Look, I bloody love baths, OK? I know a lot of people find them boring or uncomfortable, but all I’ll say to that is that yes, it’s possible to have a wrong opinion.

While I love a Sunday night bath, I’m equally happy languishing in a midweek, midday bath. You know, when you have a day off work with no real plans, a whole box filled with Lush products and a relaxing playlist ready to go. This is the perfect example of solo hygge for me, and I’ve been known to plan an entire week’s activities around a specific bath. Is that lame? If it is, I never want to be cool.

Your perfect bath may vary, but for the uninitiated, or those looking to make the occasional switch from showers, or even just curious critters who want an insight into my most bubbly times, I’ve put together a quick glimpse into what makes the perfect bath for me.

Products

I will always, always love Lush products for baths. I have such a big stash from birthdays and Christmases gone by that I often make a ‘Lush cocktail’, using a bath ballistic (the fizzy kind which often changes colour when it hits the water) and a bubble bar (which produces VAST amounts of bubbles when you run it under the tap). I’m quite a visual person, so I tend to go for similar colours so as not to ruin the perfect Insta-worthy bathtime aesthetic, and I gravitate towards blues (for that Blue Lagoon vibe) and pinks, because I’m a perfect princess and I won’t have anyone telling me otherwise. I’m also partial to a bath oil for soft, smooth skin, which I like to think transforms me into hygge personified.

Tunes

I always have music on when I’m in the bath. I’m not someone who rests a tablet precariously on the side and watches a series. I work at a computer all day, so any excuse to get away from a screen is fine by me. I often go for dramatic classical music, or some chilled acoustic tunes, or ethereal indie, though I did recently have a phase of playing the La La Land soundtrack on repeat. Now isn’t the time for the RuPaul’s Drag Race lipsync playlist (that’s more for showers, I find) – I keep it serene when I hygge in the bath. Something like this Ambient Chill playlist is perfect, or I go for some atmospheric Sigur Rós when I’m feeling really contemplative.

Lighting

Did you really think we’d get through this post without a little mention of the lighting? For one of my unnecessarily luxe daytime baths, it’s natural daylight all the way. When it’s a little less chilly, I’ll be throwing the window open for some fresh air too. For evening baths, I turn the main light off and go for (you’ll never guess)… candles! Yes, it’s shocking I know, but candles absolutely have a place in bathtime hygge too. If I’m feeling organised and Pinteresty, I go for scents which complement my bath products, but usually it’s more a case of whatever’s nearby. This Aquiesse Sandalwood Vanille candle is my current favourite – there are matches hidden in the lid too so you don’t need to go on a wild goose chase for a pack before the bath overflows.

Thinking material

Your bathtime hygge may involve a book or a magazine, but mine doesn’t – in part because I wouldn’t trust myself not to drop it in the water and ruin it. Instead, I use baths for thinking time. Baths are prime Kayleigh time, because I can ignore my phone, pop the bubbles one by one with my fingertip (brilliantly therapeutic) and daydream. I often plan imaginary holidays in the bath – I’ve seen Hawaii and Vietnam and Jamaica plenty of times from the comfort of my own home. Next time I think I’ll be off to the Dead Sea – extra bath salts mandatory.

How do you like to hygge in the bath? I’m always looking for ways to make bathtimes extra cosy, so hit me up with your own routine!