This article was originally published on Martha Stewart Living
I have to admit, I love a trend that costs nothing and feels like everything. This one is called dark showering, and it is exactly what it sounds like: showering in near darkness, or in the softest, warmest glow, instead of under bright, unforgiving light. When Martha Stewart Living asked me about it, I smiled, because it is something I have quietly believed for years. After more than two decades designing spa and wellness spaces, I can tell you it is so much more than a fad. Done with a little intention, it turns the most ordinary two minutes of your day into a ritual that feels like a spa you never have to leave.
What is dark showering?
Dark showering is the practice of showering with the lights off or dimmed very low, sometimes by candlelight, to quiet the mind and turn a daily routine into a calming ritual. Rather than a bright, clinical start or end to the day, you let warmth, water, and steam take the lead, and let your eyes rest.
Why does it feel so good?
Because light is one of the most powerful tools I work with, and one of the most overlooked at home. Bright, cool light keeps us on alert. Soft, low light gives us permission to exhale. The moment you lower the light in the shower, something lovely happens: the body settles, and the senses wake up. Suddenly you feel the warmth of the water, catch the scent in the steam, and hear the sound of it all. A two-minute rinse becomes a small, private luxury that is entirely yours.
Getting the lighting right
Lighting is everything here, and it is where the magic lives. Instead of bright, non-adjustable overhead lights, I use fixtures that allow for soft illumination. The goal is to create a calming atmosphere through thoughtful, layered lighting.
If you want to start today, change out a standard switch for a dimmable one. It is an easy, inexpensive upgrade that makes a world of difference. Small, rechargeable lamps are lovely too, and can be moved around the room as needed. And if you are remodeling or designing a bathroom, I recommend dimmable sconces, indirect wall-wash lighting, or concealed LED lighting that softly grazes the walls. These elements create warmth, depth, and ambiance while still providing enough visibility to move through the space safely.
Remember: Safety first
A bathroom does not have to be completely dark to feel relaxing. I always recommend adjustable lighting that can be tailored to different moods, times of day, and personal needs, so you can see well as you move through the space. Choose slip-resistant flooring, keep pathways free of clutter, and consider a slip-resistant mat on the shower floor, especially if you use oil-based toiletries that can leave a slippery residue. And if you light any candles, be sure to blow them out when you are finished. A dark shower is meant to encourage relaxation, so take it slowly and be mindful of the space.
Reduce the clutter
A cluttered room is the enemy of calm. I love concealed storage, integrated niches, and continuous stone or tile that lets a space feel serene and whole. When the visual clutter disappears, the mind begins to quiet as well. Every element feels intentional and seamlessly connected.
Embrace a minimalist, spa-inspired aesthetic
Here is a little secret: I find that the fewer accessories I use, the more luxurious a bathroom tends to feel. Instead of crowding a countertop with decorative objects, I choose a few beautiful things with care, a sculptural vessel filled with fresh eucalyptus, a pretty tray, a stack of rolled towels. In low light, those are exactly the details you feel.
Morning or night?
Both are wonderful. In the evening, soft light helps you shift into a more relaxed state and wind down after a busy day. In the morning, showering with gentle, ambient light can be a calmer, less jarring way to ease into the day ahead.
To me, luxury has never been about how expensive a space looks. It is about how it makes you feel the moment you step inside: calmed, cared for, and completely at home. Dark showering is one small, beautiful example of that feeling, and your whole home, or your practice, can be designed to give it to you every day. Designing spaces like that is the great joy of my work. If you are ready for yours, schedule a design consultation and let’s dream it up together.
I am Michele Pelafas, a luxury interior designer creating distinctive spaces for beauty, wellness, and medical practices, the kind of spaces people trust, remember, and return to. Based in Chicago and working with clients around the world, I would love to help you bring this feeling home.
