If you need a respite from your busy life, consider transforming your bathroom into a personal refuge. Follow this simple seven-step path to create an authentic, Zen-inspired design.

In a traditional Japanese house, soaking in a deep tub is a ritual of relaxation in a family's day, says architect Yoshiko Sato of Morris Sato Studio in New York City. You can achieve this ritual in your home by installing a soaking tub.

Yoshiko recommends the Tea-for-Two bath by Kohler. It's an extra-deep, 5-foot basin with a waterfall spout and a well-placed drain so that two people can sit comfortably. Duravit's Starck X bathtub adds another element by allowing the water to overflow into a bed of stones. Wooden soaking tubs are another option for traditional bathrooms, though many designers say they're expensive and high maintenance.

While Yoshiko does not recommend larger bathtubs because it is difficult to keep the water very hot, the MTI Whirlpool bath has an internal heating system that keeps the surface of the tub warm, which keeps the water heated longer. Placing the bathtub by a window makes the experience even more relaxing.