It only takes a weekend getaway and a spa treatment, or summer retreat with a luxe en-suite bathroom to remind ourselves how a little pampering goes a long way.
A fresh set of fluffy towels, scented candle or range of aromatherapy products, ambient lighting and a safe sanctuary can put a different face on the mindset.
As Emma Freeman, brand and communications manager at Hansgrohe UK, puts it: “Our bathrooms have become the perfect place for an evening wind-down, a restorative morning ritual, or simply a moment of peace away from the chaos outside.”
Moreover, she says the bathroom is where wellness begins. “It’s the space where we start and end our day, so creating an environment that genuinely supports a sense of wellness, relaxation or even invigoration, makes complete sense.”
Indeed, she says it’s a shift that’s been quietly building. “We’re spending more time in our bathrooms than ever before, transforming them from purely functional spaces into places where we actually want to linger.
“And that’s changing how we design them.”
Here, Freeman, who works across a host of inspirational hospitality and residential build schemes, shares her expert tips to create a transformative wellness space in your own home…
Simplicity is the secret
Strip away the noise – that’s the thinking behind the modern wellness bathroom, says Freeman.
“And it’s refreshingly straightforward… a cluttered bathroom feels cluttered in your mind.
“Clean lines, clear surfaces, purposeful details all create visual quiet. Your nervous system recognises it as a safe space to relax too.”
“A spa doesn’t feel luxurious because of what it contains, but because of how it makes you feel – the same principle applies.”
She continues, “Creating a wellness bathroom at home is about harnessing the power of calm through thoughtful design choices that quiet the mind and invite you to slow down.”
“It’s not about minimalism for its own sake. It’s about editing. Hidden storage, floating vanities, handless cabinetry aren’t fancy add-ons, they’re the foundations of a restful space.”
Layer in soft, warm lighting instead of clinical downlighters, she suggests, “and you’ve created somewhere that encourages you to slow down.
“Dark showering is trending not for effect, but because the enveloping quality of taking a shower in limited light creates something meditative, ideal to encourage relaxation before bed.”
Embrace the soft shade
Move away from stark whites and clinical greys toward softer, more nurturing tones, suggests Freeman.
“Gentle creams, warm beiges and terracotta, soft sage greens, and pale dusty blues create a palette that not only feels on trend, but also inherently calming; as muted tones work very much like a visual sigh.”
She says to layer these soft shades through your tiles, walls, and even your ceramics, allowing subtle variations to add depth without creating visual noise.
“The key is choosing finishes that diffuse light softly. These colours work on your mood in a way bright shades simply don’t,” highlights Freeman.
“They simply don’t demand attention, instead they allow the mind to settle.”
Matt finishes are ideal here, says the bathroom expert. “They diffuse light softly, avoiding harsh reflections that can feel sterile.
“Even darker tones – a feature wall in warm charcoal perhaps, works beautifully when they’re considered rather than dramatic.”
Adding visual warmth
For many years, Freeman says chrome has been the default brassware finish for those updating their bathroom space.
“But chrome, for all its durability, carries an inherent coolness. Although it still works for many, the increased availability of warm metallics like brushed bronze and brushed brass allows a softer aesthetic to fill our bathroom spaces.
“Warmer finishes bring genuine warmth to a room,” she adds.
Brushed bronze, in particular, has a depth and richness that feels honest and natural rather than deliberately designed, underlines Freeman.
“When paired with earthy colour palettes, warm metallics create a sense of luxury that feels accessible too. It softens the edges of your bathroom, making it feel less like a place of routine and more like a refuge.”
It’s also worth considering how these finishes work across the room. “A brushed bronze shower frame catches the light differently than chrome, creating softer shadows.
“A brushed brass tap becomes a sculptural aspect that draws the eye gently. The textural quality of these finishes has the real ability to create visual interest while maintaining calm.”
Water as therapy
Not all showers feel the same, highlights Freeman, and says a harsh narrow jet creates a completely different experience than water which cascades like rain; or emerges as a soft mist.
“The ability to choose how water touches your skin is genuinely luxurious,” suggests Freeman. “Some mornings you need invigoration. Others call for gentleness. When a shower offers multiple spray options, it acknowledges your needs change day-to-day.”
Alongside rain shower heads, look for multi-function shower heads, massage jet functions or she says shoulder showers are a great way to ease tension after a busy day.
“So it’s worth thinking what would most benefit you in the planning stages of your bathroom.”
Rethinking daily rituals
The most overlooked wellness opportunity in the bathroom lies in reimagining mundane moments, underlines Freeman.
“Newer washbasin innovations are beginning to blur the line between basin and shower – they recognise different tasks deserve different water experiences.
A soft, integrated spray in a basin tap transforms morning face washing from routine into a lovely ritual, she suggests. “The ability to rinse your hair gently at the basin without hunching over, or contorting yourself, becomes an act of self-care rather than a compromise.
“In addition, innovations in personal care solutions – like bidet toilets – are being designed thoughtfully, with intuitive controls and genuine comfort.
“It’s acknowledging personal care is important… not something to be embarrassed about.”
Room to breathe
An emerging trend in wellness bathroom design is the double-basin configuration, notes Freeman.
“Its appeal reveals something important about how we relate to space – two basins don’t necessarily mean more functionality.”
“It’s about freedom,” she explains. “Space to spread out, move without constraint, to exist comfortably alongside another person.
“That principle applies throughout – handless cabinetry keeps sightlines clean and frosted glass maintains privacy without harsh barriers.
“When you strip away visual noise, the remaining elements – a beautiful tap, a carefully chosen mirror – actually get to shine.”
Real wellness
At the end of the day, Freeman says your bathroom doesn’t need to look like a magazine shoot to feel like a genuine sanctuary.
“It needs intention. Thoughtful colour choices, warm finishes, proper consideration for how water actually feels on your skin.
“The bathroom was always there… we’re just finally realising how important it is – and that matters.”
* Prices correct at time of going to press
