5 Tips for Making Your Bathroom Your Sanctuary On the Cheap

When we first saw Matt's bathroom we oohed and awed over how clean, bright and spa-like it felt. We want a bathroom like that, we thought. We'd be so relaxed if we had one like that. We've been working long days and have been spending more and more time at the boyfriend's and find the bathroom is our moment to be quiet, to relax and to unwind after a long day. Here are our tips for making your bathroom a sanctuary without having to go and buy all new stuff!

1. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness: Decluttering and cleaning are pretty much free and nothing makes a small space feel better than having it be spotless. Here are 5 things that might be cluttering up your bathroom and how to clean the tub in 3 minutes.

Take a look at your countertops, are they overflowing with products? Take time to put things away (wrangle them on a tray from the kitchen or into the cabinet or simply let go of the things you don't use). If you keep the catbox in the bathroom make sure you stay on top of scooping and keep a little broom or dustbuster handy to clean up the sand that inevitably spills out. We hate stepping out of the shower and into a special pile of crunchy litter.

2. Invest in Fluffy Towels on a Budget: We've had really good luck with Thomas O'Brien towels from Target. They're pretty inexpensive, very soft and they come in lots of pretty colors. If that's not your bag, or you want some other options, check out the best towels of 2008 right here.

3. Work on Lighting: A lot of bathrooms now have CFL bulbs which are easy on the environment but not always soothing on the eyes. A big part of relaxing is lighting so take a look, do you need more flattering light, do you need to turn out the lights and light a candle? Set the mood with good lighting.

4. Great Bath Stuff: We posted a cheap way to make your own bath salts that smell great and a bonus, using the same ingredients you can make an air freshener too.

5. Make the Time: You could have the greatest bathroom in the world, but if you never make the time to take a bath, take a deep breath or just enjoy silence and being alone then what's the point? Put time aside at the beginning or the end of the day to just sit. Maybe it's 3 deep breaths before you go out to face the day or 3 at the end to help wind you down for sleep.

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but if AT:LA is hell-bent on using the editorial we, then, please, refrain from writing these little personal messages that cry out for single voice. Unless you're a conjoined twin.

posted by Palmetto on March 3rd 2009 at 8:19pm
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I've been really happy with the Thomas O'Brien towels too.

posted by misamel on March 3rd 2009 at 8:27pm
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This is one of the best bathrooms I have seen on this site. Not overly done, I like that.

posted by dkzody on March 3rd 2009 at 9:04pm
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Ditto on the Thomas O'Brien towels.

posted by cassielynn on March 3rd 2009 at 9:16pm
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Oh man, I want that bench. Anyone know where I can find it? I'd sure appreciate the help.

posted by Palamino on March 3rd 2009 at 9:43pm
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I have the same bench in my front hallway and love it - it's from ikea and it was $40.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40049684

posted by julie_k. on March 3rd 2009 at 9:49pm
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Anyone have ideas on how to make those scented bamboo reed diffusers? They are attractive air fresheners & permeate a nice scent, but some are rather expensive.
Mineral oil & some essential oil/ perfume??
They seem so easy to make but...

posted by springisnear on March 3rd 2009 at 10:03pm
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yestitisislandlove - TYH has a DIY version here

http://www.thisyounghouse.com/2009/01/stick-em-up/

posted by mntwmyn on March 3rd 2009 at 10:14pm
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This is pretty solid advice. I love my bathroom and it is my sanctuary- it would be perfect if my landlord hadn't inexplicably decided that white walls and white cabinets and white everything else called for...orange tile. Why orange Mrs. Landlord? Oh well- some day I will have a perfect sanctuary and until then, I can ignore the floor.

Speaking of floors, I also suggest getting a soft rug math that will resist looking dingy. I love stepping out of my shower onto my really soft, warm bath rug. :)

~Amanda
http://onehappypanda.blogspot.com

posted by mandabear on March 3rd 2009 at 11:39pm
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For once, a picture of a room that actually looks like it could be used - LOL - instead of overly decorated to the point of people would always dodge it.

posted by ChrisGal on March 4th 2009 at 7:42am
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everyone hates "we." do you listen at all, Maxwell. I know you're reading this. you can't ignore us forever.

posted by amt230 on March 4th 2009 at 9:45am
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I love the Vera Wang towels at Kohls.
One tip I have is to wipe down the counters and the top of the toilet while rinsing with mouthwash. Keeps my counters clean of dush and hair between scrubbings and it makes me rinse for a longer time!

posted by Enamorada on March 4th 2009 at 9:53am
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Joining the chorus, the nauseatingly pretentious editorial "we" is tiresome, especially when coupled with so many grammatical mistakes and frequently bad writing. Get over yourselves!

posted by Sydney on March 4th 2009 at 9:54am
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I like the we, it's very inclusive. . I imagine a wee (pun intended) little team of AT people all discovering things and doing things together ALL the time. . but I do agree with the others: when you start diving into personal stories. . you gotta drop the "we spend all our time at our boyfriends house". . .who? you and all of AT? you and your dog? you and your multiple personalities?

posted by ivegots on March 4th 2009 at 11:04am
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That vanity has me thinking. I have a pedestal sink, but I'd like to add storage and cover the pipes beneath with a cabinet like that one--it looks like it was built for that sink, not planned that way.

posted by ValHalla on March 4th 2009 at 11:54am
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The fresh flowers are a nice touch.
They always make the bathroom nicer.

Personally I just go out side and snip a couple of daisies or a rose and put it in a little vase and voila!

Oui! not 'We'

posted by AngelaPeregrina on March 4th 2009 at 2:13pm
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WE (your readers) wish the writers on Apartment therapy would stop saying "WE" !

posted by StudioStarter on March 4th 2009 at 2:36pm
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ValHalla, I think that vanity came that way...that is the sink is not a pedestal, unfortunately. I believe it is from a Home Depot or Lowes. We considered it (or something like it) for our narrow bathroom.

posted by Enamorada on March 4th 2009 at 2:49pm
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ValHalla, it's called a "semi-encased" sink, and I have long thought one could use the basin only of a pedestal sink and have a cabinet customized or built to fit.

posted by pvett on March 5th 2009 at 11:33pm
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who is "WE"?

posted by springisnear on March 9th 2009 at 3:24pm
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