10 Essentials for Enjoying a Spa-Like Experience at Home
These ingredients will help create a bathroom setting conducive to relaxation
Since ancient times, the ritual of bathing has been used in virtually every culture as a means to rejuvenate and heal. With many modern-day bathrooms including a soaking tub, the ability to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing bath has never been so easy. Here are the essentials, along with a few splurges, that can elevate bath time to a near spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home.
1. Get the water temperature right. Ideally the water temperature for a bath is 92 degrees Fahrenheit, but of course this will vary with personal preference. Be sure to test the water with your wrist, a better gauge of water temperature than the hand, before stepping in.
2. Add oils, bath bombs or salts. For a truly luxurious bath, add a favorite elixir to the water. Add essential oils for their scent and restorative properties into the stream of running water so that they disperse throughout the water. Calming lavender is a good choice for a bath at the end of the day. Bath bombs with their soothing scents are becoming increasingly popular, and many are made of ingredients that soothe and moisturize the skin. And don’t forget the old standby, bathing salts such as Epsom salts, which help relieve aches and pains.
Set up the bathroom to encourage frequent sessions of relaxation. Ample open shelving in this bathroom provides nooks to display pretty canisters and jars holding favorite salts and lotions, with easy access.
If your bathroom has a tub-and-shower combination with a curtain instead of a free-standing tub, don’t fret; there’s actually a benefit to this setup. Simply draw the curtain closed after stepping into the tub, and all that fragrant steam rising from the water will linger, creating the effect of a steam bath.
3. Try dry-brushing. The benefits of dry-brushing your skin with a natural loofah or bristle skin brush are numerous, from increasing circulation to removing dead skin for getting the most benefit from oils and lotions.
And what about this fabulous wooden tub with its lovely sloped ends? This is a bathtub to enjoy!
And what about this fabulous wooden tub with its lovely sloped ends? This is a bathtub to enjoy!
4. Set up a bath caddy. A convenient bath caddy extending across the width of the tub is a must-have if you like to read in the tub. It’s also the perfect surface to keep other items easily accessible during bath time: a cool drink, a file, soaps, scrub brushes.
This differently shaped tub is the Picasso from Hydro Systems.
This differently shaped tub is the Picasso from Hydro Systems.
There is just something about an antique claw-foot tub that beckons one to make time for a long soak. Perhaps this is where time will be found to finish that great read.
Bathing in this cast iron claw-foot tub set in a rustic cabin would be a lovely escape. And did you know that cast iron tubs tend to keep water warmer for a longer period of time than their acrylic counterparts?
Tip: A point to be aware of when shopping for a tub is that cast iron is a cold surface before it is filled with hot water. As a result, hotter water is required to heat the tub. But once the tub is filled and the material is warm, a longer soak time can be enjoyed.
Tip: A point to be aware of when shopping for a tub is that cast iron is a cold surface before it is filled with hot water. As a result, hotter water is required to heat the tub. But once the tub is filled and the material is warm, a longer soak time can be enjoyed.
5. Include a small stool or side table. In addition to the bath caddy, a small surface for setting towels, reading materials, a candle or perhaps a speaker for music within easy reach will be appreciated once you’re in the tub.
For comfort, consider a slipper tub as seen here, available with a single or double “slipper.”
For comfort, consider a slipper tub as seen here, available with a single or double “slipper.”
In place of a side table, a chair will work just as well. Chairs also provide seating, of course, which is an often overlooked convenience to include in a bathroom.
Here the simple lines of the Piedmont soaking tub from Restoration Hardware make it a beautiful match for its surroundings.
Here the simple lines of the Piedmont soaking tub from Restoration Hardware make it a beautiful match for its surroundings.
6. Introduce a relaxing scent. An important aspect of any relaxing environment is scent. Add several drops of essential oil in a diffuser, lightly scented candles or a vase of fragrant flowers.
This cast iron double slipper tub in lilac tends toward the feminine when paired with coordinating mosaic tile.
This cast iron double slipper tub in lilac tends toward the feminine when paired with coordinating mosaic tile.
Favorite scents that foster relaxation are lavender, sandalwood, jasmine, lilac, vanilla and rose, to name a few. In addition to scent, lit candles allow the lights to be turned down in the evening. This is a bonus, as bright light is not exactly a benefit in creating a relaxing atmosphere.
7. Let the music play. Listening to your favorite music is one of the most effective methods to unwind. Just make sure no electrical devices are set nearby on a surface where they might accidentally fall into the water.
8. Quench your thirst. Before getting into the tub, make sure to pour a tall glass of cool water and set it nearby. For an additional refresher, consider bringing in a bowl of ice and a washcloth for a cold compress to the forehead or neck.
And are you a fan of jets in a tub? Many people are not, but if you are, enjoy those massaging bubbles.
And are you a fan of jets in a tub? Many people are not, but if you are, enjoy those massaging bubbles.
9. Need a neck rest? Depending on the lines of the bathtub, an inflatable bath pillow or rolled hand towel just might completely change your bathing experience! (There’s nothing less conducive to relaxing than a kink in the neck.)
10. Wrap up in soft towels and a robe. At the end of a bath, a luxurious touch is being wrapped in soft, absorbent towels. Lightly dry yourself before applying any moisturizers, and if it’s the end of the day, extend the relaxation mode by slipping into a cozy, plush robe.
For extra pampering, a towel warmed by a towel heater is a real treat, especially during the cooler months.
And just take a look at this teak custom-made Japanese-style soaking tub, which permits the homeowner to relax in steaming neck-high water.
And just take a look at this teak custom-made Japanese-style soaking tub, which permits the homeowner to relax in steaming neck-high water.
And perhaps the most relaxing element of any bathroom is a beautiful view. This, added to the other elements discussed, makes for a perfect recipe for an hour of relaxation.
Tell us: What simple additions would help make your bathroom a relaxing oasis?
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Tell us: What simple additions would help make your bathroom a relaxing oasis?
More
Dream Spaces: Spa-Worthy Showers to Refresh the Senses
Bliss Out in Your Bath: 18 Ways to ‘Spa Up’ Your Bathroom