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Spa-like features can transform a daily routine into a restorative ritual. Curbless showers, soaking tubs, heated floors and natural materials soothe the senses and create calm, comfortable spaces that rival a day at a luxury spa. Here, design and remodeling pros share the spa-inspired details they used to bring that relaxing vibe to four newly uploaded bathrooms on Houzz.
1. Organic Retreat
Designer: Maegan Ayukonchong of M. Swabb Interior Design
Location: Del Mar, California
Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters); 13 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. “We fully renovated this entire home, including a complete transformation of the primary bathroom,” says designer Maegan Ayukonchong. “During our discovery phase, the clients shared their vision for an organic spa-like retreat with a few playful design elements. They love taking thoughtful design risks while still maintaining a timeless aesthetic.”
Spa-like features and details. “A soaking tub was high on their wish list, and to elevate the experience even further they were set on incorporating a TV recessed into the slab wall — perfect for unwinding, watching their favorite shows, listening to music and creating a true moment of relaxation,” Ayukonchong says. “A double vanity was also essential, along with a rain shower head and a floating shower bench to bring a clean, elevated feel to the space. Every material was thoughtfully chosen — from the calming pebble stone shower floors to the tranquil rain shower head — to reinforce the serene, spa-inspired atmosphere.”
Other special features. “Throughout the space, we incorporated natural, calming materials to reinforce the serene aesthetic,” Ayukonchong says. “The slab we selected, White Pearl quartzite (for the countertop, tub surround and shower walls and bench) brings a beautiful sense of warmth and texture, while the pebble tile flooring in the shower adds subtle pattern and movement. The limestone bathroom floors elevate comfort even further — they’re fully heated. To introduce a touch of playfulness, we installed a stunning blue Deco tile on the vanity wall. For the vanity itself we chose a rifted white oak finish with clean slab-front doors to keep the lines minimal and modern.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to mix finishes and tiles,” Ayukonchong says. “You’ll notice on the plumbing fixtures in the shower we went with a matte black to tie in the window details. But on the vanity wall we opted for brass finishes on the wall-mounted faucets and the sconces.”
Ayukonchong uses Houzz Pro software to manage her projects. “The features we use the most are proposals, invoices and the purchase order and tracking features,” she says. “This is so key during the construction phase so we can keep up to date with the items paid, being ordered, tracked for delivery and to mark things that are on-site and ready for installation. Our clients benefit the most from their client dashboard, where they can access the documents shown as paid or pending approval — things like that are great to keep transparency throughout the project.”
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2. Light-Filled Escape
Designer: Rachel Brooks of Feinmann
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 254 square feet (24 square feet)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners, now nearly empty nesters, were ready to move beyond their small, crowded primary bath and create a space they could truly enjoy,” says designer Rachel Brooks. “A freestanding tub was essential, and although the house is traditional, they were drawn to a clean, modern aesthetic that would still feel at home within the architecture.”
Spa-like features and details. “A must-have soaking tub anchors the space,” Brooks says. “Generous walnut cabinetry provides ample storage while adding warmth and richness. The double vanity, complete with his-and-hers sinks, enhances both functionality and comfort, making the bathroom as practical as it is luxurious.” The large walk-in shower features stone-look porcelain tile. The flooring is the same tile in a smaller format, installed in a herringbone pattern. The countertops are soapstone-look engineered quartz.
Other special features. “Natural materials, high-end finishes and thoughtful architectural details like exposed beams and transom windows create an atmosphere of tranquillity and understated elegance,” Brooks says. “Every element was chosen to balance beauty with functionality, resulting in a serene retreat tailored for relaxation and daily rejuvenation.”
Designer tip. “Previously, the bathroom had only a small window, limiting daylight,” Brooks says. “A large-paned window, skylight and transom window in the shower now flood the space with natural light, enhancing the bright and refreshing ambiance.”
Design-build firm Feinmann uses Houzz Pro software.
Cabinetry: Walnut hybrid veneer in Breakwater stain and matte finish, Greenfield Cabinetry; shower and floor tile: Mystic Pearl in polished finish, Elysium Tiles
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3. Accessible Luxury
Designer: Linda Machmeier of Signature Homes of the Chippewa Valley
Location: Jim Falls, Wisconsin
Size: 223 square feet (21 square meters); 13½ by 16½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “[These homeowners wanted] a custom home with an efficient but dramatic primary en suite bath with an enclosed toilet area, ample storage and a heavy, well-made tub,” says designer Linda Machmeier.
