Turning Your Master Bathroom into the Spa You Deserve

You work hard all day long, then you’re either at the gym, hanging out with friends or volunteering.  When you finally get home, maybe you’re cooking a meal, cleaning the house, paying some bills, hanging out with your husband. And after all of that, all you want to do is relax.  

Where do you relax? Well, there’s a lot of places you could relax, but what if your master bathroom was like a retreat where you could ease away the stresses of the day and revitalize yourself before you slip into bed? What if it was serene, beautiful, relaxing? What if your bathroom felt like a spa? 

The problem is that when your home was built, it was most likely built for function and definitely not beauty. It certainly wasn’t built to be a serene space meant to improve your health, beauty and relaxation. Now that you’ve lived there for some time or are getting ready to move in, you can change that! But how do you do it? 

There are a couple ways you could go about it. You could go for a refresh or a renovation. And which one you chose is dependent upon your budget, timeline and current state of what you own. Let’s take a closer look at what those options entail. I want to help you realize that you do deserve this, you can do it with professional help and that it’s worth your time and monetary investment.  

We want to be smart and realistic with your resources though. So, let’s compare the differences between a refresh and a renovation so that when you are meeting with potential interior designers and general contractors you have a good basis for what you’d like to do and what resources you must work with. The rest is details that the designer and contractor you hire are paid to figure out. You’re not in this alone.  

Renovation vs. Refresh 

Your first option is to do a renovation and that can be light or full blown. You can tear out everything and start from scratch or you can keep parts of it and only swap out what’s truly an eye-sore and un-functional. You certainly need to focus on fixing what’s simply broken, that’s a priority. After you renovate items such as flooring, shower tiles, shower components, cabinets, countertops and faucets, maybe a tub and toilet; then you move on to the parts that we focus on in a refresh.  

The process of renovation takes much longer and requires a larger budget. However, it can take as little as a few weeks if your contractor is able to line up all the tradesmen and your designer has everything selected and ready to go on time. A renovation should not take forever, especially in one room. Now, you’ve likely seen a home show on HGTV at some point in time, and I’m certain you’re aware they gloss over a lot and the timeline is not always realistic to our world outside of the TV world. But there are always unexpected issues, and a good contractor and designer are prepared to handle that fact. This is one of the reasons it’s important to do some research and hire professionals you can trust.  

If you want a refresh, you keep the existing layout, cabinets, flooring, countertop and tub. You could change the rest, such as mirrors, lights, shower & faucet parts, paint, any décor and linens to make a big impact on your master bathroom. This route is typically more cost-effective and takes less time to accomplish with the potential to still have a big impact. This is what we call a cosmetic update, and it can either be done on a weekend or spread out over time due to budgetary constraints. Either way, this is a good option to personalize your master bathroom and really make it a retreat that impacts you positively. You’d be amazed at the effect some fresh paint, new plumbing and intentional artwork and greenery can have on a space and your mood while in it.  

Envisioning Your Spa  

I want to take a moment now to focus on what you’re looking for when you say you want a spa-like bathroom. What images come to mind? Is it a free-standing tub, a jacuzzi tub? Is it pebbles on the floor, wood on the floor or walls? Is it the aroma in the air, the dim lights and soothing scents in the air? Is it plush fluffy towels and a cozy robe to slip into while doing your beauty treatment? Is it a steam shower or bath bomb? Maybe it’s the music floating gently through the air. Or it could be the soft, neutral and soothing colors of the space that are calming and the splash of greenery for some invigorating fresh air.  

I want you to ask yourself those questions and figure out what’s most important to making your space feel like a spa. Take some time to do your research before you call in a professional. Create a Pinterest board, rip out or dog-ear pages in home magazines of things that spark excitement in you. Compile all of this together so that you’re better prepared for your meetings with contractors and designers.  

If you can achieve your desired feeling without a full renovation, then you can focus on a refresh. However, if you discover that the current state of your bathroom is simply not conducive to rest and relaxation and you’ve been unable to find a creative solution to work with what you have and be happy, then it’s time for a renovation.  

Now you need to sit down with your partner to discuss what your desires, budget and timeline are. This will also give you a good indication of which path you’ll take. If you show up to meetings with professionals with inspirational pictures and an idea of what you want, they can likely give you a big ball-park number of what it might cost to complete your desired transformation. And make sure to ask what the contingency fund is because as mentioned earlier, something will go wrong, and you’ll be better prepared for it mentally and financially knowing you’ve got money set aside for it. 

