Here are 25 easy DIY ideas for an at home spa day that will pamper and relax you without costing a fortune. Perfect for girls nights, alone, kids or for Mom.
My idea of a perfect spa day is being at home, surrounded by candlelight, and soaking up an invigorating bath.
If you think that’s impossible to achieve, you can ask my friends, who themselves have found a relaxing sanctuary during spa parties I would occasionally throw—right under my own roof.
Curious how I do it? Here are 25 exciting ideas for a spa day that you can try without leaving home and breaking the bank.
25 Genius Ideas For The Best At Home Spa Day
1. Light Up Those Scented Candles
Set the mood by lighting up your spa candles.
This way, the aroma will trigger your neurons to release serotonin, dopamine, and other similar pleasurable hormones that put you in a state of relaxation.
Not only will you benefit from aromatherapy, but they will also help create a warm ambiance for the room or bath.
You don’t have to buy these, either. There are DIY candle-making kits that will help you save more for succeeding spa sessions.
This is a good candle-making kit for its price.
I recommend that you try using silicone flower molds for making batches of candles that you can place around your bath or bedroom-turned-massage room.
I like these molds as they have different flower shapes in them.
Simply pour the paraffin or beeswax into the cavities and add droplets of essential oils that remind you of the fragrant flowers, like lavender.
I like to use this brand of lavender essential oil as it is the best one.
If you want to use paraffin you can buy it here.
Or if you prefer beeswax then I would suggest this one.
2. Use Diffuser Reeds
In case your supply of scented candles runs out, you can simply rely on diffuser sticks to create an inviting aroma while you’re on a spa treatment.
Most diffuser sticks are made of rattan reeds, which you soak into a bottle containing aromatic oil.
They’re also cost-effective; meaning, you can reuse the reeds by turning them on both ends.
Because they are naturally produced, these rattan diffuser reeds can also serve as decorative spa items.
You can get your diffuser reeds here.
3. Put On Calming Music
Another way to set the spa atmosphere is to put on calming music that either lull you or keep your mind off stress.
Specifically, classical music has been proven by science to have the ability to lower blood pressure, induce sleep, ease pain and relieve anxiety.
So go on, create a Spotify playlist of your fave calming music.
You can use a natural-looking acoustic amplifier to match seamlessly with the organic feel of your spa decors.
I really like this bamboo natural-looking amplifier.
4. Create Your Own Facial Steamer
Can’t afford the expensive electric facial steamer? Then make one!
This DIY steamer recipe won’t require you to tinker with electronics, but rather only use a basin filled with hot water and herbs such as eucalyptus.
The steam coming from the warm water will help increase blood circulation in your face, as well as soften and open your clogged pores for further cleansing.
But if you still decided that you'd rather have an electric steamer, you can get yours here.
5. Prepare Detox Water
For your hydration, you can create detox water using slices of lemon or cucumber.
While you relax and exfoliate on the outside, you’ll also be cleansed of toxins from the inside.
{READ THIS: 32 Best Detox Water Recipes}
6. Prepare Clean Towels
Nothing beats the feeling of being draped with fresh, clean towels.
Make it a point to wash them regularly and keep them in a handy cabinet.
I love to use these soft cotton towels.
7. Ask Your Beau Or Daughter To Do Your Back Massage
Some spa treatments require an additional pair of hands such as in back massage.
Invite over your boyfriend or treat your own daughter to massage therapy by taking turns in the bed and kneading each other’s back.
Not only will it serve as a great bonding opportunity, but it will also relieve yourselves of muscle pains.
Additionally, massage therapy has also been discovered to have health benefits such as stress relief and improved blood circulation.
If you’re not sure which oil to use for rubbing, opt for a massage oil that combines all the essential oils having both qualities of being fragrant and therapeutic.
The thrift-worthy thing about oil for massage is that you’ll only need a few drops for rubbing and the rest of the job relies on the kneading of your spa partner.
And if, like most of us you don't have anyone to give you a massage, I recommend getting yourself an automatic back massager.
These devices have large balls that move and exert pressure on your body just like a real massage.
I use mine on a daily basis and find it much better than having a person massage me because it never gets tired, you can apply exactly the right pressure on a particular area for as long as you want.
This is the automatic massager I highly recommend.
