Most of us lead busy, stressful lives. We could all use a little pampering and relaxation sometimes. When decorating your bathroom, it’s important to remember that a little luxury can go a long way to making your time spent in the bath a lot more calming and soothing.

It can be tempting to see the bathroom as a purely utilitarian place, a room that you spend only the time that you need in, doing the things that need to be done.

But a bathroom done right can be a haven, a beautiful, relaxing place that will help you get away from it all. And a key element of having a stress free bathroom is scented candles.

Ambient Light…

Bathrooms do tend to have fairly harsh lighting. This is necessary, since for shaving and putting on makeup you’ll want a clear, bright light that allows you to see exactly what you’re doing. However, that bright, and often fluorescent, lighting is not great for creating a calming atmosphere.

Scented candles and melts, however, are perfect for making a soft, warm glow that’s just enough to see by, but isn’t harsh or strong. Light plays an important part in relaxation, since we’re biologically designed to have more energy and adrenalin in bright light conditions, such as day time, and then to calm down and relax as light decreases.

Beautiful scents…

And, of course, scented candles will produce a beautiful scent. Aromatherapy uses scented oils and smells to provoke certain moods or feelings. By having the right scent in your bathroom, you can promote relaxation.

Aromatherapy is an excellent, pharmaceutical free, way to encourage your body to calm itself and relax after a long day at work. And adding the smell of certain scents will enhance your bathing experience.

And which scents?

For ultimate relaxation the best scents to choose are Vanilla and Lavender. These are the traditional aromas used for relaxation in aromatherapy.

But if you’re looking for something a little more unusual, you could also try Musk & Sandalwood, or something scented with Cinnamon or Cedar-wood, as these are also soothing and calming.