A DIY spa day is exactly what you need right now!
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to take care of your body and bring back some energy, this how-to guide will show you everything you need to create the at-home spa of your dreams.
There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy spa day at a luxe retreat (although that would be nice!) This handy guide will show you everything you need to turn your home into a calming, beautifying sanctuary.
Just a little prep and you’ll be on your way to bathing bliss that doesn’t break the budget.
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Get ready to unwind and spend some time on you.
What do you do on a spa day?
I’ve been lucky enough to visit a couple of flashy hotel spas, and although they’re so expensive that I can’t even bring myself to look at the bill, you leave feeling like a million bucks.
Normally it’s a combo of a few hours lounging by a heated pool, visiting the sauna or steam room to sweat out some toxins, and enjoying some relaxing beauty treatments like massages and facials.
Some spas even have sensory rooms where you can recline in low light while listening to ocean sounds.
I feel more chilled just thinking about it!
Have no fear though, we’re here to show you pamper day ideas that prove you don’t need a Kardashian-worthy budget to recreate the spa day feeling at home. – You won’t leave with a dent in your bank balance either.
Here are the essential tips for a home spa day.
What do you need for a spa day at home?
The beauty of a DIY spa day is that you can make it anything you want with the treatments you like best, this is time just for you.
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It’s best to plan your spa day in advance so that you can make sure you have enough time and space for yourself.
Then it’s just a matter of making it happen with the right pampering treatments and a stress-free environment.
This post is dedicated to enjoying some serious me time, but if you’re planning a spa day at home with friends or a partner, stay tuned as there are some tips for you at the end.
How do you set up for a spa day at home?
Okay, so this part doesn’t sound so luxurious, but it pays to spend some time cleaning or tidying before you get started.
Trust me, you can’t relax in a home spa if your mind keeps wandering off to that nasty grout on your tiles or the watermarks on your shower screen. Three hours of spa treatments can be instantly ruined if you step out of the bath onto a grimy floor.
RELATED: Expert Tips for How to Clean Your Home in 30 Minutes!
Spend a bit of time so your “spa room” won’t distract you with clutter and to-dos that will stress you when you’re meant to be in the zone.
If your at-home spa day is taking place in the bathroom, I also recommend making sure your bedroom is clutter-free so you have somewhere equally zen to withdraw to after your treatments, for a tranquil end to spa night.
Create the best environment for your spa
After your home spa room is clean, you can set it up just right. We’re talking lights, beauty, music, the fluffiest of fluffy towels, and your favorite scented candles.
Starting with home spa day sounds, we recommend some of your favorite chill beats on Spotify, ambient nature sounds, or even that pan-pipe music you hear at the beauty salon – if you’re that way inclined.
We love the Calm app for meditating and their sleep stories, but they also have relaxing music playlists.
Bring out your best Bluetooth speaker so you have decent audio quality while you’re relaxing.
While you’re setting up your sounds, turn off notifications on your phone, so any dramas stay in the outside world.
Add something beautiful, like potted plants for a tropical feel, fresh-cut flowers, or some healing crystals for extra good ju-ju.
Scent matters too, so light a fragranced relaxation candle or use a diffuser. Essential oils make the best spa day scents; choose relaxing geranium (my personal fave), ylang-ylang, or lavender. Avoid energizing oils like lime or grapefruit.
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If you can source a bunch of fresh eucalyptus stems, get a real-world spa feel by tying a bunch of it upside down from your shower head.
Not only will you get the jealousy-inducing Insta shot – natch – it will also release gorgeous aromas while the hot water’s running near it.
Bear in mind that once you start your treatments, they’ll be scented too. You might get away with a nice smelling bubble bath or a fizzing bath bomb for a heavenly spa day at home.
Just make sure you’re not mixing too many scents, or your experience will go from paradise to overload in a hot minute.
Place some towels or a robe, and slippers nearby so they’re easy to grab. The secret to making towels good as new? Add some baking soda to the wash and cut back on the detergent.
And finally, never underestimate the power of lighting. If your bathroom has an overhead light, this is a major no-no for any at home spa day worth its salt.
If you don’t have a dimmer, turn it off and bring in some candles or a battery-powered light if you need to be able to see more clearly.
You can create professional spa-like lighting easily with this set:
You want your pampering lighting to be confidence-boosting and gentle, not harsh and judgemental.
Extras for an amazing spa day at home
Steam and hot baths can be dehydrating, so make some herbal tea, or infused water so you don’t have to head to the kitchen when you’re thirsty.
Water has incredible health benefits, and infusing it with fruit gives it an extra touch of spa-like indulgence.
RELATED: 8 Amazing Ways Your Body Changes When You Drink More Water
You’ll also want to have healthy snacks on hand. No one wants to treat their body like a temple, then fill it with junk, so stock up on fruit or nuts. Prep a healthy salad if your spa day overlaps mealtime. When you count the money you’ve saved on spa treatments, it’s a great excuse for a Whole Foods splurge.
When you plan, think about what you might do while you’re waiting for masks or having a long soak in the bath. Do you want to do some journaling, or read a good book? Get these ready too.
If you want to stay digital, we love the April Coloring app.
The best at home spa day treatments
When you’re at home spa is fully loaded, all that’s left is to decide which beautifying treatments are going to take you to a Lizzo-like level of self-appreciation. (All hail Queen Lizzo.)
I love to stash samples from Sephora for my home treatments so I can try something new and get those spa night feels.
Sephora and the like are also great for mini and travel bottles – if there’s a product you’ve always wanted to try, there’s no better time than now.
If you’re watching the pennies, there are lots of DIY products that you can make at home, with a few ingredients that you probably already have. We’re sharing some of our favorites below.
RELATED: 17 Tips that Show you How to Get Great Skin on a Budget
We’ve got top-to-toe home spa ideas that will help you get the most out of your time, so let’s dive in.
Want to shop all our Beauty & Style picks in one place? Check out our dedicated shopping page, full of all our best finds from the interwebs!