Spa-like features and details. “Porcelain tile was installed on a hydronic heated floor for a soft, warm underfoot feel,” Machmeier says. “The shower walls and vanity backsplash tile unify the space and offer an organic yet dramatic feel. The zero-entry shower with wide opening and no door offers accessibility and age-in-place living. This was constructed so that a door could be added later if desired. A freestanding solid-surface tub (partially visible in the foreground) is insulated to keep water warm longer.”
Other special features. “The custom Thorcraft cabinetry is solid walnut with stainless steel legs, dual storage areas and a solid-surface quartz countertop,” Machmeier says. “Above the sink is a Robern Uplift modern medicine cabinet mirror providing storage, additional electrical and a no-fog feature. The mirror front rises vertically for ease of use and access.”
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4. Coastal Calm
Designer: Jenny Keenan Design
Design-build firm: Buffington Homes
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Size: 247 square feet (23 square meters); 13 by 19 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The home is an oceanfront property that is surrounded by pine and oak trees,” says Joanna Buffington of design-build firm Buffington Homes. “The homeowners wanted a home that made you feel connected to the outdoors, among the tree canopies, and to enjoy the ocean from every room.”
Spa-like features and details. Large curbless shower with floating bench. Large soaking tub. White oak vanity. Dolomite marble tile flooring. The shower walls are porcelain slabs. “The homeowners wanted a clean palette that’s light and soothing — white stone, soft veining and natural wood accents,” Buffington says. “The finishes are intentionally quiet so the architecture and craftsmanship can be the focal point.”
Other special features. “The large windows were essential to bring in the natural light and to showcase views,” Buffington says. “When privacy is handled thoughtfully, expansive glass brings in natural light, connects you to the outdoors and instantly transforms a simple bathroom into a spa-like retreat.”
Design-build pro tip. “Do not be afraid of white walls with white tile and countertops,” Buffington says. “Layering white paint on the walls alongside white floors and white shower tile can actually make a space feel brighter, larger and more cohesive. The key is to mix in subtle textures and finishes so it makes the room feel intentional.”
Wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
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This empty-nest couple in Blacksburg, Virginia, plan to stay in their 1980s hillside home overlooking a golf course for years to come. With those long-term plans, they wanted a primary bathroom that could remain stylish and functional well into the future. But their existing space had a cramped layout with two small vanities on separate walls, cluttered open shelving, a massive step-up tub that ate up floor space and a dark stall shower. A large ceiling beam stretched across the room, further chopping up the space.
One saving grace was a picture window with a beautiful view of the lush landscape. Wanting to preserve that view while creating an airy retreat, the couple turned to Houzz for ideas. They then hired project lead designer Susan Davidson and production manager Logan Lawrence of Blue Ridge Design Build. A new perpendicular beam allowed for a vaulted ceiling that opened up one side of the room. Wood from a yellow birch tree on the family farm inspired the design of rustic details and dual maple vanities with tower storage. An elevated wet-room zone with an open shower and freestanding tub now adds a spa-like touch.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Ian Parrish of Parrish Real Estate Photography
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Size: 137 square feet (13 square meters)
Design-build pros: Susan Davidson and Logan Lawrence of Blue Ridge Design Build
Before: In the former bathroom, a bulky step-up tub with a tiled deck monopolized the floor space. The tub sat beneath a large picture window framing a beautiful view, while the toilet with an upper cabinet occupied the corner to the left. “Everything was broken up,” Lawrence says.
After: The team stripped the bathroom to the studs and removed the existing beam — a pivotal change. “We found out it was structural and consulted with a structural engineer to come in and redesign the ceiling load, and we added a longer perpendicular beam that could be installed flush into the ceiling,” Lawrence says. “This allowed us to vault the ceiling in one half of the bathroom.”
A new wet room on a slightly elevated, curved platform combines an open shower with a freestanding tub. The elevated design helps support a slope in the floor needed to drain water toward the linear drain below the shower fixtures. “Anytime you do an elevated wet room like this, you have a nontraditional floor slope and have to make sure that the water flows back to the shower drain,” Lawrence says. “The small-format tile we used does that well.” The flooring is chocolate-colored hexagonal mosaics with a limestone look and matte finish.
A curve on the elevated section adds a stylish detail. “I was trying to create enough space for the shower and also incorporate the tub,” Davidson says. “I gave them a couple of choices and they chose this S-curve because they liked how it looked.”
