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Collection by Isla Wright

Creating an Outdoor Luxury Spa at Home

There is no denying that we are living in a chaotic world that keeps us running from one side to another, deprives us of having time for ourselves and alienates us from nature which is a foolproof stress-reliever. Some people are not battling that at all, while others are practicing meditation or regular visits to spa centers. However, not all of us can afford daily visits to spas and some people just aren’t fans of meditation. Also, spa centers don’t quite solve the alienation from the nature problem. What can you do then? Well, you can create your own outdoor spa that will solve all of these problems at once. Here’s how.

Make it private

The last thing you want is to be relaxing in your backyard while your nosy neighbors are watching the whole thing – that’s not at all relaxing. Select the area of your backyard where you will create your cozy zone and use lush greenery (bushes, hedges, etc.), pergolas and other shade solutions, and/or grapevine trellis. Some of the best privacy plants for screening your backyard are bamboo, cacti, boxwood, Italian buckthorn, privet and arborvitae, just check out decoist.com . At the same time, these plants will create a vivid backdrop for the place where you reconnect with nature.

Add some more plants

One can never get enough plants in the backyard, especially if they are meant for bringing serenity to your mind. Plants in containers are also a handy way to zone the space where you will create your luxury spa. So, ward off the blues and banish the stress with plants like sunflowers, chamomile, lavender, evening primrose and St. John’s Wort. Also, succulents are very nice and resilient. Palm trees will make you feel like you’re in some sort of tropical resort.

Set up your centerpiece

No spa would be complete without a pool. Outdoor spa pools are usually placed above the ground, and they look best when their exterior is coated with natural materials such as wood. They are available in various sizes, from two to twelve seats, and some of them are even large enough to swim in them. When searching for a spa pool, look for ergonomic design, hydrotherapy seats and soothing jets, for the maximum pleasure. Spa pools that meet all these qualities can be found on instylepoolsandspas.com.au website.

Rinse off in the sun

Having an outdoor shower is very convenient if you want to wash up after taking a bath in your amazing spa pool. The shower can also serve as a design element if you incorporate it in the environment well. In this case, it would be good to install a showerhead on a wooden or stone surface to keep things natural. You can also add features like seating in the shower, brick wall screen, etc. You can also get a pressurized shower head to get the actual spa feel.

Lights on

Lighting plays an important role in the ambiance of your outdoor spa, especially if you like soaking in your spa pool in the evening. Now, we all know that candlelight is the best option for spas, but if you are going to use candles, it is important to keep them away from water or high above the pool. Also, if you are using candles, you can opt for the scented ones to get the benefits of aromatherapy. Solar lamps, lanterns and string lights can also be an interesting option.

Lay down and chill

Even if you don’t have someone to give you a full-body massage after soaking in the pool, simply lying down and unwinding can be an incredible and regenerating experience. Make sure to make it even better by creating a true mini spa lying area. Install a canopy way up from the ceiling of your pergola or other shade solution to make the space look soft and gentle. You can hang a chandelier or lantern in the middle of the ceiling. Set up a massage bed (or any narrow bed) cover it in a white sheet (organic fabrics only) and enjoy yourself.

Add a little extra

If you have finished with all the previous steps, your outdoor spa is basically over. All you need to do now is to take it a step further. You can do that with soothing music, incense sticks, a place to sit and drink tea and read books/magazines, washbowl for feet-relaxing treatment and various products that could contribute to your experience.
Stress is an enemy that is hard to confront, especially if it visits you on a daily basis. Your own outdoor luxury spa is just the ally you need to defeat it.

