Hello again, sauna friends. I haven’t written in awhile for personal reasons so it feels great to be back in the saddle writing again. Today, we’re going to be taking a look at installing an infrared sauna in your basement, the pros and cons and why it can be a gamechanger.
I’ll also share my own experience of how my wife Erin and I transformed a windowless basement office/dungeon into our totally zen infrared sauna retreat. I’ll share some before/after pictures so you can see the transformation for yourselves!
Anyways, this is a cool topic to share about because it’s near and dear to my heart. To be honest, I’m not sure why it took this long to write about this. It’s at the core of my own sauna wellness journey so I’m excited to share more about it with you.
Let’s jump in shall we?
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My Personal Basement Infrared Sauna Journey
A number of years ago, Erin and I were looking for a way to beat the brutal Canadian winter cold. Caribbean vacations are great, but they’re fleeting. Plus, with two kids at home it makes it expensive.
We had some friends over for dinner who had just gotten back from a weekend getaway to a lake cabin retreat. Each cabin had an outdoor barrel sauna and they LOVED it. They couldn’t believe how great they felt after using them. This definitely piqued my curiosity. And as you can probably tell, I was all aboard the hype train!
Later that night, I started researching saunas. I was convinced that a traditional barrel sauna in our backyard would amazing. However, for budgetary and practical reasons, it wasn’t in the cards.
The Infrared Sauna of our Dreams
We switched our attention to infrared saunas instead. We decided on a Finnleo 3-Person Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna (NOT a sponsor! We just love their products). They no longer make the model we purchased as this was a number of years ago, but there are similar models still available. I’d probably buy the Therasage Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna if I were making the decision today.
Before we could pull the trigger on purchasing it, we needed to optimize the space in our basement we intended to put it in.
However, there was a problem. A big problem, in fact. It was a totally dated office with mint green walls, a tacky wood desk (which is now my garage workbench!) and ugly cupboards (now used in our storage room).
I’m a reasonably handy guy so I took on the project myself. Over the course of a month, I disassembled the desk (then reassembled it in the garage), took down the cabinets (and moved them to our storage room) and ripped up the carpet.
Once the room was ready, it was renovation time. We painted it a neutral white, then added ambient lighting. After that came the flooring, then decorative board and batten and finally the baseboards.
The room was now infrared sauna of our dreams ready.
A few photos of our sauna room renovations. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the true “before” photos with the desk and cabinets. Just imagine the room being painted an ugly mint green with an old desk and cabinets at the back of the room.
And of course the finished product, complete with some greenery and a bookshelf!
Why Your Basement is Perfect for an Infrared Sauna
Before I continue my story, I just wanted to highlight a few of the reasons why we chose our basement for the infrared sauna. Other than the fact that it was one of the only underused rooms in our house.
1. Privacy and Quiet
The best part of basements is that they are private and tend to be quieter than other areas of your home. Perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day.
2. Using That Unused Space
If your basement’s main job right now is holding old holiday decorations and forgotten workout gear, it’s time for a glow-up. Transform it into a wellness space that actually gets used.
3. Easier to Renovate
We’ll get to this in more detail in just a second, but your sauna may have electrical upgrade requirements. We had to upgrade our electrical panel, which is much easier to do in a basement than running wire to other parts of your home.
My Sauna Basement Experience
When undertaking a renovation project like Erin and I did for our sauna, there are certain things you consider (like the flooring and lighting) and things you may not initially think about (like electrical requirements).
The biggest issue we ran into was that our sauna room was wired for 15 amp power, but the sauna required 20 amp. This required us to not only upgrade the breaker at the electrical box, but also to run heavier gauge wire for a dedicated circuit.
You may not need to do this depending on the size of the sauna you’re considering purchasing. As an example, a 2 person saunas may not need the upgrade but 3+ person saunas will.
An Electrical Headache
This was a huge hassle as the previous owner of our home had finished the ceiling with drywall. The electrical panel was in our kids’ playroom, with our laundry room separating the two rooms so this presented a huge issue due to the ceiling being sealed with drywall.
An electrician friend of mine offered to help with the project. He started by pulling the municipal permit for us. He then upgraded the breaker to a 20 amp arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) to comply with local bylaws. He then ran the heavier gauge wire through our HVAC vent, through the light fixtures in our laundry room and then down into the sauna room. It was set up on a dedicated circuit so there was no other power draw to ensure it operated correctly.
It was quite the ordeal. In the end we got a hefty bill for the work (even with a friends and family discount). It has been totally worth it but this could have been avoided with proper planning.
What to Think About Before Installing a Sauna in Your Basement
So, to save you some time and energy, let’s go through what a few of those not-so-obvious things may be before installing a sauna in your basement.
1. Ceiling Height
Make sure your sauna fits comfortably with at least six inches of clearance above it. You don’t want to squeeze into a sauna that feels like a coffin—you’re relaxing, not trying to become Dracula.
2. Moisture and Ventilation
Basements are moisture magnets. Waterproof the walls and floors, and invest in a good dehumidifier. If there’s no natural airflow, install a ventilation system to keep things fresh and mold-free. Infrared saunas have “risk of electrocution” warnings for this very reason.
3. Electrical Setup
Most infrared saunas need a dedicated circuit (120V or 240V) and 20 amp power. Don’t be like me. Research this beforehand to ensure your space is ready for your sauna!
4. Accessibility
Measure your doorways and stairwells before buying a sauna. Modular infrared saunas are typically the way to go (unless you’re a seasoned handyman) but even with the modular units, you may still be navigating a tight space—nobody wants to their dream sauna to be stuck in the hallway.
