Sauna shelves and towel racks serve different purposes in sauna storage. Shelves are versatile, holding various items like water bottles, birch brooms, and accessories, while towel racks are designed specifically for hanging and drying towels efficiently. Choosing between them depends on your sauna size, storage needs, and layout.
Quick Overview:
- Sauna Shelves: Multi-functional, store heavier and diverse items, require more wall space, often made of cedar.
- Towel Racks: Compact, ideal for towels, promote airflow for drying, typically vertical in design.
| Feature | Sauna Shelves | Towel Racks |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | General storage | Towel drying and hanging |
| Space Needed | More wall space | Compact and vertical |
| Versatility | High – holds various items | Low – limited to towels/robes |
| Material | Heat-resistant wood (e.g., cedar) | Wood or stainless steel |
For optimal sauna organization, consider combining both solutions: shelves for accessories and racks for towels.
Sauna Shelves: Purpose and Design
Sauna shelves are built to handle the unique challenges of a sauna environment while keeping your space neat and organized. They’re designed to endure high heat and humidity, making them a practical addition to any sauna setup.
Shelf Designs and Materials
Wall-mounted and corner shelves are popular choices for maximizing space in saunas. Corner shelves, in particular, make use of often-overlooked areas, which is especially handy in smaller saunas. Materials like red cedar are commonly used because they resist heat and moisture while staying durable over time.
Shelves are usually installed at convenient heights and are sized to fit snugly within sauna spaces. Homeowners can also choose custom-cut options or built-in features to better match their specific storage needs.
Benefits of Sauna Shelves
Sauna shelves bring several practical benefits to the table:
- Flexible Storage: Perfect for holding birch brooms, ladles, water bottles, and other sauna essentials.
- Space-Saving: Keep items within easy reach without cluttering the benches.
- Improved Organization: Offer secure spots for both small and large accessories.
Unlike towel racks, which are primarily for hanging towels, sauna shelves are multi-functional. They’re designed for accessibility and efficiency, making them a go-to solution for storing a variety of sauna items.
While shelves are great for broader storage needs, towel racks focus solely on keeping towels dry and within reach. Let’s take a closer look at how towel racks stack up against these versatile shelving options.
Towel Racks: Function and Use
Towel racks are essential for saunas, offering a convenient way to keep towels dry, organized, and within reach. They are designed to handle the challenges of heat, humidity, and limited space, ensuring towels stay ventilated and ready for use.
Rack Designs and Materials
Towel racks are available in different styles to suit various needs. Wall-mounted options, like the Cedar Four-Peg Towel Bar (23 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide), save space by utilizing vertical areas. Freestanding models, on the other hand, provide flexibility in placement.
Common materials include stainless steel, treated wood, and heat-resistant woods. These materials are chosen for their durability and resistance to moisture and high temperatures, making them ideal for sauna environments.
Benefits of Towel Racks
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Hygiene Maintenance | Keeps towels elevated to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. |
| Space Efficiency | Offers vertical storage to make the most of limited space. |
| Convenience | Keeps towels easily accessible during sauna sessions. |
| Airflow | Proper spacing allows towels to dry faster. |
Most towel racks are designed with multiple pegs, spaced to promote airflow and ensure effective drying.
With this overview of towel racks, let's move on to compare their features with sauna shelves to help you choose the right option for your needs.
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Sauna Shelves vs. Towel Racks: A Comparison
Choosing the right storage option for your sauna depends on your needs and the available space. Sauna shelves and towel racks serve different purposes, and understanding their features can help you make the best choice.
Sauna shelves are great for storing a variety of items like books, water bottles, aromatherapy supplies, and, of course, towels and robes. Their design usually includes flat surfaces and pegs, offering flexible storage options. They can handle heavier items and provide a multi-functional storage solution.
Towel racks, on the other hand, are designed specifically to keep towels and robes easily accessible and well-ventilated. Their compact, vertical design makes them ideal for smaller saunas where saving space is important.
Here’s a quick breakdown of their differences:
| Feature | Sauna Shelves | Towel Racks |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | High – holds multiple items and types | Moderate – mainly towels and robes |
| Versatility | Multi-purpose for books, bottles, etc. | Limited to hanging items |
| Space Requirements | Needs more wall space | Compact and vertical design |
| Material Durability | Handles heavier items, often cedar wood | Best for lightweight items, often pine |
| Design Aesthetic | Prominent and customizable | Minimalistic and subtle |
| Installation | Can be placed inside or outside the sauna | Typically wall-mounted |
| Cost Range | Moderate to high (starting around $85) | Low to moderate |
| Maintenance | Requires cleaning of flat surfaces | Minimal upkeep |
Both options are commonly made from durable materials like cedar wood, which can handle the sauna’s heat and humidity.
Choosing the Right Storage for Your Sauna
Considerations for Selection
When picking storage solutions for your sauna, the size and type of your sauna should guide your decision. For smaller setups like the Madison Cedar 3 Person Traditional Steam Sauna, a compact towel rack such as ALEKO's cedar wood model (4.25L x 2.25W x 1.25H inches) can provide storage without taking up too much space.
In traditional steam saunas, moisture-resistant options are a must. The 48" Teak Storage Shelf is a great choice - it's sturdy and handles humidity well, making it perfect for such environments.
Different sauna types bring different storage needs. Infrared saunas often require spots for items like timers and thermometers, while traditional saunas need room for essentials like water buckets and ladles. A vertical option like the OLHAV 3 Tier Wall Towel Rack (32.5" H x 10.2" L x 5.5" D) is a smart way to keep towels organized while saving floor space.
"One of the most important aspects of the sauna bathroom is storage. For the sake of relaxation, it has to be clutter-free!" - Architect On Demand
This quote underscores the importance of keeping your sauna tidy with efficient storage solutions.
Using Both Shelves and Racks
Shelves and racks each have their advantages, but combining them can make your sauna setup much more functional. For example, wall-mounted shallow shelves can hold smaller items, while vertical towel racks can maximize space.
In larger saunas like the Huntington, here’s how you can organize storage effectively:
| Zone | Storage Solution | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Area | Wall-mounted rack | Robes and fresh towels |
| Main Space | Cedar shelf | Accessories and supplies |
| Cool-down Area | Teak storage shelf | Extra towels and personal items |
To keep everything organized, assign specific areas for different items and ensure frequently used essentials are easy to reach. By combining shelves and racks, you can tailor the storage setup to your sauna's layout and your personal needs.
Simplifying Sauna Storage
The Health Mate Sauna shelf combines flat surfaces and pegs, making it a handy option for organizing your sauna. For towels, consider racks like ALEKO's cedar wood model, which saves space while keeping things neat. Heated towel racks are another great choice, offering warm towels and reducing energy use.
When deciding on storage, think about:
- How much space your sauna has
- The number of items you need to store
- How often you use your sauna
- The number of people using it regularly
Whether you go with shelves, racks, or both, the right setup will keep your sauna tidy and relaxing. For more tips and ideas on creating your ideal sauna, check out Find the Home Sauna of Your Dreams.
