Steam Showers and Saunas: Creating a Wellness Retreat at Home
/There is something different about having a place in your own home where the purpose is simply to slow down.
No drive to the spa.
No appointment.
No packing a bag.
You close the door, step inside, and for a little while the rest of the house disappears.
That is part of the appeal of steam showers and home saunas. They can turn an ordinary part of the daily routine into something more restorative while creating a space that feels intentionally designed around comfort.
But there is an important difference between dreaming about a beautiful home wellness retreat and building one correctly.
A steam shower is not simply a regular shower with a steam generator attached. A sauna is not simply a warm room with wood walls.
Both involve decisions about space, materials, moisture, heat, electrical and mechanical systems, equipment placement, ventilation, maintenance, and how the room connects to the rest of the home.
If either is on your custom-home wish list, the best time to start thinking about it is early.
Start With the Experience You Actually Want
Before comparing equipment, start with a simpler question:
What do you want this space to do for you?
Maybe you picture ending the day in a steam shower attached to your primary bathroom.
Maybe you want a dedicated sauna near a home gym.
Maybe you are imagining a larger wellness suite with a sauna, shower, heated floors, towel storage, and a quiet place to cool down afterward.
Or perhaps you simply want your everyday shower to feel more relaxing without creating an entire dedicated wellness room.
Those are very different projects.
The right design begins with the experience rather than the equipment.
Steam Shower or Sauna: What Is the Difference?
Although people often group steam showers and saunas together, the experiences are quite different.
A steam shower creates a high-moisture environment by introducing water vapor into an enclosed shower.
A sauna creates a heated environment using a sauna-specific heating system. The exact temperature, humidity, construction, and operating characteristics depend on the type of sauna and equipment selected.
From a design perspective, that distinction matters.
A steam shower is fundamentally a wet environment. Water vapor and condensation need to be considered throughout the enclosure.
A sauna has a different construction approach involving heat, interior materials, ventilation, heater clearances, electrical requirements, and the manufacturer's installation specifications.
Neither should be approached as simply another decorative bathroom feature.
Core Insights
Is a steam shower just a regular shower with a steam generator?
No. A properly designed steam shower needs an enclosed environment and construction appropriate for repeated steam exposure. The enclosure, waterproofing and vapor management, materials, ceiling, lighting, ventilation strategy, generator, controls, and steamhead all need to work together.
Should a steam shower be planned during the original home design?
Ideally, yes. Early planning makes it easier to coordinate the enclosure, generator location, plumbing, electrical service, seating, materials, lighting, and surrounding bathroom design.
Where does the steam generator go?
The generator is located outside the steam enclosure in an appropriate accessible location. The exact allowable location, clearances, distance, and environmental requirements depend on the manufacturer and selected equipment.
Can natural stone be used in a steam shower?
Potentially, but material selection affects more than appearance. Different materials retain heat differently and can influence system sizing and maintenance. The complete assembly should be designed for steam-service conditions.
Is a home sauna better than a steam shower?
Neither is universally better. They create different experiences and have different space, construction, moisture, equipment, and maintenance considerations. The better choice is the one you are more likely to use and that fits naturally into the home.
Can I put a sauna near my home gym?
Yes, depending on the floor plan and technical requirements. A gym, pool area, primary suite, lower level, or dedicated wellness area can all be logical locations when the surrounding spaces are planned together.
Can I include both a sauna and a steam shower?
Yes. In a larger custom home, they can serve different purposes within the same wellness area. Whether both make sense depends on available space, budget, lifestyle, and how frequently you expect to use them.
A Steam Shower Needs to Be Designed as a Steam Environment
This is one of the most important distinctions in the entire project.
A beautiful tile shower is not automatically a steam shower.
The Tile Council of North America specifically identifies steam rooms, along with showers, pools, spas, and certain other installations, as areas where proper installation is critical. TCNA's installation guidance emphasizes properly designed and prepared assemblies using appropriate construction methods and materials.
That means the conversation goes beyond choosing tile.
The design team needs to consider the complete enclosure.
Among the questions that may need to be resolved are:
How will the enclosure contain steam?
What waterproofing and vapor-management system is appropriate?
How will the ceiling be handled?
Where will glass be used?
Where will the door be located?
Will there be windows?
What materials will cover the walls and ceiling?
Where will someone sit?
Where will the steam enter the enclosure?
Where will the controls be located?
How will lighting be handled?
Where will the generator be installed?
The answers depend on the specific design and system.
The important thing for a homeowner to understand is that these decisions are connected.
