Congratulations! It looks like you’re serious about taking your wellbeing to the next level and embracing a healthier lifestyle. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Being healthy is a choice.

– Katrin, Founder of Back Garden Retreat

What our customers say

Hear from people who have already purchased our products

Excellent quality

Back Garden Retreat supplied our outdoor sauna and the build quality is excellent—solid, well-finished, and looks fantastic in the garden. It heats up quickly, holds temperature well, and is a real pleasure to use. The sauna is great to use and fits perfectly into our outdoor space. Communication throughout was friendly and helpful. Overall, I’m very happy with the final result and would highly recommend Back Garden Retreat.

Simone M.
Simone M.

Highly recommend

We purchased our Almost Heaven barrel sauna from Back Garden Retreat and the entire experience has been excellent. The sauna is very well built, sturdy, and looks amazing in our garden. Back Garden Retreat team provided great support throughout—always responsive, helpful, and very knowledgeable, which made the assembly process smooth and easy to follow. Now that it’s complete, we really enjoy using it and hosting SPA evenings to our familiy and friends! Our barrel sauna is a high-quality product and a great addition to our home.

Tim T.
Tim T.

Very satisfied

We absolutely love our new sauna! The build quality is great, and the wood finish is beautifully done. It heats up very quickly, and the panoramic window adds a real touch of luxury. The customer service was also fantastic—Katrin kept us well informed throughout the whole process.

Jemma H.
Jemma H.

FAQs 🤔

  • Saunas have been enjoyed for generations—and for good reason. They’re not only a great way to relax, but also a simple and natural way to support your overall health and wellbeing. Investing in a sauna means creating your own space to unwind, recharge, and feel your best every day.

    🌿 Relax, Recharge & Feel Good

    After a long day, a sauna gives you a quiet space to switch off and relax. The soothing heat helps calm your mind, ease tension, and leave you feeling refreshed—like having your own spa at home.

    ❤️ Support Your Body from Within

    When you sit in a sauna, your body warms up and your circulation improves. Your heart rate gently increases (similar to light exercise), helping your body feel more energised and balanced.

    Regular sauna use may help to:

    • Support heart health
    • Improve blood circulation
    • Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol

    Different studies have shown that a regular sauna use is linked to better heart health and a longer life.

    💪 Recovery & Relief

    The heat helps relax muscles, reduce stiffness, and ease everyday aches and pains—making it ideal after exercise or a busy day.

    🧼 Cleanse & Refresh

    Sweating helps cleanse your skin and leaves you feeling fresh. It also supports your body’s natural processes, helping you feel renewed inside and out.

    😴 Better Sleep & Wellbeing

    A sauna session can help your body fully relax, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy deeper, more restful sleep. It can also help reduce stress and support your overall mood.

    🧠 Long-Term Health Benefits

    Studies suggest that regular sauna use may support long-term health, including heart and even brain health. Consistent use has been linked to a reduced risk of certain health conditions and improved overall wellbeing.

    🏠 A Lifestyle Upgrade

    With your own sauna, you can enjoy all these benefits whenever you like—no travel, no appointments. It adds comfort, convenience, and a touch of luxury to your home.

    🌡️ Simple to Use

    You don’t need extreme heat to enjoy the benefits:

    • Around 60–80°C for 10 minutes is enough
    • Even lower temperatures can still help you relax

    The key is to use your sauna regularly and enjoy the experience.

  • Choosing the right sauna comes down to what feels best for you and how you want to use it. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:

    🔥 Traditional Saunas – Indoor & Outdoor Spa Experience

    This is the classic sauna most people picture. It uses high heat and can create steam, giving you that authentic spa or gym feeling. It’s more intense then infra-red sauna, but very rewarding if you enjoy a deeper sweat.

    Transitional saunas give you the flexibility to enjoy a sauna in the way that suits your home and lifestyle best. Whether you want something inside your home or a relaxing space in your garden, there are plenty of options to choose from.

    🏠 Indoor Saunas

    Perfect for convenience and year-round use, indoor saunas fit easily into spare rooms or dedicated wellness spaces. They let you enjoy a relaxing sauna session anytime without stepping outside.

    🌳 Outdoor Saunas

    Outdoor saunas create a peaceful escape right in your garden. They offer a more natural, spa-like experience where you can unwind and enjoy the fresh air.

    ✨ Designed for Your Lifestyle

    With a range of sizes and styles available, you can choose a sauna that fits your space, preferences, and how you want to relax.

    👉 Best for: A traditional sauna gives you a true sauna experience and best for higher heat lovers. 

    🌿 Infrared Saunas

    If you’re looking for something simple, comfortable, and easy to use, an infrared sauna is a great choice. It heats your body deeply but gently, making it perfect for regular use at home. It also warms up quickly and is more energy-efficient.

    👉 Best for: Relaxation, daily use, and smaller spaces

    ⚖️ Hybrid Saunas – The Best of Both

    Not sure which to choose? A hybrid sauna gives you both options in one. You can enjoy a gentle infrared session or switch to a more intense traditional heat whenever you like.

