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Sauna renovation ideas for small and large saunas

The sauna is a space in your home where you can leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind for a while and focus on relaxing. When it starts to feel dated, difficult to use or out of tune, a sauna renovation may be in order.

Sauna renovation ideas for small and large saunas

People often start looking for new sauna renovation ideas when they want to improve their sauna experience, increase comfort and update the look of the space to meet their current needs, but it's not worth rushing. A well-planned renovation will bring long-lasting functionality to your sauna and make the space a pleasure to use year after year.

A sauna renovation is a whole, where individual choices affect each other. Materials, lighting, table solutions, heater and the proportions of the space combine to create a sauna that feels balanced and considered. When you design a sauna as a whole, the end result retains its value and functionality long into the future. In this article, we present practical and up-to-date sauna renovation ideas to help you identify the right solutions for your sauna.

Planning a sauna renovation lays the foundations for success

A successful sauna renovation always starts with careful planning. It is worth looking at the use of your existing sauna from a day-to-day perspective and considering what works and what needs to be improved. Many good sauna renovation ideas are born during the design phase, when attention is focused on usability, atmosphere and what kind of sauna experience is comfortable in your everyday life.

The design phase takes into account size of the sauna, ventilation, structures and user needs. When the big picture is outlined in advance, the decisions made during the renovation are mutually supportive and the end result feels coherent. A well-designed sauna is easy to use and has a peaceful atmosphere.

Read also: Sauna renovation ahead? How to design a successful sauna

The heater safety railing can also be mounted directly onto the heater instead of using traditional wall mounting. This keeps the overall look clean and allows for greater freedom in bench design. Pictured: Mondex Tahko.

Platform solutions affect user comfort

The boards are an essential part of the sauna, as they determine the ergonomics and seating comfort of the sauna. With the right height and depth, you can enjoy a comfortable sauna and feel the heat more evenly. When looking for ideas for sauna renovation, it is therefore worth paying attention to the design and dimensions of your sauna benches.

When carefully designed, the tiles support the overall look of the sauna and make the space practical. When choosing materials, wood is a good choice, as it feels good against the skin and is resistant to the sauna's conditions. The airiness of the wooden structures makes cleaning easier and adds lightness to the space. One good sauna renovation idea is to design the ceiling solutions in such a way that they leave views open and make the space feel more airy as soon as you enter.

In this sauna, Mondex Rakka is embedded in the ceiling structure, making the space cohesive and creating a light overall look.
In this sauna, Mondex Rakka is embedded in the ceiling structure, making the space cohesive and creating a light overall look.

Lighting completes the sauna atmosphere

Lighting has a decisive influence on how a sauna is perceived. When considering sauna renovation ideas, the role of lighting in creating a more peaceful and inviting atmosphere is worth paying attention to. Indirect lighting softens the space and enhances the natural tones of the wooden surfaces, while warm light helps you relax and makes the sauna more pleasant to use at different times of the day.

The lighting can be placed under the seats, behind the backrests or at the edges of the ceiling, so that the light is evenly distributed throughout the room. Another fun sauna renovation idea is to use spot lighting to highlight a heater, for example. Well-designed lighting will tie the elements of the sauna together and create a harmonious whole.

Indirect lighting behind the benches creates a soft ambient glow in the sauna, while a spotlight positioned above the heater helps define the space and highlight the sauna’s focal point. Pictured: Mondex Teno.
Indirect lighting behind the benches creates a soft ambient glow in the sauna, while a spotlight positioned above the heater helps define the space and highlight the sauna’s focal point. Pictured: Mondex Teno.

Walls and ceiling as part of the sauna look

The wall and ceiling surfaces have a strong influence on the overall look and atmosphere of a sauna. Wood is a popular choice thanks to its natural suitability for sauna environments, while the direction and tone of the paneling affect how the proportions of the space are perceived.

In addition to wood, other materials such as stone or tiled surfaces can also be used in the sauna, especially on individual wall surfaces or as accents. Light shades make the space feel more spacious, while darker surfaces add depth. Matching materials and careful finishing tie the whole together in a calm and considered way.

A sauna as part of a bathroom ensemble looks peaceful as the materials and shades continue from one space to the next.
A sauna as part of a bathroom ensemble looks peaceful as the materials and shades continue from one space to the next.

Sauna design can start with the heater

The heater is the central technical element of the sauna, which contributes to the generation of heat and steam. When considering sauna renovation ideas, the choice of heater is related to the size of the sauna, its use and the desired sauna experience. A properly sized heater will provide even heat and support a pleasant steam.

The positioning of the heater affects the functionality and safety of the space. It is often surrounded by solutions that support the overall appearance of the sauna and make it easier to use. When carefully integrated into the sauna, the heater serves its purpose as a natural part of the whole.

Read also: Choosing a heater for your sauna - how to find the best heater?

In an Igloo sauna, glass walls open the space to the surrounding landscape and emphasize the sauna’s sense of openness. The Mondex Rakka heater is positioned at the center of the sauna, allowing heat to circulate evenly throughout the space while also serving as a natural focal point.
In an Igloo sauna, glass walls open the space to the surrounding landscape and emphasize the sauna’s sense of openness. The Mondex Rakka heater is positioned at the center of the sauna, allowing heat to circulate evenly throughout the space while also serving as a natural focal point.

WiFi heater modernises the sauna and brings smart control into everyday life

One good sauna renovation idea is to replace the traditional heater with a WiFi heater. Upgrading to a modern, app-controlled model will bring modern convenience to your sauna and allow you to heat it when it suits you best.

The app-controlled heater allows you to heat your sauna remotely, so it's ready when you need it. This brings much-needed ease and predictability to sauna bathing, especially in busy everyday life and in the midst of changing schedules.

An app-controlled WiFi heater brings flexibility to the sauna and allows you to heat at just the right time.
An app-controlled WiFi heater brings flexibility to the sauna and allows you to heat at just the right time.

Compatibility of materials completes the sauna

The choice of materials for your sauna will affect its durability, appearance and comfort of use. When looking for sauna renovation ideas, the compatibility of materials becomes important, as a cohesive whole feels calm and considered. The interplay of wood, glass and metallic tones creates a finished look.

When the materials are chosen according to the conditions of the sauna, the sauna will retain its appearance and functionality for a long time. This makes sauna renovation an investment that will be reflected in a pleasant everyday experience.

In this sauna, the surfaces are almost entirely made of stone. Wooden surfaces are not used in the traditional way, but the atmosphere of the space is created by the interplay of stone materials, lighting and clear shapes.
In this sauna, the surfaces are almost entirely made of stone. Wooden surfaces are not used in the traditional way, but the atmosphere of the space is created by the interplay of stone materials, lighting and clear shapes.

Sauna renovation improves long-term comfort

A well-executed sauna renovation will make your sauna more comfortable and a natural part of your everyday life. When considering sauna renovation ideas, managing the whole is the key to success. When a space is carefully designed and executed to a high standard, the sauna will serve its users year after year.

A good sauna renovation is created when the solutions are designed as a compatible whole. When functionality, atmosphere and materials support each other, the sauna feels natural to use and will serve you for a long time.

If sauna renovation is topical and you need more concrete examples, you can find more concrete examples of how sauna renovation ideas have been implemented in different locations and what solutions have been chosen for saunas in Mondex's customer stories.

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