Luxuriate in style
In busy homes, private space can be hard to find, but a spa-style bathroom designed for comfort and relaxation can be a haven from everyday life. Linked to the bedroom and at once removed from the rest of the house, an en suite is truly a room of one’s own. Secluded, self-contained, and for the exclusive use of the bedroom’s occupants, its design and decoration can be geared guiltlessly to self-indulgence.
Efficient heating and ventilation being a given, the use of neutral colours, thoughtfully planned lighting, and built-in speakers will evoke a calm and restful mood – the bath, of course, being the centrepiece. “Nothing says ‘luxe spa’ like a freestanding bath with a curved silhouette such as a teardrop bath,” Rebecca Maher, Clearwater brand expert, says. “The shape will soften the room and contribute to the boutique hotel aesthetic. I recommend baths made from materials that deliver well-being benefits. Natural stone, for example, has a satin-like touch, looks luxurious and has heat-retaining capabilities to help the water to stay warmer and prolong the bathing experience.”
Where creating an en-suite bathroom is not possible, a beautiful, freestanding bath installed in the bedroom is a glamorous alternative, redolent of a chic boutique hotel. “Consider the space carefully,” advises James Lentaigne, creative director of Drummonds. “Note where people enter the room and plot out the zones to see what can be accommodated. Compact baths specifically designed for smaller spaces work well in a bedroom.” Flooring and nearby furnishings should be chosen for their ability to shrug off occasional water splashes, but in an environment intended for use solely by occupants of the master bedroom, a good supply of bath mats and towels should provide all the protection needed. ►