Custom wood elements throughout — shelves, a towel and robe rack, a window ledge and the trim framing the updated picture window — were all crafted from a yellow birch tree from the homeowners’ family farm in Floyd, Virginia. “The vision for the whole bathroom was keeping with the natural tones of that wood,” Lawrence says.
Wet-room floor tile: Relic Umber, Vintage Hex collection, Daltile
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A pony wall topped with a tempered glass panel helps keep shower spray contained within the wet room. The large freestanding tub has a smooth, scratch-resistant acrylic surface. “The tub complements the window and size and complements the curve designed into the wet-room floor,” Lawrence says. A brushed nickel floor-mount tub filler ties in with the shower and sink fixture. An energy-efficient picture window preserves the view the homeowners love.
Outside the shower, a sleek one-piece white toilet includes a washlet bidet seat with five spray settings and a nightlight. Its control panel is mounted on the pony wall, next to switches for the shower lights and exhaust fan.
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Large 12-by-24-inch beige porcelain tiles with a marble look and matte finish line the wet-room shower walls and the wall behind the tub. “They were going for light and airy,” Davidson says.
The open shower features a 10-inch rain shower head, a handheld shower on a slide bar and a pressure-balanced valve, all in brushed nickel. A matching grab bar adds safety. “The slide bar is also a grab bar here,” Davidson says. “And when needed, they can incorporate a freestanding stool.”
Wall tile: Timeless line in 12×24 Essence Beige, Qualis Ceramica
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A wraparound corner shower niche is lined with elegant marble and limestone mosaics that blend seamlessly with the wall tile. “It’s not commonly done because it requires some unique framing in the wall,” Lawrence says. “They chose it because they wanted something unique but also something that was hidden out of sight when you walk into the bathroom.”
The pressure-balanced valve and shower diverter is partially visible here on the back of the pony wall. “They wanted to have access to them before they step into the shower,” Davidson says.
Niche tiles: Panaro Blend, Daltile
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Before Photo
Before: The former bathroom had beige tile floors, a combination of white painted and wallpapered walls and two small traditional-style wood vanities placed on different walls. A makeup station without a sink sat along the middle left wall. Open shelving beside one vanity added to the cluttered feel. “Storage was a huge issue for them,” Davidson says.
A stall shower with a curtain was located behind the wall with the open shelves, and a ceiling beam stretched across the width of the room. A mirrored door at the back led to the primary bedroom. A small window on the back left wall offered an opportunity to close it in and create more wall space for an extended vanity.
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After: Removing the small window, the shelving and shower stall allowed for dual maple vanities with tower storage to span the side walls, creating streamlined symmetry. “We were able to get all of their necessities behind closed doors,” Davidson says. The vanities have a wheat-colored finish, modified Shaker-style doors and flat drawer fronts. “They were really trying to match the wood from their family farm,” Davidson says. Each vanity includes a tower with rollouts for added storage. Matte porcelain floor tiles in gray and earth tones bring rich texture and variation.
To offset the removed window, a new skylight trimmed with wood from the farm brings in natural light. “They were really concerned about having enough light,” Davidson says. A space-saving paneled pocket door now connects to the primary bedroom.
Floor tile: Clean Slate in Gray Matte, B&F Ceramics Design Showroom; skylight: Velux; vanities: maple in Shakertown IV in Wheat finish, Great Northern Cabinetry; wall paint: Bone White, Benjamin Moore
The vanities feature faux drawer fronts that flip down to reveal storage trays for easy access to small grooming items and medications. Durable quartz counters and backsplash have an ivory background with warm veining. “We were able to give them a very functional two-person primary bathroom,” Lawrence says.
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After: To make the most of the space, the firm used a partial wet-room layout. This meant placing both the shower and tub within an enclosure. The enclosure has two glass panels with a door in the center. This allows the entire bathroom to enjoy the natural light from the wet room’s window.
“We wanted to elevate the space as much as possible with elements like a freestanding bathtub and a large vanity,” Fishman says. Looking into the shower, a striking marble-covered wall steals the spotlight. The marble also provides an elegant backdrop when the homeowners are looking in the vanity mirror across the room.
“We used this plaster on the walls throughout the house,” Fishman says. “They provided a jumping-off point for the bathroom’s palette.” The plaster honors the Spanish Revival architecture and adds texture, depth and an organic feel to the room. “In the shower, there’s a layer of waterproofing under the cement, then the plaster, then a sealer,” Fishman says. This product is similar to tadelakt, a waterproof Moroccan treatment.
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Marble: Stoneland USA; plaster: Tonachino Firenze by Meoded Paint & Plaster
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The door on the left leads to the toilet room and the one on the right leads to a closet. Both spaces were remodeled as part of the project.
