Design Your Own Wellness Retreat at Home—No Travel Required

In a world that rarely slows down, cultivating a sense of calm at home has become more important than ever. Through intentional design and mindful rituals, even the most ordinary corners of your home can become spaces of renewal.

“Creating a wellness retreat at home means more than just designing a beautiful space, it’s about truly disconnecting from external stimulation to reconnect with yourself,” says Anna Pierzak, the spa director at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa.

Wellness experts agree that designing a personal sanctuary begins with self-awareness of your senses, routines, and the environment: “Start with the spaces where you already feel at ease,” suggests Veronica Schreibeis Smith, the founder and CEO of Vera Iconica, a leading eco-architectural firm.

Whether you’re drawn to the serenity of a spa-like bathroom, a quiet meditation corner, or a wellness-enhancing feature like an infrared sauna or cold plunge tub, the goal is the same—to design with intention and foster reconnection. As Karine Valdenaire, the spa manager at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, explains, “At home, small sensory choices can make all the difference, transforming familiar spaces into moments of calm.”

In fact, carefully crafted home wellness retreats can provide many of the same benefits as traditional retreats without the time, cost, or travel.

“A well-designed retreat provides the external structure for what is ultimately an inside job—balancing the mind, body, and spirit for optimum health and happiness,” says Jim Cahill, the mindset guide at Sensei Lana’i.

Ahead, experts reveal their best tips for transforming your home into a serene, spa-worthy retreat.

Carve Out a Space for Stillness

A meditation corner doesn’t need to be large; what matters most is that it feels personal, peaceful, and inviting. Each moment spent there, whether for a few deep breaths or a full meditation, becomes an act of restoration and presence.

“Remember, the act of creating the space mindfully is part of the ritual itself,” says Traci Ainge, the director of spa and wellness at Mila Moursi Spa at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

A simple setup with a soft cushion, candle, essential oil diffuser, or healing stones like rose quartz can amplify feelings of calm.

Joy Gosser, the spa director at L’Auberge de Sedona, recommends starting slowly and letting your space evolve naturally. “Begin with a few items that bring peace, like a wellness book or diffuser, introducing one piece at a time to see how it feels,” she says. “The goal is a space that makes you feel grounded, not overwhelmed.”

“Transform a reading nook or window seat into a meditation area, or use a screen for privacy, then incorporate multi-functional furniture like a storage ottoman to keep the space clutter-free,” suggests Smith.

Look for quiet, low-traffic areas with natural light and good ventilation. “Ideally this should be near windows or outdoor views,” says Tamara Brnelic, the director of spa and wellness, Botanic Sanctuary Hotel and Spa. “You can also consult Feng Shui books to help guide you to a space that promotes harmony and positive energy flow.”

Integrate Technology to Enhance Relaxation

When used intentionally, technology can become a bridge to better health, offering tools and resources without overpowering the calm and focus of a home wellness retreat. Technology can automate lighting, sound, and scent to create a calming environment.

“Guided meditation apps, smart lighting systems, and aromatherapy diffusers with timers can greatly enhance wellness, as can devices like massage guns or red-light therapy panels,” says Ainge. Audiobooks with soothing narration help sleep, while apps like Calm and Soundscape provide music and ambient noise to promote relaxation.

“Using activated carbon systems for whole-home air purification, as well as HEPA filtration helps maintain fresh air,” says Brnelic.

“The key is letting technology support your wellness goals—not distract from them,” says Penny Kriel, the corporate director of spa & wellness at Salamander Collection.

Cahill agrees, and offers a cautionary note. “Technology can be useful, but it should remain simple,” he says. “The unique experiences of a retreat—at home or elsewhere—are enhanced by contrast to everyday life. Excess technology can distract rather than support mindfulness.”

Find Calm Through Color

Color influences how we feel, with the right shade reducing stress and creating a space that feels genuinely restorative.

“Color can profoundly impact the nervous system, influencing both energy and emotional balance,” says Ainge. “Soft, nature-inspired shades like sage, sand, muted blues, and warm taupes evoke tranquility and a sense of grounding.”

