9 Best DIY Steam Shower Design Ideas You Didn't Know Existed (2024)

Among all things health and wellness, steam showers have become the frontrunners lately. And rightly so, as they offer an effective combination of health boost, physical relaxation, and mental calm, all at once. 

So it's no surprise that more homeowners are looking to build a steam shower than ever before. 
What’s more?

A lot of these folks are looking to DIY their steam bath, at least to some extent if not fully. After all, there’s nothing better than a steam wellness retreat that you’ve designed and personalized to your taste. 

But where to get steam shower design ideas from? 

Well, read on as I’ve shared the latest DIY-friendly steam shower designs along with professional insights from Steam and Sauna Experts. 

The best DIY-friendly steam shower design ideas

1. Freestanding steam bath cabin 

​Let’s admit it: A DIY project is as much about efficiency and budget-friendliness as it is about customization. 

And if you’re curious whether such a steam shower design exists that offers all of the above, my answer is yes.

I am talking about a freestanding steam shower cabin, which is simple to install without any major wear or tear. 

You see, these cabins are complete plug-and-play units that come with the best-in-class steam bath generators, digital control systems, and seating, all built-in. Think of them as a prefabricated steam bath, but in a one or two-person configuration. 

But where’s the DIY element, you might wonder? 

Well, you do need to install the cabin at a convenient location. And unlike building your steam shower from bottom up, this is way easier. 

Also, you’ll still work around steam room design basics like running a plumbing line, drawing electrical wiring, and installing drainage systems. 

The best part: You can install a freestanding cabin just about anywhere in your home, all you need is running water and drainage. 
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2. Dual-purpose steam shower

​When it comes to residential steam room DIY, bathrooms offer the most convenient location. That’s because be it running water, drainage, or electricity, bathrooms have them all. 

But for small homes with a single bathroom this could be a problem. And this is exactly where dual-purpose steam showers enter the picture, offering a practical solution to make a steam room in your bathroom. 

How? 

Among all DIY steam shower ideas, a dual-purpose steam shower is one that you can use for both regular and steam baths. And although it sounds complicated to install, let me tell you that this is very straightforward and only requires a few shower modifications. 

For starters, you’ll need to source a steam generator and install it near the shower. This will be followed by a steamhead which you can install parallel to your regular shower. 

Lastly, run a parallel plumbing line and connect the showerhead to the generator, and you’ve got a dual-purpose steam shower. 

Note: A lot of pre-existing showers are not fully sealed. So you might have to follow an additional step of sealing the shower enclosure to prevent steam from escaping. 

3. Compact corner steam room

​Yet another idea for bathroom steam shower design, a custom corner steam room offers the perfect way to build a separate DIY steam bath section without altering your regular shower. 

You see, while a dual purpose steam shower has its advantages, there are steam bath enthusiasts who’d rather have a separate steam shower. And for such steam bathers, custom corner steam rooms ensure they can have the best of both worlds in the same shower enclosure. 

So what’s different here? 

Well, a typical custom corner steam room unit easily fits into spaces as small as 3' x 3'. Meaning you can easily integrate one into your bathroom notwithstanding its size. 

Also, these are prefabricated steam rooms that include everything from steam generators to seats, and more. 

As such, you need not be a steam room expert to undertake a DIY installation. In fact, follow the manufacturer’s installation manual and your steam room should be all set to use. 

That’s interesting, isn’t it? 

4. Backyard steam room design

For those of you who are on the lookout for challenging yet rewarding steam shower design ideas, a backyard steam shower is worth all the time, money, and effort. 

Think of it as a backyard cabin but with a steam bath twist, just like a backyard sauna addition. Trust me, this can become your favorite weekend retreat in no time. 

As I said, this project can be demanding, starting with the basics wherein you’ll have to factor in electricity, water, and drainage for outdoor use. 

Also, you’ll have to source outdoor steam shower materials like wood, door, roof, benches, steam room lighting, generator, and more. 

Now, prefabricated steam rooms offer a short-cut way to DIY your backyard steam shower; all you’ve got to do is source a weather-proof unit. 

But prefab units are nowhere close to the luxury and personalization that custom steam rooms bring. So, if you’ve got the time and resources, I suggest you build your backyard steam shower from scratch. 

5. All-glass steam shower enclosure

If you are someone who prefers a minimal and airy home steamroom, then this custom steam shower design will definitely interest you. 

As you might already have pictured, an all-glass steam room is made up of glass only doors and walls. And this is among those DIY bathroom steam shower designs that never go out of fashion. 

After all, glass creates a sense of extra space and ensures you don’t feel claustrophobic even in the smallest steam shower enclosures. This is a massive improvement over compact corner steam rooms with traditional walls. 

Not to mention, prefabricated glass steam shower kits are also available on the market, a savior for newbie DIY steam bath enthusiasts. 

However, the only catch here is that you can’t use any other glass except insulated tempered glass, which can drive up the cost. 

6. Sauna steam room combo

The debate over which is better, a sauna or steam room is neverending. But what if I told you that you could have the best of both in a sauna and steam room combo.

Yes, this steam shower design idea is for real and practical. In fact, you can also DIY this combo in a small space. 

Now, I am sure you’re curious how this works. So, let me break this down for you. 

