Today, bathrooms are more like spas than utilitarian "water closets." We like to have natural light in the bathroom and want to feel like we can relax in the tub. A bathroom garden gives the bathroom a more soothing feeling. How can you create a bathroom garden?
Whether it's just a couple of pot plants or an outdoor bathroom garden, plants are a brilliant way to make your bathroom more comfortable. Here's how to create a bathroom garden.
You don't have to spend money on a skylight or large window to have an indoor bathroom garden. You do have to think about the plants you are going to use, though. Some plants thrive better in the humid atmosphere of the bathroom and some plants need less natural sunlight than others.
Many succulents do well in bathrooms. Jade plants are a hardy variety, but need fairly bright, indirect light to thrive. Other succulents need less light, but don't crowd them together or they may not get as much light as they need.
Orchids grow in humid climates, so can be perfect for an indoor bathroom garden. Orchids do need bright, indirect light in order to flower, though. If you have less light, an orchid will thrive, but you may not get flowers.
Another good flowering plant is the peace lily (spathiphyllum). Peace lilies produce beautiful white flowers and love a humid climate. They don't need much watering, but do like a damp environment. You can water a peace lily in the shower to moisten the leaves.
Ferns love a damp environment and some ferns do well in shady settings, but they do like some natural light. You may have to mist them occasionally, but many ferns need little attention and look beautiful in the bathroom.
Some other plants that do well in bathrooms are air plants (tillandsias), snake plants, spider plants, lucky bamboo (not actually a bamboo) and aloe vera. Take note of the amount of light in your bathroom and ask your local nursery which plants would be best for your bathroom.
Take a look around your bathroom and find the best places for pot plants. The vanity is an obvious spot, but don't overlook other spots that could use a bit of greenery. You can put small pot plants on your toilet cistern and larger plants may be perfect on the floor. You don't need a lot of plants to make your bathroom more cheerful. Even one or two can make a difference.
Don't forget your walls and ceiling. You can hang pot plants from the ceiling or walls. Notice how much natural light strikes an area and choose your plants accordingly. For example, if you want your orchids to flower, hang them from the ceiling near a window, but not in direct sunlight.
If you want a more verdant garden in your bathroom, think about installing a larger window or a skylight. A skylight will bathe the room in natural light and most bathroom plants will thrive. A window, too, will allow more natural sunlight to enter the room. Even a frosted window will allow natural light to enter, but will still give you the privacy you need.
All you need are some colourful pots, soil and the right plants to create an indoor bathroom garden. If you're renovating your bathroom, you can even create a genuine garden. A large skylight and large pebbles on the floor of the bathroom to prevent you from tracking soil through the house is all it takes.
An outdoor garden bathroom allows you to use a larger variety of plants. For privacy, you will want to erect a fence or wall around your outdoor garden. With the wall for privacy, you can create floor to ceiling windows or even install doors so you can step outside and enjoy your garden.
If you don't want to create an outdoor garden, you don't necessarily have to create a solid wall or fence. You just have to create enough of a screen to prevent people outside from being able to see into the bathroom. The light through the screen will enable you to enjoy your garden, but others won't be able to see in. Instead of plants, you may want to install a garden ornament to enjoy. The extra space and light will make your bathroom feel larger and give it a spa-like environment.
Or you may want to go further and create a water feature outside your window. Water features are perfect for the bathroom. Combine the water feature with plants and you'll be looking for any excuse to take a bath and enjoy your bathroom.
There are dozens of ways to create an outdoor bathroom garden. If you live in an urban or suburban area, you need to think about privacy. If you live in a more rural area, you might want to create a floor to ceiling window and enjoy your view.
The beauty of a bathroom garden is that you can create one on any budget. Pots and plants aren't expensive, but can create a spa-like environment in any bathroom. If you want to spend more or are renovating your bathroom, think about ways you can incorporate a garden in your new bathroom.
You may want to add larger windows or a skylight to let more light in or you may want to create an outdoor bathroom. For that matter, you may want to create an indoor and outdoor bathroom garden. A few plants inside the bathroom combined with an outdoor bathroom garden will make your bathroom feel like an oasis. Even a few smaller plants in your bathroom will connect it with the outdoors. You will feel like you're bathing under a waterfall even when you're indoors. Better yet, you can adjust the temperature of your indoor "waterfall."
No matter how large or small your bathroom is, you can find a way to give it a garden feeling. Small succulents or ferns are enough to give it a garden atmosphere. If you don't feel plants will grow well in your bathroom, you can always put fresh flowers in a vase to brighten the room up. Anything natural will help give your bathroom a garden feeling.
Use your imagination and get help from your local nursery and you can create a bathroom garden on any budget. You'll love any touches of nature you have in your bathroom and your garden, no matter how large or small, will make your bathroom feel more like a spa.