Does a Sauna Add Value to Your Home?

The short answer is yes—but the amount of value depends on the quality of the installation, the overall design and how well it's integrated into the property.

As wellness has become one of the fastest-growing trends in residential design, buyers are increasingly looking for homes that support healthier lifestyles. Features such as home gyms, spa bathrooms, cold plunge pools and saunas are no longer reserved for luxury hotels—they're becoming desirable additions in private homes too.

According to Savills, wellness-focused amenities are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions, particularly within the premium housing market. Developers are responding by incorporating dedicated wellness spaces into new residential schemes as buyers place greater emphasis on health, relaxation and work-life balance.

Meanwhile, Rightmove's property insights consistently show that homes with distinctive, high-quality lifestyle features generate stronger buyer interest online. While every property is different, unique features that set a home apart can improve marketability and help attract more prospective buyers.

For homeowners considering a sauna installation, the question isn't simply whether it improves everyday wellbeing—it's whether it can also strengthen the long-term appeal of their property. In many cases, the answer is yes.

Why Buyers Are Looking for Wellness Features

The way people evaluate homes has changed dramatically over the past decade. Buyers are no longer looking solely at kitchens, extensions and square footage—they're also considering how a property supports their health and wellbeing.

The rise of hybrid working has encouraged homeowners to invest more heavily in the spaces where they spend most of their time. Creating a home that promotes relaxation, fitness and recovery has become just as important as maximising floor space.

This shift has fuelled demand for premium wellness features, with saunas increasingly viewed as a luxury that offers genuine everyday value rather than simply an occasional indulgence.

Can a Sauna Increase Property Value?

No surveyor or estate agent can guarantee a specific uplift in value from installing a sauna, as every property and local market is different.

However, many premium estate agents regard a professionally designed sauna as a desirable lifestyle feature that enhances the overall appeal of a property—much like a bespoke kitchen, luxury bathroom, cinema room or landscaped garden.

The table below is illustrative only, showing what a 1–5% premium would represent if a sauna formed part of a wider package of high-quality improvements that helped achieve a stronger sale price.

Property Value	*Illustrative Value Increase (1–5%)
£300,000	£3,000–£15,000
£500,000	£5,000–£25,000
£750,000	£7,500–£37,500
£1,000,000	£10,000–£50,000

Indoor Saunas Typically Deliver the Greatest Appeal

Built-in indoor saunas generally provide the strongest perceived value because they become part of the home's architecture rather than appearing as a removable addition.

Buyers particularly appreciate:

• Purpose-built wellness rooms
• Premium Nordic timber interiors
• Full-height glass fronts
• Designer lighting
• High-quality sauna heaters
• Professional electrical installation
• Effective ventilation

When a sauna feels like it was designed with the house from the outset, it enhances the overall impression of quality throughout the property.

Outdoor Saunas Can Be Equally Attractive

Outdoor saunas have become one of the fastest-growing trends in UK home wellness.

Rather than simply placing a cabin at the end of the garden, the highest-value installations create an outdoor wellness retreat. Features such as thermowood construction, architectural landscaping, decking, outdoor showers and cold plunge pools help transform the sauna into an extension of the living space.

For buyers, this effectively creates an additional room dedicated to relaxation and wellbeing, making the garden feel like a private spa rather than simply an outdoor space.

Buyers Purchase Lifestyle, Not Just Features

Most buyers aren't calculating the value of cedar timber or the cost of an electric heater.

They're buying the lifestyle the home represents.

A beautifully designed sauna communicates:

• Luxury living
• Better work-life balance
• Daily wellness routines
• Stress reduction
• Premium design
• Space for entertaining and relaxation

These emotional drivers often influence purchasing decisions just as much as practical considerations. A memorable feature can often be the difference between a buyer remembering your property—or forgetting it.

Quality Makes All the Difference

A professionally installed sauna can become a genuine selling point.

A poorly built one can have the opposite effect.

To maximise appeal, homeowners should prioritise:

• Professional installation
• Compliance with UK electrical regulations
• High-quality materials
• Proper insulation
• Effective ventilation
• Attractive lighting
• Thoughtful integration into the home's design

Documentation such as electrical certificates, installation records and manufacturer warranties can also provide reassurance to prospective buyers and demonstrate that the installation has been completed to a high standard.

Can a Sauna Help Your Home Sell Faster?

Potentially, yes.

One of the biggest benefits of installing a sauna may not be the final selling price, but the increased buyer interest it generates.

Distinctive lifestyle features often create more memorable property listings, stronger online engagement and more viewing requests. In competitive markets, these advantages can reduce time on the market and help a property stand out among similar homes.

Professional photography also plays an important role. A beautifully lit sauna or wellness room can become one of the standout images in a property listing, helping capture buyers' attention while browsing online.

Is Installing a Sauna Worth It?

For many homeowners, the answer extends beyond financial return.

Unlike some renovations that are only appreciated when a property is sold, a sauna delivers value every week through relaxation, stress relief and improved wellbeing. Years of personal enjoyment often become the primary return on investment, with any increase in buyer appeal acting as an additional benefit.

As home wellness continues to grow in popularity, investing in a high-quality sauna is increasingly viewed as investing in both your lifestyle and your property.

The Verdict

A sauna should be viewed less as a guaranteed financial investment and more as a premium lifestyle enhancement that can also strengthen your property's appeal.

The research from Savills demonstrates that wellness is becoming increasingly important to today's buyers, while Rightmove's property insights reinforce the value of distinctive, high-quality features in helping homes stand out in competitive markets. A professionally designed sauna can enhance a property's desirability, create a memorable viewing experience and contribute to a stronger overall impression of quality.

Editorial Note

The valuation examples shown in this guide are illustrative only and demonstrate what a 1–5% increase would represent in monetary terms. They should not be interpreted as a guaranteed return on investment. Property values are influenced by numerous factors, including location, condition, local market demand and comparable sales. There is currently no independent UK research attributing a fixed percentage increase in property value to installing a sauna alone. A sauna should therefore be viewed as one premium lifestyle feature that may contribute to a property's overall appeal alongside other high-quality improvements.