Creating a Spa Bathroom

Creating a Spa Bathroom should be an exciting transformation….especially if your current bathroom looks like this and your dream is for it to look something more like this. However, it can also be an overwhelming process if you don’t have a good plan. Knowing your goals and objectives for the end result are key. Let me walk you through the process to get you started.

Here’s the plan…

First up is the layout

It’s important to start with the layout to create a spa bathroom of your dreams. Ask yourself, are the current locations of the plumbing in a good place. I find in many cases that the fixtures are often in a good position which is a positive situation since moving the rough-in plumbing can be a costly undertaking. On the other hand, if you are unhappy with the current layout it’s best to bring in a reliable plumbing contractor early on to determine whether your desired layout is possible and find out what the costs would be to do so. In some cases, if you’re taking out a tub with a deck & adding a free standing tub the plumbing might only need to be moved a few feet and can be done easily once the floor is taken up. That was the case with this bathroom. Before and After. In most cases if the fixtures are currently in the general vicinity of your desired plan it shouldn’t be a major challenge.

Once you have determined the layout you’ll want to start selecting the materials, however while you’re getting started on that you should be interviewing contractors. I recommend you interview 3 contractors that have strong referrals or good reviews. The contractor is a huge part of creating a spa bathroom of your dreams. Reliability and Credibility are key components you need to look for. Don’t ever choose a contractor simply to save money! You want someone who has the experience and connections with all the key people and components that you will need for the entire process. Whoever you secure be sure to give them a reasonable completion date that you would like to achieve. If you’re early in the process I would expect that to be at least 8-12 weeks depending on the size of the space.

Selecting the Cabinetry

Cabinetry is where I like to start in the selection process, mostly because it has the longest lead time. It does take some time to design in order to make sure you have the proper storage, especially since you are creating a spa bathroom which will have more amenities than a standard bathroom. If you have the space for separate vanities like we did here then you are very fortunate. If you share a vanity it’s best if you can have a predetermined space for yourself and your partner. Let’s face it, we all have our own personal grooming products that we like to have conveniently placed and ready to grab when we are getting ready to go out or when winding down in the evening. Here’s a list of questions to consider when planning your cabinetry.

What toiletries & grooming paraphernalia do you use on a daily basis?
What items do you want easy access to for every day use?
Do you need room for towel storage or is there a linen closet outside the bathroom?
Do you have space for upper storage that sits on the counter?
Do you want pullout shelves for upper & lower storage aside from your drawers?
What color or finish do you want the cabinetry to be?
What design do you want the doors to be?
What embellishments would you like the cabinets to have?
What is your budget?

At this point it’s time to start visiting showrooms for inspiration. If you have a vendor you have already purchased cabinetry from and have established a trust with, then you are off to a good start. Whoever you choose, be sure to give them your target date to receive the cabinets by. I highly recommend that you have your cabinets & all other materials delivered to your home prior to starting demolition. This will save on the downtime and inconvenience.

Moving on to Plumbing Fixtures

There is no doubt that the plumbing fixtures will be the key component for creating a spa experience. Start with the fixtures that are most important to you. Maybe you LOVE taking a bath, so starting with the tub and tub filler is the first place to start and to build off of. For me, it’s the shower! When I was designing our spa bathroom we wanted everything within the shower that was possible. A rainshower head, a hand-held shower, back sprays, steam shower and since we were tight on bathroom space our shower also serves as a corner soaking tub. Honestly, even after staying at fine hotels on our travels we still look forward to getting back to our spa shower. Find a working showroom near you where you can see and test the fixtures, especially the shower head. You’ll be making a big investment and you want to be confident of your selections.

The style and finish of the fixtures are important to the finished look. Do you want the warmth of satin brass or the practicality of brushed nickel. Or maybe you prefer the sophistication of polished nickel or the practicality of chrome; definitely a cost saver. Visiting local showrooms with beautiful, inspiring displays can help direct you in your preference.

If you prefer to shop online one of my favorite vendors for plumbing fixtures is Signature Hardware. They have a really unique collection of products and their customer service is excellent.

Let’s not forget the things we don’t like to talk about!

Does the toilet you are considering flush well? Would you like to have a heated toilet seat or one that raises and lowers as you approach. Do you have room for a bidet? These are great additions to adding extra comfort to your spa bathroom.

Replacing and Adding Lighting

Lighting is SO important in any bathroom and especially in a spa bathroom. You want lighting that is functional, flattering and versatile. It should serve you well to apply makeup or shave. It should be dimable so you can relax in your soaking tub.

Let’s start with the lighting near the mirror. The best way to light up your face is by having lighting that surrounds it like the mirrors that are made by Eurofase ; you often see these in hotels. These work well in a transitional or contemporary application. Light bars or sconces also provide good lighting. It’s good to consult a lighting specialist to make sure the fixtures are a good fit for your application. It can be tricky when you have a mix of natural light that lights up half of your face and shadows the other side so you want to take that into consideration as well.

Adding a ceiling fixture can add elegance and style to your spa bathroom, especially if you you have a volume ceiling like we did here. Ceiling fixtures add good general lighting to illuminate and highlight the space evenly. That’s something you can’t achieve as well with light bars and sconces. So if you have the space consider adding one. If your ceiling height is 8’-9’ you can still consider adding a flush or semi-flush fixture.

Embellishing the look with Tile

Tile will add another important factor to your spa bathroom! Do you want the warm look of natural stone such as travertine or the fresh look of white subway tile, a decorative listello or mosaic? These are the details to have some fun with because tile should be the crowning jewel in the look of your space. If your budget allows consider tile from Ann Sacks or Artistic Tile. If your budget is more restrictive consider checking out The Tile Shop. I have worked successfully with all of these vendors with excellent results. The key is finding the right look and budget for creating your spa bathroom.

Once you have all the elements in place you can start adding the final touches to the walls and windows. In the end, you’ll know you have been successful every time you’re getting ready for the day. The important thing is that you feel rejuvenated each time you utilize your spa bathroom because that is the goal!

If you’re challenged putting this all together on your own then consider my Local or Online Design Services!