Tips For Creating A Dreamy Outdoor Sauna Oasis In Your Backyard

Sitting in a sauna is surprisingly good for you. According to a study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the traditional Finnish practice can reduce high blood pressure, arthritis, and neurocognitive diseases like dementia. Regular saunaing can also contribute to mental, spiritual, and social well-being. Although you may immediately think of a wet or dry sauna tucked in the back of your local gym locker room, it's becoming more common to install an outdoor sauna at home. Traditionally a communal experience, varying cultural attitudes have led some to prefer experiencing the retreating relaxation of a backyard sauna in private. There are several important things to consider if you want to create a dreamy outdoor sauna oasis in your backyard, from size to location to landscaping.

Whether you want to create a communal experience for your family or friends, or just want a quiet retreat all to yourself, the first thing to decide before buying an outdoor sauna is your desired size and location. You'll need to consider how much space you have available in your backyard or on your patio, and how many people you want to fit inside at one time. Then, you'll need to choose the right heater for your outdoor sauna. Traditional saunas are wood burning, but electric and infrared options are also available. These can be much easier to install and maintain. After you've made those decisions, you can consider your preferred material and any special features you need or want.

Once you've decided on a sauna style, size, and location, it's crucial to establish a firm foundation for both aesthetic and safety reasons. If you plan to DIY an outdoor sauna, repurpose an old greenhouse or convert an existing shed, or install a sauna kit with plenty of professional help, locate your structure on flat ground. A concrete slab is an ideal surface, but a raised wooden deck or thick layer of gravel can also work. If you opt for wood, make sure it can handle both the weight and moisture of a sauna. Cedar is a classic choice thanks to its natural moisture resistance, but pressure treated wood is another good option when reinforced.

Think carefully about how you position the door and any windows. It is traditional to sauna in the buff, but even if you plan to wear swimming trunks or a towel while you wind down inside, make sure you orient your sauna entrance away from the neighbors to maximize your privacy. You should also add a path that won't get muddy and is comfortable to walk on even in bare feet. Whimsical stepping stones will transform your garden and look especially charming if you opt for a barrel sauna, but pine straw or mulch are also good options.

So, should you install a sauna yourself, or is it better left to the professionals? The basic mechanics of a sauna are pretty simple. But along with a proper foundation, you'll also need an enclosed room made of cedar or another moisture-friendly wood, insulation that holds both heat and moisture, a heat source, a slip-resistant floor, vents, benches — the list goes on. Sitting in a sauna may be relaxing, but building one could be anything but, especially if you're a relatively new DIYer. 

The process becomes even more complex if you want to add lighting, a sound system, timers, or other special features. You'll need to understand and maintain a safe clearance around wood burning saunas, and both electric and infrared saunas will require complex wiring. The cost to install a sauna can be close to $5,000, even if you purchase a sauna kit. That figure can be even higher if your new backyard oasis requires a lot of site prep work or you have your heart set on a custom design. 

If you decide to hire a pro, make sure you pick a company that specifically has experience building saunas, not just general carpentry. An expert should be able to discuss the various types of saunas, their pros and cons, and any local regulations or permitting requirements. They should also be able to offer a crash course on the best types of wood for a sauna, as well as ones to avoid at all costs. 

The history of saunas is rich and complex. Experts suggest that indigenous peoples have used them in one form or another for over 10,000 years. Saunas, sweat lodges, and steam houses have traditionally been used for healing, purification, and communion with the four elements. To create a truly dreamy oasis around your own backyard sauna today, it's important to keep the natural surroundings in mind.

Along with positioning any doors and windows in your sauna to maximize privacy, consider the optimal view as well. If possible, position your sauna to overlook a calming pond, fountain, or other body of water. If you have a wood-heated sauna that will demand cord after cord of wood when used frequently, add functional beauty with a carefully stacked wall of logs. Disguise an ugly view with fast-growing evergreen trees used as a screen, making sure to plant them a safe distance away from your sauna.

You can also add other landscaping around your sauna. Ferns, hostas, reed grasses, and other plants that can tolerate damp conditions are ideal. This is especially the case if you decide on a sauna that has a water bucket or outdoor shower feature that will require a drain. Flowering plants that thrive in soggy soil, like false goat's beard or Japanese water iris, are also excellent choices that lend a woodland cottage vibe when planted near cedar saunas. Remember not to plant anything that will obstruct the exit once it has fully matured in size. 

Purists say all you need for an outstanding sauna experience is high heat, a ladle for adding water to create steam, and a towel. But others enjoy a wide range of features that can add a sense of dreamy luxury to the mix. While shopping for your sauna, consider how you prefer to use the space, making sure it has an ideal layout. Do you prefer to sit or will you want to stretch out? Is a traditional flat bench adequate or will you be more comfortable with ergonomic seating?

Think about how you want to engage your other senses, too. You may want to enjoy your sauna in silence. But if you live near a noisy road, an integrated sound system may be a worthwhile investment. Features like ambient lighting, including color-changing chromotherapy LED lights, are available in some saunas. In fact, as you explore the various options, you're likely to find a variety of high-tech options, including temperature and humidity controls, and even WiFi-capable app integrations.

From essential oils to woolen sauna hats, sauna lovers have a lot of recommendations for the best sauna accessories, too. Tibetan singing bowls, yoga blocks, acupressure mats, and drink koozies may elevate your experience. If you plan on using your sauna year-round but live in a cold area where it's likely to snow, don't forget to install a few robe hooks just outside the door. Adding an outdoor patio rug is also a good idea.

If you're after a communal experience, there are a few other elements you may want to add to your outdoor sauna oasis. Have enough seating outside for anyone who wants to enjoy some fresh air before or after their steamy experience. Because saunas cause sweating, individual chairs are more comfortable than being squished together on a bench or sofa. Ditch the cushions for wooden furniture that can stand up to moisture. Low profile options like the Melino Wooden Folding Chairs made out of acacia wood can keep the vibe relaxed and comfortable.

Saunas can significantly raise your body temperature. If yours isn't located near a shady tree, create shade artificially with a product like the top-rated Shade&Beyond Triangle Sun Shade Sail. It's also a good idea to keep some extra towels nearby. Use a weatherproof deck box to keep them dry in between sauna sessions. Bonus points if you have an outdoor kitchen or bar that makes it easy for sauna-goers to grab a cold drink.

When your main goal is overall health and wellbeing, you may want to locate your sauna near a cold plunge pool, outdoor shower, or hot tub. Celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to Joe Rogan have touted their sauna and cold plunge routines, which have entered the mainstream in recent years. There is some anecdotal evidence, and scant research, to indicate potential benefits including better workout recovery and stress management. Make sure to check in with your doctor to see if the sauna life is right for you.