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In Palm Springs, Sander Architects created an energy-efficient hybrid prefab home that’s designed to stay naturally cool in the desert heat, which often climbs to triple digits in the summer.
In Palm Springs, Sander Architects created an energy-efficient hybrid prefab home that’s designed to stay naturally cool in the desert heat, which often climbs to triple digits in the summer.
“Exposing the craft and detail of the materials was a key part of the design,” Flato notes. The texture of the house, he says, can be observed in the concrete retaining wall for the lap pool.
“Exposing the craft and detail of the materials was a key part of the design,” Flato notes. The texture of the house, he says, can be observed in the concrete retaining wall for the lap pool.
The architects discreetly sunk a pool into the roof terrace of the old corral. In order to shade part of the terrace, the architects designed a freestanding sun shelter. So as not to damage the outer walls of the old building, a galvanized-steel frame is secured to the terrace floor. A bamboo-reed covering projects a soft, filtered light onto the outdoor living area below.
The architects discreetly sunk a pool into the roof terrace of the old corral. In order to shade part of the terrace, the architects designed a freestanding sun shelter. So as not to damage the outer walls of the old building, a galvanized-steel frame is secured to the terrace floor. A bamboo-reed covering projects a soft, filtered light onto the outdoor living area below.
To most eyes, Ezequiel Farca’s 1970s-style concrete home in Mexico City looked like a teardown. Even the lot itself—shallow and crammed against a steep hillside—wasn’t particularly alluring. But Farca saw through all the restraints to create a spa-like refuge in one of the world’s most energetic cities. "It’s is such a hectic place. You’re bombarded by so much information the moment you step into the streets," says Farca, who first gained prominence as a furniture and interior designer. "So we envisioned this house as a retreat, a kind of a temple." The rooftop courtyard is lined with a verdant mix of indigenous plants, including banana trees, palm trees, lion’s claw, Mexican breadfruit, and native vines. The chaise longues were designed for Farca’s EF Collection.
To most eyes, Ezequiel Farca’s 1970s-style concrete home in Mexico City looked like a teardown. Even the lot itself—shallow and crammed against a steep hillside—wasn’t particularly alluring. But Farca saw through all the restraints to create a spa-like refuge in one of the world’s most energetic cities. "It’s is such a hectic place. You’re bombarded by so much information the moment you step into the streets," says Farca, who first gained prominence as a furniture and interior designer. "So we envisioned this house as a retreat, a kind of a temple." The rooftop courtyard is lined with a verdant mix of indigenous plants, including banana trees, palm trees, lion’s claw, Mexican breadfruit, and native vines. The chaise longues were designed for Farca’s EF Collection.
@mon_palmer: A decision to change our sliding door to steel bifold windows opened up a completely new option as to how we could design our garden. The before and afters are dramatically different.
@mon_palmer: A decision to change our sliding door to steel bifold windows opened up a completely new option as to how we could design our garden. The before and afters are dramatically different.
Their property features an abundance of local flora and fauna. “We have deer that come from Griffith Park through our garden,” Judith says.
Their property features an abundance of local flora and fauna. “We have deer that come from Griffith Park through our garden,” Judith says.
The back of the home glows at night as the giant, two-story glass doors swing open to remove the barrier between inside and out. A polished concrete patio deck and pool, along with a simple block perimeter wall, make smart use of available materials. The pool acts as a passive conditioning tool, cooling air before it enters the house. The block wall is positioned 31 inches from the house, creating a gap or "air chimney" that allows air to circulate up and away from the home, while simultaneously letting light filter down.
The back of the home glows at night as the giant, two-story glass doors swing open to remove the barrier between inside and out. A polished concrete patio deck and pool, along with a simple block perimeter wall, make smart use of available materials. The pool acts as a passive conditioning tool, cooling air before it enters the house. The block wall is positioned 31 inches from the house, creating a gap or "air chimney" that allows air to circulate up and away from the home, while simultaneously letting light filter down.
Ryan Anderson of RAD Furniture designed the stools as well as the table and benches on the pool deck.
Ryan Anderson of RAD Furniture designed the stools as well as the table and benches on the pool deck.
New pine and spruce wood from the Pyrenees (both recyclable and PEFC certified) were selected for the façade of the 1,000-square-foot prefab. Smart blinds cover the windows, rigged to open and close depending on the weather forecast.
New pine and spruce wood from the Pyrenees (both recyclable and PEFC certified) were selected for the façade of the 1,000-square-foot prefab. Smart blinds cover the windows, rigged to open and close depending on the weather forecast.