
Saunas have long been recognised as sanctuaries of relaxation, providing a tranquil retreat from the chaos of daily life. But why settle for a basic, cookie-cutter sauna when you can build a DIY sauna that reflects your creativity? When embarking on a DIY sauna design project, you have the freedom to choose the exact size, shape, and features to make it uniquely yours.
From lighting and ambiance to the selection of sauna materials and finishes, you can customise your home sauna to meet your specific needs. Not only will this offer an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, but your DIY sauna will also be an excellent addition to your home, enhancing both its value and appeal.
Whether you’re designing a sauna from scratch or enhancing an existing setup, our creative sauna ideas will inspire you to begin designing your dream sauna!
Essential Considerations Before Designing Your DIY Sauna
Before diving into the creative process, there are five essential factors to consider. Each of these elements will influence which sauna design ideas are most appropriate for your space and lifestyle.
Sauna Location

Where you’re planning to build your sauna will significantly impact how creative you can get with the design. If you’re using a pre-existing room in your home, this removes the need to construct an entirely new structure. However, if you’re installing a DIY outdoor sauna, this opens up more opportunities for creativity and personalisation.
Location also influences the available space, which will determine which features—like sauna benches, lighting, and accessories—you can incorporate into your design. For those working with limited indoor space, consider looking into small DIY sauna designs for clever ways to maximize comfort in a compact area.
Total Budget
The sky is the limit when it comes to designing a sauna, but the reality is that it can be an expensive endeavour. Before sketching out ideas and shopping for sauna kits or materials, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your total budget.
Your budget will help narrow down the feasible options for your space and the features you can afford to include. Consider your ideal design and what you’re willing to compromise on to stay within your budget while still building a functional and visually appealing sauna.
Heater Type
There are various sauna heater types, including infrared heaters, electric heaters, and wood-burning options. Each type may be better suited to different sauna types, so it’s essential to consider this when planning your design. For example, a wood-burning sauna heater requires a chimney, while an electric heater needs proper wiring.
Selecting the right sauna heater will influence your overall design and the installation process, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your vision for the space.
Weather Condition
For those building a DIY outdoor sauna, weather conditions play a crucial role. You’ll need to ensure your sauna is durable enough to withstand the elements, including extreme temperatures and storms.
As long as your sauna is built with a solid foundation, weatherproof walls, and a strong roof, it should be well-protected. However, extreme climates might limit your options for certain creative design elements, particularly for the exterior.
Wall and Floor Materials
The interior of your sauna should be crafted using materials that can withstand heat and humidity. Popular choices include cedar wood and hemlock, which are both ideal for sauna walls, floors, and benches. While these materials are functional, you can still explore creative options to give your sauna a unique look.
Do some research on sauna insulation and interior finishes to ensure your design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also optimised for the sauna environment. From rustic to modern, there are endless possibilities for personalizing the look and feel of your home sauna.
17 Creative DIY Sauna Designs for Every Space and Budget
Building your own DIY sauna is just the beginning of your creative journey. The real fun begins as you explore unique sauna designs, select high-quality materials, and optimise the available space for maximum comfort and functionality. Whether you have a spacious backyard or are working with limited indoor space, there’s a creative sauna design idea for everyone.
To inspire your project, we’ve compiled some of the most exciting DIY sauna designs that can be customised to fit your needs. Discover which design elements resonate with your space, budget, and style—then piece together your own dream sauna!
Expand on Your Bathroom for a DIY Sauna

Your at-home sauna doesn’t need to be a completely separate structure—you can incorporate a sauna into your existing bathroom. This is especially useful if you’re working with limited space in your home and want to maximize the use of one room.
Section off a corner of your bathroom and add a wall or two to create a small sauna space. You can transform previously unused space into a luxurious bathroom sauna!
Just be sure to properly insulate the sauna room and use water vapour-resistant materials. Adding a sauna to your bathroom is a great way to enhance the room’s character without taking up outdoor space.
