10 modern sauna ideas: where your eyes and mind can rest
If you’re not craving anything traditional, the sauna heater and benches can be light and streamlined, and the back wall could even be tiled. Check out these 10 ideas for a modern sauna!
1. A natural continuation
In this city home’s bathroom, a small, streamlined sauna is a perfect fit. Thanks to the understated glass wall and light color scheme, the compact bath area feels unexpectedly spacious. The black, hexagon-tiled floor underscores the simplicity of the aspen benches. Tiles are by Pukkila, the brass-colored shower is by Tapwell, and the slender sauna heater is by Tulikivi.
2. Glass opens up a small space
In this sauna and washroom, lightly treated wood pairs with microcement. An airy bench complements the sleek stepped layout. Clean lines are highlighted by a streamlined sauna heater built into the benches and a glass wall. Black Tapwell showers stand out boldly against the pale backdrop.
3. Tile the background
The sauna of a 1940s row house was inspired by 1920s Paris and subway tiles. The white aspen benches and glossy end-wall tiling contrast with the black-finished pine panels on the side walls and the diamond-patterned floor. A half-height wall offers privacy, while glasswork by Lasina keeps things open and bright.
4. Black on white
The sauna area’s color scheme follows the style of this villa in Hanko. The family’s trusted carpenter built the white sauna with pre-treated aspen from Siparila. A striking black-framed glass wall from Hietakari separates the steam room from the bathing area. A white Tulikivi sauna heater is integrated into the streamlined benches. Gold-tone faucets and showers from Tapwell bring a hint of luxury to the bath area.
5. Nothing superfluous
If the house has large windows and the view allows it, you can extend the same approach into the sauna. From here, you can take in a rocky landscape. Low steps make it easy to climb onto the benches. All surfaces are spruce, except for the ceramic LPC Temple Crema tile on the floor. A glass wall separates the steam room from the shower area.
6. A minimalist’s choice
The bathroom in this nature-inspired single-family home is compact but functional. The main highlight is the view of the backyard and forest through a floor-to-ceiling picture window. The sauna’s stepped benches are a stunning piece of craftsmanship by the occupant’s father. The walls and floors of the wet areas are coated with Novacolor’s Wall2floor decorative plaster. Glass walls are by Lasitehdas.
7. Wood brings warmth
A pared-down sauna can gain character from dramatic wood grain. The sculptural benches and back wall are made of radiata pine by Siparila. The dark tone stands out against the pale marble-patterned tiles. The walls and floor are tiled with Marmochic Essential White by Villeroy & Boch. The Harvia sauna heater is discreetly embedded in the benches.
8. A stylish glass cube
Architects Rabbe Tiainen and Jens Rasmussen created this sauna and washroom as a stunning ensemble. The ceiling, sauna benches, and exterior cladding of the built-in bathtub are all heat-treated aspen. Instead of the planned microcement, large tiles reminiscent of concrete were used on the wall.
9. Even steam
A large window looks onto a sheltered backyard. On top of the sauna heater is a Harvia steam automation system. The benches and wall panels are heat-treated aspen. Vire paneling is used in the sauna area, as well as elsewhere in this 1960s–1970s-inspired home.
10. Water and light
In this home, the residents wanted a warm atmosphere and materials that stand the test of time. That vision extends to the home spa, which features a cube-shaped steam room with glass walls. The spacious sauna has benches on both sides. Near the water, it’s no surprise there are windows in two directions.
