For many of us — who have been living (working, parenting, teaching, etc.) at home around the clock for more than a year now — the bathroom is one of the few spaces we can call our own, if only for a few minutes. Maximize those soothing moments of solitude by turning your bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary. We have easy tips and tricks to help you get your spaaaaaaah on.

1. Make your tub sparkle

While cleaning may not sound like the start of a spa day, getting rid of soap scum will make you more apt to soak in your tub (which should definitely be part of your spa day). Salt and citrus are great for removing soapy buildup: Just dip a lemon in salt and use it like a sponge to scrub at tough stains. Tip: Use an oven cleaner to shine up an old ceramic tub to perfection. Just be sure to wear gloves and open the windows for ventilation.

2. Declutter

Think of clutter as visual noise. If your bathroom has become overrun by makeup, toiletries and hair products, reduce the clutter by removing items you don't use on a daily basis and storing them in the medicine cabinet or under your sink, in a basket. Tip: If you don’t have much storage space, consider investing in a shower shelf to keep your bottles grouped neatly in one place.

3. Go for greenery

Plants purify and filter the air, so what better place to have them than in the bathroom? Try plants that thrive in humid, damp conditions, including some species of ferns, aloe vera, bamboo and orchids. If space is an issue, get creative with plant hangers. Tip: If your bathroom is dimly lit, look for plants like African violets, which do well in darker conditions.

4. Make your own bath salts

Add two parts Kosher salt, two parts Epsom salt, and one part baking soda to a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as bergamot, grapefruit, or lavender, for a stress-busting soak.

5. Get creative with color

All-white home bathrooms can feel cold and clinical. Give yours a hint of color to create a more authentic, at-home spa experience. Turn to nature for inspiration — natural colors like browns, grays and greens will give your bathroom an organic feel that’ll soothe you after a stressful day.

6. Turn up the glitz

Nothing feels more luxurious than metallic details in the bathroom and integrating them couldn’t be easier. Consider updating your current handles,​ pulls, and faucets with shiny gold, silver or even matte black fixtures and your bathroom will instantly feel more spa-like.

7. Try a new towel storage system

A wooden ladder in lieu of a traditional towel bar (or in addition to one) will immediately warm up your bathroom’s look while providing a pretty place for you to showcase your towels. Speaking of which, if your towels are starting to look ratty, a brand-new matching set will make your bathroom feel more inviting.

8. Light a candle…

...or three. Stock up on nature-inspired scented candles, such as pine or sandalwood, in an array of sizes and group them together on a tray table across the tub for soft lighting while you read in the tub. Hang a do not disturb candle on the outside of the bathroom door. You earned it!