Home spa materials and colours

Everyone creates the desired atmosphere in their own home spa with matching materials and colours. There is no one right solution, and the saying “there is no accounting for taste” is also true when designing a comfortable and functional sauna and bathing area. The most successful result is achieved by choosing practical and durable materials for the surfaces and furnishings used, as well as a colour scheme that is pleasing to the eye.

The harmonious and soothing atmosphere is already created by the warm, natural feel of the sauna’s wooden surfaces. The elements of water, stone and fire also bring nature strongly into the bathing spaces. It is therefore clear that it is the softly blending earthy tones of wood, sand, stone and earth that are ideal when choosing the colours for a home spa. These colours also stand the test of time well and provide a restful backdrop for any stronger effect colours.

For wood and panel finishes, the mood can be set by choosing darker and more tonal heat-treated aspen or light, calm ash. By combining different wood species, the colouring can be varied and the orientation of the panel can be used to control the dynamics of the space. Indirect lighting in the ceilings accentuates the shapes and brings out the wood beautifully, reflecting off the surface and “softening” the tone of the light. In bathrooms, lightly tinted glass wall solutions add light, air and a sense of space. They also open up and unify the space into a spa ensemble.

When choosing colours for tiles and furniture, it is also worth considering the overall atmosphere. Fire and sun reds, terracotta, oranges and yellows warm, soften and seal the space. Similarly, the blues and turquoises of water and the greens of the forest cool, sharpen and expand the space. White brings freshness, purity and light to a space, often making it a good choice for creating space and clarity.

Creating contrasts with different surface materials and colours makes the space feel cosy and interesting. By combining soft wood surfaces with hard stone, tile and glass surfaces in sauna rooms, the natural qualities of the materials are best brought out. Combining light and dark surfaces with calm and strong colours in the right proportions gives the room a personal touch. The relationship between colours and materials is important. Courage is often rewarded, and so striking solutions in patterned surfaces and furnishings in bathrooms are in order.

Safety and cleanability are particularly important when choosing materials for a home spa. The safety distances of wooden surfaces and other combustible surfaces from the heater must be taken into account. Treating the wood with paraffin oil prolongs the life of the wood, facilitates cleaning and deepens the wood’s colour. Paneled surfaces should also be treated with sauna protection, which is available in various colours and shades.

Waterproofing in damp rooms must be done according to standards and the right tiles will make the room safe and long-lasting. Floor tiles must not be slippery and must be sized to fit the drainage trenches. On the wall, a large tile size reduces the number of easily soiled seams and increases the sense of space. In a light-coloured tile with a lively surface, lime stains caused by water are less visible than in a dark, flat tile. Glossy tile surfaces, on the other hand, reflect light well and provide a “mirror-like” sense of space.

Security is provided by glass doors and window surfaces, which open up the entire home spa into a single, manageable space. The glass surface is easy to keep clean and does not suffer from changes in humidity. High quality solutions and material choices pay off in terms of comfort and age.

The details complete the whole. By choosing elements that connect all the spaces of the home spa, the wood-toned benches in the washroom and dressing room, the space is coherent and functional. Similarly, the continuation of the panelled ceiling from one space to the next, and the integration of the space with beautifully matching bronze doors and walls that soften the lighting, create a well-considered whole. The steam and stones of the stove are atmospherically highlighted by the stove lens, and an illuminated water feature embedded in the ceiling crowns the visual delight. Decorative stone surfaces and dimmable lighting solutions can be used to create an additional sauna aesthetic. Only your imagination is the limit when designing and implementing your own home spa.

Texts by Kristiina Sirén, Sunsauna Oy