After all of this information, if you’re still uncertain which path to take, then hold off until the end of this to help you decide which investment level, you’re ready for currently to transform your master bathroom into the spa you deserve.  

Before You Begin 

I highly recommend you hire an interior designer to help you figure out what works best for your space and to navigate the difficulties that arise in this type of project. Save yourself the time and stress so that you get to enjoy the selection process and then watch your spa come to life!  

You’ll want someone with renovation experience who can see outside of what’s already there and imagine a new way of doing things. They can help you figure out and manage your budget and communicate between your design dreams and the reality of working with a contractor who will do all the heavy lifting for you.  

Before you have hired a local interior designer to help you get the most out of your master bathroom renovation, take time to get all your spa like daydreams down onto paper so that you can communicate clearly with them. If you’re not certain what you really want before talking to a designer, that’s ok. It’s part of our job to help clarify the image and feelings in your head so that it becomes reality.  

Please remember, it’s never going to be perfect and it’s never going to go off without a hitch. Despite our best efforts, there are a lot of moving parts and unknowns in the world of renovation, construction and design. Plus, we’re all human, so mistakes get made. What’s on paper doesn’t always translate to real life despite our best laid plans, triple measurements and hours spent finding the perfect item for the space.  

So please remember that as you embark on this journey. There will be a bump or two in the road, and that’s ok. You hired a professional designer and contractor to handle these things for you, so don’t entirely freak out when they come to you with an alteration or problem.  

A Look at Renovations 

Now, let’s start by breaking down what may need to be considered in a renovation because that comes before changing lights, mirrors and adding the beautiful little touches that make it a serene space.  

If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll get to pick everything new! This includes the cabinets, countertops, lighting, plumbing, and tiles. Tiles includes the dry floor (aka floor outside of your shower), the wet floor (aka the flooring inside of your shower), the wet walls (aka walls inside your shower) and the dry walls (you get the point by now). Let your designer guide you on the best materials for each space since certain materials won’t safely work in wet environments.  

The very first question is if you’re going to keep your current layout. If not, you’ll need the designer and an architect so that you can file proper permits for this process before you do any demo work. Discuss what can move where and which moves cost a lot of money. Moving plumbing can get very expensive since it involves cutting up the slab, so keep that in mind before you latch onto that idea with a smaller budget.  

Another layout question involves natural light. Do you have a window in here already? I do hope so because that light can make a huge impact on your space. Consider adding one or altering what you have when renovating. It’s another good question for your designer and contractor about what’s possible and what it may cost to accomplish. Just remember that adding natural light is almost always the right choice.  

This is a good time to consider if you want to switch up any electrical components. Do you have enough light? Do you have too much and need dimmability? Do you want to add a beautiful fixture to the ceiling for a special touch? Are your vanity lights outdated and in need of replacement? Do you have enough outlets and in the locations, you’d really want to use them? Look through your options with the designer and let them make suggestions that they’ve frequently seen. 

When selecting new light fixtures, the designer will consider the sizing needed/space available, style, the finish or color of the metal and any shades or glass globes. They’ll also check if you can dim the fixture or not and what color temperature the bulbs are. You want the color temp to be consistent throughout the whole room, so check what’s already happening in any lighting you aren’t planning to change before finalizing that choice with your designer. 

You also get to pick cabinetry and consider all your storage needs from the get-go. Before beginning, make a comprehensive list of what isn’t working for you in the current space and what you’d love to have instead. Whether you’re getting pre-made vanities or going custom, it’s important to express your needs to your designer. If you have no specific preference, then tell them that and trust they’ll make a great choice for you regarding both style and spatial needs!  

Countertops are one of my favorite parts to select, it’s like an eye-candy store walking through those showrooms! There are a lot of different types to choose from and your designer and the sales rep will be a huge help in selecting the right option. We could do a whole other blog post on countertops and probably I will one day because there’s too much variance and nuance to go into now! Just know, you should ask about durability, maintenance, and repairs prior to finalizing your selection. This is a good conversation to have with your designer before you go into a showroom and fall in love with something you’re not willing to maintain or cannot repair.  

