Turn Ordinary in to Extraordinary: Creating a Home Spa

Colors play an important role on our subconscious; they stimulate, invigorate and relax our bodies, spirit and mind. Natural earth tones such as greens, beige, and brown can help you feel grounded. Bright lively colors like orange, yellow, blue-greens help to center and relax the weary, tired mind.Use this guide to creating a home spa and you'll be sure to get a homemade relaxing retreat you'll love and cherish.

Creating the mood

Using a low gloss, satin base paint that is mildew resistant is an inexpensive choice, however wall tiles endure time. Choosing pastel blues accented with sandy browns can create a beach cottage feel. For a forest grotto style, try muted greens, subtle browns and beige accents. In a more traditional spa feel white and lavender are neutral and relaxing. Colorful candles and exotic scented air fresheners help bring the colors and smells together.

The Shower

You don't have to be a plumber to change out the shower head in the stall. With a wrench you can take off the old shower head. There are several different heads you can choose from. Rain drop, over size heads, or a double head is a practical low cost way to reinvent your shower and bath. You can install an extension pipe with a "Y" connection on to the original fixture; this will enable you to install a fixed shower head with a detachable wand for easy rinsing or the use of a massaging shower wand. If you're in the market for re-tiling the shower stall there are several choices of tiles to choose from, to match your budget and color scheme. Scented soaps help balance the mood.

Sinks and countertops

Depending on the amount of space you have in the bathroom you may only have a sink with no counter space. A solution to the small bathroom is placing a basin caddy cornered. Placing the sink in the corner will offer more room for an extended counter top, with storage underneath. To do this may require the use of a plumber or just a couple of extra- long pipes under the sink basin. On top you can choose any medium for your countertop. Faux granite which is durable and attractive is a popular choice. Formica is a more cost effective choice and sometimes comes in pre-cut dimensions ready to install. With the addition of a wall mounted soap dispenser, you can eliminate counter top clutter. Installing a crane necked facet will give the sink a sleek look and makes washing hands and faces easier.

Accessories

Keeping it simple fosters a relaxed environment. Living plants create an organic feel and cleans the air. Wall mounted towel racks make easy access, eliminating drawer clutter with bins or baskets is also another way to stay organized. To remove bottle clutter in the shower install an inexpensive soap dispenser on the wall inside the shower.

The lighting for the bathroom should be natural and reflective. Using track lighting is an efficient way to produce direct and indirect lighting and is easy to install. Enlarging the window size or replacing the window space with glass blocks will allow more natural light in. Last, choosing a sent for the bathroom that sends you away is simple. Reed diffusers, candles and essential oil diffusers are a good buy and come in a variety of scents, lavender, sandalwood, vanilla, clean cotton etc. Wall applications using trees, birds or one word, "RELAX" is one more way to transform the bathroom to a serene environment that you will want to return to again and again.