7 Steps to a Spa Day in Your Own Bathroom

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post written by Louisa Parsons, a confirmed spa addict, who would love to be able to afford a weekly trip to her favorite spa. Since she hasn’t won the lottery (yet), she writes about creating a welcoming, relaxing home for blogs and magazines.

Ahhhh … there’s nothing like a spa day, a chance to relax and be pampered, letting your cares melt away as you enjoy bubble baths, massages, skin treatments and a host of relaxing scents, sounds and textures. The problem? A day at the spa usually comes with a hefty price tag.

What’s a stressed-out, tensed-up girl to do? You can wait until your birthday or a holiday and hope that someone gets the hint and gives you a day of relaxation for a gift. Or, you can take matters into your hands and create a private spa right in your bathroom. That’s right: With the right materials and accessories, you can transform your bathroom from a chaotic mess where you get ready for work into a tranquil private spa.

Cut the Clutter

Look around your bathroom. Are towels hanging haphazardly, is your makeup strewn about the counter and hair products filling every shelf? There’s no way you’ll be able to relax if your bathroom vanity looks like the scene of a cosmetics-induced crime. The first step to creating your private spa is to declutter. Go through the room and get rid of anything that isn’t absolutely necessary — do you really need to keep that bottle of tanning cream that makes you smell funny? Once you’ve purged, invest in storage solutions that allow you to keep everything out of sight. Pretty baskets or fabric-covered containers that you can stack on shelves will keep everything organized and out of sight.

Keep it Neutral

Perhaps you took a chance and painted your bathroom the brightest shade of turquoise you could find — or maybe your bathroom is boring white and desperately in need of a paint job. Either way, the most relaxing color schemes are neutral (think shades of tan, brown or gray) or subtle, natural shades (pale blue is considered one of the most relaxing colors). Give the walls a fresh coat of paint in a soft, neutral color. Use simple, soft and neutral accessories.

Add Aroma

Think about the scent of your favorite spa — you immediately feel relaxed, don’t you? Humans are incredibly sensitive to smell, and certain scents can help you relax almost instantaneously. Skip the discount air fresheners and invest in high-quality candles or scented oil burners. Better yet, use pure essential oils in the bath to create a relaxing atmosphere. While lavender, sage, sandalwood and marjoram are considered the most relaxing scents, you may have your personal preferences.

Use Decorative Toiletries

Sure, you may be using drugstore-brand bath salts and creams, but there’s no need to announce that. Purchase decorative canisters and containers for storing your spa supplies, creating a more attractive display while disguising the fact that you’re using dollar-store Epsom salts. Without the label, you’ll never know the difference between that and a high-end spa product.

Don’t Skimp on Towels

While you may save some money on inexpensive bath products, don’t skimp when it comes to buying towels. Buy the biggest, softest, most luxurious towels you can afford — look for 100-percent cotton towels with thick, tightly packed loops and double-stitched ends. Most spas use white towels, but choose the color that you prefer and that fits your scheme, remembering to think neutral.

Gather Soaking SuppliesSince the highlight of your at-home spa will probably involve a nice long soak in the tub, gather everything you’ll need to make that as pleasant as possible. Purchase a rack to place across the tub to hold your book, a candle, any bathing supplies and perhaps a glass of wine or tea in easy reach, and invest in a high-quality bath pillow to support your weary head.

Create a Meditative Focal Point

While you may want to spend time in your retreat enjoying the latest trashy novel, you may be more inclined to simply let your mind wander. To help you contemplate the cosmos (or untangle a thorny problem you’re facing) add an attractive focal point in your bathroom spa to help you focus your thoughts. A favorite piece of artwork, a framed photograph or a stenciled quotation can help you focus.

While you may not be able to create the entire spa experience in your home bathroom — chances are there’s no one bringing you chilled water on request — you can create a retreat by bringing some of the best parts of the spa experience home. If nothing else, you can escape at the end of the day by locking the door and enjoying a relaxing soak.