Few things relax and soothe me quite like a spa day. When I’m looking for the ultimate pampering experience, I book some time at the Peninsula Chicago Spa — where I’m instantly transported to a world of complete and utter serenity. As much as I’d like to visit the Peninsula every day, sadly I can’t, which is why it’s crucial to have a space at home that offers that same feeling of tranquility and escape. 

When I design bathrooms for my clients, I always look back to my favorite spas for inspiration. While I can’t offer an in-home masseuse, I can provide materials, amenities, and sensory elements that mimic those at your favorite wellness retreat.

Of course, I love a facial and a massage, but so much of the magic at a spa can be found beyond the treatment menu. It’s important to me to feel connected to the aesthetics of a space and to know and feel that the materials, and even the linens, I’m surrounded by are of the highest quality. It’s hard to feel stressed when you’re in a fluffy robe and slippers! Wellness and beauty products also offer so much in terms of creating a full spa experience — it’s always a treat to use new, cutting-edge serums and oils.

Thankfully, so many of these elements can be replicated at home…

When a client tells me they want to pull out all the stops and create a true spa at home, we first begin with what experiences they’d like to create. For a project in the Hamptons, we built an in-home sauna and soaking tub — the perfect additions to a space made for getting away from the city. Other more prominent elements could include a cold plunge pool, steam shower, red-light sauna, and even a fireplace.

Once we determine the experiences we’d like to build out, we look next to materials. Materials hold the key to luxury, so you can never get too granular when it comes to choosing stone, tile, hardware, and linens. I love to incorporate natural stone, airy curtains, and high-end towels — I mean, imagine getting out of your sauna only to slip on the floor and reach for a subpar towel. The details are what take an experience from so-so to true luxury.

Even when space or budgetary constraints prevent a client from creating a full home spa, there’s still plenty we can do to add tranquility. Even a smaller shower can be turned into a rain shower, which offers a super relaxing cleansing experience. An over-the-tub bath tray makes your soak feel more luxurious, and a towel warmer makes getting out of the shower on chilly winter mornings much more enjoyable. If your home looks out onto a wooded lot or private body of water, a large window can make a great addition —  I’m all about bringing the outside in!

Once again, I can’t stress the importance of materials and products enough. Quality linens, lotions, and potions can make even a small bathroom feel like a treatment room at the Peninsula.

Even the most beautiful sauna in the world can’t compete with bad lighting. Dim lighting encourages us to slow down and take a deep breath — so I recommend all bathrooms feature dimmable overhead lighting. You may need bright lights for your morning hair and makeup routine, but an evening bath should be experienced with low lighting and plenty of candles. I know overhead lighting often gets a bad reputation, but there are tons of beautiful options, including chandeliers and pendants. If a skylight is accessible to you, that’s another fantastic way to create a sense of relaxation — there’s no better feeling than natural sunlight streaming down on you.