If you could make time for a spa getaway right now, would you? What if I told you that it’s totally possible to enjoy a spa bath right in your own home? On the hardest of days where it feels like you’ll have to stay home forever, you need to create an escape. No matter what your bathroom looks like, this is how you can achieve the feeling of a spa bath in your own bathroom using candles, plants, music, lighting, and textiles.
Candles
Right from the start, a candle sets a mood. Spa baths usually occur in dimly lit spaces – but you don’t need a dimmer to get the same effect. Light a few candles that give you enough light to see. But don’t go so candle heavy that the light becomes harsh for your eyes.
For a spa bath choose some natural scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and bergamot. These floral, clean scents will help you feel relaxed and happy.
You can also work with scents using different oils and diffusers. Non scented candles can be used to get the same effect while using soothing oils.
PLANTS
Once you have the mood set, it’s time to spruce your bathroom up a little with plants. Not only are they pleasant to look at, plants can improve the air quality in your bathroom. Certain plants are highly aesthetic and do well in environments like your bathroom. Your view will continue to change each time you choose to have an in-home spa bath.
Bamboo is one plant that will do well in your bathroom. They are tall and neat, ranging in light to dark green in color. Bamboo plans feel structured and organized. They will do best by a window so they can get plenty of sunlight.
Cast Iron plants can grow two to three feet tall and have long medium green leaves great for privacy. They like low, indirect light so they would do great sitting around your tub. Cast iron plants have a more tropical feel than bamboo and can help you pretend you’ve entered a tropical island – giving you that Caribbean spa feel.
Gardenias are beautiful dark green plants that bloom into a while flower. They can grow up to 6 feet but will also do well with frequent pruning to keep them smaller. Like bamboo, gardenias need lots of sunlight in order to bloom if you want to a floral touch or vibe to the space.
Orchids have long, wiry stems that bloom into beautiful flowers that are either pink, red, purple, or white. Since they are on the smaller side, a cluster of potted orchids would be a sight to see. As an orchid grows, the stems reach out instead of up and seem to expand from where they stand.
Asparagus Ferns have lacy green branches that spill out of the pot they are in. They only grow two feet high, but the branches can extend as long as six feet out. Just as orchids expand as they grow, the asparagus fern becomes fuller and more erratic as it grows.
MUSIC
No spa getaway is complete without music. You may like to hear a deep American Jazz number with a lot of saxophone and trumpet solos. Or perhaps you prefer the Brazilian Bossa Nova, which is like American Jazz but can be more rhythmic and has a sort of sway to it.
Classical music is also a good choice as it promotes focus and calm. Or Spanish guitar music that keeps a calming beat that is easy to get swept up into. Finally, Reggae from the likes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh can help you feel like you’re on a private island, having just come back from the beach and rinsing off the sand from your skin. Reggae is very mellow and easy to listen to, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing getaway.
LIGHTING
Now let’s talk lighting. Dimmers are a great way to set the mood. Candles can give you an effect like dimmers, but if you have a dimmer in your bathroom you have options. You’ll have more control over the amount of light, and you can still get the spa vibe if you don’t have candles on hand. And even if you do have candles, they can be used sparingly and more selectively.
When choosing the light bulbs go for a white or blue light. To use light that feels like a spa, search for a mineral lamp like rock or crystal. These types of lights are soft and warm. They glow as opposed to shine brightly. Crystal lamps can also sit on the floor, allowing light to come up instead of fall down from the ceiling.
TEXTILES
In order for your spa bath to really feel like a spa bath, you need to make sure you have the right textiles. Your towels, bathmat, slippers, robe, and even your shower curtain all play a part.
Turkish towels, made from Turkish cotton, are strong and absorbent. They are also beautifully made by hand and come in exquisite colors. Turkish towels will have you feeling like royalty as you dry off after your bath.
Where you put your feet is just as important as what you wrap around you. Teak bathmats are a staple in a spa and are remarkably smooth on your feet. Not really into a wood bathmat? Get a Turkish cotton rug to match your towel.
If you really want to get into a spa vibe, try using a waffle robe and waffle slippers. They are both made from woven Turkish cotton and are luxuriously soft and absorbent. When all is said and done, you’ll feel like you’ve been to a Turkish spa!
If your feet get too warm or if you want a different texture on your feet, open toe slippers are another way to feel like you’re walking on clouds.
While you don’t touch your shower curtain during a spa bath, the right color is crucial to your experience. Look for a shower curtain with cool, calming tones like blue and gray. Stripes and solid colors will work best.
You want your bathroom to be a space for you to rejuvenate and recharge. It’s the space where you begin and end your day, so you want it to feel like an oasis, especially during these stressful times. Even if you can’t leave your home right now, these tips will help you achieve a getaway vibe no matter how big or small your bathroom may be.