Over 30 years of interviewing homeowners, we’ve seen a vast increase in our clients requesting health & wellness spaces in recent years. Features like home saunas and fitness studios are popping up in countless projects.
We love seeing wellness become more of a focus in American culture and having the opportunity to craft homes that support a healthy lifestyle. This article explores what goes into designing these spaces for both aesthetics and maximum health benefits.
Saunas
A cornerstone of Scandinavian culture for centuries, saunas offer a traditional way to unwind and detoxify. Mosaic tiles, lighting, and art can all be played with to make the sauna unique to you. While they are traditionally made entirely of wood, you can also integrate glass panels to add a contemporary element. Modern amenities like smart controls and sound systems all contribute to overall convenience. Placing your sauna with easy access to the pool can create a complete and immersive experience.
Modern home saunas employ either infrared or steam heat. Let’s break down the difference.
Infrared Heat or Red Light Therapy
An infrared sauna takes up less space and is easier to integrate into contemporary homes. Providing a milder, more tolerable warmth that penetrates deeper into the skin, red light is known for promoting muscle relaxation and detoxification. They are also more energy-efficient and quicker to heat up.
Steam Heat
Steam is excellent for deep cleansing and relaxation. Traditional steam saunas generate high humidity and intense heat by pouring water over hot rocks, creating a more immersive and sweat-inducing experience. Steam saunas can be beneficial for respiratory health and offer a more classic sauna feel, but they require more maintenance and longer heating times.
Gyms & Fitness Studios
An exercise room is a vital part of any home spa. It should be flexible, accommodating activities like yoga and high-intensity workouts. Be sure to create a space that caters to the workouts you already love—whether that’s lifting, yoga, martial arts, or something else—but also allows you to integrate new interests in the future. You want a gym that’s usable, flexible, well-ventilated, and spacious.
If you love a morning workout, pay attention to the view of your exercise room. Incorporating large south-facing windows will flood the room with gorgeous natural light in the morning hours.
Custom Home Building in Dallas, TX
Your ideal home is not just one that looks the part, it has to support the healthiest version of you. Whether that means having an in-home sauna & fitness studio or just a private study and meditation space is entirely dependent on your lifestyle.
Nixon Custom Homes has been building luxury homes throughout Dallas, Texas for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on approaching every space in the home with thoughtfulness and exceptional craftsmanship.
We build homes that are personal, durable, and award-winning. Schedule a consultation today to get started.
