Dreaming of a spa like retreat in your own small bathroom, but not sure how to get that luxurious look and feel? Whether you’re refitting your bathroom and starting with a blank canvas, or giving your small bathroom a luxurious makeover, we have the tips to help you create that luxe vibe.
What Makes A Small Bathroom Feel Luxurious?
Whether you’re dealing with a cramped powder room or a petite ensuite, these are the elements that will help you achieve a space that’s elegant, stylish, and relaxing.
- Make the most of the light you have. Luxury spaces use light intelligently to create a high-end feel.
- Function meets art. Choose fixtures sand fittings that feel amazing to touch and that have a visual appeal to. Luxury fittings catch your eye and draw you in, and when you touch them they meet expectations.
- Luxury involves the senses, so think about not only how your bathroom touch points look, but also how they feel. Appealing to your senses to make a luxurious escape is key, the size of the space isn’t what creates a luxurious feel.
- Square and rectangular styles with straight lines help to create a luxury look.
Luxury does not need a large space; you can make a space feel luxurious by paying attention to the details, opting for quality, and working with your space in a mindful way. Always know your measurements, as luxurious spaces are well fitted, especially when you are working in a small space.
Maximise light
Luxury bathrooms don’t just have lighting, they have ambient. Lighting creates a mood, enhancing your bathroom fixtures and fittings as well as appealing to your senses. Soft and layered lighting will flatter your spaces and offer lighting choices. You can layer your lighting in many ways and should optimise both artificial lighting and natural lighting in your bathroom.
Backlighting your mirror
Adding wall mounted lighting looks stylish and adds depth to your lighting. In a small bathroom a great way to add wall lighting is to combine it with purpose and add light to your mirror. You can purchase mirrors with LED lighting settings and add elegance and functionality to your space, with a modern, energy efficient option. The mirror will also add a sense of space to your small bathroom, while adding light when you need it, for luxury and use. Think modern spa vibes.
Wall lights
Combining your overhead lighting with soft wall lights on either side of a vanity mirror will create a balanced illumination in your room. Choose lights that feel luxurious, like fitting LED light bulbs that give a warm glow rather than a clinical bright white light, so your atmosphere feels relaxing.
Statement light fixture
A chandelier or elegant pendant light can instantly elevate the feel of your bathroom, even in small spaces. Just be sure not to overcrowd your lighting with lots of designs. If you opt for chandelier in your bathroom, your layered lighting needs to be subtle, so it doesn’t detract from your statement light. A chandelier in a small bathroom deserves attention and to be centre stage.
Natural light
Maximising your light isn’t only about adding artificial lighting options, it’s also about making use of the natural light that you have in your bathroom. Letting light fall in naturally from an unobstructed and uncluttered window will give your bathroom that luxurious spa look. Only place one item on your windowsill to avoid creating clutter.
If you don’t have a bathroom with windows you can still create that luxurious appearance through your artificial lighting choices and color palette.
High-quality materials
The materials you choose for your bathroom play a significant role in its overall feel. Luxury is all about quality, so where possible, invest in high-quality finishes to create that luxurious feel.
Marble
Choosing a marble bathroom counter or marble tiles is a way to bring luxury into your small bathroom and create a truly elegant space. Marble is an expensive option, but in a small bathroom you will pay less as you have less space to cover with tiles and bathroom counter tops. If you are decorating your small bathroom on a budget, but still looking to get that luxurious feel, you can get marble effect tiles. Just remember they won’t be cool to touch or have that mineral glint that only natural marble has.
Granite or quartz countertops
These materials are both durable and beautiful, perfect for adding sophistication to your vanity. The texture is perfect for a bathroom and complements most color palettes. The natural pigments in the counter top reflect light making them a perfect luxurious choice for a small bathroom.
Textured or metallic accents
Incorporate brushed gold, brass, or matte black fixtures for a high-end touch. When choosing your bathroom fixtures, such as taps, towel rails, and any exposed piping pick a high-end color that blends with the pigments in the mineral of your counter tops. It is this level of attention to detail that draws every element of design into one cohesive style helping to create that luxury feel in your small bathroom.
Luxury fixtures and fittings
Details matter when creating a luxurious bathroom. Swapping out basic fixtures for upgraded versions can make a huge difference. Think about the features you find in bathrooms in luxury hotels, in spas, and in bougee B&Bs.
Installing a waterfall or rain shower head adds a spa like luxurious feel to your shower experience. Bringing that element of luxury into your day will give you a bounce in your step.
Replacing basic faucets is also a budget way to bring a luxury feel to your existing bathroom suite. Choose sleek, elongated modern faucets to add height and create that look of modern luxury. Whereas, if you are opting for a vintage luxury look choosing gold vintage inspired shapes will elevate the feel of your sink and bath area.
Minimalism
Have you ever noticed that spas and luxury spaces feel uncluttered? That’s because clutter doesn’t create a luxury feel. Luxurious feeling spaces maximise space, have clean lines, and emphasise statement pieces. Embracing minimalistic design is crucial when designing a small bathroom space to feel luxurious.
