As much as we’d like to enjoy a spa treatment or weekend away whenever we fancy, it’s not always affordable or accessible. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide of our favourite home spa ideas to help you unwind and enjoy some pamper time. From treating your skin to soothing your muscles, these ideas are perfect for creating your own spa at home.
So read on to relax, refresh and rejuvenate.
#1. Clear your schedule
Setting time aside for yourself can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list, but having a spa day at home is the perfect way to give yourself some much needed TLC. Be sure to keep your designated day clear of any plans, and if you really don’t have time for a whole spa day, find an evening when you can unwind without any distractions.
After you’ve set some time aside to focus on yourself, you can start to gather all of the things that you’ll need in preparation.
#2. Dim the lights
The next step in creating your at-home spa experience is to create the perfect ambience. Overly bright lighting can make you more alert and disturb your natural ability to reach a state of relaxation, so turn off your main lights and opt for something less intrusive.
Try the light from a small lamp or even some string lights. Look for bulbs that give off a soft, yellow glow, as they set a more mellow atmosphere than bright white.
Or go for an authentic spa feel by lighting some candles and placing them around your room. The gentle flicker of candlelight creates a soothing atmosphere that’s ideal for unwinding. While tealights can provide multiple points of light, a larger jar candle will last longer and may be a better option if you’re planning on having a full at-home spa day.
#3. Introduce calming fragrances
Fragrance can have a huge impact on your mood, so don’t forget to select the right scents for your spa at home. Our BeBalanced collection is made up of a specialist selection of natural essential oil fragrances to help you unwind and relax. Featuring eight essential oils, each to help you achieve your desired moodstate, and four 100% soy wax candles in unique essential oil combinations.
Create the perfect scent backdrop for your relaxation by adding a few drops of our Laid Back Lavender Essential Oil or our Pampering Pachouli Essential Oil to your BeBalanced by PartyLite™ Ultrasonic Diffuser to create a cool, fragrance mist. Nothing says spa like walking into a beautifully fragranced room.
#4. Turn on some music
Don’t forget to set up some background music to listen to. Silence allows your mind to settle on any worries or concerns you might have, but a melodic playlist of calming music can give you a distraction from any wandering or intrusive thoughts.
Free spa music can be found easily online, or you might want to create your own playlist of relaxing songs.
Alternatively, some people find it beneficial to listen to audio aids like binaural beats or pink noise. These are specific frequencies that can aid in meditation, relaxation, concentration and other parts of brain function. While binaural beats often sound like a humming note or sound sequence, pink noise can be found in nature. The rushing of a waterfall, leaves blowing in the wind and a heartbeat are all examples of pink noise.
#5. Put in the prep
Once you’ve got your spa surroundings set up, it’s time to prep yourself.
Switch off from busy day-to-day activities by doing some meditation. Focusing on being in the present and letting go of your worries is the perfect way to prepare your mind for a day of spa sensations.
If you’re not a fan of meditation, why not drink some herbal tea? Chamomile and peppermint tea both have excellent health benefits and are known to help relieve stress and improve relaxation.
The final stage of prep may be the hardest, but also the most rewarding. Put your phone away at least half an hour before you begin your at-home spa time. Cutting out technology means that you’re also cutting out distractions and the dreaded blue light emitted from your devices.
#6. Have a bath or shower
Whether you’re a bath or a shower person, there’s no denying the fresh feeling of water soothing your skin and the steam clearing your sinuses.
Fill your tub with bath salts or bubbles and sink into the feeling of weightlessness. Laying back in the hot water can help to ease your muscles and reduce any tension you’re feeling. Take bath time to the next level by adding a bath bomb to your water for a fun and skin-loving sensation.
If you’re opting for a shower instead, let the running hot water fill your bathroom with steam to create your very own sauna. Make use of your best shower gels and creams - the gift sets that you received and have been saving - and take your time. Shower lovers can even benefit from the powers of plants. We love the DIY shower hack to create a cool, fragrance mist. Nothing says spa like walking into a beautifully fragranced room.of tying sprigs of eucalyptus to your shower head to release its natural fragrance. Eucalyptus is an effective decongestant, and the hot steam of your shower is a great way to benefit from its calming properties.
#7. Steam your face
No time for a relaxing bath or shower? Try a facial steam instead. A home spa idea that anyone can recreate in their bathroom, facial steaming opens up your pores and prepares your skin for its next treatment.
Fill a large pan or bowl halfway with hot water (but not too hot!) and tear open a herbal tea bag, like ginger or lemongrass. Add it to the water for extra fragrance that makes your spa at home feel even more authentic!
Then carefully place your face over the bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head to keep the steam from escaping and breathe in the concoction of aromas. 10 minutes is plenty of time, but enjoy for however long makes you feel most relaxed.
#8. Give your face some love
After you’ve steamed your face, make sure to show it some love and follow up with the right skincare. Facials are a key part of the spa experience, so we had to include it on our list of home spa ideas. Also, nothing beats applying a face mask at the end of a long day.
Choose your most pampering face mask, or make your own from ingredients found in your kitchen. Honey, avocado, oats and yoghurt... no we’re not listing breakfast staples. These natural wonders are as good for your skin as they are tasty!
Selected foods have antioxidant, purifying, calming and clearing properties when applied to your skin, but be sure to do your research and a patch test beforehand.
When you’ve applied your mask you can read a book, listen to some music or simply close your eyes and relax as you wait for it to work its magic. Always be gentle when you wash off your mask, and pat any excess water back into your skin with a towel.
#9. Lather on the lotion
Sometimes we resist a chance to multitask, even when we’re enjoying a spa day at home. So why not lather on your favourite body lotion as you wait for your face mask to take effect?
Treat yourself with a sumptuous body butter, then apply a layer of softening hand cream and a refreshing foot lotion as you unwind.
After you’ve washed off your face mask, apply a generous layer of your most luxurious face cream to truly pamper yourself. Glide your chosen lotion along the contours of your face with a gentle hand, and make sure to move outwards towards the edges of your face.
If you’re in the mood for a little extra TLC, gently pat on an eye-cream under your eyes, brows and across your eyelids. The skin around your eyes is really delicate, so use the lightest of pressure with your ring finger.
#10. Use a facial roller
While we’re not all fully-trained masseurs and therefore can’t give ourselves a proper facial, we sure can get as close to the real thing with a facial roller.
Jade rollers, rose quartz stones and metal and wooden facial tools have risen in popularity in recent years. Touted to improve blood circulation, relax and soothe muscles and boost collagen production, these products are a staple step in many a professional spa treatment.
Use with a face oil or cream to help absorption and reap the skin benefits.
#11. Don’t forget about your hair
This is a bonus step that we like to enjoy when we really have the time to treat ourselves with our own spa at home. Deep conditioning hair masks come in many forms but all result in wonderfully nourished hair.
From overnight hair masks that you apply before bed and sleep in, to 10 minute leave-in treatments, this is a great home spa idea to add to your routine.
All hair is different, so be sure to find a treatment that suits you, or you can create your own from natural ingredients. Coconut oil is full of fantastic attributes that condition all hair types, honey contains antioxidants that can help to manage damaged strands and avocado contains fatty acids that help to bring shine to dull and lacklustre hair.
We hope we’ve helped to take the stress out of creating your own spa at home with our easy and effective home spa ideas. Whether you enjoy all or just one idea on our list, we’re sure that you’ll be on your way to feeling a little less tense and a bit more relaxed. Find more lifestyle guides on our blog today.