How do you feel about your shower head and the associated components? The hand shower or lack-there-of, the tub spout, the control valves. Are they in good working condition and does the finish match your new selections here? A heads-up, you can’t swap out your control valves and tub spout for just any old brand without changing the plumbing in the walls. If you want to keep the same brand, then your designer can check with the plumber you hire to confirm if the new selection will fit. Otherwise, if you’re in renovation mode anyway, swap out the plumbing for what you really want in your new master bathroom spa. The designer will choose a shape that matches your style and consider the finishes available before offering you options.  

Now let’s talk tiles, another eye-candy store for designers. There are a million options and while it can be great fun to walk through the showroom, it may be best for this and other selections, if your designer makes initial selections for you to choose from to help narrow down your options to what will be best for your design. This is how hiring a professional can save you a lot of time and headache in this whole process.  

We’ve now reached your tub. You’ve likely got a giant corner tub that you rarely utilize, or it’s itty bitty and feels like a closet with a super low soffit (aka dropped ceiling) over it. I highly recommend tearing those out if it’s in your budget. Even alcove tubs can give a dated feel if they’re old and discolored, especially if they’re cracked and damaged. Consider first the functionality, do you really use this tub? If not, is it simply because it’s old, damaged and unappealing? Have you been dreaming of soaking in a beautiful tub with petals floating amongst the bubbles and candles lit all around you? If not, then go for a good quality tub that is cost effective. Keep it for the occasional soak or the next homeowner, but don’t blow your budget on something high-end that you’ll never use.  

If, however, you do love a good soak and have been dreaming of a fully immersive and relaxed experience, then take your time looking at your options with the designer. You can get an alcove tub or freestanding tub; it can be a jacuzzi if you’d like and it can be a standard shape or something a little different. Go visit a local plumbing showroom and check out several options in person, talk with a sales rep and ask what you need to know when selecting a tub. Even if you can’t afford all their options, it’ll be informative for you and could be a well spent 30 minutes.  

A Look at a Refresh 

Now, if you’ve completed all the above, you’ll want to go all the way through to the end of this portion as well for a fully transformed master bathroom spa. I can’t wait for your sake; it’ll be so worth it!  

Are you worn out yet by all the decisions you need to make, or do you still feel excited? Remember this feeling should you ever question if you want to hire a designer or not. And listen, even if you are excited at this moment and not completely worn out, it’s still a good idea to hire a designer because you want to get a great experience, save time, money and make a good return on your investment. These are all the things a good designer will help you with. Trust me, it can be worth it to hire someone like me to walk through this with you. 

Toilets, faucets and bath accessories are where we cross over into a refresh. Think about what you selected earlier for the shower components, what shape and finish did you select? You want to look at mimicking the shape with the rest of your plumbing but consider adding in one more finish. A good place to match the finish is the faucets, but then for the bath accessories like towel bars and such, you can swap to something that looks good but isn’t the same.  Having two options can add some depth to your design, but it also isn’t wrong to do it all the same. It’s your spa so do what makes you (and the other person using it maybe) happy. 

As for toilets, honestly, I’m amazed at how many different options there are and all the different functions you can get! I am no plumbing expert, so I recommend that while you’re at the plumbing showroom asking about tubs, you also get a 30-minute lesson in toilets. They are not all created equally, and some price tags will shock you! And remember, this is an often-used item in your home and it’s an important one, so don’t go cheap because that could bite you in the butt later. Make sure you’re getting quality when making your selection 

What I can recommend, however, to make cleaning easier and create a more appealing space overall, consider a skirted toilet. That means you don’t see the shape of the plumbing within the toilet and it’s a clean, smooth surface all the way around the bottom. A two-piece toilet is more cost-effective than a one-piece and it’s always a good idea to go with a water efficient option. Those couple items can help you narrow things down a bit along with your budget.  As far as design is concerned, there’s only so far you need to go concerning design style, so again, lean on your designer or the sales rep’s best suggestion and move on. 

The dry walls in your bathroom (aka outside the shower) are another place where we can find a fun element that adds to the spa atmosphere you’re creating. Your designer likely has some great ideas up their sleeve for this. They may have you consider some water-resistant wallpaper to add texture and pattern, or maybe wood elements that bring the outdoors in. You can of course paint the walls and keep it simple. But be open to a different option first as an opportunity to enhance your chosen design aesthetic. You can also mix it up of course, paint a couple walls and pick another spot where you use the wallpaper or wood or whatever cool feature your designer comes up with.  

