Let’s be honest: most of our bathrooms are less “sanctuary” and more “place where I frantically scrub toothpaste off my shirt before a Zoom call.” I spent years treating my tub like a secondary laundry basket until I realized I was one more stressful Tuesday away from a total meltdown. I tried to “relax” once by just sitting in hot water, and I ended up staring at a pile of dirty towels and thinking about my taxes. It was pathetic.
That’s when I discovered bathscaping. It sounds like a word made up by someone selling $80 candles, but it’s actually just the art of styling your bathtub area so it doesn’t feel like a clinical decontamination zone. I’ve made every mistake possible—including the time I used a cheap wooden bath tray that snapped in half, sending my iPad and a glass of cabernet into the suds. RIP, iPad.
If you want a spa night that actually lowers your cortisol instead of raising your insurance premium, you need to get the essentials right. Here is my “been-there-ruined-that” guide to turning your bathroom into a five-star retreat.
1. High-End Bath Trays That Won’t Kill Your Electronics
If you are still balancing your book on the edge of the porcelain, you’re living life on the edge in the worst way. A solid wood bath caddy is the foundation of any real bathscape. I used to think these were pretentious until I realized they are basically a dinner table for your tub. They keep your wine, your phone, and your loofah within arm’s reach so you don’t have to do that awkward, wet “reach and grab” that inevitably results in a puddle on the floor.
When you’re shopping for a “luxury bathtub bridge” (that’s the SEO term for those of us who like fancy things), look for bamboo or teak. Avoid the cheap plastic ones; they look like something out of a hospital room. I once bought a “bargain” metal tray that started rusting within a week, leaving orange streaks on my white tub that took three hours of scrubbing to remove. Learn from my pain: spend the extra twenty bucks on treated wood.
Make sure the tray has a dedicated slot for a wine glass. The “friction fit” slots are a godsend because they prevent you from knocking your drink over when you inevitably fall asleep or shift your legs. I also recommend finding one with an adjustable book or tablet stand. Just please, for the love of all that is holy, make sure your tablet isn’t plugged into the wall while you’re using it. My cousin Dave tried that and… well, let’s just say his hair hasn’t laid flat since 2012.
2. Realistic Faux Plants for Bathroom Decor
Every “dream bathroom” photo on Pinterest features a fiddle-leaf fig or a massive fern hovering over the tub. I tried that. My bathroom has exactly zero windows, and within three weeks, that fern looked like a dried-out tarantula. Unless you live in a glass-walled greenhouse, high-quality artificial plants are the only way to go for bathscaping. Real plants in a windowless, steamy bathroom usually either rot from the humidity or starve for light.
I’m a huge advocate for “silk” eucalyptus or faux succulents. They give you that “jungle spa” vibe without the guilt of plant homicide. When you’re searching for “lifelike faux greenery,” look for the ones with a waxy texture. If they look too shiny, they’ll look fake under your bathroom’s vanity lights. I keep a few small pots of fake ivy trailing over the side of my medicine cabinet, and it softens the harsh lines of the room beautifully.
A pro tip from my years of trial and error: don’t put the plants right on the edge of the tub where they’ll get splashed with soapy water. Soap scum on fake leaves is a nightmare to clean and makes the plant look like it has some kind of weird botanical disease. Place them on a shelf or the back of the toilet to create layers of height in your bathscape. It tricks your brain into thinking you’re in nature, even if you’re actually three feet away from a plunger.
3. Using Essential Oil Diffusers Instead of Scented Candles
I know, I know. Candles are “classic.” But I am officially over them for spa nights. I once got so relaxed in the tub that I forgot I’d lit a three-wick “Midnight Jasmine” candle on the floor. I stood up, stepped too close, and let’s just say I didn’t need to shave my left leg for a month. If you want a soothing bathroom scent, get a high-quality ultrasonic essential oil diffuser.
Diffusers are superior because you can customize the “flavor” of your relaxation. If I’ve had a day where every person I met was a total headache, I go for a lavender and eucalyptus blend. If I need to feel like a productive human again, I hit the citrus oils. Unlike candles, which can get smoky and overwhelming in a small, enclosed bathroom, a diffuser provides a consistent, gentle mist that actually helps with the humidity.
Look for a “stone or ceramic essential oil diffuser” to keep the aesthetic elevated. The plastic ones look like a humidifier you’d put in a toddler’s room. You want something that looks like a piece of art sitting on your counter. Also, please stick to pure essential oils. Those “fragrance oils” you find at the dollar store are full of chemicals that will give you a headache faster than a screaming toddler.
4. Plush Organic Cotton Towels and Robes
You can have the most beautiful bathscape in the world, but if you step out of the tub and wrap yourself in a towel that feels like 40-grit sandpaper, the vibe is ruined. Upgrading to thick, 800 GSM Turkish cotton towels is the single best investment you can make for your home spa. I used to buy the cheap “value packs,” but after five washes, they were as thin as a paper napkin.
