Turn your bathroom into a spa for under $500

At the end of a long day or a particularly stressful week, there's nothing more appealing than the idea of pampering yourselve with a relaxing trip to the spa. However with many budgets being tightened, this expensive luxury is not a reality on a regular basis. Thankfully, there are affordable ways to get a spa-like experience in your very own home.

Achieving the serenity you desire is simple. If you follow a few basic interior design principles and pick up a few inexpensive spa essentials, you'll be well on your way to creating a tranquil haven in your own home. The following tricks and tips will help you turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa for less than $500.

Clear the clutter.

The first step to creating a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom is to get rid of the clutter. All the lotion, face wash, makeup, blow dryers, curling irons and other bathroom products need to be organized and put away. Clear surfaces are essential to achieving the calm and relaxing atmosphere of a spa.

Get the supplies.

You'll need to pick up several varieties of soothing bath salts and scented bath bubbles. In addition, you'll want to have a CD player or iPod equipped with your favorite soothing tunes, and perhaps a new magazine or book if you enjoy unwinding with some reading material.

Consider purchasing a bath tub reading rack that will allow you to store a book or magazine, a beverage and other essentials close by without having to worry about them getting wet. Refreshing mineral water or a glass of wine are great beverage choices.

After your bath it is essential to have:

* A soft rug to step onto

* Fluffy towels to dry off with

* A plush spa robe and pair of slippers to put on

Your body will thank you for the extra special treatment, and you can find reasonable prices on all these products. Spas often provide warm towels for extra comfort; you can achieve this by buying a towel warmer that can be mounted on your wall or simply by putting your towel in the dryer while you're in the bath.

Set the mood

Colors can really help to create or enhance a mood. Choose a soothing color like a gentle blue, pastel green or pale lilac for your walls. The next step is to accent your counters with a few color-coordinated decorations. Scented candles are a must for any spa environment - aromatherapy scents are popular for their calming, therapeutic qualities and their soft glow is particularly relaxing. Pretty containers of bath beads or colored stones are also a nice touch. If you find yourself really enjoying decorating your new home spa, you may want to consider taking a few interior design classes. These classes can expose you to tactics and principles that will take your interior decorating to the next level.

Lay back, relax and enjoy

You can customize your spa experience to meet your needs, but keep in mind a few tips that will make it as relaxing and soothing as possible:

* Give yourself a pre-bath facial you can make right at home. Combine 3 tablespoons of honey, 1/3 cup of oats and 2 teaspoons of peppermint tea. Spread the mixture on your face, lay back and enjoy.

* Dim the lights or turn them off completely and light a few of your aromatherapy candles. The warm glow and soothing scents will help create a calming atmosphere.

* Create a bubbling whirlpool in your bathtub. Conair's Dual-Jet Spa Bath fits over the side of the tub and whips the water into a soothing whirlpool. If you prefer the feeling of air jets, the HoMedics Massaging Bubble Mat fills the water with thousands of bubbles. Don't forget to fill your bath with warm water, bath salts and bath bubbles for a soothing experience that will satisfy all your senses.

The key to creating the perfect spa experience is to give yourself time to enjoy it. Set aside 30 minutes and let everyone in the house know not to bother you. Bask in the calming atmosphere you've created and allow yourself to enjoy this pampering, in-home spa experience. Lay back, relax and enjoy knowing that unwinding at the end of a stressful week is now as easy as stepping into your bathroom.

Information in this article was provided by the International Academy of Design %26 Technology - Orlando. Contact IADT - Orlando today if you're interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills through its interior design training or another one of its industry-current degree programs. (IADT - Orlando does not guarantee employment or salary.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent