Interior designer Seija Strand's best tips for designing a sauna: "Laude is now the thing!"

We met an interior designer known from the Kotoisa program Seija Strandin , who gave tips to those who dream of building or renovating a sauna. What should you consider when designing a sauna and what are the current sauna trends? And how can lighting affect the atmosphere of the sauna? Strand also told what effect Cariit's TAIVE shelves they did to him.

Strand has experience in a wide variety of interior design projects, and he is increasingly being asked for help with sauna and bathroom design. Sauna renovations are valuable, so many need the help of a designer to make sure that the choices are right. Strand says that sauna design always starts from the customer's dream.

- At first we dream and then we think about how to reach our dreams. Let's think about, for example, the color scheme, the sauna's atmosphere and materials. One of the most important things is the lighting, Strand describes.

The interior designer makes the customer's sauna dreams come true

Strand emphasizes that the customer's wishes are at the center of everything he does. So how does an interior designer go about making his client's dreams come true?

- I definitely always think about the whole, that is, how the sauna and the bathroom fit together. I was thinking about the atmosphere and color scheme of the premises. The functionality and lighting of the premises are extremely important. All essential solutions are made in good time and before the demolition work, in order to get as close as possible to the customer's dream, says Strand.

The choice of sauna lighting is determined, among other things, by the light level at which you want to use the sauna. Strand says that he himself prefers dim saunas, but he also has clients who prefer stronger lighting.

The functionality and lighting of the premises are extremely important.

- I like indirect lighting in the sauna, but we always put the customer's wishes first. That's the idea behind all the design.

Strand adds that he likes the heater light and dimming in the bathroom. He also guides you to pay attention to what color light the lamps produce.

The benches are at the center of the sauna decoration

Platforms are one of the most important choices when designing a sauna. What does the interior designer Strand pay attention to when considering board options with the client?

- The selection of the platforms is influenced, for example, by whether the customer wants to take a sauna sitting or lying down. You also have to think about the sauna space and how it makes sense to place the boards there. The color, width and shape of the shelves are determined by what else is in the apartment and bathroom.

Strand also emphasizes the practicality and cleaning possibilities of the shelves. When choosing the boards, the customer should already think about how to clean under them and whether they can be removed for cleaning.

Strand says that the heater is no longer the lonely king of the sauna, but rather a part of the sauna's atmosphere. Of course, the choice of stove is important just because of its heating method. Is the stove wood or electric or perhaps a combination? At the moment, stoves embedded in shelves are the most popular.

- The sauna is now the other important thing in the sauna, the "queen of kings", and the heater is just an addition to that, Strand states.

Strand emphasizes unity and practicality in sauna design. According to him, a unified look can be created in the sauna by following simple guidelines.

- It is important in creating unity that the color scheme, atmosphere and sauna wishes are right. If you want a truly rustic sauna, you can't really choose a super-modern decoration for the bathroom. The premises must talk to each other. Of course, different colors can be used in the sauna and bathroom, but the shades must also match.

"If I were to make a sauna for myself, I would choose TAIVE boards"

Strand mentions wide platforms and wall panels as sauna trends of the moment. While only a few years ago dark colors were popular, now the traditional color scheme is back and customers are asking for more light and traditional heat-treated shades.

- Now we want saunas with a cozy temperature, says Strand.

Strand's current favorite is TAIVE shelves. They would be his board choice if he were to renovate his sauna.

- If I were to make a sauna for myself, I would choose TAIVE boards. The design language of the shelves pleases my eye and it's wonderful that something new has become available that hasn't been on the market before. In TAIVE boards, things fall into place visually. There is something very architectural about them, the formal language of the classics. The ferries are also extremely pleasant to sit on, Strand tells about his experiences.

When talking about TAIVE boards, Strand also talks about the importance of cleaning the sauna. One of his favorite things about TAIVE boards is that they are easy to remove for cleaning.

In TAIVE boards, things fall into place visually. There is something very architectural about them, the formal language of the classics.

- Maintenance and care of the platforms is easy. I'm a bit of a cleaning freak so I'm totally excited about this.

Strand says that his customers are also in love with TAIVE shelves.

- The platforms come to life when customers see them live. And when they sit on the rafts, they find that they are absolutely insane. I also believe that TAIVE shelves will still be trendy in, for example, ten years from now.

Finally, Strand gives advice to the decorator, for whom a complete renovation of the sauna is not relevant, but who wants to liven up his old sauna.

- In the bathroom, you can renew, for example, a mirror cabinet or a shower. In the sauna, you can, for example, tone the boards or change the heater. Both the sauna and the bath can easily be given a new look by renewing the lighting, he advises.

to the TAIVE collection and for sauna lighting you can come and take a closer look at our showroom in Espoo!