As autumn and winter descend, we often find ourselves spending more time in our bathrooms than during the warmer months of the year, taking our time over self care and prioritising pampering as we shelter from the colder weather and look for enjoyment in the small things.
With this in mind, it’s perhaps unsurprising that October is one of the most popular months for bathroom renovations and makeovers, so if you’re craving a more luxurious aesthetic and comforting feel in yours, then you’re not alone.
The good news is that up-levelling the opulence factor in your bathroom doesn’t have to be complicated, and although completely overhauling the design and layout is a great way to get that ‘brand-new’ feeling, adding a few simple features and accessories can have a dramatic effect without all the upheaval.
We asked the experts at London luxury bathroom store Letta London to share their favourite ways to achieve a lavish look and feel in your bathroom this autumn, and here are their top five picks.
A rainfall shower head
Stepping into the shower shouldn’t just feel like a necessity, and an indulgent and luxurious shower from start to finish is the name of the game if you’re to step out feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to face the day – or wind down for bedtime. Of course, a spacious cubicle and gorgeous hardware are important, and hot water is a must – but your shower choice of shower head is what matters the most.
While you can rarely beat a power shower, a rainfall showerhead is the most opulent and aesthetically pleasing option and will make you feel like you’re pampering yourself in a luxury hotel every time you step underneath it.
Heated flooring
As we head into autumn and the temperatures begin to fall, the contrast between your nice, hot shower and the cooler air throughout the rest of your home suddenly starts to feel all the more apparent – and walking to the bathroom in bare feet each morning on the cold tiles becomes almost unthinkable. That is, unless you have heated flooring to protect you from the shock.
Heated bathroom floors are around 25 per cent more energy efficient that traditional heating, too, which is all the more reason to splurge on this decadent luxury, and given that electric systems take under an hour to warm your bathroom, your smart thermostat can ensure its nice and toasty for you just in time for when you wake up.
A free-standing bath tub
A free-standing bathtub has long been seen as the ultimate bathroom luxury, and it’s a fact that is unlikely ever to change. Placed in the centre of a spacious room and filled to the brim with decadent bubbles, there are few things more inviting after a long day, and sinking in with a good book and a glass of champagne is the perfect way to indulge in your regular dose of self care.
When it comes to size, it’s a case of the bigger, the better – and keeping your taps and other hardware perfectly polished is essential to maintain an opulent look and feel. There are a variety of different free-standing bath tubs to choose from, but an ornate claw-foot style will never look out of place in a period property – while, if yours is a modern home, opting for a simple design with clean lines will complement a minimalistic aesthetic.
A towel warmer
It’s often life’s smallest luxuries that make the biggest difference, and wrapping yourself up in a pre-warmed towel after stepping out of the bath or shower is one of the simplest yet greatest pleasures you can enjoy on a daily basis. When it’s cold and windy outside, it’ll feel like the ultimate comfort – and it couldn’t be easier to make it a reality.
A towel warmer is fast becoming one of the must-have essentials in any luxury bathroom, and as well as keeping your towels toasty for when you need them, they’re also a great way to dry them quickly after use without having to put them in the tumble dryer. Again, there are a variety of designs to choose from, with something to suit all aesthetics – so keep in mind the overall look and feel you’d like to create in your bathroom and choose accordingly.
A shower phone mount
In today’s fast-paced, always-on world, our smartphones are almost perpetually attached to our hands – except, of course, while we’re in the shower. While most of us probably welcome the break from the constant onslaught of emails, messages and notifications and the chance to destress and unwind for a few minutes, on those days when you’re awaiting an important phone call, being parted from your tech is little more than an inconvenience.
With an in-shower phone mount (and a waterproof phone cover), you can stay connected even while you’re washing your hair – and you’ll even be able to listen to some music or catch up on your favourite TV series when you’re not in work mode.