INTERIOR INSPIRATION
BY KATE KINGSTON
Kate Kingston, Managing Director of Kingston Shaw, an award winning interior design company with offices on the Wirral, London and Dubai, shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home.
CALM DOWN! DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE HOME SPA
• Slatted timber panels
• Fluffy white towels and waffle-weave linen
Layering textures doesn’ t just elevate the aesthetic— it engages the senses and promotes comfort.
In a world where the pace of life rarely slows, creating a home spa sanctuary has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. As an interior designer deeply connected to the emotional rhythm of a space, I believe your home should not just serve you functionally but support you emotionally. A home spa is a celebration of stillness— a dedicated space to retreat, rebalance and renew.
Do you have a bathroom revamp in mind or can you repurpose a spare room, even reclaim the shed? Can you imagine how wonderful a dedicated space to‘ you’ would be? The essence of spa design lies in simplicity, sensory depth, and seamless flow. So here is how to turn your home into a haven of holistic wellbeing.
1. Start with a Mindful Palette
2. Invest in Textural Layers
Colour is the soul of spa design. I always begin with a palette inspired by nature— soft stone greys, sage greens, muted sands, and warm neutrals. These tones calm the nervous system and provide a timeless backdrop that doesn’ t vex the eye.
3. Light Like a Spa
4. Create a Ritual Zone
5. Incorporate Nature
Lighting is fundamental. A combination of soft overhead lighting, wallmounted dimmable sconces, and candles or Himalayan salt lamps. Avoid anything harsh or clinical and no blue hued lights please!! Natural light, if available, should be maximised using sheer voiles or shutters.
Design a focal point for self-care rituals. This could be:- A tray with essential oils, a jade roller, and herbal teas- A niche with eucalyptus bundles and scented salts- A corner chair for meditation or reading The ritual zone should feel sacred and uncluttered.
Bringing the outdoors in promotes healing and clarity. Ferns, orchids, and peace lilies thrive in humid spa-like conditions and add softness to harder surfaces. Natural materials like stone, wood, and rattan ground the energy and make the space feel alive.
6. Think Beyond the Bathroom
Spas are more than just soaking tubs. Could your garden room become a sanctuary for sound healing or yoga? Could your loft hold a sauna or infrared panel?
As interior designers, we help clients rethink how they feel in each space— not just how they function.
Texture creates depth and subtle luxury. Think tactile elements like:
• Brushed cotton robes
• Bamboo bath mats
• Stone basins
A well-designed home spa doesn’ t shout. It whispers. It says“ you matter” every time you step inside. In a chaotic world, creating a space of peace at home is one of the most empowering acts of selfcare. My mantra‘ a spa isn’ t just a place— it’ s a mindset’.
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