    👉 Best for: Flexibility and long-term value

  • Sauna is a family tradition! In countries like Estonia🇪🇪 and Finland🇫🇮 sauna is a deeply embedded family tradition used for bonding, relaxation, and overall well-being. Many children are introduced to sauna at a young age—sometimes even in infancy—as part of normal family life.

    How families keep it safe and comfortable:

    • Lower temperatures (around 50–60°C)
    • Shorter sessions (just a few minutes for younger children)
    • Sitting on lower benches where it’s cooler
    • Always supervised by an adult
    • Children leave immediately if they feel too warm
    • Drinking water before and after

    The key idea:
    It’s not about long or intense heat sessions—it’s about a calm, relaxed experience that’s introduced gradually and always focused on comfort.

  • Using essential oils in the sauna is a great way to enhance relaxation, refresh your senses, and elevate your overall wellness experience. With the right oils and proper use, you can turn your sauna session into a calming spa-like ritual.

    🧴 Choosing the Right Essential Oils

    When selecting essential oils for your sauna, it’s important to focus on quality, safety, and personal preference.

    🌱 Purity & Quality

    Always choose 100% natural, high-quality essential oils. Synthetic oils may not provide the same benefits and can sometimes cause irritation.

    🌬️ Effects & Personal Preference

    Different oils create different experiences, depending on how you want to feel:

    • Eucalyptus & peppermint – refreshing and helps open airways
    • Lavender & chamomile – calming and deeply relaxing
    • Lemon & bergamot – uplifting and energising
    • Tea tree – cleansing and refreshing

    💧 How to Use Essential Oils in the Sauna

    To ensure safe and effective use:

    • Mix 5–10 drops of essential oil into a bowl of water
    • Pour the mixture over hot sauna stones using a ladle
    • Always dilute oils in water—never apply directly to stones or skin
    • Start with a small amount, as heat intensifies the fragrance

    🌿 For Anti-Inflammatory Support & Airway Relief

    If you are using essential oils for anti-inflammatory benefits or general wellbeing, it is recommended to use around 15 drops in total.

    Suitable oils include:

    • Lavender – calming and relaxing
    • Chamomile – soothing and gentle on the body
    • Eucalyptus – refreshing and helps support clearer airways

    Eucalyptus Benefits

    Eucalyptus is especially popular because it may help clear and open the airways, making breathing feel easier—particularly during colds or congestion. Its refreshing aroma is enhanced by the sauna’s heat and steam.

  • If jumping into a lake or rolling in the snow isn’t an option, you can still get that refreshing contrast at home.

    Try adding a cold plunge to your routine—it’s a great way to elevate your sauna experience. You can also keep it simple and fun with a cold bucket challenge, a paddling pool, or even a garden hose.

    A little burst of cold adds excitement, boosts the experience, and makes your sauna session even more rewarding.

    What happens to your body

    • Heat (sauna): Blood vessels widen → muscles relax, heart rate increases
    • Cold (plunge/shower): Blood vessels tighten → body cools, alertness rises

    Switching between the two creates a kind of “vascular workout.”

    🔥❄️ Hot–Cold Sauna (also called contrast therapy) Safety Guide

    Enjoy the benefits. Skip the risks.

    ⏱️ Keep It Short

    • Sauna: 10–15 mins max
    • Cold: 30 sec – 2 mins
    • Beginners: start shorter

    🌡️ Stay Comfortable

    • Use moderate heat, not extreme
    • Cold should feel refreshing—not painful

    🔁 Limit 2-3 Rounds

    💧 Drink water before, during and after!

    👂 Stop if you feel:

    • Dizzy
    • Nauseous
    • Weak or uncomfortable

    🚫 When to Skip

    • Feeling unwell or feverish
    • Heart or blood pressure issues

    👨‍👩‍👧 For Children

    • No “challenge” approach
    • Keep it short, mild & supervised

    ✅ The Golden Rule

    It’s not about pushing limits—it’s about feeling good.

  • Saunas are generally very easy and low-maintenance. With just a few simple habits, you can keep your sauna clean, fresh, and in great condition for many years.

    🕒 After Each Use

    A quick routine is all you need:

    • Leave the door open for around 30 minutes to let moisture escape
    • Wipe down benches with a damp cloth to remove sweat
    • Using towels on the benches helps protect the wood and makes cleaning even easier

    🧽 Regular Cleaning (Bi-Weekly)

    To keep everything fresh:

    • Sweep or vacuum the floor
    • Wipe benches and surfaces with a mild soap or sauna-safe cleaner
    • Always avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, as they can damage the wood

    🪵 Long-Term Care

    For lasting quality and appearance:

    • Lightly sand benches every 1–3 years if needed
    • Apply sauna-safe paraffin oil once a year to protect the wood and keep it looking good

    🔥 Traditional Sauna Maintenance

    If you have a stove or heater:

    • Check sauna stones once a year for cracks
    • Clean or replace stones when necessary to maintain performance

    🌦️ Outdoor Sauna Care

    Outdoor saunas may need a little extra attention:

    • Occasionally treat or stain the exterior to protect it from weather and UV exposure

    ⚠️ Important Tips

    • Never paint or varnish the inside of a sauna—the wood must breathe
    • Proper ventilation after each use helps prevent mould and keeps the sauna fresh
    • Most maintenance only takes a few minutes and is very easy to keep up with