The Steam Generator Needs a Home Too
The equipment may not be visible when you are enjoying the finished shower, but it still needs somewhere to live.
Residential steam systems use a generator located outside the steam enclosure. Manufacturer planning guidance from MrSteam, for example, describes placing its residential generator in an appropriate dry, heated, accessible location and connecting it to the shower through the required water, steam, drainage, power, and control infrastructure.
The exact requirements depend on the selected system.
That is why generator location should not be an afterthought.
A good location needs to work not only during installation, but also when the equipment eventually needs inspection, maintenance, or service.
Hiding equipment so thoroughly that nobody can reasonably access it later is not thoughtful luxury.
Accessibility matters too.
Size Matters When Designing a Steam Shower
A larger shower does not simply mean buying a generator that looks powerful enough.
Generator sizing can depend on the volume and construction of the enclosure.
Ceiling height, glass, exterior walls, and finish materials can affect the demands placed on the system. Steam-system manufacturers therefore use sizing methods that account for more than floor area alone.
This creates an important design relationship.
The architecture affects the equipment.
The equipment affects the mechanical planning.
And the materials can affect both.
That is why these decisions are best coordinated rather than made independently.
Think Carefully About the Ceiling
People naturally spend most of their time choosing the shower walls and floor.
In a steam environment, the ceiling deserves attention too.
Steam rises.
Condensation occurs.
The ceiling becomes part of the steam enclosure rather than merely the surface above it.
Its construction, finish, height, penetrations, lighting, and other details should therefore be considered as part of the complete system.
This is also why a dramatic oversized shower with a very tall ceiling may have different equipment requirements than a more compact enclosure.
Bigger is not automatically better.
The goal is to create a space that works beautifully.
Choose Materials for More Than Appearance
This is where custom-home design gets interesting.
A steam shower can be visually stunning.
Large-format tile.
Natural stone.
Porcelain.
Glass.
Slab materials.
Integrated benches.
Architectural niches.
Warm lighting.
Beautiful fixtures.
But materials in a steam environment also have technical characteristics.
MrSteam notes that common enclosure materials retain heat differently, and those differences can affect generator sizing.
That does not mean homeowners need to become engineers before choosing tile.
It means the aesthetic decisions and technical decisions should happen together.
You should not have to choose between a beautiful shower and a properly designed one.
The goal is both.
Seating Changes the Experience
If you want to relax in a steam shower rather than simply use steam while standing under the water, seating deserves consideration.
A built-in bench can become an architectural part of the shower.
Think about:
Bench depth
Height
Location
Comfort
Surface material
Proximity to the steamhead
Relationship to shower fixtures
Accessibility
How water drains from the area
The steamhead itself should be positioned according to the selected system's installation requirements and away from where a bather could be exposed to direct steam discharge.
This is another reason the bench cannot be designed independently from the equipment.
Lighting Should Support the Mood
A wellness retreat should not feel like a brightly lit utility room.
Layered lighting can dramatically change the experience.
You might combine functional lighting with softer illumination for relaxation.
Depending on the design, that could include:
Recessed lighting appropriate for the environment
Indirect lighting
Vanity lighting outside the enclosure
Accent lighting
Dimmable bathroom lighting
Illuminated niches or architectural details where appropriate
Inside a steam enclosure, fixtures must be suitable for the conditions and installed according to applicable requirements. MrSteam's planning guidance, for example, specifies vapor-sealed lighting within the steam room.
The design goal remains simple:
Give yourself enough light when you need it and a calmer environment when you do not.
Where Should a Home Sauna Go?
A sauna does not necessarily have to be part of the primary bathroom.
In fact, depending on how you expect to use it, another location may make more sense.
Possibilities include:
Primary bathroom
Home gym
Lower-level wellness area
Pool area
Dedicated spa room
Large bathroom suite
Recreation area
Think about the entire experience.
Where will you change?
Where will towels be stored?
Will you want a shower nearby?
Where will you cool down afterward?
Do you want privacy?
Will you use the sauna after exercising?
The best location is the one that makes the sauna convenient enough that you actually use it.
A Sauna Should Feel Like Part of the Architecture
A custom sauna does not have to look like a prefabricated box placed inside an otherwise beautiful home.
It can be integrated into the architecture.
Wood species, bench design, lighting, glass, door style, ceiling proportions, flooring transitions, and the relationship to adjacent rooms can all influence how it feels.
A sauna beside a sophisticated home gym might become part of a complete wellness suite.
A sauna integrated into the primary bathroom might visually connect with the cabinetry and finishes around it.
A glass-front sauna can become an architectural feature rather than something hidden behind a solid door.
