Insulated Poolside Retreat with Shower Room
Published: 31 October 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes 30 seconds
There’s no better testimonial for a garden room company than a client returning to commission a second building. When it came to adding a comfortable insulated room beside their swimming pool, Jon once again turned to Smart Modular Buildings, having already enjoyed the experience of working with them on his first project.
Suffolk Barn Garden Room with a Low Line Roof
For this project, Smart Modular Buildings recommended their Suffolk Barn design — a popular choice thanks to its traditional barn styling. The range can be specified with either a High Line or Low Line roof. Jon chose the Low Line option, which, as the name suggests, brings the ridge height down for a more compact profile that fits comfortably into its surroundings.
There’s also the option to extend the roofline beyond the front wall to form a covered veranda. In this case, the deep deck and chunky supporting posts create an inviting, sheltered space for a couple of comfy chairs overlooking the pool — the perfect spot to unwind.
A New England Aesthetic
The Suffolk Barn design features weatherboard cladding that adds texture to the exterior and can be painted in the colour of your choice. Here, the soft cream finish paired with green doors and window frames evokes the charm of New England living, with the crisp white interior frames offering a bright contrast inside.
Inside, Jon selected Smart Modular Buildings’ New England 1 interior finish, which combines grooved panelling on the lower wall with smooth walling above — a signature detail that beautifully complements the Suffolk Barn’s exterior style.
Designed Around Poolside Living
Measuring 6.9m x 3.2m, this Suffolk Barn garden room offers a generous footprint for both entertaining and poolside practicality. Smart Modular Buildings’ flexible approach allows buyers to tailor the layout and door configuration to suit their lifestyle.
Partition walls were added to this design to create three defined areas: a central entertaining room with a bar and sink, flanked by two smaller rooms — each with its own external access via glazed doors with privacy glass.
One of these side rooms is a stylish shower room, ideal for rinsing off after a swim, while the other likely serves as a changing area or pool equipment store. The main living space, with its large French doors and flanking picture windows, opens directly onto the deck, creating a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor areas.
A Returning Client’s Experience
Jon describes his Smart Modular Buildings project as “clean, modern and classy liveable spaces – it’s transformed our quality of life!”
He highlights the bar with seating for six, the convenience of the bathroom, and the efficiency of the team as key reasons for returning. In his own words, “Most important for me was the communication and the finishing team – these guys care about the customer and know word of mouth gets more business.”
When asked why he chose Smart Modular Buildings again, Jon explained, “They looked professional on Google, are great communicators, and are a well-planned, military-like efficient machine from start to finish!”
Learn More
Explore the Suffolk Barn range alongside the other six collections on the Smart Modular Buildings website. You can experiment with layouts using their online configurator or request a brochure to start planning your own garden building.
Chat with the team on 0333 880 6157 or email hello@smbuk.com to discuss your ideas.