8. Make Your Own Body Scrub
Planning on exfoliating your skin? Why not make it exfoliating PLUS massaging?
While you slough off the dead skin cells on your skin with a body scrub, it mimics the calming effect of massage so you get to hit two birds with one stone.
To make a DIY body scrub, follow a recipe that uses light abrasive ingredients like sugar granules to avoid ruining your delicate skin cells.
If you feel like being generous, you can buy an affordable coffee scrub.
This natural coffee scrub is fantastic.
{READ THIS: Purifying Lime And Sugar Scrub For Acne}
9. Make Your Own Face Mask
So while you soak in your body scrub or a colloidal oatmeal bath, maximize your spa session by putting on and soaking in your facial mask.
There are hundreds of recipes available on the web, but you can use a recipe that only uses yogurt and honey—two ingredients that are great on their own for keeping your face smooth and radiant.
On a related note, you can also buy these Korean facial mask sheets which are organic and vegan.
They’re perfect for spa parties with your girlfriends.
Facial mask sheets are ideal for when you want to enjoy other hard-to-obtain nutrients such as collagen and activated charcoal.
10. Make A Colloidal Oatmeal Bath
Having dry skin or a pre-existing skin condition? End your woes with an equally relaxing and nourishing bath using colloidal oatmeal.
This type of oatmeal is suspended in water so that it can leach out its skin relieving properties. Soaking in it will provide relief from eczema, atopic dermatitis, and itchy, dry skin.
Follow a recipe for making an oatmeal bath and let the nutrients get absorbed in your dermis.
You can also opt to buy a box of ready-to-use colloidal oatmeal so you can skip past grinding and instead enjoy a bath instantly.
You can get your natural colloidal oatmeal here.
11. Make Your Own Hair Treatment
Let your hair down and treat your scalp and tresses to a nourishing spa experience.
Using a recipe for coconut-jojoba oil hair treatment, apply the mixture to your strands from roots to tips and cover with a shower cap for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Coconut oil, among many other essential plant extracts, is known to promote healthy hair and scalp.
This is the brand of coconut oil I use.
So don’t skip hair treatment during your spa sessions.
12. Make Your Own Foot Soak
Harvard experts have spoken: foot massage is beneficial to your health.
But why limit pampering to just kneading your soles? Level up your foot spa game by doing your own foot soak which can further relax your tired feet.
A recipe that calls for minty essential oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus is my personal favorite due to its aromatic scent that also creates a cooling sensation to my feet.
For this spa treatment, you’ll need a good foot-bath basin that fits both of your feet at the same time. It’s a plus if it also has massaging nodes that you can enjoy while you soak.
This is the best essential oil brand out there and I use these very often.
This is the footbath basin that I like to use.
13. Do Your Own Pedicure
No foot bath is complete without a pedicure, and this is not just for beautifying your nails.
A pedicure allows you to trim your nails to a healthy length and keeps them smooth.
You should only use a clean pedicure kit made of stainless steel so you can sterilize the tools after every session.
I love this kit as it's of really good quality and makes me feel luxurious using it.
14. Make Bath Bombs
If you have a bathtub, you can enjoy watching a sphere bath bomb as it turns into a swirl of rainbow colors and diffuses a lovely scent. That alone is kind of calming to the mind.
I have discovered a recipe that uses baking soda, Epsom salts, and citric acid.
For this project, you’re going to need dedicated bath bomb molds that come in half-spheres.
You can get your bath bomb molds here.
15. Make Shower Fizzies
Limited bathroom space? You can still enjoy “bombs” even in the shower stall!
Just follow the recipe below to make your own.
{READ THIS: DIY Wake Up Shower Melts (Without Citric Acid Or Cornstarch)}
16. Dim Your Lights
To recreate the calming effect in spa centers, you may turn off the light bulbs and instead use candles to illuminate the room.
Subdued lighting has been found in a study to induce relaxation through vision.
17. Build Your Portable Sauna
I have been using a portable sauna ever since I discovered the benefits of infrared radiation to my health and specifically, my weight.
If you haven’t bought one, I recommend you try a portable infrared sauna that springs to life by itself and collapse back into a kit after use.
I use this portable infrared sauna.
It’s a good long-term investment that you can always benefit from.
