Simple Budget Friendly Spa Bath Decorating Ideas

If you’ve ever yearned for a daily dose of serenity, these spa bath decorating ideas are here to make your dream a reality. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the art of turning your bathroom into a soothing sanctuary. 

Whether a large or small bathroom, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a luxury experience in your own home. Say goodbye to stress and hello to your own personal spa oasis where relaxation is just a step away! 

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I was in my 40s before I had my first pedicure in a salon.

Almost 50 when I had my first massage at a spa.

For some, I would be considered a late bloomer in the world of professional personal grooming. For others, I am a “lucky duck” to ever walk into a spa at any age!

Admittedly, I do love a pampering moment and love the ambiance of a spa. I have often wondered…”Why does this self-care have to be restricted to going somewhere else? Why can’t I do this at home?”

Well, my friend, I can!

And, so can you!

Try any and all of these spa bathroom ideas!

Spa Bath Decorating Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

No need to check into a five-star hotel!

Whatever size bathroom you have, large or small, here are some very simple, budget-friendly ways to create a bathroom spa experience that you can enjoy every day at home!

Spotlessly Clean

Sorry, my friend, to start with something so mundane and unexciting, but here is the truth…

The foundation of feeling pampered and rested is the lack of dirt in the room.

You don’t want to be soaking in your bubble-filled bathtub only to notice the cloud of dirt in the corner behind the door.

Buzz kill!

Obviously, this is a chore you need to do anyway, but give the room an extra little “shine-up” when doing your usual cleaning.

Set your good housekeeping routine and let your room sparkle and shine!

A Spa Bathroom Color Scheme

Creating a spa-like bathroom experience often starts with choosing the right color scheme. Soft and soothing colors are key to achieving a tranquil ambiance. 

Consider a palette of muted blues and greens reminiscent of sea and sky, which evoke a sense of calm and relaxation. Pale, neutral tones like soft beige, light gray, or creamy white can also contribute to a spa-like atmosphere by promoting a feeling of cleanliness and simplicity. Earthy tones, such as soft taupe or sandy beige, can bring a grounding and natural element to your bathroom. 

If in doubt, use a clean, bright white as your base.

Additionally, it’s a great idea to incorporate natural materials like bamboo, stone, and wood for a harmonious and inviting spa bathroom feel in your home.

If you aren’t able to change bigger ticket items like flooring or bathroom surfaces, incorporate your chosen color palette and natural textures through decorative accents. These are items that can be coordinated for a cohesive look in your home spa:

1. Towels and Linens
2. Shower Curtain
3. Bath Mats
4. Storage Baskets
5. Wall Art
6. Soap Dispensers and Toothbrush Holders
7. Shelving and Decorative Objects
8. Tumbler and Soap Dish
9. Towel Hooks or Bars
10. Shower Accessories

Bottles, Jars, and Brushes

You may be a soap and water person or, like me, you have found the perfect (or several perfect) bottles of magic to help you look and feel good.

But they take up space and can look oh-so-cluttered!

To combat beauty tool clutter, I gathered make-up brushes into a vintage mint julip cup with brow pencils, and eyeliners in another.

Lipsticks are kept in a colorful tray and everything is gathered onto one glass-bottomed tray…a container holding containers!

Use glass jars, a small basket, or even a special teacup to gather your beauty tools and keep them looking spa-lovely!

Everything is gathered neatly into one place and can be found easily. You will really enjoy your new, organized daily routine!

Plush Towels

Take a good hard look at your towels. Are they tired, worn, and sad?

Updating your bath towels is one of the best ways to create a spa-like experience on a limited budget. 

And a spa experience calls for the fluffiest, softest towels you can find. 

Fortunately, fluffy towels can be found for great prices online and in big box stores.

I love white towels but you can, of course, use a favorite color.

Then, take it a step further…tie some hand towels with a satin ribbon or have your bath towels monogrammed. 

Home Stager Tip: Slip a dryer sheet between your towels to give your bathroom the scent of clean, fresh cotton. Budget-friendly scent!

Scented Candles

Scented candles are an incredibly budget-friendly yet effective way to infuse a spa-like ambiance into your bathroom decor. They offer a touch of luxury without breaking the bank!

 The best spa scents, such as lavender, eucalyptus, sea salt, and jasmine, not only create a soothing atmosphere but also provide various therapeutic benefits.

 Lavender promotes relaxation and reduces stress, while eucalyptus can help clear your sinuses and invigorate your senses. Jasmine, with its sweet and exotic aroma, is known for its mood-enhancing properties. The best choice of candle is whatever scent relaxes you!

