When a St. Louis homeowner came to Dana King Design–Build Remodeling about reworking his primary bathroom, his wishlist of goals was pretty lengthy. He wanted a sauna, a larger shower, and a space that didn’t feel like a typical bathroom. The room wasn’t small, but getting all of those features into one layout was going to take some creative planning.
For Dana King, the project was about figuring out how to make all of those pieces work without the space feeling crowded or forced.
“We’re often asked to create what clients describe as the ‘art of the possible,’” King says. “This was one where we had to take everything he wanted and find a way to make it work together.”
How a bathroom remodel made space for a sauna and larger shower
The space’s original setup was fairly straightforward, including vanities, a shower to one side, and open space in the middle. There was nothing technically wrong with the space, but it wasn’t built for what the homeowner wanted.
King selected designer Becky Trent for the job. Trent collaborated with the team of designers to put together almost a dozen options. That collaboration was one reason the homeowner chose the Dana King team. “I am a big believer in having that diversity of perspectives, giving you a better solution,” he says.
Each option offered a slightly different approach, so the homeowner could see how the room might take shape. One concept stood out, however, as they worked through the options.
“I came in and Becky had some preliminary layouts,” the homeowner recalls. “I was expecting a half dozen, and she had 11. Initially, nothing spoke to me. There are some better solutions than others, but then she pulled out this layout. And after that meeting, I walked into Dana’s office and said, ‘We just totally validated my decision to go with you guys.’”
The standout concept featured an angled sauna and an angled shower across from each other; the room was organized around a central feature wall made of stone veneer. Although it wasn’t initially the most obvious solution, it quickly became the one that the homeowner kept coming back to and, ultimately, the direction the project followed.
“That was the one he couldn’t get out of his head,” King says. “It changed the way the room would feel when you walked in.”
What goes into installing a sauna in a bathroom remodel
The sauna ended up being the most complicated part of the job. The homeowner was looking for something closer to what he’d experienced in spas and hotels, which meant working with a system that wasn’t designed specifically for a home.
Next steps included coordinating with suppliers and trades to make sure everything would work once it was installed. Venting, materials, and placement all had to be figured out ahead of time.
“There’s a lot you have to think through with residential saunas,” King says. “You want to make sure it’s going to work the way it’s supposed to before you close everything up.”
Inside the sauna, the seating angle was set up to fit the homeowner, rather than using a standard design, and the placement of heat and airflow was planned so that it would be comfortable to use.
How a bathroom remodel shapes the look and feel of the space
Once the bigger pieces were in place, the focus shifted to how the room would feel day to day.
Instead of walking in and immediately seeing a sink or shower, the design leads with a stone feature wall that has an arched niche and a built-in bench. The vanities sit back on either side, and the sauna and shower are positioned so they don’t take over the whole view. Arched walkways on either side of the stone feature wall lead to a walk-in closet on one side and a lavatory room on the other.
“You don’t see everything all at once,” King says. “It kind of reveals itself as you move through it.”
While the bathroom was built around one homeowner’s vision, King says such requests are becoming more common. People are asking for features such as saunas, upgraded shower systems, bidets, and heated elements, as well as integrated and cohesive-designed pathways to bring them into their homes.
Dana King’s tips for bringing spa features into a bathroom
- Look at how shower systems have evolved. Newer setups allow homeowners to add hand showers and multiple spray options without the extra plumbing that used to be required. That makes it easier to get a more flexible, spa-like setup.
- Think about comfort beyond fixtures. Heated floors, heated benches, and even towel-warming options—including built-in or portable units—can change how the space feels day to day.
- Don’t overlook ventilation and airflow. Proper fans, humidity sensors, and timed ventilation help prevent moisture issues and extend the life of cabinetry and finishes.
- Plan for accessibility, even if you don’t need it yet. Grab bars and other safety features are increasingly being designed to seamlessly blend into the space. “I believe every shower should include grab bars,” King says. “As showers get larger, there’s more wet surface to slip on, so having something to steady yourself on brings peace of mind.”
- Add small details that improve the experience. Integrated lighting, Bluetooth-enabled fans or speakers, and even water filtration features are showing up more often in bathroom upgrades.
- Bring in natural elements where possible. Incorporating plants, natural materials, or skylights can help create the kind of environment that people associate with spa spaces.
Explore 10 more spa-like features to upgrade your bathroom at danaking.com.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Dana King Design–Build Remodeling.
