The Rise of the Home Spa Den
Middle-class families with sufficient space and financial resources are increasingly converting their gardens into personal wellness sanctuaries, with the 'spa-den' emerging as the latest outdoor status symbol, poised to replace the traditional posh garden room. This trend has gained momentum through social media posts from celebrities showcasing their exclusive spa-dens, including figures like Joe Wicks, Holly Willoughby, Erling Haaland, Shirley Ballas, and the Beckhams, who have all shared images of luxury gym-style facilities installed at their expansive properties.
From Pandemic Makeshifts to Design-Led Luxury
It is essential to clarify that this movement transcends the inflatable hot tubs and makeshift ice baths fashioned from bins that were prevalent during the pandemic. Instead, it focuses on design-led 'exterior suites' that seamlessly blend with natural landscapes, with costs frequently exceeding £100,000. While mainstream retailers such as Sports Direct, B&Q, and Argos now offer al fresco wellness equipment, including Lay-Z-Spa hot tubs priced under £400, style experts emphasize the importance of avoiding unsightly plastic additions to prevent a backyard from appearing in poor taste.
High-End Wellness Installations
Individuals serious about fitness and recovery, seeking privacy beyond what upmarket health clubs or hotels can provide, are investing in wood-clad Scandinavian-style saunas, high-tech jacuzzis, and chic freezing plunge pools. The spa-den, boasting facilities comparable to those in luxury hotels or health clubs, is becoming increasingly common. Ice baths, promoted for cardiovascular health and sports recovery, have evolved into stylish statements, with celebrities like the Beckhams and Shirley Ballas among notable owners.
Statement outdoor baths, such as those crafted entirely from large riverstone boulders and polished, can be installed with hot running water starting at approximately £7,250, significantly enhancing garden aesthetics. Demand for residential saunas now constitutes around 59% of global sauna demand, with the UK sauna market projected to grow from £61.5 million in 2024 to £114.6 million by 2033.
Replacing Garden Rooms
The spa-den is either replacing or complementing garden rooms, which have been the most popular addition to rear spaces in recent decades. For many who can afford them, wellness equipment represents a functional purchase promising years of use. In contrast, unloved garden rooms, often repurposed as home offices during the Covid era, now frequently serve as storage spaces or pretty sheds.
Cost Considerations and Market Growth
The financial investment for installing a spa-den can vary widely. Off-the-shelf saunas for four people start at around £4,000, such as the charcoal black OHK sauna from wildhut.com, which includes an outdoor rainshower and options for alder or cedar interior cladding. However, bespoke hand-made installations can reach prices comparable to a terraced house in some UK regions, with more advanced models beginning at approximately £50,000.
Adding an aesthetically pleasing ice bath, like a rustic cold plunge tub made from old Scottish whisky barrels priced at £7,495 from wellness brand Brass Monkey, can bring the total cost to at least £30,000. Christopher Selman, co-founder of Out of the Valley, a Devon-based British company specializing in design-led outdoor saunas, attributes the spa-den boom to the stresses of modern life. The company has experienced a remarkable 400% growth in demand over the past 12 to 18 months.
Expert Insights and Future Predictions
Selman explained, 'The sauna is an accessible form of meditation free from distraction and rooted in the simple act of being present. It creates space to reconnect body and mind, and ultimately, it’s about listening to your body. It’s no wonder it’s becoming so popular in today’s ultra-connected, digital world.' He predicts that saunas may soon become a normal part of everyday life, similar to how yoga transitioned from niche to mainstream 15 years ago.
Joss Thomas, founder and designer at Indigenous, noted a definite rise in demand for outdoor bathing, including tin and stone baths and volcanic hot tubs. He stated, 'Outdoor spa areas have become very popular over the last few years. They create a real style statement outdoors, as well as a fabulous wellness addition and "escape" at home that can be enjoyed at any time.'
Thomas highlighted that a stone bath serves as a fabulous focal point, blending beautifully with natural surroundings, whether in a scenic spot or an intimate nook surrounded by plants and solar lights. Traditional tin baths are also practical, being lightweight and easy to move, with bateau-style designs creating wonderful features that can accommodate two people. He added, 'Don’t forget a well-appointed stool for drinks and snacks, and a hook for a towel or bathrobe; especially important if you’re planning a Nordic-style soak on a chilly night.'
As more people embrace home spas, patios with in-laid hot tubs could soon become the norm, and statement baths in spacious gardens continue to make style statements, such as a stone bath from Indigenous retailing at £7,250 and weighing 1,500kg.
