce a more gentle air/water stream than a small jet, offering a more comfortable bathing experience, an yes, you've guessed, the larger jets are usually found on the more expensive systems.

A variant on the theme is often referred to as a Spa Bath.  These types have a series of small jets in the base which pump air only into the bath water but do not actually circulate any water at all.  They do provide a pleasant bathing experience but have little therapeutic benefit, the air/water jets of a full whirlpool system being much more beneficial for the ease of muscle pains etc.  Naturally the spa system costs somewhat less.

A few other points to consider about whirlpools:

Neither of these systems will adapt to a traditional free standing bath, although they may be possible on a skirted style free stander, where the bath is not mounted on feet and the underside of the bath is not visible.

The pump powering either system naturally requires an electrical connection and will make some noise.  The water jets tend to produce some noise also, and the noise level will increase as more air is introduced.  It is wise to take access to the workings into account when deciding on the position and how the bath is to be paneled.

Because of the turbulent, churning water in both bath styles, regular bubble bath solutions and many other colour and aroma additives cannot be used.  There are, however, ranges of less foaming bath solutions which may be safely used.

Look for a whirlpool system which is self draining, meaning that the tubes carrying the water around will naturally drain when the bath is emptied.  This avoids water remaining stagnant and bacterial build up.  Even so, it is wise t use a sanitising solution at regular intervals.

Steam and Sauna

Saunas and Hammams (steam cabins) have ancient origins and have always been popular as they help keep us healthy in a natural and enjoyable way. With their dry or humid heat, you can flush out toxins and relax your muscles through perspiration.

From its Scandinavian beginnings, the Finnish sauna has conquered the whole world. Heat in the sauna can reach temperatures of up to 100°C but, thanks to the low humidity (20-30%), it becomes a pleasant embrace, relaxing the muscles and stimulating bodily purification.   Saunas have always held a certain fascination due, possibly, to the health benefits associated with them in northern Europe.

In contrast to the sauna, the humidity in the steam bath reaches 100% and the temperature does not exceed 48°C.  The simultaneous action of steam and controlled heat helps the lymphatic blood circulation by dissolving toxins and promoting their expulsion.   Our whole body - including the nervous system, skin and circulation - feels the beneficial effects of the steam experience. 

Pictured products are by Effe of Italy

Either of these wellness products can bring that true spa experience to your own bathroom.  There are compact versions of either option available but, let's be realistic, you are going to need a bit more space than the 2Mx2M bathroom of a typical UK suburban semi.  Budget too is naturally going to be pushed upwards, so these are options only for consideration if you have the necessary space and funding available.  However, if your resources permit, a sauna or a hammam will prove a luxurious and beneficial addition to your spa bathroom.

A steam cabin can be neatly combined with a shower cubicle, helping to minimise space requirements.   Steam generators, steam doors and steam domes (the roof part) are all available as individual items which enable the building of a custom steam room to suit your available space.  Do seek professional help with the design and specification, as ventilation is vitally important.  Any steam room must have adequate ventilation to allow fresh air to enter.  The steam experience means relaxing for some time in the heat and humidity, and although the steam needs to be retained, the user could run out of oxygen if a supply of fresh air was not maintained.

A sauna tends to be a separate cabin and will not include a shower as humidity needs to be kept low, ventilation is still very important to maintain oxygen levels, but as there is no need to retain steam this is less of a problem.  A traditional sauna uses a heater which warms up stones, in turn radiating heat into the cabin, and there is usually a means of sprinkling water onto the stones to create a steam mist which helps keep a minimum humidity.  Often a drinking water tap is included as the high temperature of the sauna will cause dehydration, and the user needs to drink while relaxing.  The infra red sauna is rising in popularity.  Here the basic heat/humidity principal is the same, but the heat source is one or a series (depending on cabin size) of infra red heating elements.