The Ultimate Wellness Features To Have In Your Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

From designer saunas in Finland to private yoga studios in Hawaii, wellness at home is a luxury must-have, writes Mandi Keighran

The pursuit of wellness is a key element of modern luxury living and the most sought-after homes now incorporate a range of features designed to bring it closer—from private saunas and plunge pools to dedicated yoga studios and even beauty salons. 

Sauna culture, in particular, is undergoing a dramatic surge in interest around the world, with a boom in community saunas on both sides of the Atlantic and a rise in commissions from private clients, too. “Previously seen as an occasional indulgence, as part of a luxury hotel spa break, homeowners have recently started to embrace the sauna experience that in Nordic countries is seen as an essential part of everyday life,” says Rupert McKelvie, founder of the luxury sauna company Out of the Valley. 

The company’s current bespoke commissions range in location from an urban garden in Notting Hill to the shores of a remote Scottish loch. This trend is mirrored in the U.S., where North Americans are embracing natural wellness rituals such as contrast therapy, the recovery practice, long favored by athletes, of alternate immersion in hot and cold water.

“Wellness spaces are no longer a luxury or a nice-to-have—they’re expected,” says Becky Fatemi, executive partner at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty. “At the top end of the market, we’ve seen a significant rise in demand for in-house spa features, hot and cold therapy zones, yoga studios and even fully equipped gyms. High-net-worth buyers want homes that actively support their physical and mental well-being on a day-to-day basis.” 

Meanwhile, in California’s Lake Tahoe, an expansive timber home makes the most of its mountainous surroundings. The contemporary six-bedroom property features panoramic views of the water and peaks from nearly every room, expansive decks designed for gathering, and an outdoor spa perched next to the lake itself. Two private buoys and access to a community pier make it ideal for boating, swimming or simply soaking in the scenery.

Whether nestled beside a frozen lake, on a tropical hillside, or taking over an entire subterranean floor, these dedicated spaces are redefining what it means to live well at home. In a world that rarely slows down, investing in our well-being—and making space for it in our own homes—feels like the ultimate luxury.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s