How to Create Your At-Home Spa and Nail Salon

Rest and rejuvenation are central to the spa experience. To create an atmosphere conducive to both, start by filling your space with soft lighting, soothing music, pleasing aromas, and a bit of nature.

Instead of harsh florescent lights and bright lamps, change out traditional bulbs with smart light bulbs.  When connected to your smart hub, you can use these to adjust lamps and ceiling lights to the perfect hue and intensity for a serene, spa-like ambiance. If you have the space to create a permanent spa area, you could also place smart light strips around the perimeter of the room and change their color with an app on your smartphone.

For music, create a playlist with instrumental tunes that will contribute to a relaxing feeling. Fortunately, you do not need an elaborate sound system to listen to your selections; a compact sound bar or smart speaker will do the trick when connected to the music on your smartphone or tablet. Another option is to set up a white noise machine that has a feature to play sounds from nature, such as a babbling brook or a spring rainstorm.

To get the full benefits of relaxation, it’s best to choose a room that is free of clutter. Be sure to get organized ahead of time with decorative storage baskets. You can also use these baskets and decorative bins to store your spa supplies when they’re not in use. Top off your spa retreat décor with potted plants or fresh cut flowers from your garden to encourage a restorative connection to nature. Finally, turn on an oil diffuser to add aromatherapy to your spa treatment. Choose the calming scent of lavender or research what other fragrances have relaxing effects.

Frequently, our muscles carry tension that we aren’t even aware of until we begin to move and stretch. How often have you started to massage your neck only to realize how tight it feels? Thankfully, when you can’t get to a masseuse, a shiatsu massager makes a good home substitute for targeting tender areas of the body. Likewise, if you are on your feet for long periods during the day, consider trying a foot spa to relieve tension and soothe skin.

Additionally, you might find relief and release by using a TENS unit on your lower back. This device uses electrical current that travels through wires to patches that are strategically placed where you need them most. A less high-tech solution is using a foam roller on your back, calves or thighs. Simple stretches on a yoga mat can also help relax and reenergize your body.

If you want to make a significant investment in your wellbeing, a massage chair will provide a comprehensive massage experience, mimicking the movements and techniques of human hands to help relieve aches, release tension, and stimulate blood flow. Some models also come with heat and vibration options for added comfort. 

Regular skin care is important for many reasons, and it can be more effective with the right accessories. Spa time is the perfect opportunity to concentrate on boosting your complexion. Wearing a facial mask will bring moisture and nutrients to your skin. You can also enhance any spa treatment with facial care tools, such as facial steamers, microdermabrasion equipment and light therapy devices that help reduce blemishes.

When it comes to nail care, it’s about so much more than just polish. You’ll want to care for your cuticles, whether you trim them or keep them as-is and moisturize deeply with a paraffin wax treatment. You’ll want to remove any hangnails or care for ingrown toenails with nail clippers. As a bonus, if you’ve already softened your skin with a footbath, you’re in the perfect position to address any calluses you might have with a pumice stone that exfoliates dead skin cells. There are even manicure and pedicure sets can help you acquire all the tools you need in one package. Keep in mind that, if you do have friends over to join in the fun, you should sanitize the tools between each use.