How to create a private 'spa' in your own home

By Krys Stefansky
The Virginian-Pilot

Be nice to yourself.

Even if there's no money for a big, self-indulgent splurge, it's easy and inexpensive to turn your home bath into a luxurious spa - perfect for beating the winter blues or a "just because" pick-me-up.

Those in the know gave us a few tips that'll change an ordinary bathroom into a private retreat where even the most stressed-out bather can savor precious relaxation and rejuvenation.

Start with a fresh coat of paint or accessories in restful hues.

"Light tones," suggested Ed Waseleski, spa associate and therapist at Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. Health Center & Spa at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. "Blues are generally for calmness, green for peace."

Then, he said, set a gentle theme. For an Asian-inspired mood, add a small bonsai tree, anything made of bamboo or something made of unadorned wood, like a simple mat or stool. Or, to establish a relaxing beach theme, add shells or sea glass collected for free on an ocean stroll. Display some in a shallow bowl, or set a single large shell on the counter.

Even a tabletop water fountain is handy. It creates white noise, soothes the senses and sets the mood.

Choose calming music.

"I'd suggest anything by Steven Halpern or another group called Liquid Mind," Waseleski said. "These are two of my favorites. It's instrumental music. Or Hemi-Sync CDs. They also put you in that relaxation mode."

Control the bathroom light.

"It's not that hard to change out a light switch and put a dimmer in," said Cindy Moncrief-Lape from Flowering Almond Spa at The Founders Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach. "Sometimes, with candlelight, it's a little too dark, and safety is an issue as well."

Moncrief-Lape said a bathroom with its own temperature control is ideal. She also suggested guaranteeing uninterrupted privacy.

"Have a lock on the bathroom door so your kids don't come in," she said, "or pay a baby-sitter or trade with your neighbor: 'Tuesday will be my bath day; Thursday will be yours.' "

Then, address the tub and shower.

Get a massaging shower head from the hardware store, and if the tub is not jetted, add movement to the water with a purchased bubble mat from a bath store or effervescent bath tablets that create suds or fizz.

Choose those scented additions carefully.

"Test out the scent of the soap you're going to use," Moncrief-Lape said. "Just because the lady at the counter said it would relax you doesn't mean it will. Remember that citrus scents invigorate. Lavender, ylang ylang and sandalwood - those relax."

In the tub, she went on, is a great time to put an oil treatment in your hair or get a facial with a mask.

Moncrief-Lape also likes putting bath accessories - a scented candle, eye pillow, manicure and pedicure supplies, exfoliants - in a special basket, making it easy to whisk "spa time" items safely in and out of a bathroom shared with curious children.

It's also nice to treat yourself to an oversized towel that signals "spa time."

"It's Pavlovian," Moncrief-Lape said. "You see it and think, 'Oh, my great big towel.' That could be your one big luxury."

Men enjoy bath time pampering, too, said Atoosa Nikzad, chief operating officer for Norfolk's Jake's Place, Men's Barbering Lounge & Spa, a division of Changes Hairstyling and City Spa. The spa, which caters to guys, offers manly twists on spa treatments with a menu of services titled "Ten Toe Touchdown" and "Wall Street Express Facial."

To create a bathroom where a man enjoys unwinding, Nikzad said, have essential oils on hand.

"You can just sprinkle a little oil in the bottom of the tub or shower, and you have a steam room all to yourself," she said. "The fragrant steam is good for your sinuses. It can also make a big difference in a shave because it moisturizes the skin."

Olbas oil is the top choice at Jake's.

To create a nice soak in the tub, Nikzad suggested Epsom salts.

"It'll make a huge difference in how you feel when you get out," he said.

Another tub-time trick? Run hot water, then add three cups of cider vinegar, said Rhonnie Smith, owner of Totally Pampered Day Spa in Olde Towne Portsmouth.

"That helps to pull the toxins from the body and helps get rid of any type of muscle soreness," Smith said. "And it helps you sleep better so you wake up feeling refreshed."

She highly recommends one bath accessory. "You need a bath pillow so you can sink down into the water and let the water caress your body."

Her musical choice is anything by Enya.

"She's nice and relaxing," Smith said, "or anything with nature sounds or the sounds of the ocean. Something to soothe the soul."

And isn't that what serendipitous spa time is all about?

Krys Stefansky, (757) 446-2043, krys.stefansky@pilotonline.com