A New Room for Wellness at Home

In a world that is moving faster and faster, it often seems nearly impossible to find time to pause, catch one’s breath and have a moment to practice mindfulness and self-care. Reflective of today’s evolving concepts of living, and the increasing numbers of individuals working from home post-coronavirus, architects and interiors designers are adapting their approach to room design through a holistic perspective that takes heed not just of aesthetics but also mental and physical wellbeing. The bathroom is largely the focal point of such new shifts in room design; as the ‘idea space’ for self-care and relaxation, they are increasingly being created as new wellness oases. 

This page – Bathroom designed by VSHD Design

KLEI Spa by VSHD Design

“We are seeing a growing trend toward incorporating dedicated wellness spaces within residences, particularly in master bathrooms and in bathrooms adjoining home gyms or salon areas,” said Nour Saccal, co-founder, Saccal Design House, an architecture firm based in Kuwait City. “Homeowners are increasingly recognising the benefits of integrating saunas, Jacuzzis and other wellness features to create a personal sanctuary within their homes.”

Saccal notes how the master bathroom, particularly, has evolved into what she calls “an intimate wellness retreat.” This in turn has led to rising demand for more spacious layouts and the incorporation of natural and sustainable materials to enhance feelings of comfort and closeness to nature. At the same time, increased focus is being given to organisation in the bathroom, to create spa-like, clutter-free areas that are both visually and sensorially soothing. Saccal notes how lighting is also playing an important role in creating this new space for wellness. “There is a growing preference for dimmable lighting and multiple lighting options, allowing homeowners to adjust the ambiance throughout the day and night to suit their mood and needs,” she adds. 

Bathroom for a residence in Kuwait designed by Saccal Design House

Delfina Cortese, founder of her eponymous Dubai-based design studio, Delfina Design, who recently designed the Desert Pool Villas at Bab Al Shams Luxury Desert Resort, believes that bathrooms are transforming into their own unique spaces catering to personal wellbeing. “Bathrooms are no longer spaces where you rush to brush your teeth and run out, but places that are transforming into intimate personal spaces, like a private spa, where you take care of yourself using a variety of therapies on offer, like a rain shower, sound experiences, a mini=sauna and a Jacuzzi bathtub.” Cortese has been working on a private high-end private residence on the Palm with a large bathroom made in natural stone and incorporating natural lighting. It features a freestanding bathtub, outdoor Jacuzzi and large shower with a rain system that she designed with support of the high-end Italian sanitaryware Gessi. As she emphasises, such a design goes beyond the functionality of a traditional bathroom: it becomes a place where the individual can retreat from the outside world and practice the self-care required.

Interior architect Rania Hamed, founder of multiple award-winning Dubai-based boutique firm VSHD Design, has for years been known for her simplistic, minimalist designs that incorporate natural, sustainable materials and natural lighting. Alongside the importance of creating aesthetically pleasing spaces, Hamed upholds the necessity for wellness and mindfulness in her designs, whether she is designing for a private residence or commercial property. She has similarly experienced the shift in bathroom design. “What was once a purely functional space has now become a personal retreat, integrating elements that promote relaxation, rejuvenation and even health benefits,” she says. ‘Through the advance of design, technology and the importance of well-being, traditional bathrooms which once focused on efficiency and hygiene have been transformed through modern designs into spaces for tranquillity and well-being.” In each bathroom produced by Hamed and her team, they strive to incorporate natural and eco-friendly materials such as wood, bamboo, stone and recycled matter. Additionally, she has been adding natural elements such as plants and an abundance of natural light to enhance the experience of relaxation and further transform the bathroom into a more of a spa area. 

Hamed believes bathrooms today are all about “minimalism and decluttering by designing clean lines, hiding storage and adhering to simple aesthetics which foster a sense of calm and order – unlike many traditional bathrooms.” Other elements like heated flooring and towel warmers to provide comfort and warmth, especially in colder climates, are regularly incorporated as are advances in technology that are enabling designers to add sensory elements to bathrooms, such as sound, light and even aromatherapy and scent diffusers. 

After a busy workday or one spent attending to family and friends, the bathroom has now become the place where one closes the door and tunes out while relaxing and revitalising. It has become the new spa-at-home necessity, enabling individuals to have a personal retreat in the privacy of their home. What could be better?

Words by Rebecca Anne Proctor

Cover image is the bathroom at the Desert Pool villas at Bab Al Shams Luxury Desert Resort designed by Delfina Design. Image by Natelee Cocks.