Style With Reclaimed Wood for Your DIY Sauna
Use reclaimed wood from a local source to give your sauna a unique texture and atmosphere. While we don’t recommend using reclaimed wood inside the sauna due to potential coatings like paint or varnish, the exterior walls can be clad with reclaimed wood to create a rustic DIY sauna design.
Reclaimed wood is a cost-effective option to add a stylish sauna exterior without breaking the bank.
Create a Sauna Colour Scheme
Do you want your DIY sauna to have a calm, relaxing atmosphere, or an energizing and invigorating space? You can paint your sauna’s exterior in any colour you like.
For instance, if your garden has a beachy, boho vibe, why not keep your sauna design light and airy with white exterior walls? Alternatively, deeper colours like navy or forest green can create a bold, sophisticated look.
Add a Living Roof to Your Outdoor Sauna
Create an eco-friendly and stylish addition to your outdoor sauna by adding a living roof. This is essentially a garden on top of your sauna and can be as simple or elaborate as you like. It adds insulation and enhances your sauna’s aesthetic appeal.
If you’re building a DIY outdoor sauna, ensure you add a waterproof membrane and drainage system to avoid water seeping into the structure. Choose low-maintenance plants that thrive in your climate.
Natural Stones for a Rustic DIY Sauna
If you’re aiming for a rustic sauna design, why not combine wood and natural stone? Granite or other natural stones can add texture and color to your sauna’s interior or exterior.
Consider adding a stone feature wall or stone sauna flooring for a unique look. If you’d rather keep the interior wood-only, landscaping with stones around the outdoor sauna entrance can also add charm and enhance the experience.
Add the Perfect Lighting for Your Sauna
Lighting is crucial for your DIY sauna’s ambiance. Aim for a balance—too bright, and it can disrupt the calming environment, too dim, and it can be hard to see.
Natural light is the best option, but if it’s unavailable, use LED lights. You can get creative with LED strips under benches, starry ceiling lights, or colored LED lights for chromotherapy.
Incorporate a Window Into Your DIY Sauna Design
Adding a window is a cost-effective way to introduce natural light and enhance the design of your sauna. A well-placed window allows you to enjoy the outdoors while relaxing inside your DIY sauna.
Choose double-paned, tempered glass for insulation and durability, and consider stained or textured glass to add elegance and style.
Play With Sauna Shapes
Your DIY sauna design ideas don’t need to stop at colours and materials. The shape of your sauna can play a big role in the overall aesthetics of the space. Instead of going with the usual rectangular shape, why not try something more creative? The only limit here is your available space and DIY skills.
Here are some fun shape ideas for your sauna:
- Oval-shaped: This elegant shape can make the most of a small space.
- Octagonal: With eight sides, this is a great way to create an interesting focal point.
- Barrel-shaped: A traditional round sauna shape that can add a calming vibe to your space.
- Hobbit-style: With the sloping roof, this style creates a cozy and whimsical sauna design.
Sometimes, where you’re building your sauna will determine the shape. The great thing about DIY sauna designs is you can make it as big or little as you like. This means your sauna can fit into those awkward spaces in your home that would otherwise remain unused.
Turn a Shipping Container Into a Sauna
Hear us out – this may not be the most obvious choice, but it can be an excellent design idea for those who want something unique from their DIY sauna. Shipping containers are perfect for building an outdoor sauna!
Shipping containers are designed to be tough, durable, and weatherproof. They are also a complete structure that can be insulated and modified to your own specifications.
With a shipping container, you can take advantage of natural light by adding windows and skylights for maximum brightness. You can also customize the interior to fit your needs.
Add an Outdoor Shower to Your Sauna Area

One of the most critical factors in maintaining your sauna is to keep it clean. Like you wouldn’t get in a pool or hot tub without showering first, the same goes for a sauna.
Installing an outdoor shower in your backyard is a great way to encourage people to shower before using the sauna. This helps keep your sauna clean and hygienic for all users.
