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These days, it's important to relax. Stress comes from so many areas and taking care of yourself is vital. And nothing says relaxing like a spa. But, if you can't get to the spa every weekend or...ever (like some of us), self care can be a little difficult to achieve. However, there are ways you can capture some of that spa experience at home. A home spa experience is the practice of recreating professional spa relaxation and self-care treatments in your own bathroom using upgraded fixtures, calming scents, and comfort-focused accessories. Whether you're looking to add a little luxury to your every day through small changes, or you're wanting to build a home spa from the ground up, we've got you covered.
Never underestimate the power of small changes in your bathroom. Swapping out simple, everyday items for a more luxurious choice can immediately elevate your bathroom experience, improving relaxation and giving you some well-deserved indulgence.
Adding a new bathmat is an easy and instant way to upgrade your spa bathroom. Not only do bathmats prevent slips and puddles, they also add to the comfort and style of your bathroom. Stone, bamboo, or teak bathmats are a classic spa choice. Naturally absorbent and mold-resistant, these bathmats elevate the look and ambiance of your bathroom. Many people like the texture of the natural materials, and the non-slip, quick-drying surfaces provide a comfortable place to step.
If you prefer a softer landing when stepping out of the tub or shower, choose a thick and lush bathmat, such as one made from chenille, microfiber, or memory foam. The plush feel on your feet is a great moment of luxury and self-care.
Stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in a fluffy towel is an experience of pure luxury and relaxation. If you want a quick way to bring that spa experience to your home, upgrade your towels. Choose a towel a little bit larger than the standard bath towel to really wrap yourself in comfort. For the most luxurious feel, look for towels with a GSM (grams per square meter) between 500 and 700—this weight provides optimal softness and absorbency.
For the full spa experience, we recommend Turkish, Pima, or Egyptian cotton towels. These towels are not only extra absorbent, they are extremely soft and thick. They can take longer to dry, but the extra cozy feeling is often worth the additional drying time. Other luxurious options include microfiber or rayon from bamboo. The delicate fibers of both fabrics are soft, gentle, and quick-drying. Microfiber is also good for hair, making it a great choice for hair wraps.
For the full spa experience, don't forget the bathrobe. A bathrobe allows you to stay cozy, warm, and covered while you are pampering yourself.
Make your bathroom as beautiful as possible by adding small changes like a new shower curtain, coordinating bathroom accessories, or wall décor that fits with your bathroom theme. Keep your theme and color scheme unified to create a cohesive space that is inviting and calming. Light blues, greens, and neutral tones like white and grey are naturally soothing, making them ideal for a spa-style bathroom.
Some upgrades take a little more money or effort, but the impact they make is huge. These mid-range upgrades can take your relaxation to the next level and make your bathroom feel even more like a spa.
Though it may be an everyday occurrence, showering can be a huge luxury. After all, a hot shower can be incredibly soothing, while a cool shower can be invigorating. Add a good shower head to the mix, and you've got a recipe for indulgence.
Replace your old shower head with one that has more features and allows you to take full advantage of the water pressure. Rain shower heads that give full coverage or massage shower heads that work sore muscles both offer a relaxing experience. Shower heads with a built-in filter can help soften hard water that can be harsh on the skin, improving your hygiene routine.
If you really want to upgrade your shower, you can install a body spray system, which usually includes an overhead shower, as well as several spouts that spray you from multiple directions. However, the installation for these showerheads is usually more complex and will require plumbing and updates.
We already know the soothing effect of wrapping ourselves in a fluffy towel. Make that experience even more impactful with towels that are nice and toasty. A towel warmer will not only give you that cozy feeling, but it will also help dry the towels between uses, preventing mildew. These warmers can come as heated towel racks that you hang your towels on, or as buckets you can drop them into.
An organized space promotes calm and reduces stress, meaning that to really take your bathroom to the next level, it needs to be as neat and organized as possible. With all the toiletries, and often limited storage space, this can feel impossible. This is especially true in a smaller bathroom. Upgrade your bathroom storage by adding cabinets, linen towers, or over-the-toilet racks. Organize these new spaces with basket or drawers with dividers so there is a place for everything.
If you want to add more extensive storage, you can consider replacing your bathroom vanity. This is usually a more extensive process and may include plumbing updates, but an updated vanity can add extra style as well as extra storage.
If you're looking for other small ways to take your home spa experience to the next level, consider adding these little spa luxuries.
A wood, teak, or bamboo stool can add a little bit of style and luxury to any shower. Whether you need an extra place to store toiletries, a spot to prop your foot, or if you just want to sit down and let the water pour over you, a stool can make your shower easier and more relaxing.
A good long soak can relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and improve mood while relieving stress. For optimal relaxation, aim for a bath water temperature around 92°F (33°C) and soak for 15–20 minutes. Easily add to that relaxing atmosphere with bath accessories like a pillow and a caddy.
A bath pillow provides comfort and support, greatly improving the bath experience by giving you a comfortable place to rest your back and neck. Add a bath caddy tray to hold your book or tablet, so you can read or watch in the tub. Bath caddies can also hold other amenities, like a loofah, or a glass of something refreshing to sip on while you soak. These small touches add additional comfort and convenience so you can lean back and indulge.
