Bring the Spa Experience to Your Backyard

March 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Nearly everyone feels the effects of stress building up in their life.  What’s the antidote?  Experts suggest finding healthy ways to relieve tension such as creating opportunities for personal down time.  Outfitting a home and backyard with select elements found in a fancy, five-star resort spa can offer a convenient solution.  Making the changes to your home may be easier than you think.

“People are more exhausted than ever and we see customers come into our store every day seeking relief from the pressures of work and family,” said Dale Port of Mirage Spa, a Sundance spas dealer.  “Many are drawn to the idea of creating a backyard oasis that can serve as an escape.  While designing a backyard spa experience may seem like a daunting challenge at first, many of our customers find that it’s a very rewarding once complete.”

With a little design preparation, homeowners can create the perfect blend of light, sound, beauty, nature, warmth and massage for the ultimate personal spa environment.  Hot tubs can be a wonderful addition to shake off the stress of life and melt away tension.  

When planning your personal spa, Mirage Spa recommends that you keep a few elements in mind. Here are some suggestions that will help you tackle specific areas.

The Hot Tub:
A good way to begin is with the hot tub itself. First, choose your tub based on the number of people it will need to accommodate. For example, do you want a spa that fits two people comfortably or six? The size of your backyard or perhaps the space you have available on an existing patio or deck may be a determining factor.  Installation is easy; no plumbing is required.  Since the hot tub is for pampering and relaxation, look for a model with high-quality, bearingless jets.  Designs and products that carry endorsements like The Good Housekeeping Seal or Consumer’s Digest Best Buy will offer the greatest long-term performance and peace of mind.

Flora:
Nature is the best healer, and what's more natural than plants? Plants provide just the right texture, shape, color and interest for your spa landscape. A well-placed tree, hedge, or vine will provide privacy and security by hiding any unwanted views and creating a peaceful cocoon around your backyard spa retreat. They also discourage trespassing and soften any architectural lines, camouflage unsightly elements and fill in odd angles or spaces in the area. Plants should be chosen keeping in mind their function and their suitability to the climate zone. Selecting fragrant plants will add an additional element of natural aromatherapy to the home spa experience.  

The Deck:
A symmetrical or free-form deck adds a touch of luxury to any backyard, providing a comfortable place to sit and relax.  Look for a good decking material that is durable and coordinates with the colors on your outdoor furniture and hot tub cabinetry.  

Illumination:
Light changes everything you look at, and your backyard oasis is no different. Lighting can dramatically alter your spa area in the evening by highlighting all the right architectural features and background foliage. A good lighting plan may need some experimentation before you get it absolutely right. It can be fun to try out inexpensive clamp-on lights and observe the results, and then get them installed permanently by a professional.

Music:
No relaxing spa experience would be complete without soothing sounds swirling around you.  Regardless of the music genres you like, melodic tunes can help to mentally transport you to another time or place.  “Our stereo systems with marine-grade speakers and integrated docking stations made specifically for iPods and other MP3 players are a hot trend among buyers,” reports Dale Port of Mirage Spa.  

Furniture:
Be sure to include comfortable, cushioned chairs or chase lounges as part of your plan.  After a relaxing hot tub soak, it feels great to sit and curl up in a robe to read.  Enjoy your calmed state of being.

Wondering how to get started?  Begin by assessing the area you have available in your backyard.  Sketch out a plan for the elements you want to include.  Then, visit knowledgeable retailers for advice and tips before starting.  “When customers approach us looking for ideas, we refer them to our exclusive portfolio books showing a wide variety of beautiful projects,” says Dale.  “It is a wonderful way to get ideas and see what other homeowners have done.”

For more information and ideas, look online at www.sundancespas.com or visit Mirage Spa & Recreation, 469 N. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122, (314) 965-0660, www.miragespa.com.

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Mirage Spa sells Sundance Spas (hot tubs) and has been in business since 1988. We are awarded the customer service award each year. Sundance spas is the largest & most inovative spa manufacturer in the world.