Most bathrooms don't have the relaxing ambience of a chilled out spa, but one mum was determined to introduce the unique experience to her home. Samantha Bedford, 36, a full-time mum of two from the West Midlands, really wanted a space in her home where she could relax.
So she decided to create her very own spa at home for just £206. Samantha built a wooden slatted wall using B&Q plywood and completed the look by creating a gorgeous hanging plant feature, using artificial flowers she bought on Shein.
Samantha told money-saving Facebook group DIY On A Budget UK : "The idea of my bathroom was just that I wanted a place where I could really relax and escape the everyday pressures of life. I also suffer from a lot of anxiety too so this also helped.
"I wanted it to have a feeling like I was in another destination and because I do play relaxing spa music when I normally have a bath, I just rolled with the theme. As soon as I had decided that was how I wanted it, the ideas were flowing in my head.
“I researched different spas just to get an idea of how I wanted my finished bathroom to look. I am generally very creative and I will try my hand at anything.
“Whenever I had a bath I could just envision plants draping above me with lights too so I had to make it happen, it was my best idea yet. I started by looking for some sort of grid but whilst searching online it was all too expensive for my liking, so on a trip to The Range, I found some flexible mesh in their garden centre for £4.99: that was more like it!
"The wood around the panel I already had so I just cleaned it up, planed and sanded it, cut it to the required size and used the fence paint again to finish it. I purchased the artificial plants from Shein and used vouchers and points which I got from reviewing previous orders to get money knocked off my order."
For the plants, she ordered nine orchids which would have been £3 per stem but managed to obtain the blooms for £2.35 each. Samantha added: "I got nine vines for inside the frame, they came in a pack of three and would have cost £1.75 each but I paid £1.37. I got six hanging vines for outside of the frame for £2.99 each but I paid £2.35 each.
“There are microlights also which add to the atmosphere which cost £2 from Primark Home. Most of the expense was on making the hanging plant feature but it was worth every penny.
"Overall I feel like I could have done some things even cheaper but I am overwhelmed how well it all turned out. The total including flooring and fitting was £206.
"I feel like I have proven any budget is possible if you really set your mind to it. If you plan long enough and shop around it works out better. This has inspired me to take it further and also utilise freecycle sites and even charity shops as there's always a chance they could have what you need for either free or a small price.
"I am in love with my new bathroom. Some of my friends told me I was missing a trick not getting into interior design as a career.
“Having little confidence in myself, I decided to test the waters by posting a few pictures on social media and the response I got blew me away. There is more where that all comes from and I feel like this could be the start to a new journey."
She added: “My kids actually queue up for bathtime now, they are very proud of it. If I could give any advice it would be to express your own personality in your home because trends come and go!
“Anything is achievable even on a budget if you set your mind to it. I feel for me this is the start of something new and I feel this could be my calling," Samantha explained.
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, remarked: “Hanging plant features are showing no sign of slowing in popularity, and are a great idea for a bathroom. Samantha has done so well on a small budget - I can’t believe the £206 not only includes the slatted wall and the hanging plants but also includes flooring and fitting too."
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