Turn your home into paradise with cost-effective improvements
If you’re tired of booking spa appointments that require you to leave the comfort of your home, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to create paradise in your home without breaking the bank. Simple, no-cost tricks will restore balance and tranquility to every corner of your house, while mid- to high-range improvements will take your space to the next level.
Follow these steps to create a home that feels like a spa from top to bottom, creating the relaxation space of your dreams.
One of the reasons spas feel and look calming is because they keep the decor minimal and everyday objects out of sight. Learning how to declutter your home is a fast track to obtaining a similarly tranquil environment.
That doesn’t mean you have to get rid of every item that doesn’t spark joy (or that you have to disavow maximalism), but it does require you to make more discerning choices. For example, start by storing items like keys, pens, and clothes in easy-to-access places that keep the mess organized and out of sight. You’ll be amazed at how much clearer your head feels when your space is free of clutter.
“Clutter tends to cause stress and anxiety—and it makes it harder to keep your home clean and organized,” says Mallory Micetich, Angi home care expert. “If your home is full to the brim with stuff, go through your belongings and only keep what you love and use. Being intentional and selective about what you keep in your home will cultivate a calming space that doesn’t feel overly cluttered.”
Pleasant smells around every corner is another key characteristic of spa environments. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to incorporate aromatherapy in your own home. For example, you can place candles or essential oil diffusers throughout your space, fill your dresser drawers with lavender bags, and refill your vases with fragrant flowers.
“Certain scents, like lavender and bergamot, are known for their calming properties, but any scent that you love can boost your mood,” says Micetich.
If you can’t relax in your bedroom, you won’t be able to truly unwind at the end of the day. To ensure that your room is full of good vibes only, invest in a comfortable bed set-up, cozy lighting, a soothing color palette, and a collection of personal items to create a bedroom retreat. That way, you’ll feel calm from the moment you go to bed to when you wake up.
The best spas try to recreate how we feel in nature by incorporating plant life wherever possible. You can apply the same philosophy to your home as long as you’re prepared to learn a bit about caring for indoor plants. With a little bit of love and the right amount of water and sunlight, your houseplants will purify the air in your spa-like home for years to come.
“Houseplants have been proven to boost your mood and reduce stress, so incorporating more natural light and plants can make a huge difference overall,” advises Micetich.
If your home only features harsh, bright lights, that could be the reason why you're having trouble unwinding at the end of the night. Harsh or florescent lights have various uses—usually in rooms where the goal is to feel focused and energized—but a truly spa-like home will have an array of light temperatures for every mood.
Choose warm-toned lights for sleepy spaces and cool-toned lights for relaxation zones like the bathroom. Or install a light dimmer so that you’re able to have all types of light in any given room.
Every color carries a different meaning, with a different effect on how a space appears. While a vibrant red may be a great paint color for a fitness studio, it’s probably not going to create the calming ambiance you’re looking for in a spa-like home. Learn a bit about color theory to choose a palette that’s calming and gently energizing while also appealing to your design tastes.
If your home feels too dry or too wet, you’re not going to be able to feel your best, even if everything else is just right. Take steps to ensure your home is properly insulated if you’ve noticed signs of dry air, like cracked skin or difficulty breathing. You can also measure humidity levels to guarantee that there’s a normal amount of moisture. If there’s too little moisture in the air, investing in a humidifier (or a few) will help. If there’s too much, a dehumidifier will do the trick.
Along with the treatments and massages, spas are perhaps best known for the high-end toiletries they dole out. If your goal is to make your home feel like a spa, splurge on the finest amenities. Consider investing in high-quality hand soaps and lotions, robes, towels, bubble bath products, and face masks. Whenever you need a spa day, you’ll have everything on hand to do just that.
Investing in luxury amenities will complete the at-home spa experience. Some ideas include springing for the sauna in your bathroom, adding a hot tub out to your outdoor space, or adding a designated yoga and meditation space. Anything is possible when your home feels like a spa.