The goal is to make the wellness space belong to the home.
Do Not Treat Sauna Electrical Requirements as an Afterthought
Sauna heaters and associated equipment have specific installation requirements.
Electrical demand depends on the heater, sauna size, system design, controls, and other factors.
That means the sauna should be discussed while the home's electrical plan is being developed, not after construction is complete.
This connects directly with another important custom-home planning topic:
Electrical Upgrades You'll Be Glad You Planned During Construction
A sauna is exactly the kind of feature that illustrates why homeowners should communicate future plans early.
Even if the final equipment has not been selected on day one, knowing that a sauna is part of the project allows the appropriate professionals to coordinate its requirements.
Ventilation Needs to Be Part of the Plan
Bathrooms already produce moisture.
A steam shower intentionally produces much more of it inside an enclosure.
A sauna introduces its own heat and ventilation considerations.
The solution is not simply "install the biggest fan possible."
Ventilation needs to be coordinated with the particular room, equipment, enclosure, manufacturer requirements, and the home's mechanical design.
For example, MrSteam's residential planning guidance states that HVAC components should not be installed inside its steam enclosure.
This illustrates why wellness spaces require coordination between trades.
Architecture, plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems, tile, glass, lighting, and equipment all meet in one relatively small area.
Think About What Happens Outside the Sauna or Steam Shower
The wellness experience does not necessarily end when you open the door.
What happens next?
Do you step onto a cold bathroom floor?
Is there somewhere to sit?
Where is your towel?
Where is your robe?
Can you get a drink of water?
Is the lighting still relaxing?
This is where a wellness room can become more compelling than a wellness feature.
Consider elements such as:
Heated floors
Towel warmers
Linen storage
Robe hooks
Comfortable seating
Beverage or hydration area
Soft lighting
Natural light
Shower access
Private toilet room
Dressing space
You may not need all of them.
The point is to think about the experience from beginning to end.
Heated Floors Can Change the Entire Bathroom Experience
There are luxury features you notice visually.
Then there are luxury features you feel.
Warm bathroom floors fall into the second category.
In West Michigan, where winter mornings can make tile feel especially cold underfoot, heated flooring can complement a steam shower or sauna by extending the sense of comfort beyond the enclosure.
If radiant floor heating is being considered, it should be coordinated with the flooring assembly, electrical or hydronic system being used, controls, cabinetry, fixtures, and overall bathroom design.
Again, planning early creates options.
Should You Include a Tub Too?
A steam shower, sauna, and soaking tub all provide different experiences.
You do not necessarily need all three.
Ask yourself which features you will actually use.
Someone who loves long baths may consider a soaking tub essential.
Someone who rarely takes baths may prefer to devote that square footage to a larger shower, sauna, storage, or another feature.
A wellness bathroom should not become a checklist of things a luxury bathroom is "supposed" to contain.
It should reflect you.
Celebrity Builders has already explored how spa-inspired bathrooms and luxury tubs can influence the experience of a custom home. A steam shower or sauna simply expands the possibilities further.
Privacy and Natural Light Can Coexist
Wellness spaces benefit from natural light.
But bathrooms and saunas also need privacy.
A custom home gives you the opportunity to solve both problems architecturally.
Depending on the site and floor plan, possibilities may include:
High windows
Clerestory windows
Frosted or obscured glass
Carefully oriented windows
Private courtyards
Landscape screening
Skylights
Window treatments
Thoughtful room placement
The best solution depends on the home.
Natural light can make a wellness retreat feel connected to the outdoors without sacrificing the privacy that makes the space relaxing.
Consider the View From Inside the Space
This is a detail people sometimes overlook.
What will you actually see while sitting in the sauna?
What will you see from the steam-shower bench?
A blank wall?
The bathroom?
A window?
Trees?
A private courtyard?
A thoughtfully framed view can make a wellness space feel dramatically different.
This is one of the advantages of planning these features during architectural design rather than adding them after the floor plan has already been finalized.
What About a Wellness Retreat During a Renovation?
Steam showers and saunas are not limited to new homes.
A substantial primary-bathroom renovation, lower-level remodel, gym renovation, or addition may create an opportunity to incorporate one.
But existing homes introduce additional questions.
You may need to evaluate:
Existing electrical capacity
Plumbing access
Drainage
Ventilation
Structural conditions
Ceiling height
Existing waterproofing
Equipment location
Access for new utilities
Adjacent finished spaces
A renovation may absolutely support a wellness retreat.
It simply requires the existing house to be part of the design equation.
Think About Maintenance Before Choosing Features
Luxury should not mean creating a room you dread maintaining.
