The Life Aquatic: Bathing in Style
Dial up your bathing experience with these simple tips that will give your tub a spa-like feel
Laura Gaskill
11 June 2016
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
The ritual of bathing has been used for health and relaxation since ancient times. Today, a relaxing bath is a simple pleasure still worth making time for. Here are ways to elevate this routine to an art with scents, salts, refreshing tubside sips and more.
Add a bathtub shelf
A beautiful wooden board that fits across your tub is as helpful as it is stylish – use it to hold your book, magazine or journal and pen, as well as a small towel to dry your hands before you pick up your book. This simple addition to the bath can lift the experience from the merely routine to something special.
Indulge in a spa treatment
Soaking in the tub is the perfect time to pamper yourself with a spa treatment. Here are a few ideas to try:
A beautiful wooden board that fits across your tub is as helpful as it is stylish – use it to hold your book, magazine or journal and pen, as well as a small towel to dry your hands before you pick up your book. This simple addition to the bath can lift the experience from the merely routine to something special.
Indulge in a spa treatment
Soaking in the tub is the perfect time to pamper yourself with a spa treatment. Here are a few ideas to try:
- Place chilled cucumber slices on your eyes or soak a face washer in chamomile tea and place this over your eyes.
- Put on a face mask or hair treatment while you soak, then rinse it off in the shower.
- Add bath salts, a bath bomb or a tub ‘tea’ sachet filled with fragrant herbs.
- Try body brushing before you get in the tub to slough off dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. Using a brush designed for this purpose (with soft natural-fibre bristles), brush your dry skin, starting at your feet and ankles, and working your way up toward your heart. Use long strokes and avoid any sensitive areas or broken skin. Then use the brush to brush your arms, starting from the wrists and stroking upward toward the shoulders.
Sip a refreshing tea, tisane or infused water
Having something refreshing to sip within reach will enhance your soaking experience and keep you well hydrated. Bring in a pot of tea or a fresh herbal tisane (made with hot water poured over fresh leaves of lemon verbena or mint). Or try a carafe of water infused with mint sprigs, cucumber slices or lemon.
Decorate with fresh flowers
A few bud vases of blooms are all you need to surround yourself with beauty. And if you don’t have bud vases, get creative. Egg cups, milk jugs, teacups and jam jars make lovely small vases.
Having something refreshing to sip within reach will enhance your soaking experience and keep you well hydrated. Bring in a pot of tea or a fresh herbal tisane (made with hot water poured over fresh leaves of lemon verbena or mint). Or try a carafe of water infused with mint sprigs, cucumber slices or lemon.
Decorate with fresh flowers
A few bud vases of blooms are all you need to surround yourself with beauty. And if you don’t have bud vases, get creative. Egg cups, milk jugs, teacups and jam jars make lovely small vases.
Bring your inspiration to life
Are you enamoured of the tranquillity of a Japanese soaking tub with a view of a garden, or is a charming claw-foot tub in a cottage with roses twining outside the window more your cup of tea? Even if a bathroom renovation isn’t in the picture (and really, what could be more un-relaxing than a renovating project?), there are lots of ways to bring the spirit of your chosen inspiration to life, right in your current bathroom. Here are a few ideas:
Are you enamoured of the tranquillity of a Japanese soaking tub with a view of a garden, or is a charming claw-foot tub in a cottage with roses twining outside the window more your cup of tea? Even if a bathroom renovation isn’t in the picture (and really, what could be more un-relaxing than a renovating project?), there are lots of ways to bring the spirit of your chosen inspiration to life, right in your current bathroom. Here are a few ideas:
- For a Japanese-style soak, swap your old bathmat for a wooden version made from fragrant Japanese hinoki wood, and bring in a bonsai or ikebana-style vase of flowers.
- To get a Shabby Chic cottage vibe, choose a white ruffled shower curtain, stack towels atop a chippy-painted chair and fill vintage teacups with candles.
- For a modern organic spa look, bring in fringed Turkish towels, a teak stool and a few luxurious new bath products.
Clear surrounding clutter
What you take away is just as important as what you add – so take some time to clear away the jumble of half-empty bottles and jars from around the sink and tub. Whittle down to just your favourites and stash extra products out of sight in a nearby cupboard or inside a lidded box. You want your bath zone to feel utterly relaxing, and that begins with a clutter-free space.
Put on soothing music
Having music on is wonderful in itself, of course, but this is also a good strategy to use if you must take your bath while others are home – listening to children making a racket is not so relaxing. Just be sure to keep any electronic devices well away from the tub.
The art of decluttering, Japanese style
What you take away is just as important as what you add – so take some time to clear away the jumble of half-empty bottles and jars from around the sink and tub. Whittle down to just your favourites and stash extra products out of sight in a nearby cupboard or inside a lidded box. You want your bath zone to feel utterly relaxing, and that begins with a clutter-free space.
Put on soothing music
Having music on is wonderful in itself, of course, but this is also a good strategy to use if you must take your bath while others are home – listening to children making a racket is not so relaxing. Just be sure to keep any electronic devices well away from the tub.
The art of decluttering, Japanese style
Add natural fragrance with essential oils
Try lavender, rose, bergamot, jasmine, grapefruit or anything that smells wonderful to you – most natural grocery stores and health food stores have samples available to sniff. When you are ready to bathe, add a few drops to the tub when it’s filled about halfway. (You can always add more, but you can’t remove it, so start small.) Or you can place the drops on a half-cup of Epsom salts and then add that to the tub if you wish.