The homeowners loved the look of a slightly rugged natural stone floor. Because they also wanted low maintenance, the designer steered them toward porcelain. “As someone with a trained eye, I can usually tell the difference between natural stone and porcelain, but in this case I really can’t,” she says. “We used a wide range of color in the tiles, and they have a texture to them. There are even little faux chips in them. Also, the texture makes it slip-resistant.” Bula had the tiles laid in a classic herringbone pattern.
The wall paint, Etiquette by Benjamin Moore, is a shade Bula tested in her own home. “Before I used it, I did a bunch of blind paint color tests and I chose this color every time,” she says. “It’s a really nice warm neutral that does not lean too beige. And it looks so nice next to white trim.” The white paint is Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
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After: Herbert got rid of the underused tub, creating a roomier no-curb shower with a frameless fixed glass partition — all the better to see the intriguing new shower wall tiles in different shapes and varying shades of blue. Penny round mosaic shower floor tiles bring in more calming blue. Bamboo veneer cabinetry warms up all the cool tones, including the blue-gray walls (Steely Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and white-and-gray porcelain floor tiles.
Joining the color palette in creating a spa-like vibe are a floating vanity (which has a single sink versus the previous double sinks), a frameless mirror and a rain shower head.
Space savers: Single sink, mirror with integrated lighting, shower shelving, heated flooring, two tall cabinets.
Vanity: Summit horizontal door style in bamboo with natural finish, Kitchen Craft Cabinetry, MasterBrand Cabinets; mirror: Image illuminated, 42 by 36 inches, Slique collection, Madeli
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Few things can cure the post-summer-vacation blues like a relaxing soak in a bathtub. For the ultimate spa-like experience, you’ll want more than just hot water. Your choice of tub and its location within the bathroom, as well as selections for tile, color, fixtures and other details, can enhance bath time and help relieve stress. These 10 bathtub setups offer deep inspiration.
1. Southwest Swerve
Design firm Treasure in the Detail and The Contractor Guys loosened up the layout in this Queen Creek, Arizona, bathroom to include a stylish 66-inch matte black solid-surface soaking tub. Terra-cotta-colored porcelain hexagonal tiles in a matte finish add warmth and contemporary Southwest style. A floor-mounted tub filler in a brushed brass finish brings another touch of warmth. Painted wall paneling surrounding the tub adds character and dimension, while a classic tripod end table with a black iron base and a round bluestone top offers a place to set bath products or a drink.
End table: Corin, Four Hands; tub: Catino in matte black, 66 inches, Signature Hardware; tub filler: Purist, Kohler
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2. Serenity Now
An inviting freestanding white acrylic tub is part of the now-airy layout in this bright Los Angeles bathroom by Studio Kosma. On the wall, 3-by-6-inch glossy handmade ceramic field tiles in a soft blue create a serene feel. On the floor, white clay brick tiles with a custom dark taupe grout and in a herringbone pattern add visual texture and interest. The upgraded fixed picture window offers an expansive view of the greenery outside.
Bathtub: Chloe, Vintage Tub & Bath; tub filler: Purist, Kohler
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4. Earthy and Enchanting
A beige-y concrete freestanding tub adds an earthy element to this Durham, California, bathroom by Lori K Design Studio. The tub has a roomy interior and thick walls that provide insulation for long-lasting heat. A wall-mounted tub filler saves space. A petite yet glamorous chandelier above the tub features a cluster of seven LED luminaires, hand-finished in dark bronze and gold leaf.
Chandelier: Marimba, Modern Forms; tub: Avalon in Earth, 62 inches, Native Trails
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5. Light and Luxe
A white acrylic freestanding tub helps lighten the look and feel of this Redondo Beach, California, bathroom by Tiffany Lauer Interiors. Handmade zellige tiles in various creamy tones add warmth, visual movement and a glossy surface that reflects light. A wall-mounted tub filler in satin bronze coordinates with other warm metal tones used in the room. A natural rattan pendant light brings a touch of texture.
Pendant light: Channel in natural rattan, Shades of Light
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6. Calm and Carefree
An angled corner tub creates an airy and inviting spot to soak in this Austin, Texas, bathroom by Parsons i.d. The tub is made from a durable solid-surface material with finely ground natural volcanic limestone that helps keep water warmer longer. A floor-mounted tub filler with built-in diverter and hand shower has solid brass construction and a brushed bronze finish. Whitewashed wood-look porcelain wall tiles offer a durable alternative to real wood.
