Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (2024)

Sweat it out.

By Hadley Mendelsohn
Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (1)

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The history of saunas is a little murky, but the general consensus seems to be that the Finns created the first sauna some 2,000 years ago for bathing and staying warm during bitter winters. Fast-forward to the present moment: Technology has evolved quite a bit, wellness is all the rage—can I get a "hell yeah!" for celery juice?—as is the Taurian lifestyle of treating yourself, and the rest of the world has caught on to the relaxing effects of sauna bathing.

To define them briefly, today’s saunas are high-heat, vented rooms for relaxing and perspiring. And they’ve become increasingly popular in home design—“and not just because it feels great to sweat it out,” says California-based designer Alison Pickart. A 2018 study published by Mayo Clinic found that sauna bathing produces the same physiological responses as moderate exercise, and can reduce hypertension risk, stress, and other chronic illnesses. So what’s the catch?

None that we can think of, thanks to a world of heating and design options. And installing a home sauna is easier than adding a new shower, since no plumbing is required (you just need a heater), Stephen Straughan of KAA Design assures us. So now that you're ready to invest in a good sweat, here’s what you need to know to get one at home.

3 Things to Consider Before Getting a Sauna

A cheat sheet for smoother planning and installation.

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Location

Turns out, you don’t need a ton of room: “A sauna can be as small as a 5' x 5' walk-in clo­set,” says Straughan of KAA Design. Even interior spaces will work, since ventilation can usually be run through the walls. Definitely add an exhaust fan, key to keeping mold at bay, and it's a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector.

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Heating

To heat your sauna to between 150° F and 195° F, the recommended temperature zone for getting health benefits, use a stone-and-coal heater (the traditional Finnish way), a gas or electric unit (more common in the U.S. today), or infrared heat (typically the most expensive, this heats only your body and not the whole room).

Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (4)

Materials

Wood is traditional for sauna design for a good reason: because it doesn’t retain heat like tile (so you can sit on, lean back, and enjoy the heat!). And while cedar is the go-to choice, Pickart also recommends hemlock, pine, and eucalyptus. To help with res­­pi­­­ra­tory issues, you can incorporate saltstone in the walls.

And now, for the fun part...6 stylish home sauna ideas to steal:

Make It Moody

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Studio Griffiths gave this wooden paneling an inky stain, and then back-lit the walls for added drama (heat-​resistant lights are a sauna essential). This ensures an easy transition to the edgy concrete materials used in the adjacent space.

Go Blonde

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On the other hand, why not take a lighter approach? This modestly-sized home sauna designed by Laura Seppanen has a similarly sleek and modern aesthetic, but it leaves a laidback, sweet impression, thanks to the blonde wood.

Take It Outside

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Don't want all the fuss of ensuring your interiors are sufficiently ventilated? Customize a freestanding sauna outside. You can buy one prefab (like this one from Jacuzzi), or you can take notes from this outdoor sauna by Alexander Design and create a more architecturally unique structure that beautifies the garden.

Set Up a Cool-Down Spot

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Applied Studio transformed this London backyard with a sauna, but they didn't stop there. If you're building a sauna in the garden, consider adding a nearby lounge area—kind of like a pool house—so you have somewhere to cool off after before heading back inside the house.

Put It Near a Shower

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In this bathroom designed by Los Angeles-based decorator Katie Hodges, the sauna blends in with the space beautifully as a result of the consistent floor tiles. And installing yours near a shower makes it easy to rinse off afterward.

Add a Steam Room

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In this master bathroom by Blackband Design, a glass door on the sauna lets in additional light. You could also opt for frosted glass doors and also build a steam room next door for a whole host of other benefits.