Keep a cool face washer within reach
It’s best to keep your tub temperature nice and warm, but not too hot, which can cause dizziness. Even at a moderate temperature, if you tend to get too hot in the tub, it can help to keep a bowl filled with ice water and a face washer beside you, and use the damp cloth to cool your face and neck as you soak.
Try lavender, rose, bergamot, jasmine, grapefruit or anything that smells wonderful to you – most natural grocery stores and health food stores have samples available to sniff. When you are ready to bathe, add a few drops to the tub when it’s filled about halfway. (You can always add more, but you can’t remove it, so start small.) Or you can place the drops on a half-cup of Epsom salts and then add that to the tub if you wish.
Keep a cool face washer within reach
It’s best to keep your tub temperature nice and warm, but not too hot, which can cause dizziness. Even at a moderate temperature, if you tend to get too hot in the tub, it can help to keep a bowl filled with ice water and a face washer beside you, and use the damp cloth to cool your face and neck as you soak.
Light candles
Candlelight can transform the ambience in the bathroom. Go subtle with just one candle or all out with a multitude of tiny tea lights. Turn off the overhead lighting and bask in the soft glow. If you’re short on candleholders, you can use jars or teacups filled with plain votives or tea lights.
Make your own scented candles
Candlelight can transform the ambience in the bathroom. Go subtle with just one candle or all out with a multitude of tiny tea lights. Turn off the overhead lighting and bask in the soft glow. If you’re short on candleholders, you can use jars or teacups filled with plain votives or tea lights.
Make your own scented candles
Cushion your neck with a rolled towel
If you like to recline while you soak, roll up a thick hand towel and use this to cushion your neck while you relax. If your hand towels are very lightweight, one may not be enough to provide support for your neck – try rolling two together or use a rolled bath towel instead. You can also buy neck pillows designed to be used in the bath.
Treat yourself to a new product
A new bar of triple-milled soap or a wonderfully fragrant tin of bath salts is a relatively small indulgence that can bring you a little jolt of joy each time you use it. The key is to use it – don’t save it for ‘someday’.
If you like to recline while you soak, roll up a thick hand towel and use this to cushion your neck while you relax. If your hand towels are very lightweight, one may not be enough to provide support for your neck – try rolling two together or use a rolled bath towel instead. You can also buy neck pillows designed to be used in the bath.
Treat yourself to a new product
A new bar of triple-milled soap or a wonderfully fragrant tin of bath salts is a relatively small indulgence that can bring you a little jolt of joy each time you use it. The key is to use it – don’t save it for ‘someday’.
Try alternating hot and cold
From the Finnish practice of alternating time in a hot sauna with a plunge in icy water or snow, to the Japanese practice of using a cold plunge pool after a hot bath, variations on this tradition of moving from hot to cold and back again have been used around the world for centuries.
At home, you can try your own (perhaps less extreme) take on this by moving from your hot bath to a quick, cold shower before returning to the bath.
From the Finnish practice of alternating time in a hot sauna with a plunge in icy water or snow, to the Japanese practice of using a cold plunge pool after a hot bath, variations on this tradition of moving from hot to cold and back again have been used around the world for centuries.
At home, you can try your own (perhaps less extreme) take on this by moving from your hot bath to a quick, cold shower before returning to the bath.
After the bath, wrap up in a robe and continue to relax
Spend a few minutes after your bath savouring the feeling of complete relaxation. Wrap up in a fluffy robe and sip some tea or chilled lemon water, read or write in your journal – or simply close your eyes and rest.
TELL US
How do you make the most of a relaxing bath? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more indulgent baths
Spend a few minutes after your bath savouring the feeling of complete relaxation. Wrap up in a fluffy robe and sip some tea or chilled lemon water, read or write in your journal – or simply close your eyes and rest.
TELL US
How do you make the most of a relaxing bath? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more indulgent baths
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
A good bathroom designer will help bring your vision to life, within your budget – here's how to find the right one
Full Story
Most Popular
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Working with Professionals
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Tiler
Perfect tiles? Tick. Next up is finding an experienced tiler to lay them – here's everything you need to know
Full Story
Most Popular
9 Small-Bathroom Challenges and How to Solve Them
Follow these handy tips to overcome problems when designing a tiny wash space
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Most Popular
Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $5000
Refresh your bathroom on a budget with these simple yet stunning ideas for an easy bathroom makeover
Full Story
Picture Perfect
17 Small Bathrooms That Manage to Squeeze in a Bath
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
Bathroom Essentials: Right Heights for Vanities, Mirrors & More
By tidgboutique
Making some bathroom upgrades? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalised fit
Full Story
Bathroom Renovations
10 Expert Tips for Designing the Right Shower For Your Home
By tidgboutique
Keep these style and layout ideas in mind as you plan your dream shower and bathroom
Full Story
Having raised kids, I just need a clean, deep soaker tub in a room with a locked door and I’m happy.
I love the title and the article is filled with good bathing tips and beautiful inspirational images! Thank you for including my project photo. I am honored. Bathing is good for your health. Cheers!
I have an opposite opinion of everybody else here. I grew up with only a bathtub, no shower, and always found baths disgusting -- all the dead skin cells floating around, and sitting in dirty water. Ugh!! I couldn't wait for our family summer vacation trip so I could take a shower in whatever hotel/motel we stayed at. I've hated bathtubs ever since, and have absolutely no use for them. I much prefer a shower, where the dirty water runs off me and down the drain. I have no need to soak for hours, getting all "pruny". I'm not that anxious, nor am I a harried housewife, I'm not a mom, and I live alone, so I have no need to "get away from it all" for some peace and quiet. And now that i'm older, I don't have to worry about climbing in and out of a tub. I have a walk-in shower, which suits me perfectly.