FIVE MINUTES WITH: Lucy Ackroyd - how to create a luxury bathroom on a budget

Although we are still limited in what we can do, creating a luxury bathroom at home is a little slice of accessible self-care that can be the perfect stress-busting tonic, with a German study finding that a soak in a warm bath can dramatically improve a person’s mental wellbeing.

From the fluffiest white towels and matching robes to the evocative scent of lavender oil, it’s hard to feel stressed out in a luxury hotel bathroom. Bu t why should you only experience that decadence when you’re away?

Lucy Ackroyd, Head of Design at Christy has combined her wealth of knowledge alongside other leading interior experts to provide the insight you need to transform your bathroom from a functional space into an idyllic haven.

1. Wrap yourself in luxury

“Soft, fluffy towels are the first thing that springs to mind when you envision a 5* hotel bathroom and the feeling of cocooning yourself in a luxurious towel post-bath is essential for holding onto that stress-busting effect after your soak.

“Choose high quality cotton towels to provide absorbency, durability and that coveted cosy texture. I’d recommend choosing a towel collection and coordinating this with your bath mat and a matching bathrobe for ultimate opulence.

“Having bought good quality towels, laundering them properly is essential to hold onto that plush feel. Check the care guide on the towels, but washing between 40 and 60 degrees is usually best, followed by a gentle tumble dry cycle. Finish by air-drying to give them an ultra fresh feeling.”

2. Bring the outdoors in

Pinterest reports a 108 per cent increase in searches for the term ‘bring outdoors inside’ in the last year, and the ‘jungle bathroom’ trend is also having a moment across Instagram.

Lucy said: “Introducing plants is an easy and affordable way to tap into a key trend and create a rustic and natural atmosphere. You can add colour and personality to a room with minimal effort and if you’re short on space, you can even suspend hanging baskets from your ceiling to get the look.

“However, plants are so much more than just decorative features. They are known to purify the air, release natural oils and even lower stress levels! They can also soften harsh angles and lighting which will help in creating a relaxing ambience.

“Make sure to choose plants that thrive well in humid conditions, such as bamboo, aloe vera and orchids.”

3. Store it in style

“Storage doesn’t have to be boring or unattractive, it’s all about embracing the everyday, in a way that is both practical and polished.

“An on-trend method to store towels is to use them as a display feature, hanging them on rustic wooden ladder shelves. Choosing towels in seasonal colours that you can rotate is an affordable way to change up the feel of your bathroom to reflect your current tastes, without having to pick up a paintbrush.

“Open shelving is also an effective storage solution for everyday items such as towels. Add in statement glass jars and modern ceramics amongst them.

“Decanting your toiletries into cute glass bottles and unique dispensers will round off the luxe, thought-out effect perfectly. “

4. Stimulate your senses

“Scent is key in replicating that luxury hotel spa experience. Alongside plants, adding in essential oils and candles will evoke the feeling of being truly pampered and relaxed.

“Make sure to think about the vibe you want to create and choose scents that reflect this. Using mismatched scents together in an enclosed space can confuse the senses and ruin our chance to truly relax, so really think about the ambience you want to create. If you’re looking to destress, try rosemary scented products. If you’re struggling to sleep, lavender is a well-known slumber inducer. Alternatively, citrus scents are perfect for refreshing yourself on tired mornings and Cucumber is perfect to sharpen and invigorate your senses.”

5. Light the way

“When lying in a bath, your ceiling gets a lot of attention. If it’s dreary and boring, it’s not a visually pleasing experience. Opting for lighting which doubles up as a feature (think pendant lighting, hanging brass bulbs, and chandeliers) creates an additional design layer and doesn't take up vital floorspace in smaller rooms.

And for those on a lower budget, Lucy suggests: “Hanging a mini gallery wall can be the perfect finishing touch to any room.”

FROM THE EDITOR

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