If you’ve been following my sauna journey, you know I love finding ways to make small upgrades that make a big difference. After using our sauna a few times, we realized having extra upper bench space would be especially useful so we could both lay down and stretch out.
Naturally, I immediately dreamed up an adjustable bench that could extend the upper bench and fold down when we wanted to use the lower one. Like any good DIYer, I made it a little more complicated than necessary before I landed on some sound advice: KISS — keep it simple, stupid! Maybe that’ll be my new motto?
Read on for directions on how to build this DIY sauna bench for yourself!
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Other sauna posts: DIY cedar duckboard | Should you buy or build a sauna? | Backyard Nordic Spa Inspo
DIY Fold-Down Sauna Bench / Backrest
This simple project adds both comfort and flexibility to your sauna. When folded up, it extends your upper bench for lounging or laying down. When folded down, it becomes a backrest for using the lower bench. All components to bring the bench up or down are wood, so you can move it as you please during sauna use!
This specific design fits our Almost Heaven Bridgeport 6-Person Sauna perfectly, but you can easily adjust the measurements to fit your space. That’s the beauty of DIY — full customization.
Materials:
Tools:
- Miter Saw (or have the wood cut for you when you buy it)
- Drill and/or Impact Driver
- Countersink Drill Bit
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Measuring Tape
- Nail Gun (optional if you use screws instead)
Step-by-Step: DIY Sauna Bench / Backrest
1. Cut Boards to Size & Sand Smooth
My bench measures 33.5” long — filling the open space between the upper bench and the front exterior wall. The height from the lower bench to the upper bench is 14.125”.
Cuts:
- (4) boards – 33.5” (top boards)
- (2) boards – 12.5” (back supports)
- (3) boards – 11.5” (bench supports)
- (2) boards – 11” (fold-down legs)
After cutting, sand all boards smooth with 120-grit, then finish with 220-grit sandpaper. I also rounded off the edges — no sharp corners when you’re in sauna mode!
2. Assemble the Back Support
To maximize bench space, I built a stationary back board. Drill two pocket holes in the end of each 12.5” board and attach them to one of the 33.5” top boards using 2” pocket screws.
3. Build the Sauna Bench
Lay your remaining three 33.5” top boards face down, spacing them evenly with 1-inch gaps between each top board. Place the three 11.5” support boards perpendicular on top, one at each end and one centered. The edge of the front top board will extend slightly past the bottom supports.
Nail and/or screw the supports in place. I first used my brad nail gun to attach the boards, then reinforced everything with screws for added strength.
4. Attach the Bench to the Back Support
With the bench face down, align and attach two hinges between the sauna bench and the back support.
Leave about a 1-inch gap between them when the bench is in the raised position.
Pre-drill hinge holes with a 3/8” bit, then screw everything securely in place.
5. Add Fold-Down Legs
Attach one hinge to each of the 11-inch leg boards, pre-drilling holes first. Then, connect the legs to the bottom support of the bench — one on each side. The legs should fold in when closed and open down to support the bench when open.
6. Finishing Touches
Add a Latch for the Legs:
Cut a couple of small scrap wood pieces to act as a latch to hold the legs when folded up.
- Use one small piece as a spacer, and a second piece long enough to extend 1” over each leg from the center.
- Drill a hole through the center of both pieces and attach them to the center support of the bench with a screw.
- For easier rotation, drill out the top piece with a slightly larger bit so it can spin freely.
Add Bottom Bumpers:
When the bench folds down as a backrest, I found it was hanging freely and would bang against the back when leaned on. To fix this, I added a small scrap wood block at the bottom of each back support. These act as bumpers and makes it nice and solid to lean on when the bench is down. You could add a thicker block if you’d like the back rest to have more of an angle.
7. Install Your Fold-Down Sauna Bench
To install, pre-drill through the back support legs and attach directly to your sauna wall using 2” screws — two per side for stability.
Once secured, test the folding action and make sure it moves smoothly between upright and folded positions. Also ensure the height of your bench is in line with the permanent upper bench.
Now your DIY fold-down sauna bench/backrest is ready to enjoy!
Check out the other transformations on the One Room Challenge blog!