The lighting is subdued, the candles flicker, the bathtub is ready, filled and covered in scented bubbles. The background music is relaxing and a book is ready waiting for you. Hand-made soaps, organic bamboo cloth, plush new towels... nobody is at home and you have time all for yourself. Should you grab a glass of sparkling wine? If you're like me, you are smiling just thinking of this, inviting scene aren't you? Sometimes to feel good, all we need is just some simple down to earth time and a little pampering, sadly it's so often only on holidays that we have time to indulge like this. But why wait for your next holiday when you don't need to go any further than your own bathroom, right at home, right now. And if your bathroom doesn't have what it takes, here are a few hints & tips for you to achieve that precious resort feel no matter where you call home.
First of all DECLUTTER all those knick-knacks that occupy surfaces and hide them away if they are necessary or let them go. Replace the grubby brushes and toiletries you have been using for too long, then hide them if still in use or throw them away. Give the room a good CLEAN; keep it that way and allow fresh air to flow in as often as you can, and if you can, that all important natural light. Finally STYLE the room keeping in mind that the relaxing hotel look, is about having less on your benches and shelves, not more. All you need around is the right amount of functional & quality items.
Assess the look of your bathroom and decide what is great about it or not so good. Is natural light coming in? Good! Plants will thrive there and add a luscious feel, one by the bath, maybe or just a small succulent on the vanity. Is it a dark room? A large mirror, white-light globes, and glossy or metallic finishes in your decór items, will help bounce the light around and brighten the mood. Good looking floor tiles can be easily highlighted by styling with towels of a similar colour. But don't fear, if you have tired looking floor tiles: a quality non-slip rattan or bamboo bath matt may be what's needed to disguise that floor whilst adding a resort feel. Create a good looking bench-space by adding a few stylish looking items like a tray with handmade soap and cream dispensers, face towelettes in a small basket or a sculptural item, like a large shell. Add new shower curtains if you don't have a shower screen and place one strong art-piece on the wall, if you do't have ceiling hight tile, with an image or colours that will complement the styling of the room.
You will need to add elements of styling that convey the feeling of luxury/pampering/hotel/resort, like quality soaps, sea sponges and brushes. Organic materials will add to the holiday feel, as well as a plant, a nice plush tropical one. If you have room, a book or a few magazines will invite to stay a little longer, while lighting scented candles easily add pleasure to the senses. Don't over-fill the room, but add just the necessary items to suggest a good pampering session, whether you can spend some time there today or tomorrow.
Not last, by adding the resort/hotel feel to your bathroom you will enhance its value if placing your property on the market. Ultimately, you want a bathroom that is inviting and not a room to be ashamed of, and the secret ingredient in successfully styling a bathroom is the feel it conveys. It's not about spending a fortune, but considering decisions in your finishes and styling. Make the bathroom a room you want to spend a longer time in, a room that has all you need to make you feel pampered. Style to impress by reducing the amount of items there, but improving their quality; it's easy. Why wait for a holiday to feel pampered, when you can do it right here, now, at home... Well! Go on, it's time to start filling that bath.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
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