Basement Wellness Spa Remodel in Elm Grove, WI

From Laundry Room to Luxury Wellness Spa

This Elm Grove, WI remodel began with a large, plain basement laundry room – a space the homeowners rarely used since they already had laundry facilities upstairs. Located next to the family’s home gym, the area offered the perfect opportunity for creating a private wellness spa where they could relax, recover and recharge after workouts – without ever leaving home.

Client Goals

The homeowners wanted a luxurious and calming bathroom retreat. Their wish list included:

• A cold plunge for post-workout recovery
• A custom sauna
• A hydrotherapy air massage tub
• A warm, organic design with natural wood and stone elements

After careful planning, Kowalske Kitchen & Bath included the cold plunge and hydrotherapy tub while omitting a steam shower to stay within budget – focusing on the features with the biggest impact on wellness and comfort.

Design Challenges & Creative Solutions

This basement remodel came with several unique design and structural challenges:

• Hydronic In-Floor Heating: The existing radiant heat system prevented drilling into the slab or rerouting plumbing. We solved this by creating raised platforms for both the cold plunge and hydrotherapy tub, allowing use of existing plumbing safely and adding architectural interest.
• Room Layout & Flow: New walls were added to define each spa zone and improve balance. Closing a small bump-out behind the sauna created a cohesive and intentional layout.
• Framed Sink Feature Wall: Plumbing for the sink was run through the wall cavity so it could be perfectly framed by the Ipe wood feature wall, turning a functional element into a focal point of the room.

Design Highlights

• Hydrotherapy Air Massage Tub – This luxurious soaking tub offers full-body relaxation through gentle air massage jets – perfect for unwinding after an intense workout.
• Cold Plunge Tub – Designed for quick, restorative immersion, the cold plunge promotes muscle recovery.
• Home Sauna – Constructed in warm natural wood, the sauna offers restorative heat therapy after workouts.
• Ipe Wood Wall Partition – The wood slat partition wall add depth, dimension and a sense of privacy between the spaces. Adding lighting between the slats really sets the mood for this elegant retreat. 
• Glass Vessel Sink – The bathroom sink is a sculptural centerpiece echoing the tone of the wood and contrasting with the quartz countertop.
• Layered Lighting Design – Flexible lighting on dimmers allows soft, tranquil accent lighting that highlights the stone, wood and glass elements.
• Neutral Palette – Stone, wood and soft tile in neutral tones create a timeless, calming atmosphere.
• Changing Room – The lockers and cabinetry is designed for convenience, offering easy access to towels, robes and spa essentials.

Learn More

• Bathroom remodeling services
• Bathroom addition services
• Our remodeling process