I’m also a firm believer in the “over-sized robe” lifestyle. When you’re done with your soak, you shouldn’t be rushing to put on leggings. You need a waffle-knit or terry cloth robe that makes you feel like you’re staying at a hotel that charges $900 a night. I prefer white or cream because it makes the bathroom look cleaner and more “minimalist,” even if my actual life is total chaos.
Side note: If you really want to level up, get a towel warmer. I thought they were the peak of laziness until I installed one during a bathroom remodel five years ago. Stepping into a hot towel when it’s 20 degrees outside is a spiritual experience. It’s the difference between “I’m taking a bath” and “I am being pampered by the universe.”
5. Ambient Lighting and Waterproof LED Strips
Nothing kills a spa mood faster than the “interrogation room” glow of a standard overhead fluorescent light. If you can see every single pore on your face and the dust bunny under the vanity, you aren’t going to relax. For proper bathscaping, you need dimmable ambient lighting. If you aren’t ready to call an electrician (or knock out a load-bearing stud like I did in ’09—don’t ask), use battery-operated LED candles.
I love “waterproof flickering LED tea lights.” You can actually float some of them in the water, which looks incredible for about ten minutes until you realize you’re bumping into them. Better yet, tuck them into the corners of your room or behind your faux plants. The goal is to have the light coming from the edges of the room, not from directly above your head. It creates shadows that hide the fact that you haven’t scrubbed the grout in three months.
Bonus Tip: If you’re feeling techy, get some smart LED strips and run them under the lip of your vanity or behind your mirror. You can set them to a soft “sunset orange” or a “deep sea blue.” Just stay away from the neon green unless you want your spa night to feel like a 90s rave.
6. Premium Bath Salts and Magnesium Flakes
Let’s talk about the water itself. Bubbles are fun for kids, but for adults, they mostly just dry out your skin and leave a ring around the tub. If you want real benefits, you need Epsom salts or magnesium flakes. I’ve found that magnesium is the secret weapon for sore muscles and actual sleep. I used to toss and turn after a bath, but once I started using high-quality flakes, I started sleeping like a log that’s been heavily sedated.
When looking for “natural bath soaks,” avoid the ones with heavy artificial dyes. Nobody wants to come out of the tub looking like a Smurf because the “Ocean Breeze” salts were 40% Blue. Stick to clear salts and add your own dried botanicals if you want to look fancy. Dried rose petals or lavender buds look stunning in a bathscape, but a word of warning: use a mesh bag or a drain strainer.
I once dumped a whole bag of loose dried flowers into the tub because it looked “aesthetic” in a magazine. It was great until it was time to drain the water. I spent the next hour picking soggy flower bits out of my drain with a pair of tweezers while cursing the name of every lifestyle blogger in existence. Save yourself the headache; keep the flowers in a tea bag or just floating in a small bowl on your tray.
7. Natural Bristle Dry Brushes and Scrub Tools
I used to think dry brushing was just something people did in expensive retreats while eating nothing but kale. Then I tried it. If you want skin that doesn’t look like the texture of a basketball, you need a natural boar bristle dry brush. It’s the ultimate “pre-game” for your bathscape. I usually spend about five minutes buffing my skin in circular motions before I even turn on the tap. It gets the blood moving and makes you feel like you’ve actually accomplished something before you go into full lizard-mode in the water.
When searching for “exfoliating body brushes,” make sure you get one with a long handle. I once bought a palm-sized one and nearly threw my back out trying to reach that one itchy spot between my shoulder blades. A long, detachable handle is the way to go. Also, stick to natural fibers. I tried a cheap synthetic brush once—it felt like I was exfoliating with a wire grill brush. My skin was red for three days. Not exactly the “relaxed glow” I was aiming for.
Keep your brushes displayed in a stoneware crock or a glass apothecary jar. Don’t just toss them under the sink. Part of the bathscaping philosophy is that your tools should be part of the decor. When they’re visible and look beautiful, you’re more likely to actually use them instead of letting them gather dust next to the half-empty bottle of window cleaner.
8. High-Quality Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Let’s talk about the “soundscape” part of bathscaping. If you’re still listening to podcasts through your phone’s tinny speakers while the water is running, you’re doing it wrong. You can’t hear the nuances of a relaxing “forest rain” track over the sound of a splashing faucet. You need a dedicated waterproof Bluetooth speaker that can handle the humidity without frying its circuits.
I’ve gone through about six of these over the years. My biggest mistake? Buying the ones with the cheap suction cups that are supposed to stick to the shower wall. They always—and I mean always—fall off in the middle of the night, sounding like a gunshot and scaring the absolute life out of the cat. Now, I use a rugged, “IPX7 rated waterproof speaker” that sits securely on my bath tray or a shelf.