Glass needs cleaning.
Tile and grout need care.
Natural stone may have particular maintenance requirements.
Steam equipment may require maintenance according to the manufacturer.
Sauna interiors need appropriate care.
Water quality may influence equipment maintenance.
Before choosing materials and equipment, ask:
What will living with this actually require?
That does not mean avoiding beautiful materials or sophisticated systems.
It means making an informed decision.
The best luxury features are the ones you still love years after moving in.
A Wellness Retreat Does Not Have to Be Huge
A home wellness space can be impressive without consuming an enormous amount of square footage.
Sometimes thoughtful design is more luxurious than sheer size.
A well-proportioned steam shower with comfortable seating, beautiful materials, warm lighting, and a heated floor may create a stronger daily experience than an oversized bathroom filled with features nobody uses.
The same applies to a sauna.
Design around the number of people who will realistically use it, how frequently it will be used, and how it relates to the surrounding rooms.
Square footage should serve the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Steam Showers and Saunas
Is a steam shower worth planning during a custom home build?
If you enjoy steam and expect to use it regularly, a custom build is an ideal time to consider it because the enclosure, generator location, plumbing, electrical service, materials, seating, lighting, and surrounding bathroom can be coordinated from the beginning.
Can any shower be converted into a steam shower?
Not automatically. Steam environments require appropriate enclosure construction, waterproofing and vapor management, equipment, controls, and other considerations. An existing shower should be evaluated before assuming a steam generator can simply be added.
Where is the steam generator installed?
The generator is installed outside the steam enclosure in a location that meets the selected manufacturer's requirements for environment, access, clearances, utilities, and distance from the shower.
Does a steam shower need special tile?
There is not one universal "steam shower tile." The complete installation matters. Tile or stone selection, setting materials, substrate, waterproofing and vapor-control methods, and construction details should be appropriate for steam-service conditions.
Can a sauna be added to a primary bathroom?
Potentially, yes. A primary suite can be an excellent location when sufficient space and the necessary electrical, ventilation, construction, and equipment requirements can be accommodated.
Is a sauna better near a home gym?
For homeowners who expect to use the sauna primarily before or after exercise, locating it near a gym and shower can create a very convenient wellness zone. The ideal location depends on the home's layout and the owner's routine.
Should I build both a steam shower and a sauna?
Only if both experiences genuinely fit your lifestyle. A custom home gives you the flexibility to include both, but more features do not automatically create a better wellness space. Prioritize the features you expect to use.
Design the Retreat Around You
A true wellness retreat is not defined by how many spa features you can fit into one room.
It is defined by how the room makes you feel and how naturally it fits into your life.
Maybe that means a steam shower at the end of a long day.
Maybe it is a sauna beside the home gym.
Maybe it is heated flooring under your feet on a January morning.
Maybe it is sitting quietly while looking through a window toward the trees outside.
Or maybe it is a combination of those things.
The advantage of a custom home is that these experiences can be considered before the walls determine what is possible.
Celebrity Builders has been designing and building custom homes across West Michigan and the Lakeshore since 2003. Their portfolio includes homes throughout communities such as Grand Rapids, Hudsonville, Holland, Byron Center, Ada, Rockford, Spring Lake, Muskegon, and other West Michigan areas.
More importantly, their approach starts with the homeowner.
How do you live?
What matters to you?
What would make home feel better?
Those questions should shape a wellness retreat just as much as tile, glass, wood, or technology.
Explore Celebrity Builders' custom home portfolio
Schedule your design consultation today.
Authoritative Resources
Tile Council of North America: Ceramic Tile Installation Guidance
https://tcnatile.com/resource-center/faq/ceramic-tile/
TCNA provides industry guidance for tile installations and specifically identifies steam rooms among the environments where proper installation is particularly important.
Tile Council of North America: 2026 TCNA Handbook
https://tcnatile.com/products/publications/2026-tcna-handbook-for-ceramic-glass-and-stone-tile-installation/
The TCNA Handbook provides standardized installation recommendations for ceramic, glass, and stone tile assemblies.
MrSteam: Planning a Residential Steam Shower
https://www.mrsteam.com/plan-your-project/
MrSteam's planning resources explain the major components of a residential steam system and considerations involving generator placement, enclosure construction, materials, system sizing, lighting, plumbing, and power. Always follow the requirements for the specific equipment selected.
Celebrity Builders: Custom Home Portfolio
https://celebritybuildersllc.com/portfolio-1
Celebrity Builders' portfolio showcases completed custom homes throughout West Michigan and the Lakeshore.
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