Calming scents are a large part of the spa experience. Put scented candles or oil or reed diffusers in your bathroom to create a relaxing atmosphere. Aromatherapy research suggests that certain scents can influence mood by stimulating the olfactory system, which connects to the brain's limbic system responsible for emotions. Add fragrances like lavender, sandalwood, or bergamot orange to help calm you, or peppermint, eucalyptus, or lemon to invigorate your mood.
Candlelight itself can be meditative, as the low light levels allow your body to relax, and the visual sensation of the soft and flickering glow can be soothing and mesmerizing. However, many people don't want to deal with smoke or an open flame. Flameless candles make a nice alternative for lighting. Pair scent and light with a Bluetooth speaker that plays calming music to complete the relaxing vibe.
Create a space in your bathroom to keep spa luxuries, like bath bombs, shower steamers, face masks, loofahs, shower caps, body scrubs, and lotions. These items can be stored in a basket on a shelf, in a free-standing cabinet, or anywhere within easy reach of your bath and shower.
If you're remodeling your bathroom or looking for a serious spa upgrade, there are plenty of options. These are big ticket items, but even one of these upgrades can add extreme luxury to your household.
If you are doing a complete bathroom remodel, now is the time to add deluxe upgrades and create a home resort.
We have already mentioned the benefits of a hot bath, so we know that a good soaking tub is already a luxury. Deep enough to allow you to fully submerge, soaking tubs are a great way to soothe aching muscles and create a sense of calm. But for true luxury and indulgence, a jetted tub is the way to go. Not only do jetted tubs provide the benefits of a regular bath, they also gently massage sore muscles using streams of water or air, which may help improve circulation, ease aches, and promote better sleep. Jetted tubs generally require complicated plumbing, so a bathroom remodel is the perfect time to upgrade.
If you enjoy a steam room for its potential benefits like skin hydration, sinus decongestion, and stress reduction, then a steam shower might be exactly what you're looking for. These completely enclosed showers can be used for regular bathing, but they also feature an integrated steam generator, so you can get that steam room experience at home. These showers usually come with a host of other luxurious benefits, including seating, multi-directional shower heads, and temperature controls. Some steam showers even include additional amenities like ceiling lighting and water-resistant speakers.
Creating a home spa isn’t limited to the home bathroom. If you want to turn your back yard into a true oasis of relaxation, consider adding some of these items.
If you want the benefits of hot water and massage, a hot tub is a fantastic choice for several reasons. Like jetted tubs, hot tubs provide warm water and massaging jets and bubbles. But, unlike a jetted tub, a hot tub is designed to stay filled instead of being drained after every use, so you can use it every day. It also heats the water to the desired temperature, so you stay warm the entire time you use it. Hot tubs are also designed for multiple people, so you can spend time relaxing with friends and loved ones. And, since hot tubs are placed outside, you can enjoy the rejuvenating effects of nature as you relax.
Saunas are designed to create a hot environment to induce sweating. These high-temperature conditions are thought to promote relaxation, improve health, and aid in muscle and cardiovascular health. Though saunas are typically dry, some of them can produce dry or wet heat. Saunas are usually made from wood, and though there are models that can be used inside, they make a great addition to the resort-style yard.
A cold plunge can be a fantastic addition to a spa-style investment, especially if you are deeply involved in sports and exercise. To use, fill the basin with cold water and ice, then submerge yourself for 30 seconds up to a few minutes. The cold water is thought to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and increase alertness. A cold plunge isn’t for everyone, but if you are looking for more rejuvenation than relaxation, it is a good option to consider.
Spending time outside can reduce stress, boost vitamin D levels, and improve sleep. Complete your backyard resort with patio furniture you enjoy using. Whether you want to stretch out on an outdoor daybed, nap in a hammock, or lounge on a chaise, a calming place to lay in the sun can complete your spa experience. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
If you want to create more of a gathering space, you can choose a sectional or a chat set. Add some shade with an umbrella, or go really big with a gazebo, and you will have created an ideal spot to get away from it all and relax.
How much does it cost to create a home spa? You can create a spa-like atmosphere for under $50 with new towels, candles, and bath accessories, or invest $200+ in upgrades like towel warmers and premium shower heads. Major renovations like jetted tubs or steam showers typically cost $1,000 or more.
What scents are best for relaxation? Lavender, sandalwood, and bergamot are popular calming scents, while eucalyptus and peppermint are invigorating. Choose based on whether you want to relax or feel refreshed.
What is the ideal bath temperature for relaxation? Around 92°F (33°C) is ideal for a relaxing soak—warm enough to soothe muscles without overheating. Soak for 15–20 minutes for optimal benefits.
What towel GSM is best for a luxury feel? Towels between 500–700 GSM offer the best balance of softness, thickness, and absorbency for a spa-like experience.
Now that you’ve learned how to create your ideal home spa experience, check out our bath essentials and get started on your relaxation.
