Life continues to be full on - and you feel pulled in so many directions! And there is no let up on being busy just yet with a range of festive occasions set to keep you on the go for that little bit longer. With a visit to the day spa being a luxury for many, people are jumping on board the ‘cocooning’ trend, retreating and creating that day spa feel in their own homes. But where do you start to really achieve that professional day spa experience at home?
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To help create your own sense of calm at home we ask the experts at Reece and Aurora Spa Retreat for advice on perfecting the day spa. When it comes to creating the look without breaking the bank, there are several key things to consider, says Reece Bathroom marketing manager Daniela Santilli:
How important are tones and textures in creating a day spa?
Stick with neutral, earthy tones and textures. Spas tend to use light colours for a calming effect, giving the space an organic feel. Also keep the bathroom space simple and uncluttered. Reducing visual noise, such as cords from hair straighteners and dryers, will instantly create an environment that looks and feels cleaner.
A day spa has an atmosphere of calmness, how can we achieve this at home?
Light – both natural and installed – as well as reflection, can not only add decoration to walls and floor space but can change the mood of a room. Natural light is a feature often seen in a day spa-inspired bathroom, but if natural light is hard to come by, clever lighting can be crucial to achieving the look. Dimmable and adjustable lights are great as they can be adjusted according to time of day and activity in the bathroom. Keeping the decor light can also compensate for a lack of natural light. Timber frames can add an organic feel to the day spa, and adding vanity lighting or replacing a too-small mirror are minor changes that can make a big difference.
How else can we get the day spa look without breaking the bank?
One of the easiest and most effective changes you can make is to update existing fittings like taps and showerheads. Using existing plumbing points keeps the process relatively simple while delivering a big impact. The flow of water in the bathroom space can be a decorative element in its own right and greatly impacts the mood of the space, making it an important consideration in the selection of showerheads and taps. Inject some day-spa inspiration into your bathroom by switching to a contemporary look basin mixer, and a rain shower head is affordable and simple to install.
How important are the finishing touches to the at-home day spa?
Small touches are what makes the space feel inviting and encourages you to relax, so don’t forget to add scented candles or flowers. Buy quality when it comes to your towels, bathmat and robe. Good quality bed sheets are often touted as life changing. Likewise, soft fluffy towels and robes are a worthwhile investment and lend an air of luxury to the bathroom. And remember the music - it should soothe the soul and offer a gentle background hum.
Daniela says Reece collaborated with the founder of world-leading urban day spa, Aurora Spa Retreat, Lyndall Mitchell, to offer these three top tips on creating a day spa experience at home. Says Lyndall:
1. Return to nature: Creating an environment that is nature-inspired, using materials like timber, will set the scene for a truly relaxing experience. When it comes to colours, natural hues of green and blue have been proven to influence the reduction of stress.
2. Lock the door: It’s surprising how many people overlook this when indulging in down time. With work, kids and life in general getting the better of us, time alone is increasingly important, and difficult to achieve. When you do get a moment to yourself, make sure you have a lock on the door to eliminate any surprise walk-ins.
3. Listen in – to yourself: When do you feel most relaxed? Is it in the greenery of the garden, in the clear blue water at the beach, or in the wood lined forest? Reflect on when you feel most at ease and use this as inspiration for creating your bathroom look. People are often influenced by architectural trends, but really, it’s about personal preference.