How to Make a Bathroom Look and Feel Luxurious

When making a bathroom look like a lavish escape, you might be surprised to learn that you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it. That’s right – there are plenty of great ways to make your bathroom look and feel like a luxurious spa experience, even if you’re on a budget. The fixtures and accessories available today are designed to cater to a true luxury experience right at home for those who want it.

You can go all-out and fully renovate the space to create the bathroom you’ve always wanted, even if you are on a limited budget. On the other hand, you could even make just a few small changes during a weekend without much of a budget and still create that ultimate spa experience right at home.

So, how do you plan your perfect luxury bathroom without going broke? Here are some things to keep in mind.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Bathroom Luxurious?
Key Features: Bathroom Sink, Vanity, Toilet, Tub/Shower
Finishing Details Matter
Scents, Comforts, and More
Resources

What Makes a Bathroom Luxurious?

When you’re trying to create a luxury space (with or without luxury finishes), it’s all in the planning and design of the space. There are a lot of factors involved in renovating or designing a new bathroom, so it’s helpful if you hire a designer or architect to help you create the perfect space.

A professional will be able to offer advice on what makes bathrooms “luxurious”:

Open floor space, which creates the illusion of a bigger room
Calm whites and light blues that resemble spas and high-end hotels
Premium flooring and fixtures
Soft textiles, including rugs, towels, curtains, and other linens
Use toiletry and tub trays to hold and display various toiletries in an aesthetically-pleasing manner

You’ll also want to consider things like the styles of plumbing fixtures you choose, the lighting in the space, and even the type of hardware you use on cabinets, doors, and other furnishings. We’ll get more into that next.

60 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Driftwood Finish

Key Features: Bathroom Sink, Vanity, Toilet, Tub/Shower

Your key items will impact the most: the toilet, sink and vanity, bathtub, and shower. Thus, you’ll want to choose items that fit the luxurious look that you have in mind without breaking your budget. Think about the look that you want. Use sites like Houzz and Pinterest to get inspiration for your project and take notes on what you like best or what features say “luxury” to you. Then, you’ll be able to start making your own choices.

Sinks have a lot of unique trends right now, from farmhouse-style basin sinks to countertop bowl-style sinks and even floating sinks and vanities that create a modern luxury aesthetic. Check out these sleek marble and granite vessel sinks for just one example of affordable luxury. The sink and vanity are a big part of the bathroom—will you choose a standard cabinet-style unit or go with something sleek and modern for a higher-end finish?

Natural Petrified Wood Stone Sink

Choose a toilet that is a bit higher-end than basic. You’ll notice the difference in aesthetic—choose the one that looks more luxurious, even if it only costs a few dollars more. This will be harder to customize, but it’s a necessary part of the space, so do your best.

The tub and shower are where you can shine with luxury finishes for less. You can choose premium materials, deep freestanding tubs, glass showers, multi-head shower stalls, and more. Plus, since they’re becoming more popular and readily available, you’ll find many more “luxury” products in a friendlier price range for the average homeowner. If you’re going to splurge on your luxury bathroom upgrades, the tub, and shower are the place to do it.

Finishing Details Matter

We’ve all seen that composite flooring or unique tile that looks like it costs a small fortune but is one of the cheapest materials available. This is where you can make a lot of luxury without much money—in the details. A high-end storage cabinet will provide the same solution as a cheaper one but with a more spa-like, luxury look and feel.

Consider upgrading some basic elements to get a luxury look for less. Choose lighting that makes a statement, even if that statement is just “calm”. Glam up your mirror and other accessories—the difference between a $20 towel bar and a $100 towel warmer could make your bathroom look like it’s worth a lot more.

Whirlwind Gold Round Mirror

Update the cabinet hardware and choose something stylish and modern to accent the space. You can find nice-looking hardware for a lot less than you might think. Even a fresh coat of paint and new hardware on an old vanity can make a huge difference, and you won’t have to spend more than a few dollars.

It’s all about smart upgrades and knowing which elements to focus on. Sit down and think about what you want out of the space and then take the time to write down the things that matter most to you. Remember how we talked about the importance of planning and design?

Scents, Comforts, and More

Once you’ve got the space designed and all of your upgrades picked out, it’s time to think about the little things you can do to keep the space feeling like a spa. Consider a wax warmer, diffuser, or other scent solution to ensure the bathroom always smells amazing. Invest in high-end soaps, add some fresh flowers, and choose premium towels (they’re worth the extra money).

Apothecary jars, putting towels on display, and other spa-like details can add finishing touches to your design to make it the perfect spa space. Even if you start with these small changes and move on to bigger upgrades later, you can do it. More importantly, you can do it without a luxury budget and still get the luxury bathroom you have always wanted. What’s your inspiration? Get started on your new bathroom design now.

My name is Julia Ritzenthaler, Founder and President of Unique Vanities, started in 2005. I started this business as an extension of our residential remodeling business, which focused on the design and build of custom cabinetry and architectural trim. I also worked as a financial advisor for 10 years at Ameriprise Financial, helping clients make sound money decisions, including budgeting for home improvement expenses. This expertise led me to start Unique Vanities, which offers a handpicked selection of high quality bathroom vanities, sinks, mirrors and more. You can find me most days sitting in Starbucks, my second office, or in my car driving my daughter across Dallas to gymnastics training.