{READ THIS: How To Use A Portable Sauna: 4 Steps To Success}
18. Make A Flower Bath
This bath is Bali-inspired, so you can feel like you’re on a getaway.
Simply sprinkle flower petals in your bathtub after filling it with warm water.
Pick the flowers that have medicinal effects such as dandelion, roses, jasmine, and orchid.
Should you find it difficult to obtain flower petals, you can buy dried rose petals instead online which can still be used for baths.
You can buy dried rose petals here.
19. Use A Neck Pillow
Sometimes, I tend to take a nap as I soak in the water.
This is why I would recommend you use a neck pillow so you can rest your head comfortably.
Choose a neck pillow that has spa qualities and which adds warmth and relaxation to your aching neck.
This is a good choice for a neck pillow.
20. Use Self-Massaging Tools
In case your girlfriends or beau can’t come over, you can still enjoy a good massage courtesy of self-massaging tools that mimic the kneading and rubbing effects of human hands.
I recommend you try a massaging tool that can be used on your back and hard-to-reach areas for a fully-massaged feeling.
I often use this handheld massager when I get the chance.
21. Prepare Spa Kits For Each Of Your Guest
If you’re planning to throw a spa party for your best friends, you should start filling their individual spa kits.
Nothing should be shared among your group except for the bathtub, pool, massage bed or twin-size portable sauna.
This is an oversized portable sauna for more than one person.
You can make the soaps and treatment recipes for each individual in your group.
Here's how you can make your own spa kits in a jar.
22. Sip A Wine
Whether it’s white or red, you can glam up your spa experience with a glass of wine while you enjoy a treatment.
Experts have revealed that wine has a calming effect, but it should be taken in moderation.
I recommend a red wine like this that has a premium blend and a tangy, fruity taste.
23. Place Cucumber Slices On Your Eyes
You know it’s a spa staple. Cucumber slices actually reduce puffiness of tired eyes.
As you wait for your facial mask to be absorbed, maximize your time by placing cucumber over your closed peepers.
24. Dry Brush Your Cellulite
You can use a dry brush to stimulate blood circulation in the areas of cellulite and improve lymphatic drainage.
I recommend using a dry brush set that includes different handles for each fine-bristled brush for convenience in dealing with hard-to-reach areas.
I recommend this dry brush set for cellulite.
{READ THIS: Anti Cellulite Smoothing Whipped Body Butter}
25. Make Green Smoothies
To cap off your spa session, you can make your friends some green smoothies which not only refresh the palate but also promote body cleansing and better health.
I have a recipe for green smoothies that you can try making as a toast for a dream spa day come true.
{READ THIS: Green Thickie Recipe}
Health Benefits Of A Home Spa
Summary
Here is a reminder of the 25 ways you can get your own home spa day experience.
- Light Up Those Scented Candles.
- Use Diffuser Reeds.
- Put On A Calming Music.
- Create Your Own Facial Steamer.
- Prepare Detox Water.
- Prepare Clean Towels.
- Ask Your Beau Or Daughter To Give You A Back Massage.
- Make Your Own Body Scrub.
- Make Your Own Face Mask.
- Make A Colloidal Oatmeal Bath.
- Make Your Own Hair Treatment.
- Make Your Own Foot Soak.
- Do Your Own Pedicure.
- Make Bath Bombs.
- Make Shower Fizzies.
- Dim Your Lights.
- Build Your Portable Sauna.
- Make A Flower Bath.
- Use A Neck Pillow.
- Use Self-Massaging Tools.
- Prepare Spa Kits For Each Of Your Guest.
- Sip A Wine.
- Place Cucumber Slices On Your Eyes.
- Dry Brush Your Cellulite.
- Make Green Smoothies.
Conclusion
Planning a spa day session at home isn’t hard to do as long as you’ve got great ideas to supplement treatments and equip your home with a few spa essentials.
And you don’t have to spend a fortune to make it a reality. You can always rely on DIY recipes and projects that can help you achieve your goal.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this walk-through of some of my spa discoveries and ideas so you can start a new tradition of at home spa day.
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Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241490/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/aromatherapy/faq-20058566
- https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/classical-music-effects/
- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/massage
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140416125434.htm
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12730
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25607551
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/foot-massage-the-pause-that-refreshes-and-it-good-for-you
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049052/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4507869/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637917/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212174615.htm
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