How to Choose the Best Indoor Sauna: Practical Tips for Space, Cost & Comfort at Home

It seems as if almost every US household has either installed a sauna or is considering doing so. It’s one of the most popular home upgrades, and the availability of saunas in prebuilt kit form has brought it within the budget of the average American household. Better still, indoor saunas mean you don’t even need an outdoor space for your sauna, making it a possibility for city dwellers or those living in apartments.

The idea of having your own sauna where you can sweat away your troubles before bed or ease away muscle pain after a work out is highly appealing. But there is plenty to consider in order to make it a reality. Here are some of the practicalities to keep in mind when choosing an indoor sauna for your home.

Prebuilt saunas are quick and easy to install

Prospective sauna buyers are sometimes put off by the time and inconvenience of installation. But that is all but eliminated with a prebuilt sauna. For example, 6-person Almost Heaven sauna kits are available from US suppliers. These saunas are freestanding, and can be installed quickly and much more easily than a precut sauna kit. Choosing this kind of kit also means you can disassemble and relocate it should the need arise, for example if you move home or decide to remodel.

The sauna mentioned above is ideal if you want to really embrace traditional sauna culture and buy an indoor sauna that you can enjoy with family and friends. Having said that, a six-person sauna obviously takes up a fairly large space, and measures around 80 inches square. A single or two-person sauna, on the other hand, is far more compact and is likely to be a more practical consideration in a smaller apartment.

An infrared sauna reduces hassle and running costs

The celebrity magazines have been full of famous names extolling the virtues of infrared saunas over recent years. Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian are just a few examples of famous names who have put infrared saunas on the map. Ironically, however, an infrared sauna is a practical and cost-effective way of getting into home sauna culture for those who do not have an A-lister bank balance.

Unlike a conventional sauna, an infrared indoor sauna does not involve moisture, so you do not need to worry about ventilation. This makes the whole installation process even easier. Also, as it operates at a lower temperature, the running costs are lower. Average cost per sauna session is approximately half that of a traditional sauna of the same size. Practicality-wise, the infrared option is hard to beat. But also, it is worth thinking about what you really want to achieve from a wellness perspective. The infrared sauna is highly effective at penetrating taught muscles and providing relief. However, the traditional sauna is better for easing congestion and respiratory conditions, and some feel the overall experience is more relaxing.

Accessories and extra features

Whatever type of sauna you choose, you can elevate the experience significantly by taking time to choose a few special features and accessories to add your own unique touch. There are all sorts of things you can choose, but to give a few examples, here are some popular accessories you might want to consider:

• Bespoke lighting options – LED lighting has opened up a whole new world of possibilities here, such as dimmable strips, color changing lamps or backlighting for panels or benches.

• Special seating – nothing is worse than investing in a sauna and feeling uncomfortable after 10 minutes. Consider luxury seating options such as reclining benches, ergonomic loungers or built-in footrests.

• Aromatherapy – combining essential oils with the luxury of a sauna is a match made in heaven. Popular choices include eucalyptus for decongestion, tea tree as an immunity booster or lavender for relaxation.

• Audio – a sauna is a great refuge from noise and distraction. However, an audio system is worth considering for some relaxing music or even to listen to an audiobook while you unwind.