Plus, the soft, flickering candlelight adds to the overall serene ambiance, making scented candles a budget-friendly spa decorating idea that’s both accessible and effective.

By strategically placing scented candles around your bathroom, you can instantly transport yourself to a tranquil oasis, all at a fraction of the cost of more extensive decor changes. 

Plants, Plants, Plants!

Be sure to include plenty of plants in your bathroom decorating design!

Adding live plants to the bathroom is one of the easiest ways to warm up a space. They bring an important element of nature into the bathroom.  As human beings, we need to connect with nature and sometimes a live plant is the closest we can get.

Plants are a wonderfully inexpensive way to bring a spa-like atmosphere into your space while also improving air quality. They are the perfect way to add a touch of nature and serenity to your bathroom decor with very little expense. 

When it comes to selecting plants that thrive in bathroom humidity, consider low-maintenance options. These plants not only thrive in higher humidity but also remove toxins from the air. They require minimal attention and can thrive in the moisture-rich environment of a bathroom, making them an excellent choice for an affordable and spa-inspired decorating idea that brings the outdoors in.

Here are some plants that live well and thrive in the high humidity of a bathroom.

1. Snake Plant
2. Pothos
3. Spider Plant
4. Peace Lily
5. Bamboo Palm
6. Orchid
7. Begonia
8. Ferns
9. Aloe Vera

Don’t have a green thumb? No worries! Check out my favorite hard-to-kill indoor plants!

Faux plants are another great option for your spa bathroom. I wanted an olive tree for our bathroom but I didn’t like the price. So I made my own DIY olive tree topiary for the bathroom counter.

Bath and Body

Pretty soaps shouldn’t just be for guests! And, the market is chock-full of budget-friendly soaps, bath oils, and bathtime bubbles.

My friend Susan of Hen and Horse Design gave me this beautiful Oatmeal and Honey Lavender Shea Butter handmade soap. You need to try this! Amazing soap and so pretty!

And, if you want the softest skin in town for pennies…pour a scoop of Epsom salts into the warm bathwater. Bathtime gold!

Epsom salts are inexpensive and come in all sorts of different scents.  (Avoid using if you have a bathtub with jets.)

No kidding… you will have the softest skin in town!

Don’t neglect the scent in the shower!

For a few dollars, you can purchase a bundle of eucalyptus at the grocery store. Tie a bunch to your showerhead and let the shower steam go to work.

Shower time will smell SO good! (and it wakes you up in the morning!)

The Power of Music in a Spa Bath

Music plays an important role in elevating the spa-like experience in a bathroom!

Soothing melodies can drown out distractions, calm the mind, and enhance relaxation during baths or self-care routines. Integrating music inexpensively is easy with today’s technology. Consider investing in a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that can be easily paired with your smartphone or tablet. You can create personalized playlists of calming tunes or nature sounds, all at your fingertips. 

Place the speaker strategically on a shelf or countertop, ensuring it’s safe from water splashes, and let the music whisk you away to a state of bliss without breaking the bank.

Tres Chic: Add a Touch of French

Perhaps I have watched too many episodes of “Emily in Paris” but I am well aware of the French philosophy that quality is paramount.

Quality ingredients, quality shoes, quality time, and quality self-care…the French are on to something that deserves our attention.

So, bring a French element into the bathroom that reminds you of this lovely philosophy. French script is always a good idea as it immediately gives off French vibes.

For example, these apothecary jars have charming French labels and can hold inexpensive Epsom salts.

And the little tray holds some of my jewelry and reminds me to channel my inner “Coco Chanel!”

Shop your favorite thrift or vintage shops. Or, grab a marker, stencil, or clay and create your own French inspired decor!

Toilet Tissue

I saved this little detail for the end.

Toilet Paper?

Not because it is most important (well, maybe it is?) but because it is a “spa” detail that is free other than the cost of a rubber stamp or, in my case, an embossing tool.

Here’s how to give your toilet tissue the spa treatment!

Fold the corners of the toilet tissue back to form a triangle.

Wet your embossing tool or rubber stamp with water and press.

This makes me smile every time! And, this process is oddly satisfying!

Stamp an entire package of toilet tissue all at once and you have spa elegance at the ready!

A Well Earned Spa Day

Any spa experience is about the details. And these details don’t have to cost a lot of money.

With thoughtful choices in color schemes, budget-friendly decorative accessories, and the simple addition of music, you can create a rejuvenating haven right in your own home. Your bathroom can be more than just a functional space; it can be a retreat where you find solace and unwind from the stresses of the day.

Now that you have turned your bathroom into a personal spa-style bathroom, it is time for a spa day! You have earned it!

Cheers!

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