ᐅ Your creativity is needed for the wellness area with a sauna.

Hello everyone,

After a lot of back and forth about where we could or should place our sauna, we finally decided on our bonus room, which is a converted attic space above the double garage.
At first, we wanted to renovate a room in the basement, but the advantages of the bonus room (close proximity to the bathroom, a much more pleasant room atmosphere, balcony nearby, significantly fewer concerns about mold) clearly outweigh that option.

I’m attaching two photos of the future wellness room.
As you can see, the room has sloped ceilings on two sides and a very high ceiling height.
The room measures 5.00 x 5.80 meters (16.4 x 19 feet), with a ceiling height of 3.80 meters (12.5 feet).
There is a standard window on the front side and two dormer windows.

The sauna (2.15 x 2.15 meters / 7 x 7 feet) would be placed 50 cm (20 inches) in front of the window, as far to the left as possible until it rests against the sloping roof… I’m not too happy about partially blocking the window, but unfortunately that’s the only feasible position.

The room will also have two lounge chairs and a hammam-style reclining area with an infrared heater mounted on the sloped ceiling.

I’m planning to just sand and oil the floor…
Regarding the color scheme for the ceiling and walls, I’m still completely unsure and would appreciate some ideas or suggestions…
I have the idea of using photo wallpaper for the sloped ceilings (a starry sky), but I’m not certain yet…
How would you design this room?

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions and advice.

Is it possible to integrate the window into the sauna? Create an opening there and, if necessary, use a satin film on the sauna side.
Alternatively, you could leave a full meter (3.3 feet) in between and use that space as storage.

Best regards, Yvonne

ypg schrieb:
Could the window be integrated into the sauna? Create an opening there and, if necessary, frosted film could be applied inside the sauna.
Or you could leave about a meter gap and use that space as a storage area.

Best regards, Yvonne

That’s a great idea... However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed. If the window is basically inside the sauna cabin, it will be exposed to extreme conditions: outside temperatures could drop to double-digit negatives, while inside it can reach up to 90°C (194°F). Will the components (wood frame, hinges, glass, etc.) hold up under such conditions? Also, how about condensation on the window? The window is double-glazed, not highly insulated triple-glass, so it would radiate cold, which could be uncomfortable inside the sauna...

I like the idea because it would eliminate the 0.5m (20 inches) wide dead space, but I’m a bit unsure if it can be implemented structurally (without major effort) without causing problems...

Putting the window issue aside, how would you design the color scheme for the room (walls and ceiling)? The finished room should convey a sense of calm and warmth.

ypg schrieb:
Is it possible to integrate the window into the sauna? Create an opening there and, if needed, frost the glass on the sauna side with film.
Or you could leave a full meter (3 feet) of space between and use that area as storage.

Regards, Yvonne

Hello Yvonne,

Several people have advised me against integrating the window into the sauna, saying it is not feasible without significant effort. The sauna’s indoor climate would also be negatively affected by the window.

I will now revise the individual sauna modules so I can install them to the right of the door… this should allow me to make the most efficient use of the space.

I’m still struggling with choosing colors for the walls and ceiling.
I think the room would feel very comfortable if I used brown tones for both walls and ceiling, with the walls a bit darker than the ceiling… but I’m not entirely sure, since the ceiling surface is quite large due to the sloped roof and might feel somewhat oppressive.

Unfortunately, I lack creativity and imagination for this kind of thing, so I would appreciate any tips or suggestions… how would you color this room?

Right of the door???
You mean left?

The question is, which style do you prefer for your wellness area:
For example, there is the typical Scandinavian Nordic style with lots of wood, then the Asian style, which is a bit more minimalist; you could also go for the ornate Oriental look or a modern minimalist approach.
The relaxation furniture and lighting should be adjusted accordingly. While a wicker lounge chair fits the Scandinavian style, a low-lying lounge suits the Asian style better, large square cushions work well for modern looks, and colorful pillows are typical for Oriental design. The decorations should match as well.

Each style has its valid reasons.
Based on that, I would adapt the front of the sauna walls and adjust the walls themselves accordingly.

The problem I see is if the sloping ceilings or walls become too dark; that can feel oppressive.

Too many brown tones actually don't create much atmosphere, so consider adding a contrasting color.

I also thought of a Caribbean style with a beach chair and turquoise-colored walls 🙂

Basically, it is best to stick to one style; otherwise, the result can look cheap and chaotic.

How about painting a starry sky or another image directly onto the sloped ceiling? For stars, you could also combine it with dim LED lights to create an "outdoor effect."