For starters, a steam room and sauna combo involves two different enclosures for each of the heat therapy methods. 

Herein, the first enclosure can be a dry sauna equipped with all essential components like a sauna heater from Amerec, cedar or hemlock wood walls and benches, etc. 

And this can be followed by a second connected enclosure purposed for steam bathing with tile walls, drainage, plumbing, etc.

While combining home saunas and steam rooms can be complex for DIY, they’re 100% achievable if you’ve the time, patience, and expertise. 

7. Personalized aroma on-demand

Let’s admit it, aroma is as important as the heat and humidity in a steam room. That’s because the aroma from essential oils help relax your mind and promote mental wellbeing. 

But don’t all steam rooms have an aroma module already? 

Yes, they do; but not the kind of module I am talking about. 

You see, aromasense in a steam room usually involves a single aroma infused throughout your steam bath session. 

Nevertheless, with a combination of smart aroma module and steam room control, you can switch between jasmine or lavender, or any other aroma based on your mood. And you can do so while enjoying your steamy hot heat therapy session. 

The best part: Unlike other steam shower design ideas, you need not re-configure your steam room. All you’ve got to do is upgrade to a smart control panel and an aroma pump capable of holding multiple essential oil canisters. 

8. Skylight-based steam shower design

Steam showers featuring a skylight are among the biggest highlights at 5 and 7-star rated hotels and resorts. 

But what if I told you that it’s possible to design such a steam shower at your home? 

In fact, you don’t have to undertake major wear and tear since you can simply build this steam room in the balcony or backyard, among other open spaces. 

The only difference here will be the steam room roofing for which you’ll have to use a top-quality insulated glass panel. 

You see, not only will skylights bring a ton of natural light, but they’ll also create an open and airy feel. And this is sure to elevate your overall steam shower experience to a whole new level. 
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9. Vintage steam room tiles

While minimal modern steam room design is leading the vogue, there are still a lot of people who look for ideas to create a good old American steam bath. And if you’re one of them then DIY vintage steam shower tile ideas will definitely suit your taste. 

Now, I am not suggesting a complicated design, so you can catch your breath on that. Instead, this design is all about upgrading your modern steam room tiles with a vintage wall and floor steam shower tile design. 

Also, if you feel like, replace the existing fixtures with antique brass fixtures. 

And that’s it, you’ve got your vintage home steam bath ready for use. 

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? 

DIY home steam shower design: Things to consider

Exciting as it is, a DIY steam shower project also has its complications. So much so that miscalculate the space by an inch and you could have an under or overheated enclosure. 

Not to mention, even the slightest DIY error can expose you to countless safety hazards. 

As such, it's essential you keep a few important things in mind before you start working on your project. And that includes: 

1. Size: Although there’s no size limit to steam shower designs, it makes sense to keep a DIY steam bath small to mid-sized. For instance, you can choose a size between 3' x 3' and  9' x 9' as this will ensure you complete your project without unnecessary hurdles. 

2. Waterproofing: Your steam room should be waterproof in order to prevent moisture escape and mold growth. So, I suggest you use high-quality vapor barriers, sealed tiles, and waterproof doors. 

3. Ventilation: A consistent flow of fresh air in and out of the steam enclosure is important. And you can do so by installing an air intake near the door and an exhaust on the opposite end. 
You can watch this tutorial video to learn how to ventilate spaces like steam showers. 

4. Steam generator: The most crucial element in a steam shower, your steam generator should be of high-quality and designed for your enclosure’s dimensions. For instance, if your steam room dimensions are 6' x 4', then your generator capacity should be at least 15KW.


5. Materials: Lastly, the materials that you use to build your steam room such as tiles, glass, etc., should have high heat resistance capacity. 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a DIY steam shower cost? 

Designing and building a DIY steam shower can cost you anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on the scope of your project. 

For instance, if you’re planning basic design upgrades like glass panels redo or aroma module change, you’ll likely spend on the lower end. 

However, a major DIY project like building a dual-purpose steam shower can cost you more than $20,000. 

What are the pros and cons of DIY steam bath design? 

Like all things DIY, steam bath design ideas have their fair share of applauses and criticism, including:

Pros: 
1. They can save up to 25 percent of the original cost.
2. These are rewarding projects with endless scope for customization.
3. You control everything, which isn’t the case with installation contractors. 
4. You can handpick the best steam bath materials and have satisfaction over the outcome. 

Cons: 
1. A project like this takes time and you could spend anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. 
2. Lack of technical expertise can lead to safety woes. 
3. You could land in legal troubles if your project violates local building codes. 

Conclusion 

As you can see, it doesn’t take a lot to pursue DIY steam shower design ideas and build or renovate your steam room. In fact, I’ve specialty curated these ideas so that just about anyone can implement, notwithstanding their prior expertise. 

So, follow the basics and you can do it right the first time. 

Need assistance with your steam room design or curious what to shop for? 

You can get in touch with us!

At Steam and Sauna Experts, we are seasoned steam room professionals with decades of experience under our belt. And our online storefront features top-of-the-line steam room accessories from industry leaders like Amerec, Delta, and Mr. Steam. 

In short, we’ve got all your DIY steam room requirements covered.

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