At this stage you need to consider if you need any window treatments and there are a lot of options, so lean heavily on your designer for this, but here are things to consider. We asked earlier if you needed to add or move one, now let’s talk about how you’re going to treat it! In a wet environment, especially if your window is directly in the shower, you have a few options. One, you can leave it as is, which may be fine if it’s high enough to not reveal anything and someone on the second-floor next door can’t see down into your shower. Two, you can treat it with a vinyl shutter or three frost the glass. Four, you can get a vinyl sticker that creates privacy with a fun pattern or picture. The vinyl shutter is the most common choice I see because you can alter the blades so that you get light and maintain total privacy.  

If the window is outside of a shower, then you could do something like a silhouette, Roman shades, roller shades or motorized shades. You’ll want to consider if you’ll ever open it to see outside, and if so, is it easy to access and open? Could it get splashed and therefore need to be water-resistant? Once you know the functionality, then that determines the pattern and color options available to you which the designer can easily show you. This is another opportunity to lean into your design aesthetic. Make sure your designer can get samples and see it in your space as it transforms so you can consider it in a real-life situation.   

Now, we can move on to lights & mirrors! These components add further illumination and can really expand the feeling of space and light in your bathroom turned spa. If you decided you didn’t want to move any electrical and just swap out the lights, that is the designer’s starting point. What space and electrical connections are currently available?  Again, the style can really add to the spa like vibe you have going on in here. You’ll need to ask the same questions as before; do you need more light or the ability to dim? They make bulbs these days you can dim from your phone or a smart home device, it’s a cost saving option to consider. Avoid any lamps in here, it tends to be a hazard and that’s the last thing you want on your mind in a space meant to be a spa.  

Ahhh the final touches, we have made it to décor & linens! Starting with the linens, consider what you already have and what the designer may need to supplement for you. We’re talking about your bath towels, bath sheets, hand towels, wash cloths, rug(s) and any shower curtains you made need. It seems every spa goes with white because it’s easy to clean and a good neutral color. You can also go with another solid color from your color palette. It’s not something you typically want to draw attention to, so unless you love a good monogram, I’d avoid anything overly patterned. Keep them simple.  

For décor, keep in mind the wet environment you’ll be in and don’t get your hopes up on things that can’t handle humidity and moisture in the air. Your designer may choose a nice wooden stool by the tub to place a drink or candle. There should be some greenery and florals in the room, either on the counter or on a windowsill. Some candles clustered together can enhance the feel of a spa so long as you have LED or safe placement while you drift off to a state of relaxation in your new spa. Adding a nice diffuser of some kind and a little speaker you can hide away add soothing touches to really round out the sensory experience that is inherent with a spa.  

I also encourage you to ask your designer what kind of art piece they envision in your space. It can be literal art on the wall, or it can be something sculptural on the counter or in a corner of the room. Have fun with your designer deciding what option could really finish off the space.  

The End Result 

Now that you have successfully worked with a professional to handle either avenue of this transformation, you have a wonderfully relaxing spa to enjoy at the end of a long hard day. Or at the end of a great and beautiful day, you can treat yourself any day of the week now that this is in your very own home! 

You get to walk into a spa designed for your needs and your favorite style. It was curated just for you and your partner to enjoy each and every morning and each and every night! What a worthwhile investment for your mental and physical health! It won’t solve all your problems, sure, but it will certainly be a big part of loving your own home.  

With everything that we’ve covered today, I hope you are clearer on the decision between a renovation and a refresh. I want you to feel empowered to make the best decision for you and your home. Either path you take is certain to increase the value of your home and that also feels amazing.  

Decide now which path you’re ready to take and start interviewing interior designers to transform your master bathroom into the spa you deserve.  With experience and training, a great designer handles much of the decisions and research for you. We’ll simply provide you with a few options to pick from and handle it from there. Depending on which designer you choose, you can be as involved or removed from the process as you want.  

I’m thrilled about your journey and hope that you reach out to share with me how your transformation went. And if you’re local to Northern Palm Beach County, book a Discovery Call today and let’s see if I’m the right fit to partner with you on transforming your space and elevating your life. I can’t wait to get started!