We all know the feeling: the post-vacation blues. You come home from a relaxing getaway, and suddenly, the laundry pile looks taller, the emails seem endless, and the magic of room service feels like a distant memory. But what if you didn’t have to wait for your next PTO approval to feel that sense of ease and luxury? What if your own home could rival a five-star resort?
Transforming your daily environment isn’t just about expensive renovations; it’s about curating an atmosphere of relaxation and indulgence. By making small, intentional changes to your routine and your space, you can capture that “vacation mode” feeling every single evening. Here are seven ways to turn your home into the ultimate staycation destination.
1. Upgrade Your Sleeping Sanctuary
The centerpiece of any great hotel room is the bed. There is nothing quite like sinking into crisp, high-thread-count sheets on a supportive, cloud-like mattress after a long day of sightseeing. To replicate this at home, you need to invest in your sleep setup. Start with the basics: high-quality linens. Look for percale or sateen cotton sheets that feel cool against the skin. Layer on a plush duvet and plenty of pillows—both firm ones for reading and soft ones for sleeping.
However, the foundation is key. If you are tossing and turning, no amount of thread count will save you. You might need to evaluate your current setup. If you happen to be looking for a new mattress in Salt Lake City, or anywhere else for that matter, prioritize finding one that supports your specific sleep style. A truly restorative night’s sleep is the quickest way to feel like you’re waking up in paradise, ready to tackle the day with vacation-level energy.
2. Master the Art of Lighting
Hotels never rely on a single, harsh overhead light. They master the art of “mood lighting” to create ambiance. To get this look at home, banish the “big light” in the evenings. Instead, rely on layers of soft, warm illumination. Use floor lamps to cast a glow in corners, table lamps for reading, and candles for a flickering, intimate feel.
Installing dimmer switches is a game-changer, allowing you to adjust the brightness to match your activity—bright for cooking, dim for dining. Smart bulbs are another excellent option; you can program them to shift to warmer, golden tones as the sun sets, mimicking the natural circadian rhythm and signaling to your body that it’s time to unwind. This simple shift in lighting instantly lowers your cortisol levels and signals your brain that the workday is officially over.
3. Indulge in Spa-Level Scents
Scent is a powerful trigger for memory and emotion. High-end resorts often pump signature scents through their lobbies to create an immediate sense of calm. You can borrow this trick by establishing a “signature scent” for your evening routine. This helps create a sensory boundary between the stress of the day and your relaxation time.
Use an essential oil diffuser with calming blends like lavender, eucalyptus, or sandalwood. Alternatively, light a high-quality soy wax candle in your living room or bathroom. You can even use linen sprays on your pillows before bed. By consistently using a specific fragrance during your downtime, you train your brain to associate that smell with relaxation, instantly transporting you to a mental state of vacation bliss.
4. Elevate Your Bath Routine
In a busy week, a shower is often just a utilitarian necessity. On vacation, it’s an event. Reclaim your bathroom as a private spa. It doesn’t require a Jacuzzi tub; it just requires intention. Swap out your mismatched towels for fluffy, oversized bath sheets that wrap you in comfort. Invest in a plush bathrobe and slippers to wear while you get ready for bed.
Enhance the water experience with bath salts, bubble bath, or shower steamers that release therapeutic aromas in the steam. Play some soft, ambient music—think acoustic guitar or nature sounds—while you soak. Even taking an extra five minutes to exfoliate or apply a luxurious body oil can make a standard Tuesday night feel like a Saturday at a thermal spa.
5. Curate a “Room Service” Menu
One of the best parts of traveling is the food. While you can’t snap your fingers for a gourmet meal to appear at your door (unless you count food delivery apps), you can elevate your dinner routine. Stop eating out of takeout containers or standing over the sink. Treat dinner as an occasion.
Set the table with real napkins and your nice dishes. Pour your beverage of choice into proper glassware—whether that’s a vintage wine or sparkling water with a slice of lime. Plan a few “theme nights” inspired by favorite destinations: Tacos and margaritas for a Mexican vibe, or pasta and red wine for an Italian escape. The act of plating your food beautifully and sitting down to savor it changes the meal from a chore into an experience.
6. Create a Digital Sunset
On vacation, we often disconnect from our devices to be present in the moment. At home, however, we tend to doom-scroll until our eyes shut. To truly capture that getaway vibe, implement a “digital sunset.” Pick a time—say, one hour before bed—where all screens go off.
Replace the blue light of your phone or TV with analog activities. Read a physical book, work on a puzzle, journal, or simply listen to music or a podcast. This disconnect allows your mind to decompress without the constant influx of notifications and news. It fosters the kind of mental quietude that we usually travel thousands of miles to find.
7. Designate a Relaxation Zone
Finally, dedicate a specific corner of your home to leisure. In a hotel, there is often a reading chair by the window or a balcony set up for lounging. Look at your own space: do you have a spot that is strictly for relaxing, not working or paying bills?
It could be a cozy armchair with a soft throw blanket, a window seat with a view of the garden, or even a meditation cushion in a quiet corner. Keep this area free of clutter and “to-do” lists. When you sit in this spot, it’s a physical signal to yourself that you are “off the clock.” Having a dedicated physical space for leisure helps protect your mental space for relaxation.
Turning your home into a luxurious, vacation-worthy sanctuary is an act of self-care. It’s about being intentional with your environment and your routines, recognizing that you deserve the same level of comfort and rejuvenation that you seek out when traveling. By upgrading your sleeping sanctuary, mastering ambient lighting, indulging your senses with spa-level scents, elevating your bathing and dining routines, setting boundaries with a digital sunset, and designating a relaxation zone, you stop waiting for the next escape. You create it right where you are. Start small tonight, and you might just find that the best place to recharge is the place you already call home.