Look for something with “360-degree sound.” It fills the room much better, especially in bathrooms with lots of hard, echoing surfaces like tile and glass. And please, curate a playlist before you get in. There is nothing less relaxing than having to dry off your hand to skip a heavy metal song that accidentally snuck into your “Zen Meditation” mix. Trust me, “Enter Sandman” does not vibe with a chamomile tea soak.
9. Apothecary Jars and Uniform Storage
Nothing ruins the “luxury spa” illusion faster than a neon-orange bottle of discount shampoo sitting on the edge of the tub. If you want your bathroom to look like a high-end boutique, you have to decant your products. I started moving my salts, cotton balls, and bath oils into clear glass apothecary jars, and it changed the entire energy of the room. It went from “cluttered storage” to “curated collection” instantly.
When you’re browsing for “glass bathroom storage sets,” try to find jars with airtight lids. Humidity is the enemy of things like bath bombs and salts; if you leave them in their original cardboard packaging, they’ll turn into a soggy, useless mess within a month. I prefer jars with a bit of a vintage feel—etched glass or heavy lids—to give the space some character.
And here is a little secret from my years of DIY-ing: you don’t have to spend a fortune at high-end home stores. I’ve found some of my best “bathscape jars” at thrift stores or by repurposing fancy jam jars. Just soak them in hot soapy water to get the labels off, and you’re golden. It’s a cheap way to make your counter look like it belongs in a magazine.
10. The Magic of a Teak Floor Mat
If you really want to commit to the bit, ditch the soggy, mildew-prone fabric bath mat and get a slatted teak shower mat. Not only does it look incredibly sophisticated, but it also feels amazing under your feet. Fabric mats stay wet forever, and unless you’re washing them every two days, they start to smell like a locker room. Teak is naturally water-resistant and dries quickly, which is why they use it on boats.
I remember the first time I put one in my guest bathroom. My mother-in-law asked if I’d had a professional designer come in. Nope, just a $50 piece of wood. When searching for “non-slip teak bath mats,” make sure they have rubber feet on the bottom. You don’t want to step out of the tub and have the mat slide across the tile like a surfboard. I learned that the hard way during the “Summer of the Bruised Tailbone.”
A side note: Teak does require a tiny bit of maintenance. About once a year, you’ll want to give it a quick wipe with some teak oil to keep that rich, warm color. If you ignore it, it turns a silvery-gray color—which some people like, but I think it makes the bathroom look like an abandoned pier. Keep it oiled, and it’ll last longer than your actual bathtub.
11. Over-the-Tub Caddy for Fine Wine and Tea
Wait, didn’t I talk about trays already? Yes, but the specialized beverage caddy is a different beast entirely. While a standard bridge holds your book, a dedicated beverage station—sometimes built into the tray, sometimes a separate floating side table—is the crowning jewel of bathscaping. If you’re a tea drinker, you need a spot for a teapot and a cup that won’t get knocked over by a stray elbow.
If you prefer wine, look for a “stemware holder” specifically designed for the tub. I’m very opinionated about this: never, ever use a regular coffee mug for wine in the bath. It’s a spa night, not a dorm party. Use a shatterproof acrylic wine glass. They look exactly like real crystal, but if you drop it (and you might, because fingers get prune-y and slippery), you won’t be picking shards of glass out of your bathwater for the next four hours.
One quick side note: if you’re doing a hot soak, remember that alcohol hits you twice as fast. I once had two glasses of red in a 105-degree tub and tried to stand up too quickly. The room did a 360-degree spin, and I ended up clinging to the towel rack like a shipwreck survivor. Keep some cold cucumber water nearby to stay hydrated. It looks fancy in a glass pitcher on your tray and keeps you from passing out.
Real Talk: What’s Not Worth Your Money
I’m going to be blunt because I care about your wallet: Bath pillows with suction cups are a scam. In theory, they provide neck support. In reality, the suction cups fail halfway through your soak, the pillow slides down, and you end up doing a weird core workout just to keep your head dry. Plus, they never truly dry out, which means they eventually start smelling like a damp basement. If you need neck support, just roll up one of those fancy plush towels you bought and propped it behind your head. It’s more comfortable and you can just throw it in the wash.
Also, avoid those “glitter” bath bombs. They look cool for a 30-second Instagram video, but you will be finding glitter in your nether regions and on your bathroom floor until the year 2032. It’s not relaxing to scrub your skin raw trying to get “Galaxy Dust” off your shins.
Parting Wisdom
Bathscaping isn’t about spending a fortune or having a bathroom the size of a garage. It’s about intentionally setting the stage so you can actually disconnect from the world for twenty minutes. Start with the lighting and a decent tray, and build from there. You deserve a space that doesn’t remind you of your to-do list.
What’s your biggest “spa night” fail? Did you ever try the rose petal thing and regret it as much as I did? Drop your stories or questions in the comments below—I’ve seen it all, and I’m happy to help you avoid my mistakes!
