After a grueling day, nothing sounds better than a soak in the tub to relax… the candles are lit, the soft music is playing, and everything is where it should be.
…but let’s be honest, most of our bathrooms have rugs covered with hair from a month’s worth of brushing, dust permanently crusted on the hard-to-reach places behind the toilet, and powder from our makeup encroaching on our spouse’s side of the countertop. Not nearly as glamorous as a spa day at the Ritz, but we believe with a little bit of help it’s totally possible to unwind!
Here are some simple ways to organize your bathroom space with a Mary & Martha touch and give it a refreshed and uplifting feeling. Feel free to try one or all of these ideas!
Pro tip: it’s a-okay to have a less-than-perfect space when it’s all said and done. I am definitely known for turning off the lights and just using candle glow so that I don’t have to see the mess while taking a soak 🙂 . At Mary & Martha we believe in Living in the And, where you can have a spot to relax and it only took 5 minutes of cleaning (instead of 2 hours) to get there. This is real life, not an HGTV “after” reveal, so we’re rooting for you no matter the final outcome!
1. Collect the clutter
It’s easy to have extra towels and washcloths thrown about, or cotton swabs and styling tools outside of drawers. Instead, if you’re out of space in your cabinets, let’s use some different items to keep them collectively in one location.
For towels, we really like our neutral Faith, Hope, Love baskets or our Rest or Abide baskets if you like a pop of blue (bigger size towels might need a bigger basket while a washcloth would do fine in a smaller one).
For jewelry, keep things organized and tangle-free on a jewelry tree. While this can live on the counter, all that humidity can cause your jewelry to go south faster. Collect the necklaces, earrings and bracelets, then arrange them on our Put on Love Jewelry Tree. You can have the organized Tree live in your bedroom on the dresser instead.
Also, consider going up on your counter space. Our Grateful & Thankful 2-Tiered Stand is not only clever in the kitchen but also great for adding additional easy-to-grab storage to the bathroom. This can be a spot for perfume bottles or hair accessories. Plus the seagrass definitely gives off a beachy vibe; we are here for that in our DIY spa!
2. Set the mood
I am a huge believer in not just a message that speaks but an environment that matches it. That’s why Mary & Martha candles are PERFECT for a retreat space; the collection is called Sanctuary in the Psalms and each candle ties to a Psalm.
I recommend setting one candle as your “aroma” candle (something that’s scented) and then using cheaper candles that you can buy in bulk, like tea lights or small votives that have no scent. Since our Mary & Martha candles are made with Essential Oils (not to mention clean burn and cotton wick), one candle is strong enough to fill a space with a delightful smell easily. Then the smaller, unscented candles can be carefully placed around the tub, countertop, etc. There are 6 total scents in the Sanctuary in the Psalm collection, but here are three I’ve found I love for my bathroom spa:
- A Place of Rest (Lavender Vanilla)
- A Place of Comfort (Sweet Caramel Vanilla)
- A Place of Mercy (Bergamot + Vanilla)
If candles aren’t your thing, we also have reed diffusers that can always create a sanctuary in your bathroom. These come in Rest, Comfort, and Hope (Mint & Herb).
To add even more ambience: if you have a smart phone or a bluetooth speaker, set it up to play uplifting music as your rest. I really love using Bethel Music’s Peace album or Will Morrison‘s acoustic worship covers as I relax.
3. Surround yourself with Scripture
This one is arguably the most important part. Reminding ourselves of who we are in Christ, remembering that you are loved, you are forgiven, you are His is something we need right in front of us, especially on days where we are desperate for rest.
While the items above already help with this, here are some other truth-treasures that could decorate your space further as you unwind:
- Imago Dei Desktop Frame: set it on a shelf or the countertop to see truth rooted in God’s word. It comes with multiple designs and Scriptures, so you can prayerfully choose what message needs to be in front of you as you swap them around.
- Tears in a Bottle: this ornate bottle will remind you that even on the days where tears flow that God sees you, knows you, and holds every tear in a bottle (based off of Psalm 56).
- Fresh Joy Canister: if you like making your own bath salts and need an airtight way to seal them, the small Fresh Joy canister reveals a message of “Filled with Fresh Joy” when opened. The perfect reminder when drawing a bath!
Did you try one of these ideas or find another Mary & Martha product that helped bring life to your space? Tag us @marymarthahome on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram. We can’t wait to see what you create!