There have been plenty of bathroom design trends which have come and gone over recent years.  High gloss tiles and stained cabinets are out. Freestanding tubs and coloured tapware are in.

Now one of the latest crazes we are seeing are bathrooms which are designed to be a ‘parents’ retreat’ — a luxurious space where relaxation and privacy are the priority.

A parents’ retreat style bathroom should feel more like a day spa than just a tiled room where daily grooming and hygiene tasks are taken care of. Say goodbye to pokey ensuites that meet the bare minimum of your bathroom needs. Instead, embrace an intimate space where, as a couple, you can unwind and get ready for the day ahead.

This trend makes sense considering that our lives are getting busier, the chance to share time and space with our loved ones is becoming something we crave and need, to justify how hard we are working.

If you’re currently designing a new bathroom, or renovating your existing one, here’s some features you should incorporate if you want to achieve that parents’ retreat style.

Must haves for a parents’ retreat bathroom:

• Position the bathroom as far away from the main family bathroom as possible for ultimately privacy. This physically and mentally separates the two spaces, so you and the rest of your family will inevitably treat them differently. Main bathroom = for the kids. Parents bathroom = off limits to kids, adults only.
• Aim for seamless access from your bathroom through to a luxurious walk-in wardrobe. This way, you don’t have to go too far from the bathroom to where you are going to get dressed after your shower or bath. You can take your time, wrap yourself up in your favourite towel or robe, and browse your wardrobe in peace.
• Double basins: This is a pretty obvious one. Each partner should also have their own storage space and their own mirror for getting ready each day so there’s no need to hurry each other up and create unnecessary stress. Remember, your parents' retreat bathroom should be designed for total zen. (Pro tip - to achieve the ‘happiness ratio’ in terms of storage, the rule is that the guy gets 1/10th of the storage space whilst the lady gets the remaining 9/10ths. Trust us - it’s an unwritten rule of law).
• Double shower: Here we’re not just talking about the one shower cubicle with two standard shower heads for two people to be able to use at once. You need to think more luxurious. What you want is two shower systems at either end of the cubicle. Shower systems incorporate an adjustable shower rail with a removable hand-held shower head plus an overhead ‘rain’ shower head which allows for a more refreshingly full spray. This gives you the incredibly luxe experience of ‘showering in the rain’.
• Thousand thread count towels: Your bathroom couldn’t be considered like a retreat or a day spa if it doesn’t have some seriously fluffy towels on hand. You want to look for the biggest towels you can find and also have more than just one per person, ideally at least three each. This allows you to dry yourself off with one, wrap up your hair with one and then wrap one around yourself whilst you're going about getting ready.
• Whirlpool bathtubs: Most baths are relaxing, sure. But for the ultimate day spa feel, you need to get a whirlpool tub. There’s simply nothing better after a long and stressful day than a warm water massage. There’s a wide range of whirlpool bathtubs available for the home which gently stimulate circulation and help to soothe the body and soul. You can use the nozzles in the morning to start the day on an energetic note or take time out to relax in the evening if you can still feel, quite literally, the previous hours in your bones. And they are often big enough to be enjoyed by two people at once.
• Set the scene: You don’t want your parents’ retreat style bathroom to feel cold and clinical. You want it to feel like you’re stepping into a paradise and leaving all your stress at the door. To create a truly relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom, you want to choose materials that are natural and authentic. Think stone and reclaimed timber as these materials radiate warmth and comfort. Try to bring the beauty of nature into your selections for surfaces such as your vanity and wall treatments. Adding some plants here and there to your bathroom is also an easy way to transform it into a lush hideaway.

We bet you can imagine it all already. Now you just need to make your vision of serenity come true!

Need some helping planning and designing your parents’ retreat bathroom? Talk to the experts at Argent Australia.

Our bathroom experts have all the right know-how to recommend the right products for your needs so that you can make that final decision with confidence.

Click here to get in touch with us today. We have Resource Centres in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Or give our Customer Support team a call on 1300 364 748.