How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Scandinavian Retreat

TLDR: A Scandinavian Retreat is a lifestyle and design philosophy focused on simplicity, functionality, and connection to nature, often centered around the wellness ritual of sauna bathing. To create this oasis in your own backyard, the key element is a North Shore Sauna Tent. As the first U.S.-based sauna tent company from Duluth, MN, North Shore Sauna provides an authentic, high-heat experience in flexible sizes (Mini Cube, Nova 4, Dome) to perfectly fit your space and vision. Completing the retreat means using natural materials like wood and stone, and soft Hygge lighting, ultimately offering a holistic wellness sanctuary right at home. Transform your space with our tents and claim your personal retreat.

Tired of the same old view out your back door? Do you dream of an escape that brings the deep relaxation and minimalist beauty of Scandinavia right to your home? You don't need a passport or a major construction project to achieve it. With one essential element—an authentic North Shore Sauna Tent—you can transform your ordinary yard into a dedicated Scandinavian sanctuary.

What Do We Mean By a Scandinavian Retreat?

A Scandinavian Retreat usually refers to a space, experience, or aesthetic inspired by the design principles and lifestyle values found in Nordic culture—particularly from countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Understanding this concept helps define the vision for your own backyard:

1. As an Architectural and Design Concept

A true Scandinavian Retreat embodies Nordic simplicity and an intimate connection to nature.

Minimalism and Functionality: Clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and purposeful design.

Natural Materials: Wood, stone, wool, and linen dominate the palette, connecting the space to the environment.

Soft, Muted Tones: Whites, grays, beiges, and light woods create a calm, airy, and grounded feel.

Cozy Comfort (Hygge): The Danish concept of coziness is infused through warm textiles, inviting textures, and soft lighting, evoking peace and warmth.

2. As a Wellness and Lifestyle Experience

In a wellness context, a Scandinavian Retreat is a holistic experience rooted in Nordic traditions:

Sauna Bathing and Cold Plunges: The ritual of intense heat followed by a cooling plunge for physical and mental invigoration.

Forest Bathing (Friluftsliv): The Scandinavian philosophy of living in harmony with nature and embracing the outdoors.

Minimalist Living: An emphasis on slowing down and finding gratitude in simplicity.

By creating a retreat at home, you’re not just redecorating; you’re adopting this deeply ingrained lifestyle of well-being.

The Heart of the Retreat: Your North Shore Sauna Tent

The cornerstone of your new Scandinavian oasis is a high-performing, portable North Shore Sauna Tent. This is the key that unlocks the entire retreat experience.

We eliminate the hassle, cost, and permanence of building a traditional wooden sauna. Our mission, rooted in the cold winters of Duluth, Minnesota, is simple: to make the authentic, high-heat sauna experience accessible to everyone. As the first U.S.-based sauna tent company, we deliver the quality and intense löyly (steam and heat) that true sauna enthusiasts demand.

Inspire Your Ownership Vision: Finding Your Perfect Fit

The flexibility of a North Shore Sauna Tent allows you to tailor the retreat to your exact vision, fulfilling the design principle of functionality and supporting your wellness experience:

The Minimalist: The Mini Cube (2-person) provides intense heat in a compact footprint, perfect for solo wellness sessions and minimalist living.

The Socializer: The Nova 4 and Nova 6 tents are ideal for couples, small families, or friends looking to share the heat and conversation—embodying community and shared well-being.

The Immersive Experience: The spacious Dome (up to 8 people) offers standing room and a more traditional sauna feel, making your backyard the ultimate destination for group recovery and authentic relaxation.

An Important Note on Wellness Investment:

We understand that a personal wellness retreat is an investment in health. All North Shore Sauna products are HSA/FSA Eligible, allowing you to use your health savings or flexible spending accounts for your purchase.

3 Steps to Complete the Scandinavian Look

Once your North Shore Sauna Tent is nestled in your space, reinforce your retreat vision with these simple steps that embrace Nordic design principles:

1. Embrace Natural Materials for Grounding

Reinforce the connection to nature by utilizing natural wood or smooth stone for the area immediately outside your tent. A small, modular wooden deck or path provides a clean, grounding surface that feels intentional and elevates the space from yard to sanctuary.

2. Master Hygge Lighting

Focus on creating cozy comfort by using soft, indirect light sources. Avoid harsh floodlights. Instead:

Use simple string lights (warm white) draped gently over nearby trees or fences.

Place lanterns with warm LED candles along the path to the tent.

A small, contained fire pit provides a beautiful, natural light source for the ultimate post-sauna cool-down.

3. Keep Accessories Simple and Intentional

Honoring the principle of minimalism and functionality, only add items that serve a clear purpose:

A functional sauna bucket and ladle for water and steam.

A simple wooden bench or two for cooling down outside.

A few linen or wool throws to provide comforting texture and warmth after your session.

It's Time to Claim Your Retreat

Your backyard holds the potential to be a dedicated, year-round haven—a true Scandinavian Retreat for health, peace, and recovery. The journey begins with the essential element: your sauna. Like Nicole wrote in to us saying:

“I honestly bought the Nova 4 package because I wanted the health benefits, but I wasn't prepared for how adorable it looks in my backyard. I placed it right outside my kitchen window, and now my view is just perfect. When the snow is falling, and I have the stove running, there’s this little wisp of white smoke coming out of the chimney pipe, and the tent is all lit up. It seriously looks like a tiny, cozy little hut sitting in the snow. It’s the cutest thing! Forget the old, ugly wooden sheds—this is a genuine, high-quality sauna that doubles as charming winter décor. It gives the whole backyard this wonderfully inviting, storybook feel. I can’t recommend North Shore Sauna enough!”

Stop dreaming about that serene escape and start living it today. Shop our tents!