Turn Your Small Bathroom into a Luxury Hotel Retreat

Turn Your Small Bathroom into a Luxury Hotel Retreat

Charmaine Kon by Charmaine Kon on Jan 7, 2019
Why you should care

Small space living is proliferating city life, and bathrooms are often kept small to make way for bigger bedrooms. It’s easy to make small bathrooms feel more luxurious than they really are – all you need are a few additions and accessories. Read on to learn how.

After a relaxing getaway, you might find yourself missing not just the plush hotel beds, but also the luxe, photo-worthy bathrooms!

It’s no surprise – hotels put a lot of thought into their bathrooms to transport you out of the functional and into the fantasy.

If you think that you have too small a space to work with and can only enjoy a luxury bathroom when you’re travelling, then you’re mistaken. With a few simple tricks and some coin, you can turn any bathroom into one that you’ll end up missing when you travel.

Make it Smell Good

Daily cleaning and scents from fresh towels, soaps, and shampoos contribute to the heavenly hotel bathroom experience.

Mimic this by incorporating relaxing scents like lavender and lemongrass via candles, essential oils, and toiletries. Candles and aromatherapy burners have the added benefit of adding warm light and creating a relaxing ambience.

bathroom scented candles

SOURCE: lacooletchic.tumblr.com

While most of us don’t have the luxury of daily laundry service, it’s still important to replace your floor mats, hand towels, and bath towels regularly. This maintain freshness, prevents mildew, and is more hygienic.

Mildew and mould are huge contributors to a foul-smelling bathroom, especially for smaller bathrooms or windowless ones in apartments. To prevent humidity buildup, install a bathroom ventilator like this KDK one.

Kdk ventilation 17cfm fanThe KDK 17CFM and 24CFM models eschew the usual vent design that might ruin the luxe illusion. Instead, they assume a sleek design that blends into the ceiling.

Make it Look Good

Speaking of looking good, it’s what hotel bathrooms do best. Ever wondered why your bathroom selfies look so good in those bathrooms? It’s the lighting.

Light both sides of your mirror with a warm and soft lighting for a flattering reflection (and Instagram photo!). Add more lighting around your bathroom like recessed lights and a feature pendant lamp or chandelier to draw the eye up and make the bathroom appear bigger.

bathroom mirror lights

SOURCE: Bradsknutson.com

While you’re at it, add a big, statement mirror and metallic or brass bathroom accessories like your drawer handles and faucet. They add class and timelessness to the bathroom while acting as statement pieces, allowing you to do away with decorative items that might clutter a small room.

bathroom mirror

SOURCE: Copycatchic.com

Make it Feel Good

Notice how hotel bathrooms always have a lounge area like a bathtub complete with vanity items? While it may not be practical to install an air conditioner or bathtub into a small bathroom, you can still create a mini lounge area.

Bathroom pamper station

SOURCE: Bloomandco.com.au

Having said that, the idea of spending more time than is necessary in the bathroom, in our warm weather is inconceivable. KDK solves this problem with its KDK 17CFM & 24CFM ventilation fans as they draw damp air and heat from showers to leave you with cool and dry air.

All you have to do is leave the fan on for 10 minutes after showers to ventilate the room. Bonus: Its quiet operation allows you uninterrupted sessions of shower karaoke.

Now that you’ve got the temperature and humidity down, add a stool by a countertop stocked with your favourite masks, magazines, and a wireless speaker to enable mini escapes after long days at work.

Green is Good

The quickest upgrade for a small room is greens. Add potted plants or succulents on your countertop or empty open shelving for a touch of nature and some extra O2.

modern bathroom decor

SOURCE: newdarlings.com

Besides live plants, add elements of nature with wooden accents like eco-friendly toothbrushes, mirrors, counter organisers, and even flooring.

If you’re worried about ruining the wood with water, seal your wooden items with water-resistant finishing. For extra measure, regularly dehumidify the bathroom with a ventilation fan.

Cover image is a design by A Plus Interior PLT.


KDK’s newest ventilation fans, 17CFM and 24CFM prevent the growth of mould, fungi, and algae which not only stink up the bathroom, but can also be detrimental to your health. Installed into the ceiling, these fans blend in and expel humidity through the roof or exterior wall.

Besides that, the tapered blades optimise ventilation performance while a specially designed shutter prevents a backflow of hot air.

For more details, visit www.kdk.com.my or drop by the nearest KDK retailer in your city!

Why you should care

Small space living is proliferating city life, and bathrooms are often kept small to make way for bigger bedrooms. It’s easy to make small bathrooms feel more luxurious than they really are – all you need are a few additions and accessories. Read on to learn how.

More Tips
Live Chat