Turn Your Bathroom Into a Secret Spa Oasis

Turn your bathroom into your secret spa escape with these simple, fun, inexpensive ideas:

• Add small baskets of fresh or dried bundles of  herbs to gently fragrance the air. You can also easily add their aromatherapeutic qualities to your bath. Place them in a drawstring muslin bag, attach them to the faucet and allow bath water to run through them. You can then use the bag to wash when bathing for an invigorating herbal treatment. Some great herbs to try are peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm and lavender.

• Make your own reed fragrance diffusers to customize your space. For supplies and instructions, check out Bramble Berry. They have several fragrance oils to choose from.
• Bring cozy, unexpected elements from your home into your bathroom. A cozy upholstered chair and ottoman or a simple rustic bench make a great place to lounge while changing or treating yourself to a home spa treatment.
• Paint your bathroom a relaxing spa shade. Check out our previous post - Tranquil Interior Paint Trends for 2011.

• Add lush houseplants to add an element of the living outdoors. The plants will love the humidity in the bathroom and some houseplants, such as spider plant and peace lily, actually purify the air in your home.
• To make your bar soaps last longer, shave them with a vegetable peeler or cheese grater and place them in a small decorative bowl. One shaving is all you need to wash hands and you aren't left with a wet, sticky bar of soap!
• Roll washcloths and hand towels and place them in a small decorative basket on the bathroom counter. You can do the same with bath towels in a larger basket placed on the floor.
• In warmer weather, search for smooth round stones and shells near the water to scatter decoratively around the bathroom. Place a few stones around a candle on a small plate or tray. Or place a bunch in a decorative clear glass vase or bowl. You can also collect interesting pieces of driftwood or beach glass to place on the counter.

• Place a small electric fireplace in a corner or against an open wall. The fire will keep the bathroom warm and add a nice glow.
• Add a small, battery powered water fountain to your bathroom counter.
• Display bath salts and other toiletries in unique, vintage glass jars or bottles found at your local thrift store.
• Switch out your regular shower curtain with regular fabric window curtains for a cozy feel.
• Add a dimmer switch to your regular bathroom switch to allow for dim, ambient lighting.
• Place battery powered candles around the entire bathroom. They are easily lit at a moments notice and are a safer choice near shower curtains and towels.

These are just a few ideas! Share your own ideas with us as to how you have turned your bathroom into your own private getaway! Leave a comment below!

Photos courtesy of Camille Leinbach