Japanese bathrooms are exotic, inviting and for relaxing. You can get a Japanese decor with simple ideas you can do yourself easily and on a budget.

Japanese bathrooms differ greatly than those often seen in America. Bathrooms are in almost every home in America, equipped with a bath tub and toilet. However, Japanese bathrooms do not always have a bathtub. Many Japanese residents will visit a bathhouse.

Designing modern Japanese bathrooms for American homes has become very common. Japanese bathrooms are generally comprised of very natural looking elements. Stone, wood, and earthy materials are commonly used as decor. This is used to give off a level of relaxation and comfort.

Designing Your Own Japanese Bathroom

Whether remodeling an entire space, or just adding some new additions to an already decorated area, Japanese bathrooms are a great form of inspiration for new looks.

Materials Needed:

• Towels
• Floor and Wall Tiles
• Paint
• Sink
• Vanity
• Cedar
• Rocks

Step One

Choose a focal point. This will be the basis for the rest of your renovations. You can do so through the use of the wall or floor tiles, choosing one or two can help you to begin choosing other ascents to base your theme off of. Try to tie your bathroom to the rest of your homes theme. This does not have to blatantly obvious, small things will help to connect the flow from one area to another.

Step Two

Japanese bathrooms generally have separate bathing stations. Cleansing the body before entering the bath tub for soaking is a general practice. If you have the space and the funds, adding a separate shower and bath would be ideal. This will add to the details of the room as well as the value of your home. The main focal point in most Japanese bathrooms is the Ofuro, or the bathtub. If it is possible to place your tub in a more central place, do so.

Step Three

Choose a floor and wall tile pattern for your bathroom. If you will not be redoing the flooring in your home, skip this step. When choosing a pattern, you have many options. You can do a diagonal look or a straight pattern. When the tile is laid, consider what form of floor mat you will use. A natural looking option for such an area would be a cedar or bamboo mat. The cedar is a great option because when damp, it emits a nice fragrance.

Step Four

Choose paint and wall art. Earthy tones are most embraced, so consider selecting neutral tones for your area. Japanese bathrooms generally have little or no art decor. Being minimalistic is embraced, so be careful on your decisions. Simplicity and harmony are key. A basic material that can be used in many applications is rice paper. You can create a small, simple framed piece of rice paper to hang. Or, you can add a rice paper lantern and hang it from the ceiling.

Step Five

Add some small additions. A small plant (such as a bonsai tree) or some small pebbles placed in various areas are great natural elements to nestle in the bathroom, giving small hints of nature.