Choose a hanging toilet, and a hanging vanity to create the illusion of more space. The modern lines and space will combine with your lighting to create an elegant feel. You’ll also find it makes your bathroom feel bigger than it is.
Frameless Glass Shower
Frameless glass showers make a statement of modern luxury in a small bathroom. Offering space saving practicality in a small bathroom, you can even consider replacing your tub, to free up valuable floor space. They create a seamless look, making even the smallest bathrooms feel larger and more open.
Choose a rainfall shower head for a luxury experience and a floor to ceiling glass screen to make your space feel bigger. This type of shower remodel allows more light to flow through your bathroom, creates a sleek minimalist look, and adds value to your home.
If a full shower remodel isn’t possible, why not consider upgrading to a glass shower door instead of a shower curtain. Your bathroom will fill lighter and airier instantly.
Free standing tub
If you have space and want top opt for a more vintage luxury look, consider installing a free standing tub. You will need some space around this but opting from a tub with black wrought iron legs and black vintage style faucets will create a luxurious feel to your small bathroom. You can decorate around a free standing tub to create a truly luxury spa look by adding soft, thick towels and scented candles even if your bathroom is small.
Function meets art
A towel rail in the same metallics as your faucets, which has a unique appearance blends style and luxury. Choosing functional items that are well made, match your color scheme and stand alone as luxury pieces with a purpose is a great way to create that luxurious feel in your bathroom.
Luxurious textiles: display towels – display in a spa style
Textiles are important when looking to create that luxurious feel in a small bathroom. Opting for towels that are thick and have a high cotton thread cotton will add a luxury feel. Turkish or Egyptian cotton towels are definitely worth considering. A bath mat that is think and makes you feel like you want to curl your toes as you step on it is also ideal.
Choosing to display your towels on hooks on the wall is one option. However, if you are looking to get that luxury spa feeling consider including your towels in your design. Choose a light color and fold one or two towels and place them on a stool near your bath or shower. You could also place them on a wall mounted shelf. This creates practical storage while creating a look of spa chic.
Signature scent
Having a scent diffuser in your bathroom is a great way to add opulence on a budget and easily without making major changes. Choosing ascent for your bathroom that makes you feel relaxed, or that mimics a scent you have experienced in a spa is a brilliant way make a small bathroom feel luxurious.
Candles are another option to add for décor, but obviously cannot be left lit unattended. Combined with plants and other natural décor elements, scented candles add a luxurious feel.
Go full spa and bring in the plants
Adding plants to your bathroom to create a spa-like luxury in a small space is all about choosing the right indoor plant. A tall plant placed in a corner in a ceramic pot adds a luxury feel, but for many people with small bathrooms a smaller plant, or even a hanging plant is better.
Making use of your vertical space to decorate with natural plants will create a calm and relaxing environment. Displaying your plant in a pot that matches the color of your faucets, or that picks up in the color of your tiles ties your space together to create a luxurious feel.
Showcase a natural colored bathroom floor to not only maximise space, but add a luxury touch.
Neutral colors
A neutral color palette, particularly in lighter shades, is a staple of luxury bathroom design. White, beige, soft grey, or light taupe help reflect light and create the illusion of more space which is important when styling a small bathroom. To avoid a flat look for your color incorporate texture and accents. Combining matte and glossy finishes in the same shades adds luxury. Consider using matte subway tiles for your walls and having glossy ceramic accents for your border.
A pop of metallic color is a common style element of luxurious bathrooms. Brushed nickel or gold fixtures elevate and complement neutral tones to create that longed for luxurious feel.
Panelling
Wood panelling is a hot trend for Autumn / Winter 2024 that is taking luxury design in a new direction. If you are decorating a small downstairs restroom, consider adding panelling to your bathroom in a muted color with a matte clay finish. Dusky blues, light mints and light blush add texture to your luxury bathroom aesthetic.
Luxury décor and toiletries
The right accessories can enhance the feeling of luxury in a small bathroom. Choosing high-end toiletries that become part of your display will help you create that luxurious feel. Only display the functional high-end products you use, otherwise you will end up with a cluttered bathroom counter top which will damage your high-end look.
In a small bathroom you have to have storage, especially when you are opting for a luxury look. Your storage should be hidden so that nothing detracts from the relaxing and luxurious look you are creating for your bathroom.
Displaying functional luxury products in a wooden accent tray will contribute to your aesthetic, just don’t add more than you need.
Conclusion
Even if your bathroom is small you can create a luxurious space that feels both functional and indulgent. By focusing on high-quality materials, maximizing light, upgrading your fixtures, and keeping clutter hidden, you’ll transform your bathroom into a high-end spa like retreat. Even if you are on a budget you can create your dream luxury look and feel for your bathroom. Enjoying that spa feeling in your small bathroom at home is a truly indulgent and relaxing feeling you can enjoy every day by following these steps.