Choosing the Right Sauna for Your Basement
As mentioned above, we ended up purchasing a Finnleo 3 person corner sauna (again NOT a sponsor). It’s perfect for our needs as we tend to sauna together and we have plenty of room.
But here are a few things to consider for your own personal infrared sauna needs:
1. Size and Capacity
For solo use, a compact 1 or 2-person sauna does the trick. Although from experience, if you want to put your feet up and stretch out, a bigger model is probably better. If you’re ever going to have more than just yourself in there, opt for a 3-4 person sauna.
2. Materials That Last
- Cedar or Hemlock: Both resist moisture and look great. Cedar even smells amazing. Always go with cedar if you can. Ours is made of Canadian red cedar and it’s wonderful.
- Hypoallergenic Options: Basswood is a good choice if you’re sensitive to strong scents, although options may be limited.
If you need more a more in-depth guide on purchasing an infrared sauna, check out our top infrared saunas list here!
Sauna Features That Matter
We won’t go into a ton of detail here as we’ve written on this in the past, but there are a few practical features that you may want to consider:
- Full-Spectrum Infrared: This covers near, mid, and far-infrared wavelengths for maximum health benefits.
- Tech Extras: Bluetooth speakers, digital controls, and chromotherapy lighting make the experience feel a little more luxe.
- Energy Efficiency: Choose a sauna with efficient heating elements to keep running costs low.
How to Set Up Your Basement Sauna
This is extremely important: make sure your space is big enough and functional enough for your infrared sauna. If it’s going to be tight, make sure you measure everything and know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. The last thing you want to do is have your sauna not fit your space.
Here are a few other things to consider:
Step 1: Plan the Layout
Pick a spot with enough space for your sauna, plus some room for accessories like towel racks or a bench. Sketch it out so there are no surprises.
Step 2: Prep the Space
- Waterproof everything—walls, floors, and anywhere else moisture might sneak in.
- Add insulation to keep the heat inside the sauna and not leaking into the rest of the basement.
- Install ventilation to keep air flowing and prevent stuffiness.
Step 3: Electrical Work
Hire a licensed electrician to handle the wiring. Make sure your outlet matches the sauna’s power requirements. See my advice from above for more info.
Step 4: Assemble the Sauna
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Modular designs are typically easy to set up and perfect for basements with tight spaces. I HIGHLY recommend getting at least two people for setup. I set ours up by myself and it was a nightmare to do.
Step 5: Test and Adjust
Before your first session, test the sauna’s heating, lighting, and any built-in tech. Make adjustments as needed to get everything working perfectly.
Making the Most of Your Basement Sauna
Okay so this is the fun part. You can make your sauna room your own little sanctuary. Don’t just leave it in an empty room. That’s BORING! Add some décor and feng shui to get the vibes up.
Here’s how to take it to the next level:
1. Add Some Vibes
- Install ambient lighting or use chromotherapy to set the mood.
- Add Bluetooth speakers to play your favorite playlists or meditation tracks.
2. Expand the Wellness Zone
- Add a yoga mat or foam roller nearby for post-sauna stretching.
- Keep a small fridge stocked with cold water or your favorite hydrating drinks.
3. Accessories to Consider
- Sauna pillows (click to see our favorites)
- Sauna backrests (click to see our favorites)
- Sauna towels (click to see our favorites)
- Sauna robes (click to see our favorites)
- A towel warmer! (Amazon link)
- A Himalayan Salt Lamp! (Amazon link)
- Faux greenery! (Amazon link)
4. Keep It Clean
Cleaning your sauna is essential! Wipe down the sauna after every use to prevent buildup, and check the electrical and ventilation systems regularly to make sure everything’s running smoothly.
What Will This Sauna Setup Cost Me?
Below is some napkin math with a quick cost breakdown for our rough renovation costs and the sauna itself. However, keep in mind this was a number of years ago so these costs should be adjusted for inflation.
- Paint – $75 ($50 for white, $25 for green)
- Flooring – $250
- Lighting – $200 ($100 x 2)
- Baseboards & planks for board & batten – $75
- Electrical upgrade costs – $75
- Finnleo Full Spectrum Sauna – $3,500
- ROUGH TOTAL COST: $4,850
Just a note, these costs may not apply for your project. This was simply how much it cost to make ours perfect. Here are some costs to consider:
1. Upfront Investment
Infrared saunas typically cost between $1,500 and $7,000.
2. Renovations
Add another $750 to $2,000 for electrical work, ventilation, room upgrades and moisture control.
3. Accessorize Your Life
You may want to add some accessories to take the vibes in your sauna room up a notch. Budget $200-$500 for this as well.
4. Running Costs
These saunas are energy-efficient, with most models costing less than $10 per month to operate—good news if you plan on regular use.
FAQs
1. How much space do I need for a basement sauna?
One-person models need 3–4 square feet, while multi-person saunas require 6–9 square feet. Leave room for ventilation and easy access.
2. Can I install a sauna myself?
Many saunas are DIY-friendly, but hire a pro for electrical work and ventilation to avoid costly mistakes.
3. Is it safe to use an infrared sauna in a basement?
Yes, as long as you address moisture, ventilation, and electrical safety upfront.
Conclusion: Wrapping It Up
I hope you enjoyed the little journey to how I became an infrared sauna addict. In conclusion, adding a basement sauna is well worth your time and investment. However, there are a ton of things to consider so don’t take the decision lightly.
With the right planning and setup, you can create a space that’s as relaxing as it is functional. Thanks for reading and watch for new articles to come soon!
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