With social commitments at a low and many jobs remote, our homes are where we spend the majority of our time. Instead of going to a spa for some pampering, now is the perfect time to enjoy a little self-care. Re-creating an inspiring spa experience at home is very possible, as part of what makes the spa experience so special is the environment, something that you now have total control over. Gather your face masks, scrubs, and massage oils, and let your stress slip away by indulging in a relaxing DIY spa day at home. Become your own spa director by following the tips below to engage your sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing.

At-Home Spa: The Basics

Before you begin your at-home spa day, make sure that your bathroom is clean, tidy, and organized. Remove any clutter that is on the countertops and use a vanity tray to prepare your favorite self-care items. Invest in a few spa-worthy skincare must-haves such as an all-natural face wash, a deep-cleansing mask or an anti-bacterial sheet mask, a pampering facial oil, a luxurious serum, and a hydrating moisturizer. If your bathroom requires an aesthetic update before you begin your de-stress, consider changing out your towels, bath mat, and shower curtain to something that is crisp and white to emulate that relaxing spa feel. Budget about $100 for these simple DIY updates.

If you want to give your bathroom a deeper facelift for your spa day, consider changing out your cabinet hardware, faucet, mirror, and light fixture. An LED mirror is the perfect touch of luxury in the bathroom, especially if your spa treatments include skin care. Keep in mind that you’ll need an electrician to add a recessed outlet behind the mirror if you plan to install an LED mirror. These updates will be a little bit pricier, so be sure to budget a few hundred dollars to cover materials and labor.

If you love taking baths, a small side table is perfect for setting down a cup of tea or a glass of champagne, or a book. Add some relaxing music with a portable speaker or listen to a book while you ease your stressed in the warm water. If you want to multitask, you can put on a face mask or deep-condition in your hair while you soak in bath salts. Add bathroom cabinets and shelving to store all your favorite aromatherapy essential oils, candles, massage oils, and even a diffuser.

In the shower, you can exfoliate your body with a scrub, cleanse and exfoliate your face, or wash your hair and apply a deep-conditioning hair mask. After you get out of the shower, you can apply body moisturizer or lotion, a facial moisturizer, and blow-dry and style your hair for that true spa-like experience.

And in perfect 2021 fashion, if you want to FaceTime or Zoom call a friend while you are wearing your face or hair mask, then go for it! DIY self-care can be done in isolation, or you can use it as a time to catch up with loved ones who are near and far. You can even plan a virtual spa date with a friend if you want some company!

To wrap up your self-care spa day, at nighttime slip into a cozy pair of pajamas and use lavender pillow spray on your pillow to get ready for a deep sleep. Take it slow, read a book, turn on calming music, and dim the lights. If you’re into meditation, this is the perfect time to take five minutes to calmly breathe in and out. Draw the curtains, turn off the lights, and enjoy the relaxing effects of your DIY spa day.

Annie Spano is a residential interior designer and real estate broker based out of Raleigh, NC, and a founder of “blogger tribe” Style Collective. You can find her design and real estate services portfolio at anniespano.com, and also on her Instagram.