Your Bathroom Retreat: How SC Homeowners Upgrade Lighting, Tile & More

A bathroom can be more than a functional space—it can become a daily retreat that restores and inspires. Creating a "spa-like" retreat in the Columbia and Lexington area requires a mix of universal luxury and specific local considerations—like the high humidity, beautiful natural light, and different seasons we get in the Midlands.

Spa-Inspired Design Is Growing in the Midlands

Life is incredibly busy for everyone these days. With so many demands, places of refuge where you can recharge are incredibly important. At Bald Cypress Builders, we know that your bathroom can be one of those places. A bathroom renovation in Columbia/Lexington, SC isn't just about increasing home value; it’s about improving your quality of life and enhancing your everyday routine. So - how do we do that? Create that custom, personal retreat? Let's dive in below.

From "Standard Ensuite" to "Sanctuary"

Many of us can look at our bathrooms and immediately envision ways we'd make some changes (unless you're living in a new home or just finished a remodel, of course). There are so many things you can prioritize as you think about how you'd remodel this important space in your home. When we ask our clients here in the Midlands of South Carolina to describe how they want their remodeled bathroom to feel and function, themes that often emerge are retreat, spa-like, sanctuary. As we move into Pre-Construction design, below are some of the components that are often woven into the project's direction in order to capture those themes.

UNIVERSAL LUXURY

Focusing on bathroom features that transform basic routines into calming (or energizing) rituals. 

• Dimmable lights so the ambience aligns with time of day

• Dual thermostatic valves to customize your shower experience

• Freestanding tubs for ultimate relaxation

• Floating vanities for a clean, clutter-free look that helps maximize space

• High-impact functionality like in-cabinetry power for hair appliances

• More than one shower head so you have a space that's yours

• Strategic, beautiful tile that's meant for each space it's installed

• Layered lighting so everything can be accomplished in the space
  

INCORPORATING SOUTH CAROLINA'S NATURAL ELEMENTS

A fun, and meaningful, angle we love to take with bathrooms is connecting them with South Carolina's natural landscape. Not a necessity, but incorporating what's special to our environment here in the Midlands adds a thoughtful touch.

• Working in hues and tones that reflect the Carolina sky

• Using natural stones, wood-look tiles, or other earthy-toned materials that mimic special landmarks like Lake Murray or the Congaree

• Airy whites, soft greens, or watery blues to keep the space feeling cool during South Carolina summers

• Leaning on South Carolina's natural light with things like window design/layouts or solar tubes

SEASONAL CONSIDERATIONS

While the Midlands of South Carolina's climate is pretty tame relatively speaking, we get to experience some extremes during our trips around the sun. Comfort in your bathroom during those seasons is possible with intentional planning.

• Knowing we experience high humidity months, a high-CFM, whisper-quiet fan is a must to prevent moisture issues

• Heated tile floors, and/or heated built-in shower benches, makes those chilly January mornings bearable

• ...as does a heated towel rack, but that can be nice any time of year

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your new and improved bathroom is perfect for you. It's easy to get swept up in what the internet tells you should be in the ultimate spa-like bathroom, but it comes down to what YOU will use and value. Let our Team help you get at the root of what would make the biggest impact on your new bathroom. True tranquility, and a meaningful bathroom remodel, comes from both aesthetics and intentional functionality. Here are some real-life pain points we've helped our clients solve with their bathroom remodels:

• Two shower heads so each could be customized for their "owners" who have different preferences

• Functional, custom cabinetry that has hidden electrical for daily use hair appliances

• Heated tile floors for chilly, lakeside mornings

• Aesthetic overhauls that better captured our client's spirit

• More intentional shower floor tile to prevent slipping

• ...and SO much more!

Inspiration for Your Own Bathroom Transformation