A Bath for Every Mood: Curating the Perfect Soak

There’s an art to running a truly restorative bath. It isn’t about the temperature of the water or the length of the soak alone - it’s about the way the space feels, the scents that rise with the steam, and the quiet rhythm of your own breathing. A well-curated bath can soothe, revive, or inspire, depending entirely on how it’s composed.

At Plum & Ashby, we find beauty in life’s quiet rituals - those small, familiar moments that, when given care and attention, become something truly special. Here, we share our guide to creating a bath that soothes the body, calms the mind, and leaves its warmth long after the water has stilled.

Setting The Mood

Most people light a candle and dim the lights, but the true transformation begins with the quality of light and air. In the evening, let the room fall into soft shadow and allow candlelight to take over - its gentle flicker moves at a rhythm our eyes find naturally calming. In the morning, embrace natural light as it diffuses through steam; it wakes the mind slowly, with quiet grace.

Fragrance, too, shapes mood more deeply than we often realise. Begin the ritual before you reach the bath - a reed diffuser in the bedroom or hallway sets the tone beautifully. Then carry that scent into the bathroom, choosing the same fragrance or one that complements it in harmony.

If you’re unsure where to begin, let your mood guide you. Lavender hushes the senses, wild fig wraps you in warmth, and seaweed brings a breath of coastal clarity. Or perhaps match the fragrance with the season - the crisp clarity of a winter’s morning, or the lingering warmth of a summer’s evening, each scent an echo of the world just beyond your window.

With light and scent in gentle balance, the smallest touches complete the scene - a towel warmed and waiting, a cup of tea or an evening tipple, and your favourite body care essentials close to hand. A few thoughtful details are all it takes to transform a simple soak into something quietly extraordinary.

Creating the Soak

Just as the space around you sets the mood, so too should the bath itself reflect how you wish to feel in that moment. Perhaps you seek calm after a long day, or a touch of reinvigoration to awaken the senses - either way, the perfect soak should see the water embrace you at the right temperature whilst luxurious ingredients - from mineral-rich salts to nourishing lotion - transform each ripple into something deeply personal.

For clarity and energy . . .

A morning bath is a rarity - and perhaps that’s what makes it so special. Water that’s cool yet comforting (around 36°C) gently stirs the senses and awakens the body, whilst a capful of bath essence brings fragrance and silkiness to the moment. It’s a quieter kind of uplift - as enlivening as your first cup of coffee, yet softer, and far more serene.

“There’s something wonderfully indulgent about a morning bath,” says our co-founder, Vicky. “It feels like a quiet awakening - the world still hushed, the light soft, and the water gently bringing me to life. A few drops of bath essence and suddenly the air is laced with fragrance, the water silken against the skin. It’s a though every sense stirs at once - refreshed, revived, and ready to greet the day.”

For moments that call for clarity, reach for scents that breathe life into the senses - earthy seaweed, refreshing spearmint, and the mineral richness of samphire bring a cool, coastal freshness to the air. When the day asks for focus and intent, turn instead to the warmth of spicy ginger, the brightness of lemon, or the grounding calm of patchouli. Whether introduced through a softly flickering candle, a soothing bath essence, or a nourishing body lotion, each note has the power to shape your mood and set the tone for the hours ahead.

For comfort and restoration . . .

An evening soak calls for generosity - in both time and ingredients. To relax the muscles and allow tension to ease away, increase the temperature of your water a little to 37-38°C. Then allow a handful of bath salts to dissolve, replenishing minerals and easing muscles whilst restoring a sense of equilibrium. Be sure to allow the salts to infuse before you step in; that minute of waiting teaches patience - a quiet luxury in itself.

When comfort is what you crave, choose fragrances that embrace you as warmly as the glow of a fire on a winter’s evening. Look to deeper, more intricate blends - those rooted in the amber and woody families. The milky sweetness of fig, the brightness of blackcurrant, and the golden spice of saffron create a heart of quiet indulgence. Beneath them, notes of rich patchouli, earthy moss, and a whisper of soft vanilla brings balance and depth - a scent that lingers like warmth itself.

For reflection and stillness . . .

There is something to be said for stillness - seeking to settle rather than stir the senses. Water that’s warm and embracing (ideally 37°C) soothes away the weight of the day, while a quality wash gently cleanses, leaving the skin refreshed and senses unhurried. It’s a ritual of simplicity - steam rising, light dimmed, and few scents to heighten the moment.

“There’s something beautifully uncomplicated about a bath like this,” Vicky shares. “No elaborate steps, no rush - just warm water, soft light, and a moment to breathe. It’s in this simplicity that I find the deepest sense of calm; the kind that asks for nothing more than stillness and a little time to just be.”

Though this is a soak best kept simple, fragrance still has a role to play. Choose scents that drift gently rather than declare themselves - the soft, creamy warmth of tonka, or the tranquil hush of white musk. For those seeking to feel closer to nature, let notes of jasmine or meadow rose unfold softly in the warmth of the room - delicate reminders of the outdoor, reimagined in stillness.

The Aftercare

The moments after a bath often go overlooked, yet they’re when the skin - warm, open, and receptive - absorbs nourishment most deeply. It is within these moments that true luxury is often found - and so often, it’s the care you take now that lingers, bringing calm and contentment long after the water is gone.

“Stepping out of the bath is as much a part of the ritual as sinking into it,” says our co-founder, Freya. “There’s a quiet beauty in those first few moments - wrapping yourself in a soft, warm towel, feeling the comfort linger on your skin. I always take a moment to gently exfoliate, to soothe and revive, before massaging in a rich body lotion. It’s a simple act of care that leaves the skin nourished, the senses softened, and the calm of the bath carried with you long after.”

Once you’ve gently patted the skin dry, take a moment to revive it. Choose an exfoliator with natural ingredients - soothing oatmeal for delicate skin, or mineral-rich sea salt for a deeper cleanse. When the skin feels smooth and renewed, seal in that softness with a generous layer of body lotion. Ours is enriched with almond and jojoba oils - both rich in essential vitamins and known to balance the skin’s natural oils to leave it nourished, hydrated and beautifully supple.

A Moment to Simply Be

A bath, at its heart, is more than water and warmth - it’s a quiet act of care. When shaped with thought and intention, it becomes a moment that restores and grounds, wearing scent, touch, and stillness into harmony. Whether it’s a morning of renewal or an evening of calm, its comfort lingers - in softened skin, a settled mind, and the gentle trace of fragrance that remains.