Pool House with Sauna, Changing Room & Shower Room
Published: 20 September 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes 40 seconds
Four years ago, this client commissioned Timber Rooms to design and build a pitched roof garden gym building. When it came to creating another garden building at the opposite end of the swimming pool, they didn’t hesitate to contact Timber Rooms again. This time, the brief was to create a pool house incorporating a changing room, shower room, sauna, and a main room with views of the pool and space to house the family’s drum kit. There’s no better testimonial for the quality of a Timber Rooms building—and how it can enhance everyday living—than clients returning for a second project.
A Functional Layout Tailored to Poolside Living
Measuring 8.5m x 2.9m, the long, narrow building runs down the side of the garden alongside a seating area that leads directly to the swimming pool. The internal floor plan splits the building into four rooms: a main room, changing room, sauna, and bathroom.
A half-glazed everyday door opens into a hallway that provides easy access to the bathroom, sauna, and changing room. At the far end, the hallway opens into the main room—a light-filled space with a wonderful connection to the garden. A large set of sliding doors spans the front elevation, while a triple section of floor-to-ceiling glazing on the end wall frames views of the pool and garden beyond. This video tour showcases how these different rooms flow together and highlights the quality of the finishes throughout.
Cedar Cladding and Elegant Detailing
Externally, the pool house is clad in Western Red Cedar fitted vertically, paired with Anthracite Grey doors and windows. Cedar is a timeless choice for garden buildings, offering natural warmth when freshly installed and weathering gracefully to a silvery grey while retaining its durability. This natural weathering process is already visible on the earlier Timber Rooms gym building, creating a sense of continuity between the two structures.
The mono-pitched roof features a deep soffit detail, into which exterior-grade LED downlights have been installed. These cast a subtle wash of light around the building in the evenings, enhancing the poolside atmosphere.
High-Spec Interior With Sauna
Inside, the pool house has been finished to a high standard. Plastered and decorated walls and ceiling combine with practical laminate flooring to create a bright, modern space. The sauna is fully lined in Cedar shadow gap cladding, creating a warm, contemporary take on a traditional finish. Bench seating is seamlessly incorporated, and a frameless glass door opens into the hallway, allowing natural light to filter through.
The bathroom is larger than often seen in garden room designs, running the full depth of the building. It features a spacious shower unit, concealed-cistern toilet, and wash basin, with an opening window positioned high in the wall for natural ventilation.
A Complete Turnkey Service
As with all their projects, Timber Rooms handled everything from design conception through to the final plumbing, sewerage, and electrical connections. The project was signed off by Building Control, adding long-term value to both the home and the family’s lifestyle, while leaving the client with a fully finished, ready-to-use building.
Learn More
Timber Rooms focus their work in Sussex, Surrey, and South London. To discuss your garden room ideas, chat with the team on 01273 839 491 or email hello@timberrooms.co.uk. Explore www.timberrooms.co.uk to see more examples of their work.
