21 Ways to Create a Spa Bath at Home

Bathe in Luxury

If you have a limited home improvement budget and a modest bathroom, don’t despair. There are numerous upgrades you can do to add spa-like features and ambiance to your existing bathroom. Here are 21 ways to create a spa bath at home, without the high cost or inconvenience of construction.

Create a Rain Shower

Upgrade your shower experience by swapping out your current shower head for a rain fall version. The nozzle pattern of the KOHLER Forte Katalyst combined with its internal waterway design and air-induction system creates an intense flow of water that mimics relaxing rain showers. Choose from the six finishes to match the rest of your bathroom hardware. Available at The Home Depot; $50.13.

Related: How To: Change a Shower Head

Look to Natural Materials

There is nothing more evocative of the spa aesthetic than natural materials, like teak, bamboo and stone. If you love the look of river rock flooring but not the cost, here’s a cheaper solution. This river rock mat is assembled from hand-gathered stones and secured to a strong backing, making it safe to use outside of the shower. Available at Target; $67.99.

Enlist a Tub Caddy

There are few things as relaxing—or spa-indulgent—as a nice, long soak in the tub. This bamboo bath tray makes the soak that much more enjoyable by providing a convenient place to set a book, a cup of tea, or a glass of wine. The extendable caddy has non-slip silicone grips on the handles to keep it in place along with a rustproof metal reading rack to hold your book or tablet. Available on Amazon; $34.90.

Set Up Surround Sound

Most spas play soothing music or nature sounds to add to the relaxing ambiance. Whether you enjoy that or prefer karaoke tunes for singing to in the shower you can stream them through Home Netwerks’ bluetooth stereo speaker bathroom exhaust fan. The innovative ventilation fan integrates a bluetooth speaker and LED light all in one. You no longer have to keep an old stereo in the bathroom or worry about your phone getting splashed with water to enjoy your favorite playlist. Available at The Home Depot; $99.

Turn Up the Heat

Treat yourself to a toasty warm towel after your shower or bath. Place your towels, PJs, robes, blanket, or whatever you desire into the bucket-style towel warmer and set its timer to 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. It’ll automatically shut off once ready, and you’ll be able to wrap yourself up in the cozy comfort. Available on Amazon; $103.79.

Invigorate Your Soak

For just pennies a day you can enjoy the rituals of a spa simply by adding natural salts to your bath. Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Soak adds natural essential oils to its Epsom salt to soothe aches and relieve stress. Pour a couple of cups into your bath to relieve tension, stress, and other pains. Available on Amazon; $22.95 for 2 three-pound bags.

Take it Outside

Take the spa experience to your backyard and freshen up under the sun rays with the Hermitage Freestanding Outdoor Shower. Made from sustainability sourced solid mahogany wood and stainless pipes, it hooks up to your standard garden hose. It’s perfect for cooling down after a day of chores. Available on Wayfair; $249.99.

Find a Shower Companion

If you have additional space in the shower, you can put it to good use with a simple spa accessory, like this bamboo bath stool. The open slat design prevents soap and water build-up, while the lower shelf offers an organized and convenient spot for shower essentials. Available on Wayfair; $79.99.

Upgrade Your Seat

The bidet is a staple in many bathrooms outside of the U.S., and now you can discover why so many prefer it with Tushy. It features a nozzle adjuster and pressure control knob that lets you adjust the self-cleaning nozzle spray angle and water pressure to your liking. It takes just a few minutes to install the bidet attachment to your toilet. Available on Amazon; $99.

Light Some Candles

The spa experience is all about creating a mood, one that soothes the senses and promotes well-being. One of the easiest ways to create that mood is with the soft, flickering glow of candlelight. Cluster votives or tealights on the vanity, window ledge or around the tub for a long, stress-relieving soak. And be sure to mix in some varieties that are infused with a relaxing scent like lavender, known to help in countering stress and fostering a sense of calm. Available on Amazon; $6.09 for a 25 pack of unscented tealights.

Hide Your Supplies

Every bathroom needs the staples, like extra toilet paper and cleaning supplies, but that doesn’t mean they have to be out on display. Bring in a bathroom cabinet, like this one from Wayfair, for a decorative way to store necessities. This compact cabinet, available in espresso or white, includes an additional shelf behind the door for keeping extra supplies and towels nearby. Available on Wayfair; $75.99.

Limit the Light

The light surrounding your vanity needs to be reasonably bright for daily shaving and beauty regimens, but you don’t need the same brightness when soaking in the tub. Replace the lights in your bathroom with GE LED+ Color bulbs. The remote-control operated bulbs have 10 different color settings—two white temperature colors in soft white and daylight, and eight RGB vivid color settings—so you can always set the right mood. Available on Amazon; $16.89.

Comfort Yourself with Cotton

A simple upgrade of your bath towels can impart the plush luxuries of a spa experience every time you step out of the tub or shower. Hammam Linen towels, which are used in many hotels, have excellent absorbency and superior loft. Made of 100% Turkish cotton, the large towels get softer and fluffier with each wash. Available on Amazon; $38.99.

Add Comfort Underfoot

Replace the traditional bath mat in favor of an area rug or runner, like this one by Ruggable. The floor covering is stain resistant, water repellent, and machine washable, making it a fantastic choice for the bathroom. Available at The Home Depot; $104.78.

Bring in Some Plants

Another easy way to add natural elements to your bathroom? Bring in a few houseplants. Varieties like aloe vera, ferns, and pathos are just a few types of houseplants that thrive in the bathroom, thanks to the high humidity inside the space. On top of that, they act as air purifiers. Place them around the tub, by the toilet, or even inside the shower. Available on Amazon; $29.99 for four-pack clean air collection plants.

Try a Little Opulence

Like the Roman baths of centuries ago, stone continues to add a richness to the modern bath. Retiling a bathroom is a messy and expensive project, but you can change the look of your bathroom with peel-and-stick tiles. MSI’s Natural Stone Peel & Stick Mosaic Tile is a mix of soft neutral shades and textures. Use it as a new backsplash behind the sink or wrap it around the base of your tub. Available on Wayfair; $13.26 per square foot.

Create a Mood

Spas don’t use basic light fixtures, so why should you? Replace your vanity lighting with a choice that fits the atmosphere you want to create in your bathroom. You can even take it a step further by installing a chandelier, like this mini antique chandelier from The Home Depot. Available on The Home Depot; $144.16.

Throw in Some Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are packed with oils to moisturize your skin and soothe your senses. Over-the-top bath bombs, like the ones from Lush, are an explosion of colors (and sometimes sparkles) for your bath experience. But fear not if you don’t want to take a bath in glitter, Dr. Teal’s Replenishing Pink Himalayan Ultra Moisturizing Bath Bombs provides the same replenishing benefits without changing the color of the water. Available at Target; $4.99.

Store in Style

Keep your toiletries on the counter, but display them in attractive glass jars. The Apothecary Glass Storage Bottles by Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia are available in 125 ml, 500 ml, and 1000 ml sizes for fitting all your needs, from cotton swabs to bath salts. Available on Target; $2.99 and up.

Choose Chic Accessories

Replace plastic soap and lotion bottles with glass or ceramic dispensers, like this set from Target. No one will be able to tell the difference if you’re using drug store brand soap or a fancy spa one. Available at Target; $19.99 for two.

Change the Mirror

Part of the spa experience is the immaculate decor. Switch the builder-grade wall mirror in your bathroom for a modern one. This circular mirror is adaptable to different interior styles and is available in four finishes. Available at Target; $59.99.

Related: How To: Remove a Wall Mirror