Valdenaire agrees, noting, “Colors like these reflect the natural world and evoke calm. Incorporating them through artwork, textiles, or decorative accents can make your home feel balanced and peaceful.”

“I always encourage the use of natural materials and tones, such as limestone, terracotta, clay, and taupe,” says Greg Blee, the co-founder of Blee Halligan Architects. “They’re softer on the eye and more dynamic under daylight, creating warmth and coziness.”

As for colors to avoid, Blee takes a nuanced view. “One of the most beautiful and calming interiors I’ve ever seen used bright pinks and gold leaf—there really are no off-limit colors. It’s all about how you use them. [Be] thoughtful about reflection, light, and how the interior evolves throughout the day to create a sense of harmony.”

Use Light to Energize and Calm

Lighting profoundly influences mood, energy, and natural rhythms. “The more your lighting echoes natural sunlight and its positioning, the gentler it is on your nervous system,” notes Smith. “Warm, dimmable lighting is the most conducive to relaxation.”

“A mix of task, accent, and ambient lighting gives you the flexibility to set the mood throughout the day,” says Gosser.

Allow Scent to Set the Mood

Scent has the power to influence mood, memory, and emotion in ways that few other design elements can. “Essential oils have been used for thousands of years to enhance mood, boost focus, and encourage relaxation,” says Smith. “To invigorate your nervous system in the morning, try rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, or peppermint, and to calm the body in the evening, lavender, bergamot, or clary sage work beautifully. Pay attention to how your body responds—it will tell you what it needs.”

What feels soothing for one person may be energizing for another. “The key is selecting scents that resonate with you and support your wellness goals,” says Nikki Miller, the director of Kohler Waters Spa.

Let Sound Shape Your Sanctuary

Sound has the power to quiet the mind and guide the body into deeper relaxation. Soft instrumental music, nature sounds, binaural beats, and crystal bowl frequencies work beautifully at home. “The goal is for sound to blend seamlessly into your environment rather than dominate it,” says Valdenaire.

Experts recommend integrating sound therapy into meditation areas, bathrooms, bedrooms, or outdoor patios using portable speakers or sound machines for an immersive yet subtle effect.

“Choose specific sound frequencies, ideally between 432 and 528 hertz—the unit of frequency that measures cycles per second—which have been scientifically shown to calm the nervous system,” says Pierzak. “Paired with mindful breathing, sound therapy can become one of the easiest and most accessible tools for achieving profound calm at home.”

Use Natural Elements to Bring the Outdoors In

Bringing elements from nature into your home is one of the simplest ways to nurture well-being.

“Organic features like greenery, natural textures, and flowing water ground a space and connect us to nature, supporting our physical and mental well-being,” says Gosser.

Start with low-maintenance plants like succulents or air plants, then add a small tabletop fountain. A green wall can become a stunning focal point in a room while also improving air quality, reduce stress, and boost mood.

“You can also incorporate materials like wood, stone, or bamboo for warmth and texture,” suggests Daniel Garcia Hessen, the spa director at Alma Spa at Almare.

“Artwork featuring nature scenes can have a powerful grounding effect, and using similar color palettes and textures both inside and out helps create a seamless flow,” adds Kriel.

Bring Spa Rituals Home

The bathroom provides the perfect opportunity to turn a daily routine into a restorative act. With intention and attention to detail, it can become a personal retreat—a sanctuary to unwind and reconnect with yourself.

“Plush towels, soft lighting, calming scents, soothing music, and a touch of greenery instantly elevate the experience,” says Ainge.

“A sculptural side table or valet beside your tub can beautifully display bath salts, essential oils, candles, and a small speaker for music,” adds Smith.

If space allows, consider adding a sauna or transforming your shower into an aromatherapy steam room. Even a simple bath can become a cold plunge—just add ice.

Hessen notes, “Shower heads with essential oil cartridges can turn daily routines into moments of rejuvenation, or simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the corner of your shower so it slowly diffuses as the water runs, filling the space with your favorite scent.”