Hey everyone, if you’re anything like the customers I chat with every day at the home sauna shop, you’ve probably spent hours obsessing over the heater, the wood type, and even where to tuck your little sauna in the corner of your bathroom or guest room. But let me ask you this—when’s the last time you thought about the seating? Like, actually sat down and asked, “Is this bench gonna fit my butt? My back? Or even the weirdly small space I’m working with?” I get it, seating feels like an afterthought, right? But trust me, as someone who’s spent years helping people pick out saunas (and fixing the mistakes that come with skipping the seating part), it’s actually one of the most important parts of your whole sauna setup. Home Sauna
Let me start with a quick story from last month. A guy named Mike reached out to me panicking because he’d put together his sauna over the weekend, only to realize the pre-made bench that came with it was so high he couldn’t stand up in the sauna and sit without his knees crammed up to his chest. He’s 6’2”, and the stock bench was built for someone half his height. He tried cutting the legs, but then it was wobbly and the wood started splitting from the moisture. Long story short, he ended up getting a custom lower bench, but he lost three whole days of his first sauna season because he skipped checking the seating fit. That’s exactly why I’m breaking this down for you today—no stuffy jargon, just real, usable stuff I’ve picked up from working with hundreds of home sauna owners.
First off, let’s talk space. This is non-negotiable. Your sauna is a tiny, enclosed box (usually 4×4 or 5×6 for home use), so every inch counts. I see so many people just look at the total square footage and assume the bench will fit, but they don’t account for two things: how much room you need to move (even just a little) and how double-tier benches eat up space. Wait, what’s a double-tier bench? Oh right, that’s the one where you have a lower seat and an upper seat, like a little sauna bleacher. They’re super popular because they let two people sit comfortably without taking up too much extra floor space. But here’s the catch—if your ceiling is under 7 feet tall, forget the upper tier. I don’t care how much you want that second seat; you’ll hit your head every time you try to lean back to relax. I’ve had customers put in upper tiers in 6’8” ceilings and they just end up hating it because it makes the sauna feel cramped, not luxurious.
Also, measure twice, cut once (or, you know, pick once). I always tell customers to map out their sauna’s interior with masking tape first. Mark where the heater is, because you need at least 12 inches of clearance between the heater and any seating. If you put a bench too close to the heater, the wood will warp fast, and more importantly, you’ll get way too hot sitting right next to it. I saw that same thing with Mike—he put his bench within 8 inches of the small sauna heater, and half the bench was already warped after a month. Now, when you’re doing that masking tape test, also sit down on the tape to make sure your legs don’t hit the wall. For most average-sized people (5’5” to 5’10”), you want about 18 inches of space from the front of the bench to the opposite wall. If you’re shorter, you can get away with a little less, and if you’re over 6 feet, bump that up to 20 inches. Simple, right? No fancy tools, just masking tape and your butt.
Next up, material. This is where I see a ton of wrong choices. You can’t just use any old wood for sauna seating. Saunas get hot—like 150-195 degrees Fahrenheit hot—and they get steamy, so the wood has to be durable, heat-resistant, and not toxic. I know some guys try to save money by using pine or even cedar from their local hardware store, but here’s the thing: softwoods like pine release resin when they get hot, and that resin smells like chemicals when it burns. Not exactly the relaxing vibe you want after a long day. Plus, cedar, while it’s popular, can get splintery after a few months of use, especially if you’re sitting on it with damp skin. That’s why we only use two types of wood for our sauna benches: northern white cedar and aspen. Wait, let’s break those down.
Aspen is the workhorse, honestly. It’s super dense, doesn’t split easy, and it’s actually cheaper than cedar if you’re on a budget. It doesn’t release any nasty chemicals when heated, and it’s naturally resistant to the moisture and mold that builds up in saunas. The only downside is it doesn’t have that nice, woody scent cedar has. So if you’re all about that “pure sauna smell,” go with cedar. Northern white cedar is also more lightweight, which is nice if you need to move the bench around occasionally (though most people don’t, it’s a bonus). It’s also softer on your skin, so no splinters, even after a year of use. Pro tip: never use pressure-treated wood, oak, or any exotic hardwoods. Pressure-treated wood has chemicals that will leach into the heat and steam, and oak gets way too hot to sit on bare skin. I’ve had a customer test that once out of curiosity, and he said the oak bench got so hot after 10 minutes he had to put a towel over his jeans to not burn his legs. Not cool.
Now, seat height and depth. This is the part that actually makes or breaks your sauna comfort. Again, I learned this from Mike, the 6’2” guy. Standard seat height for sauna benches is 14 to 16 inches. Wait, but for a 6’2” guy, that’s way too low. His knees were up at his chest because the seat was only 14 inches high. For tall folks (6 feet and over), you want a seat height of 17 to 19 inches. That way your legs hang straight down, not crumpled up. For shorter people (under 5’5”), 12 to 14 inches is fine, so you don’t feel like you’re sitting in a hole.
Seat depth is next. Most pre-made benches are 12 inches deep, which is perfect for average-sized people. But if you’re over 5’10”, go for 15 inches. That way you can lean back without falling off the edge, or rest your arms comfortably on the back of the bench (wait, speaking of backrests—do you need them? Let’s talk about that next). Backrests are a game-changer for people who like to sit in the sauna for 45 minutes or more, not just 10. If you’re the type that likes to lounge, a backrest is non-negotiable. But make sure it’s angled right—about 10 to 15 degrees from vertical. If it’s too steep, your lower back won’t get support, and if it’s too flat, you’ll slide forward when you sit up. Also, make sure the backrest is the same wood as the seat, and that it’s attached properly—no one wants a wobbly backrest that falls off mid-sweat.
