How to choose the right lights for your sauna? Expert guide

Sauna lighting is more than just a practical convenience. It is an essential part of the sauna experience, where the right lighting can transform a small, dim space into a peaceful oasis or an energising place. Lighting choices affect both the visual appearance and the atmosphere of a sauna, so it is important to make this decision carefully. With the right lighting solutions, your sauna can become the perfect place to relax and recuperate. Read on to learn how to choose the right lights for your sauna.

Starting points for sauna lighting design

Designing sauna lighting starts with understanding the characteristics and functions of the space. It is important to take into account the size of the space, the materials used and personal preferences for lighting. In addition to durability, the shade of the wood or the colour of the ceilings, for example, can influence the type of lighting you should use.

Practicality and aesthetics

In a sauna, the practicality of lighting is as important as its aesthetics. The possibility of adjusting the intensity of the light allows you to go from a relaxing sauna to a refreshing one, according to your needs.

• Adjustable lighting: the possibility to change the light intensity according to your needs.
• Indirect lighting: soft light creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Safety and sustainability

Safety is an integral part of sauna lighting design. In humid and hot conditions, materials must be weather and heat resistant. The placement of luminaires is also key to ensuring safety.

• IP rating: ensures that the lights are resistant to moisture and heat.
• Immediate access to switches: easy control creates safety in an emergency.

Environmental friendliness

Today, environmentally friendly lighting solutions are an important part of sauna design. Energy-saving options can reduce electricity consumption while reducing the carbon footprint.

• LED lights: energy-efficient and long-lasting.
• Automation systems: optimised lighting control.

Different types of lighting and their uses in the sauna

Choosing the right lighting is an essential part of sauna decoration. The different types of lighting offer a wide range of possibilities, both from a practical and a design point of view. Sauna lighting needs to be designed to be both functional and aesthetic to meet the needs of the users.

Cabinet lighting

Cabinet lights usually provide bright, direct lighting and are excellent for supplementary lighting in the sauna. They are particularly suitable for areas such as washrooms where effective lighting is required. Their placement should be carefully considered to meet safety requirements and they should be installed in areas where splash water cannot reach.

Indirect lights

Indirect lights are the real cornerstone of sauna lighting, creating a calm and warm atmosphere. By reflecting the light off the walls or ceiling, they create a soft, even, glare-free lighting effect. This feedback increases the feeling of relaxation and contributes to a pleasant sauna experience.

Fixed lighting

• Fibre optic lights: allow you to create light effects with small dots of light in different parts of the sauna.
• Wall lights: create indirect and uniform lighting along the wall.

Led strips

LED strips are a modern and versatile option, ideal for sauna lighting. They are relatively simple to install and provide an efficient lighting solution. LED strips make it easy to create different lighting themes for your sauna.

• Colour options: the possibility to choose different colours or effects to create the desired atmosphere.
• Energy efficiency: a highly energy-efficient solution that minimises electricity consumption.

Safety and moisture resistance in lighting

When designing sauna lighting, safety is of paramount importance, as the humidity and heat of the sauna place special demands on the lighting fixtures chosen. Lighting must be not only practical but also completely safe in an environment where temperatures can reach high levels and there is a lot of humidity in the air.

IP rating

The IP rating is a key criterion for assessing the water and dust resistance of electrical equipment. Especially in sauna environments, it is important to choose luminaires with a sufficient IP rating to ensure guaranteed durability.

• IP44 or higher: recommended for areas exposed to direct moisture.
• IP65: A perfectly sealed luminaire that can withstand harsh conditions.

Security features

Lighting safety can also be improved by other features. Heat-tolerant materials and the correct installation location of luminaires are key.

• Heat-resistant wiring: special wiring prevents overheating.
• Safety distances: adequate distance from hot surfaces, such as a stove, reduces the risk of fire.

Installation and maintenance

Properly installed and maintained lighting can significantly extend the life of lighting and improve safety. Professional installation ensures that all components are in place and meet safety standards.

• Professional installation: ensure that all safety considerations are met.
• Regular inspection: checking the condition of your lighting prevents problems before they occur.

Adjusting the lighting to suit the mood

In the sauna, adjustable lighting opens the way to a wide range of experiences. Adjustable lighting can be used to create just the right atmosphere to support the desired purpose of the sauna, be it relaxation, recreation or meditative retreat.

Dimmable luminaires

Dimmable luminaires are an excellent way to adapt the lighting in your sauna to suit the situation. For example, you can reduce the amount of light to create a calmer atmosphere or increase the light when you need a brighter view.

• Wireless controls: the possibility to easily change the lighting without complicated installations.
• Different lighting programmes: preset programmes to achieve different moods.

Smart lighting solutions

New technological innovations allow the use of smart lighting also in the sauna. These types of solutions can change the colour and intensity of lighting simply by controlling it from a phone or tablet.

• WLAN connection: control lighting with a mobile app.
• Integration with voice control: control lighting using voice commands.

Ambient lighting

To create atmospheric lighting, it’s a good idea to use a variety of light sources that accentuate the architecture and materials of the sauna. In perfect harmony, lighting transforms an element of the sauna into an experience in itself.

• Coloured lights: colour-changing lamps create different atmospheres.
• Accent lights: highlight structural details and enhance visual aesthetics.

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