Our bathrooms are not just functional spaces—they are also the relaxing havens we seek out after a long, busy day. With the right design, your bathroom can transform into a personal spa, acting as an oasis of peace and quiet in the midst of your own home. Whether you’re struggling with picking out the right materials or you’re not sure how to lay out your space, today we show you how you can design your very own bathroom like a relaxing dream spa.

How to choose materials and colours

If you take a look at some of the most beautiful spas out there, you will begin to notice a trend. Many spas are fitted out with natural materials, such as marble, stone and occasionally even wood, as well as creamy, earthy colour palettes. By emphasising nature and earth, this combination helps you forget about your fast-paced city life and air pollution, instead taking you back to a natural, organic environment where you are encouraged to slow down. You can easily replicate this feeling at home by opting for warm, neutral-toned tiles in your bathroom, ideally in a sturdy marble alternative such as quartz.

Image courtesy of Grohe

Alternatively, dark spas have become fairly popular in recent years. Particularly drawn to these black-themed spas are those who love sleek, contemporary designs and prefer a cold look over warm, earthy tones. Dark spas are generally more difficult to replicate, as they can easily go from being relaxing to being moody and unappealing. What’s important here is to balance the black and grey marble with strategic lighting and plenty of mirrors, giving the room more dimension.

Image courtesy of Singapore Carpentry

If a dark theme is too extreme but you also don’t love the look of warm stone tiles, a mix of black marble and wood-look tiles may be what you’re looking for. The dark stone gives the space that spa-style luxury factor while the wooden aesthetic keeps the room feeling organic and down-to-earth. We recommend opting for tiles with a wooden look as opposed to real wood, as the latter may suffer from water damage over time.

Image courtesy of akiHAUS

How to pick your lighting

While often overlooked, lighting is key to set the mood in any kind of environment. Spas often opt for hidden lights and soft ambient lighting in order to maintain a soothing atmosphere. After all, glaring fluorescent lights are reminiscent of office buildings and thus quite the opposite of relaxing. Dim lighting with a warm hue is ideal for a calming bathroom, the relative darkness encouraging you to rest your eyelids and sink into tranquility.

Image courtesy of Rezt & Relax Interior

How to lay out the space

Of course, we often don’t have a choice over the layout of our bathrooms. If you do have the option to fully renovate your space, there are certain layouts that can enhance that spa-feeling you are looking for. Spaciousness is key here—open bathrooms with clear glass partitions and plenty of room between fittings will get the closest to resembling an actual spa. Particularly in Singapore, where many homes are small and close to each other, creating a sense of space can be incredibly relaxing, allowing you to (quite literally) distance yourself from everything around you.

Image courtesy of Renozone

Must-have elements

There are certain things that every spa-like bathroom must have to be a true oasis of peace and calm. The most important one, if we may say so ourselves, is greenery. Peppering your bathroom with plants, be it hanging or standing ones, will make the space feel instantly gentle and organic, giving you a break from the harsh structures of a big city. Dotting your design with towels, bathrobes and other textiles, such as fabric laundry baskets, can further add to the feeling of tranquil softness.

Image courtesy of The Orange Cube

The actual fittings of your bathroom are of course another series of must-haves. If you are torn between a bathtub and a shower, don’t worry—either one can make for a spa-like atmosphere when incorporated correctly. The key to picking out fittings that enhance the oasis feeling at home is to opt for the free-standing variants. Instead of a built-in bathtub, choose one that you can turn into the centrepiece of your bathroom, visually prioritising yourself and your relaxation in the design. If placing the bathtub at the centre is not an option, try to position it next to a window in order to highlight it within the room.

Image courtesy of Aamer Architects

Similarly, consider picking out an overhead shower for your bathroom as opposed to a shower cabin that’s crammed into the corner. This set-up can often be found in hotel suites, and for good reason—having a shower in an open space with lots of light and room to move will give you a greater sense of freedom and, consecutively, relaxation. If you do place your shower in the corner, make sure to position it near a window in order to still evoke a sense of space and liberty.

Image courtesy of Haire Living