Shop the Sauna Bells and Whistles:

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Native & Co Hinoki Bath Bowl

Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (19)

Hay Gold Wall Hooks

Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (20)

Tata Harper Aromatic Stress Treatment

Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (21)

Goop Ultimate Dry Brush

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Hawkins New York Waffle Bath Towel

Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (23)

The Citizenry Hinoki Wood Bath Mat

Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (24)

H&M Washed Linen Bathrobe

Now 64% Off

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Are Home Saunas Worth the Investment? (2024)

FAQs

Is buying a home sauna worth it? ›

A sauna helps to relieve some of the stress put on our bodies by creating more efficiency in our internal systems. Far and away from the health benefits of a sauna is what it does for one's vanity and property value. Buying a sauna will increase your property value, providing you with yet another selling point.

Do saunas add value to your home? ›

Not only is a beautiful home sauna a way to pamper themselves, but they are also connected to many health benefits that can be of interest to prospective buyers which can add value, potentially leading to a better selling price, when and if you're ready to put your property on the market.

What are the cons of in home sauna? ›

Cons of In-Home Saunas:

Space Requirements: In-home saunas take up a significant amount of space, so you need to have adequate space in your home to accommodate one. Maintenance: In-home saunas require regular maintenance to ensure they are functioning correctly and safely.

Is it worth having a sauna? ›

Sauna benefits may include easing pain, reducing stress, and improving cardiovascular health. Sweating has long been used as a therapy. The Mayans used sweat houses 3,000 years ago, according to Harvard Health Publications. In Finland, saunas have been used for thousands of years, and 1 in 3 Finns still use them.

Are home saunas hard to maintain? ›

The good news is that sauna maintenance is far less time consuming and costly than the maintenance required for your hot tub or a pool. With a little upkeep between uses, you can keep your sauna in great shape for years to come.

What type of sauna is best for home? ›

If you prefer lower temperatures but with body-penetrating heat, an infrared sauna may be your best sauna choice. These saunas are designed for indoor use only. Infrared sauna experience: How does an infrared sauna work?

How long do home saunas last? ›

Most saunas hold up anywhere from 15-25 years with the proper care and maintenance. Regular upkeep of the sauna, both exterior and interior, is essential to keep it in good condition for it to last as long as possible.

Do saunas increase electric bill? ›

If you're considering purchasing a sauna for your home, it's natural to wonder how much electricity a sauna will cost. A single session in an infrared sauna will use about as much electricity as a dishwasher, and a traditional sauna using an electric heater is comparable to running a larger appliance like a dryer.

How much does it cost to put a sauna in your house? ›

If you're curious about the cost to add a sauna, expect to pay around $4,500 on average. The total sauna installation cost (including labor, materials and any other extras) are typically between $3,000 and $6,000.

What are the negatives of saunas? ›

Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin-and may even benefit patients with psoriasis-sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis.

Do saunas actually release toxins? ›

While the sauna does not detoxify in and out of itself, it does facilitate excretion of toxins through sweat via the largest organ of the body : the skin. Detoxification is referring to the process by which an organism excretes bioaccumulated toxicants from muscles, adipose tissues & organs out of it's system.

Is it OK to sauna everyday? ›

To achieve optimal use of a sauna, you should use it at least once a week, but the more often you use it, the more improvements you will experience. Studies show it is perfectly safe to use saunas every day, just being mindful to stay hydrated during your sessions.

Is sauna good for belly fat? ›

Can Saunas Help You Lose Belly Fat? While sauna use may help with overall weight loss through water weight reduction and calorie burn, shedding belly fat specifically isn't backed by strong evidence.

Should you shower after sauna? ›

Cooling off after the sauna is important because you can catch a cold if you sweat too much. Sauna-goers should leave enough time to cool down before warming up again. If you can, don't have a shower straight after the sauna. It's better for the body if you cool off in the fresh air first.

Which sauna has the best health benefits? ›

While both infrared and traditional saunas provide numerous health benefits, infrared saunas may be a healthier option. Infrared saunas raise core body temperature more effectively, leading to deeper detox and muscle relaxation.

How much does it cost to run an in home sauna? ›

Depending on factors such as sauna size, power output, and energy rates, annual operating costs might be anywhere from $300 to $600. Costs associated with maintaining a sauna's ideal temperature in the winter may increase as a result.

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