Showering after a sauna is also ideal for cleansing the skin and closing the pores. Having an outdoor shower located next to your sauna is a nice added luxury, and it gives users the convenience of quickly cooling down before heading back inside.
Boost the Health Benefits of Your DIY Sauna
Saunas offer numerous health benefits, from deep relaxation to detoxification. To maximize these benefits, consider adding sauna enhancements like a sauna steamer for more humidity and heat, which can increase sweat production and purify your skin.
Incorporating therapeutic aromas such as eucalyptus, lavender, or rosemary can also amplify the experience. For instance, eucalyptus is well-known for its ability to help clear sinuses, making it perfect for a sauna session.
Another beneficial feature to consider is a salt wall. Constructed from salt blocks, this feature can purify the air while creating a calming atmosphere. Installing pink salt blocks or using a Himalayan salt lamp inside your sauna adds to the wellness benefits and creates a peaceful ambiance.
Create a Sauna and Steam Room Combo
While a traditional dry sauna is excellent for relaxation, why stop there? If you have the space, consider combining your DIY sauna with a steam room. A steam room provides a higher level of humidity, offering additional benefits like relieving congestion, opening pores, and easing muscle tension.
By creating a sauna and steam room combo, you can design a multi-functional wellness space. Transitioning between the dry heat of the sauna and the moist warmth of the steam room delivers a refreshing, rejuvenating experience.
Though more complex and expensive to build, this DIY sauna design will transform your space into a full-service home spa.
Build a Log Hut for Your DIY Sauna
If you’re opting for a wood-burning sauna, building a log hut for wood storage is both practical and stylish. A log storage hut offers a weatherproof space to keep firewood dry and ready to use, while also enhancing the look of your sauna area.
The log hut can also serve as an attractive entrance, adding charm and character to your outdoor sauna design. With custom features, you can adjust the size and style of the log hut to suit your sauna space and design preferences.
Customise Your Sauna Seating for Comfort
Seating is an essential element in any sauna. While traditional wooden benches are common, there’s plenty of room to get creative. Custom-built seating options can help you maximise space and comfort.
You might also add feet or backrests for added relaxation, whether bought separately or made from the same wood as your sauna. Adding ergonomic sauna seating can greatly improve the overall experience.
Make sure to choose natural wood materials that are free from knots and cracks, and always sand the wood to ensure it’s smooth for a comfortable sauna experience.
Add a Changing Room to Your DIY Sauna

Enhance your DIY sauna by incorporating a changing room. This small addition provides a convenient place for users to change into their sauna towels and store personal belongings.
Even a compact changing room can elevate the sauna experience and keep the space organised. Planning ahead and creating a dedicated changing area ensures your DIY sauna remains tidy and functional.
Create a Complete Outdoor Spa Experience
For those with a larger budget, consider turning your outdoor sauna into a full spa experience. Start with a patio area for lounging, complete with outdoor seating and a fire pit. You can also add a hot tub or jacuzzi to complement the outdoor sauna.
To complete the ambiance, decorate with ambient lighting, lush plants, and calming colours. Installing a sound system with outdoor speakers can take your outdoor spa to the next level, making it the perfect place to unwind.
Add Finishing Touches to Your DIY Sauna Design
Don’t forget the finishing touches! Adding towels and robes on hooks, or placing storage baskets for extra towels, adds style and functionality. Choosing a personalized bucket and ladle for water can also add a decorative element.
Finishing touches help transform a basic sauna design into something personal and inviting, making the space your own.
Final Thoughts on Our Creative Ideas for Your DIY Sauna Design
There are countless creative ways to design your DIY sauna. Whether you’re opting for a traditional wood-burning sauna or a fully equipped outdoor spa, your design choices are only limited by your imagination, space, and budget.
With thoughtful planning and the right materials, you can build a unique DIY sauna that offers relaxation and rejuvenation for years to come.