Once tipped by interior designers as the next big thing, the ‘Spathroom’ has actually proved its staying power; growing from a mere trend into a timeless expression of everyday luxury that is truly appealing to a growing market. 

Today’s spa-inspired bathrooms are creating softer, more tactile and deeply personal spaces designed not just for washing, but for unwinding, restoring and retreating from the noise of daily life.

Creating a sanctuary in your home gives you a special place to retreat to every day.

With our often busy lives, stressful jobs or even ill health physically or mentally, having a peaceful and calm retreat in the home can work wonders for both the body and soul. 

At Showerscape.co.uk, my husband Ian and I have always believed in ‘bringing the outdoors in’ to the home, and the benefits this has on our mental wellbeing is nothing but positive.

And that’s clear to see, as we have lots of nature-themed shower panels – from forest scenes to morning sun rays.

Deep down we are outdoor creatures in an indoor environment, and so being able to imagine you are somewhere else, even for a short space of time can help you relax and unwind.

What can help create the perfect home spa?

The colours you choose are an important start, to help create a sense of calm. 

Naturally, greens are very often your perfect partner here.

We associate greens with natural elements – grasses, mosses, lush forests.

It’s a colour which symbolises positivity, growth, freshness, harmony and a sense of calm – all of these things create a wonderfully relaxed space. 

Of course, we’re not suggesting painting the whole room green, but there are so many different shades to draw on, from deep teal to sage green and muted lichens, and combined they all give a harmonious feel to the room. 

Let there be light!

Colours and of course light, impact our sense of space.

Natural sunlight adding a ray of warmth and calm from a skylight, can add a sense of peace and connection to the world outside. 

If you don’t have much natural daylight, using warm white or daylight lighting can help give a warmer feel to the room with a halo-lit mirror, for example. 

If we think of luxury spa venues such as Champney’s or Ragdale Hall, they very often have soft lighting inset within shelving or under-cabinet lighting to give a softer, calmer feel. That’s now easier to achieve at home and can really add to the cool ambience. 

Soft, rounded, curved forms in a bathroom are more tactile and welcoming than sharp angles. 

And remember, things don’t have to be ‘perfect’, the space should flow and be inviting. 

Having somewhere to sit in the room, even a small stool in the corner, can invite you to take that extra bit of time after your bath or shower to reflect in the peaceful environment.  

The choice of fittings and accessories available to you from independent or specialist suppliers also allows you to create a unique space just for you. 

Adding interesting, crafted elements such as a stone hand basin can add a natural edge to the room. 

Transport yourself to a relaxing place

A spa allows you to experience a destination on a holistic level, and creating this environment in our homes can be really empowering too. 

The design and materials you chose can really transform how a simple space feels and your emotional connection to being within it. 

Our Showerscape shower panels can help you transport yourself to somewhere dreamy – imagine a serene woodland backdrop or an exhilarating waterfall within your shower for example, surrounding you with a vision of calmness beyond a flat wall. 

Creating a space that elevates all of our senses can be really transformative.

Using candles and scents helps enhance the ambience and some light background music or a natural soundscape also helps us unwind.

Bring the bubbles

If you want to go further and budget (and space) allows there are of course spa jacuzzi baths, sauna and steam room spaces and integrated full-body dryers that all add to the luxury spa feel in your own home. 

We have customers who have integrated these within their new bathrooms and genuinely enjoy spending more time in there because of it.  

The reason the spa themed bathroom is so popular today is down to its timeless appeal.

Creating a sensory environment isn’t based on trends, it’s based on the experience of creating a truly relaxing, calming space – one that elevates our daily wash routines into a more revitalising moment in the day. 

It’s not an exact template approach, it’s about thinking  how to combine these elements together into a space that feels right to you – somewhere to relax the mind and unwind the body. Time to plan your dream spa. 

Andrea and Ian are the founders of Showerscape creating bespoke printed shower panels perfect for more than just home bathrooms – from swimming pools, camper van and narrowboat showers, to wetrooms, new-build extensions, listed properties, boutique hotels, holiday lets, cabins, and even hot tub surrounds.