The best place for a home sauna is wherever you will actually use it: a spare room or garden room for an infrared sauna, or the garden for a traditional barrel sauna.
Home sauna locations compared
| Location | Sauna type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spare room or bedroom | Infrared | Warm, dry, close by | Needs floor space |
| Garage | Infrared or small electric | Out of the way | Can be cold and damp |
| Garden room | Infrared or electric | Feels like a spa | Needs power and insulation |
| Garden | Barrel or cabin | Real sauna heat | Weather, base, path |
| Bathroom | Small infrared | Shower next door | Usually too small |
What a home sauna needs
- A level, solid floor that can take some heat and moisture.
- A socket for a plug-in infrared sauna, or a dedicated circuit for bigger heaters, fitted by a registered electrician via Safe Electric.
- Some ventilation, especially for a traditional sauna.
- A short walk to a shower or cold plunge.
Our recommendation
If you don’t have outdoor space, a two person infrared home sauna in a spare room is the easiest win. If you have a garden and want real heat, a barrel sauna is hard to beat. Compare both in our barrel vs infrared guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a sauna in my garage?
Yes. An infrared sauna works well in a dry, insulated garage. Avoid damp or very cold garages.
Does a home sauna need ventilation?
A traditional sauna needs an air inlet and outlet. Infrared saunas need less, but the room should not be sealed.
Can a home sauna go in a bathroom?
Only a small infrared model, and only if there is space and no risk of water splashing the electrics.
How much space does a home sauna need?
A one or two person infrared sauna needs roughly 1.2 × 1.0 m plus a little clearance.
Find your home sauna
Indoor and outdoor saunas delivered across Ireland.
