How the bathroom has gone from a functional space to a spa-like sanctuary

While we might traditionally think of the bedroom as the site of rest and refuge within a home, the bathroom is fast gaining sanctuary status among Australians.

Considering that many of us are spending more time than ever at home – and with holidays and spa visits still largely off the cards – it’s little wonder that we’re transforming our bathrooms from merely functional rooms to spaces that offer luxury and respite.

“We’re really seeing that juncture of design and functionality,” says Grainne Styles, marketing leader for consumers and builders at Reece. “It’s become a happy space – that safe haven that you can retreat to. It’s not just about having a quick shower and running out the door in the morning. It’s also the place where you’re recharging.

“Consumers are being more vision-led, and they want to imagine the bathroom as a day spa or a boutique sanctuary.”

Reece’s 2021 Australian Bathroom Annual Insights Report backs this up. It reveals that while 38 per cent of Australians still believe the kitchen is the most important room in the house, 24 per cent think the bathroom is — up from 18 per cent last year.

So, how can we create this sanctuary feeling?

Opt for natural lighting

One of the first things to consider, according to designers, is lighting. If we think of the bathroom as being in concert with our circadian rhythms, it needs to be well lit in the morning so that we feel energised.

Terri Shannon, director at Bloom Interior Design, says that many of her clients are opting for large windows that provide serene views of nature. If windows aren’t an option, skylights can help bring in natural light.

And when night comes, soft ambient lighting can help us wind down. Mood lighting can be achieved through dimmable light switches, sconce lighting, candles, or LED mirrors that allow you to change the lighting depending on the time of day.

Embrace luxe finishes

Next, it’s about luxurious finishes.

Shannon explains that rather than focusing on guest bathrooms, many home owners are splashing out on luxe materials to create private (child-free) ensuite bathrooms. This involves features like double vanities and showers, custom-made vanities, gorgeous mirrors and beautiful tapware.

“It’s almost like what you would envisage at a spa,” she says. “Beautiful textures, natural stones, handmade tiles. People really want that spa experience at home.”

And while an all-white bathroom might look fresh and clean, bathrooms decorated in neutral or organic colours can feel less stark and more nurturing.

Styles notes that Reece has seen an increase in the popularity of tapware and accessories in colours such as gold, bronze and brushed nickel, which work well paired with more traditional and warm material choices like timber.

When it comes to bathroom colour palettes, interior designer Anna-Carin McNamara from Anna.Carin Design Studio suggests taking cues from nature, where we see 80 to 90 per cent muted tones with occasional pops of colour. In a bathroom, these pops can be achieved through changeable items like hand towels. She says that home owners are opting for walls textured in venetian plaster or Tadelakt that create a warm and timeless Moroccan bathhouse feeling. McNamara is also big on timber.

“If you have a little bit of timber in your bathroom, you almost immediately get the feel of a spa,” she says.

“Even if it’s just a little timber stool that you put next to the bath, or somewhere you can put your clothes while you’re in the shower … I love using a bit of timber because it gives you that notion of luxury, and it’s not so clinical. It’s a bit warmer and more humane, somehow.”

Relax with a bath

Of course, no bathroom sanctuary is complete without a bath. Reece’s insights report reflects a growing orientation towards baths, especially among millennials, with 35 per cent of respondents indicating that the bath is the most important feature in a bathroom. This figure is behind showers (at 44 per cent), but up 5 per cent on last year’s results. Free-standing baths in organic shapes are becoming more sought-after.

“I would say definitely the bath is becoming the hero,” says Styles. “A bath really symbolises relaxation nowadays, it symbolises self-care, it symbolises stopping, and pausing, and relaxing.”

Engage the senses

For those not in a position to do a full bathroom renovation, McNamara has some extra tips for imbuing your bathroom with a sanctuary feel.

She suggests paying attention to how your senses are engaged, especially when it comes to the scent of the room. To this end, McNamara points out that the bathroom should be well-ventilated (either via a window or effective exhaust fan) and suggests using essential oil sprinkled in the corners of the shower or natural beeswax candles for a more indulgent, immersive bathroom experience.