You’ve decided you’d love a sauna at home. But, where are you actually going to put it?

The good news is that you may have more options than you think. Depending on the type of sauna you choose, a home sauna can work in a bathroom, spare room, home gym, garage, covered patio, pool area, or backyard.

The key is choosing the sauna that fits your space, rather than falling in love with a sauna first and trying to make the space work afterward.

Here are the most important things to consider.

Absolutely. Many infrared and traditional saunas are specifically designed for indoor use.

Common locations include:

• Primary bathrooms
• Home gyms
• Spare bedrooms
• Basements
• Garages
• Dedicated wellness rooms

Compact 1–2 person infrared saunas can be especially easy to incorporate into an existing room. Some models operate on a standard household outlet, while larger or more powerful saunas may require a dedicated circuit or 240V electrical service.

Before choosing an indoor sauna, check the manufacturer's requirements for electrical service, clearances, flooring and ventilation.

Does an Indoor Sauna Need Special Flooring?

Your sauna needs to sit on a level, stable surface suitable for the particular model.

Tile and concrete are common choices, but requirements vary by sauna. The important thing is to verify the manufacturer's installation instructions before preparing the space.

And remember to measure more than the sauna itself.

Consider:

Door clearance • ceiling height • access for assembly • electrical location • surrounding clearance

A sauna that technically fits into a room isn't necessarily a sauna that can be properly installed there.

Can You Put a Sauna in a Garage?

For some sauna models, a garage can be a great option, especially when indoor living space is limited.

But don't assume that every indoor sauna can automatically go into an unconditioned garage. Temperature, humidity, electrical requirements, floor conditions and manufacturer specifications all need to be considered.

If your garage is where you're envisioning your sauna, choose the sauna with that location in mind.

Where Can You Put an Outdoor Sauna?

This is where the possibilities really open up.

Outdoor saunas can become part of a:

• Backyard wellness retreat
• Pool area
• Covered patio
• Outdoor living space
• Home gym or recovery area
• Lake or vacation property

Barrel, cube, cabin and other outdoor sauna designs can create an entirely different experience from an indoor sauna—and some become a beautiful focal point in the backyard.

But placement matters.

What Does an Outdoor Sauna Need to Sit On?

One of the most important requirements is a solid, level and stable foundation capable of supporting the sauna.

Depending on the sauna and property, that might include a properly constructed:

Concrete pad • paver base • deck • other manufacturer-approved foundation

Larger timber and traditional outdoor saunas can be extremely heavy, so foundation requirements shouldn't be an afterthought.

You'll also need to consider drainage, electrical access, heater requirements and delivery access.

If you're considering a wood-burning sauna, chimney clearances and applicable local requirements become part of the planning as well.

What About a Covered Patio?

A covered patio can be an excellent location for certain saunas, but this is an area where you need to pay particular attention to the specific model.

Check required clearances around and above the sauna, ventilation, electrical requirements, exposure to weather and the manufacturer's installation guidelines.

“Outdoor sauna” doesn't necessarily mean it can be placed anywhere outdoors.

Don't Forget About Delivery

This one is easy to overlook.

Before ordering a large outdoor sauna, think about how it's going to get from the delivery truck to its final location.

Ask yourself:

Can the components get through my gate?

Are there stairs or significant slopes?

Will the sauna be assembled on-site?

How many people will be needed?

Will I need professional installation assistance?

Planning this before your sauna arrives can make the entire process much easier.

So…Where Should You Put Your Sauna?

Start by thinking about how you actually want to use it.

If convenience and frequent everyday use are most important, an indoor sauna near your bedroom, bathroom or home gym might make sense.

If you're dreaming about stepping outside, disconnecting and creating a private wellness retreat, an outdoor sauna may be exactly what you're looking for.

There isn't one perfect location for every home.

There is a location—and a sauna—that makes sense for your space, your routine and your goals.

Have a Space in Mind?

You don't have to figure out all of this yourself.

Tell me a little about your space, where you're considering putting your sauna, how you want to use it and your approximate budget.

I'll personally help you narrow down the sauna options that make sense for your home.

FIND MY SAUNA →