Unwind like Gwyneth Paltrow with an at-home spa, including infrared saunas, red-light panels and lymphatic drainage boots

It seems that Paltrow isn’t the only one spa-ing at home. Wellness rooms are trending as more women are taking the concept of self-care one step further and designing sanctuaries where they can escape, unwind and rejuvenate.

“The previous notion of wellness treatments being perceived as luxurious and pampering has evolved. People understand the long-term benefits of both consistency and commitment, and the most time-conscious and economical way to enjoy these treatments consistently is in the comfort of your home,” says Emma Maclean, founder of interior design studio Emma Maclean & Co.

Spa-worthy bathrooms aren’t exactly a new concept. Since the pandemic, people have upgraded their spaces to offer more than just grooming or pampering by investing in state-of-the-art amenities ranging from steam and jet showers to whirlpool baths.

But with a new-found focus on longevity, the wellness industry has released a new range of must-have products that can bring these health benefits to the privacy of your home.

“My doctor kept on telling me how I would benefit from daily saunas so I finally decided to install one at home just because it was more convenient and becoming more common,” says wellness fan and mother of two Hannah Au.

“I found some ready-to-install options, but I also wanted to include Himalayan salt bricks for the added health benefits and the look, so in the end we were able to customise it. I use it frequently,” she says.

Saunas – preferably infrared ones – aren’t the only items that are trending. New must-haves include everything from cold plunge ice baths and red-light panels to hyperbaric oxygen chambers, lymphatic drainage boots and crystal mats.

With so much to choose from, it could mean that designing your “haven of relaxation” can have the opposite effect.