Bespoke Saunas: From Vision to Sanctuary
We believe your sauna should be as individual as you are. Our process begins with a blank canvas, allowing us to free your vision from the confines of standard designs and traditional templates.
A Journey in Custom Sauna Craft and Design
It is a journey that begins with a single idea, unfolding as we explore the rich palette of materials and textures to define the character of your space. From there, your vision is meticulously crafted into a sanctuary of quiet, enduring beauty.
Award Winning & Globally Recognised Experts in Sauna Architecture
Installed with precision in any space.
Our design and installation service is tailored to fit any environment, no matter the size or complexity. We engineer each sauna to integrate seamlessly, creating a space that feels as if it were always meant to be there.
The Finest materials & authentic craftsmanship.
Every bespoke sauna is a study in authentic craftsmanship. We select only the finest materials, ensuring that every element—from the chosen timber to the smallest detail—is a reflection of enduring quality and artistry.
Recent Bespoke Sauna Projects
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"A sauna, to me, is not just a structure, but a silent meditation on heat, timber, and light."
- Pete Elder, Head Of Design at Finnmark Sauna.
What we build: Our Custom Saunas
Every custom built sauna we deliver is driven by purpose: how it will be used, where it will live, and the experience it’s meant to create. These are the three core formats we build, each one shaped by what the client and the space actually need.
Bespoke Saunas for Home, Garden, and Commercial Spaces
Bespoke saunas are an investment in wellbeing, design, and daily ritual. At Finnmark, each custom sauna is built on site by our skilled sauna craftsmen. Tailored to the exact dimensions and character of your space, our saunas are constructed with millimetre precision, often over the course of a week.
While certain bench components are pre-crafted in our UK workshop, the sauna itself is brought to life where it will stand – making every build truly one of a kind.
FAQs
How much room do I need for one of your custom saunas?
We’ve designed small functional home saunas, and we've also built large multi-room wellness suites. The size depends on how many people will use it, how often, and the type of experience you’re after. During your consultation, we’ll assess the available space and recommend a layout that fits both the room and the way you want to use it.
Do bespoke saunas require planning permission?
Most indoor bespoke saunas don’t require planning permission, especially when installed within an existing room. For outdoor saunas, it depends on factors like size, location, and whether the structure is permanent. We’ll advise you early in the process if planning considerations apply and can liaise with your architect or contractor if needed.
What are the differences between electric and wood-burning heaters in a custom sauna?
Electric heaters are the most common choice – they’re efficient, low-maintenance, and compatible with modern Wi-Fi controls for added convenience. However, they do require a suitable electrical supply, which is essential for safe and effective operation. If your outdoor sauna location doesn’t have access to an appropriate power supply, a wood-burning heater will be necessary.
Wood-burning heaters offer a more traditional, sensory sauna experience, but they do require additional planning – including flue installation, regular access to firewood, and ongoing cleaning and maintenance.
The choice often comes down to ritual: do you want the convenience of instant heat at the press of a button, or the slower, more tactile rhythm of building and tending a fire? We’ve designed and installed both, and we’ll guide you toward the best option for your space, routine, and energy setup.
What’s the typical lead time for a sauna design and build project?
It depends on the scale and specifics of the project, but most sauna design and build timelines fall between 12 and 16 weeks. That includes design development, material preparation, workshop build time, and scheduling installation. Once we’ve seen your space and understood the brief, we’ll give you a clear, realistic timeline. Please note, our installation calendar can vary throughout the year, so please speak with our sales team as soon as possible to understand our current lead times.
Why choose a custom build sauna
Bespoke saunas offer far more than visual appeal. They solve problems standard kits can’t, and elevate the experience in ways that matter long-term. Here’s what you gain when you choose a bespoke sauna with Finnmark:
- Built Around Your Space: Unlike many bespoke sauna providers, simply installing a modular unit and cladding around it, our saunas are genuinely made to measure - designed and built to the millimetre of your exact space. Whether it's a compact utility room or a wide-span basement, there are no visible fixings, no awkward gaps, and no compromises. Ventilation is tailored to the unique characteristics of your room, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance from the start.
- Total Design Freedom: Layout, benching, lighting, doors, access – nothing is pre-decided. Want tiered benches in thermo-aspen? Lighting behind backrests? A frameless glass wall or traditional solid timber door? We’ll design it around how you use the sauna, not what’s convenient to install.
- Performance-Grade Materials: We don’t use generic cladding or joinery timber. All linings are made from low-knot and low-resin Nordic hardwoods and softwoods – like alder, aspen, and thermo-treated variants. Each selected for their ability to perform under heat and humidity.
- Purpose-Led Engineering: A family sauna used twice a week isn’t built the same way as a commercial unit running 12 hours a day. Every component, from insulation and vapour barriers to ventilation and heater output, is specified to suit the actual use case. The result: stable temperatures, balanced heat, and a system that performs flawlessly in its environment.
Our Process: From Vision To Reality
Every one of our custom saunas starts with a conversation. That first dialogue informs every decision that follows, from layout and materials to heat performance and final installation.
- Consultation: We ask the right questions early: usage, layout, airflow, electricity supply and access. This ensures the design responds to the real conditions it will be working with.
- Design Collaboration: Your vision becomes a build-ready plan with full technical drawings, material specifications, and practical guidance throughout.
- Material Selection: We work with the highest-performance components available. With our guidance, you’ll choose from Nordic softwoods, commercial-grade insulation, and proven heaters – all selected to meet the demands of your brief.
- In-House Build & Installation: Every sauna is handcrafted on site by our experienced team of experts, tailored to the exact dimensions of your space. Precision-built to the millimetre and installed by our dedicated team, no two saunas are ever the same.
Aftercare & Support: We leave you with an exceptional wellness space, and the knowledge to keep it that way. We offer ongoing sauna care, usage guidance, and optional maintenance contracts to keep everything performing as it should, year after year.
Not sure if bespoke saunas are right for you?
Not every project needs a full custom built sauna, but that doesn’t mean a flat-pack kit is the answer either. Our Design and Materials Package is ideal if you're planning a self-build or working with a trusted local contractor.
For a one-time fee of £1,440, you’ll receive a fully personalised sauna design pack created by our in-house experts. It includes tailored drawings, material specifications, heater guidance, and ventilation plans – everything you need to build a sauna to Finnmark standards.
You still get access to the same premium sauna materials and expert insight, just delivered in a format that suits your budget and build approach.
Start Your Sauna Project
Tell us a bit about your project – a member of our bespoke sauna team will follow up to explore your vision and guide your next step.