Tub: Vetralla in Englishcast White, Victoria + Albert
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7. Japanese-Inspired Joy
Lorain Design Associates included aging-in-place features in this Davis, California, bathroom for a retired couple. The wet-room-style setup includes a white 41-inch-round acrylic Japanese-style soaking tub with an integrated seat. Grab bars nearby help provide safe entry. A matte black floor-mounted tub filler coordinates with the grab bars and other black details. Chestnut-look porcelain tiles wrap the walls. Grooved maple-look porcelain floor tiles create a nonslip surface. Blue accent tiles back an extra-long niche.
Tub: Siglo round Japanese soaking tub with trim, 41 inches, Signature Hardware; tub filler: Trinsic, Delta
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8. Treetop Retreat
Haus of Rowe Interiors created this stylish retreat in Minnetrista, Minnesota, for a couple with five young kids. The light and airy space features a 59-inch freestanding soaking tub set beneath large windows that frame relaxing views of treetops and a lake. A contemporary floor-mounted tub filler has a handheld sprayer and a matte black finish that coordinates with the window frames and patterned black-and-white porcelain floor tiles.
Tub: Serafina, Jacuzzi; tub filler: Trinsic, Delta; flooring: Enchante in Moderno, Bedrosians Tile & Stone
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9. Picture This
A 71-inch freestanding tub sits in an elevated area beneath a picture window framing a wall of greenery in this Orangevale, California, bathroom suite by Catalyst Construction. Carbon-colored wall tile makes the scenery pop. A teak bench nearby offers a portable spot for candles and bath supplies. The floor-mounted tub filler with hand shower features all-brass construction in a chrome finish that coordinates with the rest of the bathroom’s fixtures and vanity hardware.
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“After” photographs by Bernardo Grijalva
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two grown children and four grandchildren
Location: Los Gatos, California
Size: About 193 square feet (18 square meters)
Designer: Nicole Burton of Design Matters
Contractor: Burton Design & Construction
The house is on a hillside not far from downtown Los Gatos, and the new primary bathroom, pictured here, opens to a small deck and the backyard.
Prior to this primary suite remodel, Design Matters had worked with the clients on several other renovation projects, including their kitchen and a downstairs bath. For this bathroom, the overarching aesthetic aim was to create a light, warm and spa-like design that matched the clients’ style and harmonized with the rest of the home, Burton says. From a functional point of view, they wanted a spacious area with abundant natural light, storage and privacy. And a large tub for soaking and reading was a must.
One of the owners is an avid gardener, and her greenhouse is visible on the uphill slope. Her desire for the suite to capture an indoor-outdoor feel led to the most dramatic element of the bathroom’s new design: a corner made of two large retractable glass doors.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two school-aged kids
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Size: 166 square feet (15 square meters)
Designers: Cyndi Mosher and Jennifer Simmons of Beyond the Box Design Collective
Builder: Jared Lewis of Lewis Design-Build-Remodel
The updated bathroom keeps the original footprint but removing the separate vanities and a tall linen cabinet opened up the layout. In their place, a custom floating bleached walnut double vanity anchors the room, paired with a matching built-in bench with storage drawers along the adjoining wall. “When we looked at different options for the cabinetry, we went with the bleached look that brings out more warmth and the tone of the wood,” Simmons says.
To the left of the bench, a new doorway replaces an aging bifold door and connects to the primary closet. To the right, a newly created wet room enhances the layout.
A restrained palette balances the warmth of wood cabinetry with soft white and gray tones, punctuated by crisp black accents. While the homeowners initially considered earth tones, the vision evolved into a calm, modern retreat with Scandinavian influences that ultimately landed on a Japandi-inspired look. “They like simplicity,” Mosher says.
Light-medium gray porcelain floor tiles in a contemporary 24-by-24-inch format offer a subtle Venetian terrazzo look and continue into the wet room for visual continuity. “They really liked that terrazzo look, and once we looked at different versions, we liked this one with the gray and white,” Simmons says. Existing globe pendant lights the homeowners loved were thoughtfully incorporated into the refreshed space.
The design firm uses Houzz Pro software to manage its business. “We use it to track leads and projects,” Simmons says. “We use the Mood Boards, Selection Boards and Selection Tracker. That gives the builder a consolidated list of all the products in one place.”
Floor tiles: Flake series, Richards & Sterling; cabinetmaker: Schmitz Woodworks; staging for photo shoot: Savannah Gonzales, Eleven Home Aesthetics
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