Wait, let’s not forget about double-tier benches, because I know a lot of you are considering them. Double-tier benches are great if you have a 5×6 or bigger sauna, because they let two people sit without taking up extra floor space. But here’s the rule: the upper tier has to be at least 12 inches above the lower tier, and the upper seat has to be 10 inches deep minimum. Also, the upper tier should be offset from the lower one, so the person sitting on top isn’t directly over the person below them—otherwise, the heat and steam get trapped between them, and the person on top gets way too hot. I had a customer put a double-tier bench where the upper seat was directly above the lower one, and he texted me saying his friend passed out after 15 minutes. He fixed it by repositioning the upper tier, and they’ve used it ever since, but that’s a scary mistake to make over a “cool” bench setup.
Another thing I get asked all the time: cushions. Can I put a cushion on my sauna bench? Short answer: sometimes. If you’re using a dry sauna (the kind that runs on 150+ degrees with low humidity), a thin, heat-resistant cushion is fine—just make sure it’s designed for high temperatures, not a regular couch cushion. Those will melt or start smelling terrible after a few uses. But if you have a steam sauna (higher humidity, around 180 degrees), skip the cushions entirely. The moisture will get trapped under the cushion, grow mold, and it’ll smell like mildew faster than you can say “sweat session.” I always tell people, if you need a little extra padding, just sit on a large, dry towel. It’s easy to wash, cheap, and doesn’t trap moisture.
Now, let’s talk about custom vs. pre-made benches. This is a big one. Pre-made benches are great if you have a standard-sized sauna (4×4, 5×5, 5×6) and you’re on a budget. They’re usually cheaper, they come with the sauna if you buy a package, and they’re quick to install. But if you have a weirdly shaped sauna—like if you built a nook in your basement that’s not a perfect rectangle—or if you’re over 6 feet, or you want a double-tier bench that fits exactly, custom is the way to go. The good news is, custom benches don’t have to be crazy expensive. Most of the time, they’re only a little more than pre-made, and you can pick the exact wood, height, depth, and backrest you want. We do custom benches all the time for our customers, and a lot of them tell me it was the best investment they made, because they use their sauna way more now that it’s actually comfortable.
Wait, let’s add a quick personal tip I’ve picked up over the years. When you’re sitting in a sauna, your skin is damp, so you don’t want any rough edges. Always sand the edges of your bench with fine-grit sandpaper, and then wipe it down with a lint-free cloth before you use it for the first time. Even if it’s cedar or aspen, a little sanding will prevent splinters, and a quick wipe will get rid of any dust or wood shavings that might be there from construction. I once forgot to do that for a customer, and he texted me a photo of a splinter in his butt—never again. That’s just a tiny step that makes a huge difference.
Also, maintenance. I know maintenance is the last thing you want to think about when you’re excited for your new sauna, but it’s important for seating. Every few months, wipe down the bench with a damp cloth to get rid of sweat and grime. Never use soap or cleaning products with harsh chemicals—they’ll eat away at the wood and leave a residue that will smell bad when the sauna heats up. Once a year, you can apply a thin coat of cedar oil (if you have cedar benches) or aspen-safe wood oil to keep the wood from drying out and splitting. Trust me, that’s way easier than replacing a bench that’s been ruined by neglect.
Let me wrap this up with a few quick checklists so you don’t have to remember everything. First, space: measure your sauna interior, leave 12 inches between bench and heater, 18-20 inches between bench and opposite wall, skip upper tiers if ceiling is under 7 feet. Second, material: use northern white cedar or aspen only, no softwoods, pressure-treated wood, or oak. Third, size: seat height 12-14 inches for under 5’5”, 14-16 for 5’5”-5’10”, 17-19 for over 6 feet; seat depth 12 inches for average, 15 inches for over 5’10”. Fourth, extras: backrests are great if you sit for 30+ minutes, skip cushions for steam saunas, use thin towels if you need padding.
At the end of the day, choosing sauna seating isn’t rocket science, but it’s worth taking the time to get it right. A bad bench can ruin your whole sauna experience, but a good, well-fitted bench will make you use your sauna every single day—whether you’re chilling after work, recovering from a workout, or just escaping the chaos of the house. If you’re still unsure, or you have a weird space, or you want to talk through custom options, just reach out to our team. We’ve helped hundreds of people pick the right seating, and we can walk you through every step, no pressure, no pushy sales talk. We’re here to make your sauna dream a comfortable one, not a frustrating one.
Now, if you have more questions, or you’re ready to chat about picking out seating for your home sauna, just get in touch with our team to discuss your needs, space, and budget. We’re always here to help.
Home Sauna References
- International Sauna Association. (2022). Home Sauna Design and Safety Guidelines.
- Wood Preservation Council. (2021). Recommended Woods for High-Temperature, High-Humidity Environments.
- Journal of Indoor Environment and Health. (2020). Thermal Comfort Factors in Home Sauna Seating.
- Sauna Owners Association. (2023). Maintenance Best Practices for Home Sauna Benches.
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