Creating a swedish spa retreat at home

Take a cue from the Scandinavians and create a Swedish spa retreat at home, complete with a sauna.

Creating a Swedish Spa Retreat at Home

Originally spas were places to go to bathe in thermal or mineral waters for therapeutic purposes. In Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, the concept of the spa evolved into public baths and then into the sauna in the back yard of every farmhouse. Farmers at the end of the workday would enjoy the therapeutic benefits of steam heat to relax muscles, de-stress from the day’s work and rejuvenate themselves.

If you’ve been dreaming about having a spa retreat at home, take a cue from the Scandinavians and create a Swedish spa retreat complete with a sauna of your very own. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Location and Size

A separate wing or outbuilding is the best way to create your Swedish spa retreat. A sauna should never be in the basement or on an upper floor because it needs its own entrance.

The wing or outbuilding should be located near a water source. Traditionally a sauna was located near a water source; however, today you might have to settle for a cold shower, unless you live on a pond, lake or the ocean. The setting should be peaceful and surrounded by a garden or at the least in a corner of the back yard.

The building should face west toward the setting sun, since a sauna is traditionally used at the end of the day to unwind.

The size of the wing or outbuilding will vary. At least 50 square feet is required for the sauna. A separate room will needed for the “spa” room, which includes the toilet, soaking tub, shower, a small sink and countertop, and a place to change clothes. A standard 6’8”ceiling height is adequate.

Lighting, Heating, Ventilation, and Water

Depending on climate, heating may not be needed. If it is needed, hot water radiant heating under the floor is an excellent choice to warm the room.

Take advantage of natural ventilation by determining which direction the wind blows in during the summer and winter.

Use natural light from a skylight or small high windows. For lighting use dimmer switches or wall sconces.

A sauna requires no special water requirements and drinking water is fine to use.

Walls, Floors, and Fixtures

The interior walls and ceiling should be designed with clean lines in woods such as cedar or fir. Beaded board panels are an attractive option for interior walls, or leave the walls unfinished, for a more rustic look.

For the sauna room, use natural floor materials such as quarry tile, stone, or slate. In the sauna be sure that the floor is not slippery when it becomes wet. Do not use a polished marble or granite. Be sure to install a floor drain in the sauna room.

Flooring materials for the spa room floor can be the same ones used in the sauna, or there is the option of a wood floor such as pine.

Decide on a decorating theme for the spa room, Asian, rustic, or country for example. Options for the soaking tub include a deep Japanese soaking tub or a European tub, which is larger than a typical American tub, or course, a Jacuzzi tub.

Decor and Accessories

Go for an uncluttered look throughout. There should be plenty of cabinet space or shelves in the spa room to hold supplies for your spa treatments such as a collection of essential oils, herbal extracts, dried herbs, moisturizers, exfoliants such as sugar or salt, soft absorbent towels, washcloths, loofahs, and sea sponges. There should also be a small countertop to prepare your treatments, as well as hooks for towels and plush terrycloth robes.

Use bowls of flower petals, herb sachets, and candles in the spa room to create the right atmosphere for your retreat. You may want to include a comfortable bedroom or slipper chair for relaxing.

The sauna room should contain a bench or two (or a corner bench) at least 24 inches wide and long enough to lie down on. It should be smooth and splinter free with a natural finish.