How To Build A Pool Changing Room

By Robert Robillard on Design, How To

Pool Changing RoomPool Changing Room with Repurposed Materials

Pool sheds come in all sizes from basic to ultra-elaborate. I have a pool, but not enough property to build a pool house on. I mean how frustrating, I’m a skilled carpenter and I can’t build a pool shed for my own pool.

Re-Purposing Construction Materials

After building a cupola on a barn in town, I has extra tongued and groove, primed, cedar boards left over. It was special ordered and not returnable so I started thinking of ways to use it. The wood was expensive but no longer wanted or needed by the client, and he wanted it gone.  Being a lover of wood, I took it. My goal was to keep it out of a landfill, and find it a new home.

The pool changing room idea came to me as I was replacing my dryer in my home.  My dryer worked fine but the washer was broken beyond repair.  The new washer was not compatible as a stackable unit with the dryer, so it had to go too, then the idea came…

I would convert some of the space in my tool storage shed into a small pool changing room and re-purpose the dryer for wet pool towels. My plan also involved re-purposing some of the left over materials from past projects.

Planning the Changing Room Space

For the project I had a few ideas for the repurposed items I wanted to use. My design and proportions all depended on the sizes and qualities of the materials I had left over; so I had to plan and measure carefully. 

Pool Changing Room
My remnant materials were:

  1. I had a 29” x 24” remnant of black honed granite that was headed for the dumpster. It would make a perfect counter top for a towel storage cabinet, next to the towel dryer.
  2. I had a flat-panel, cabinet door with hinges left over from a built-in retrofit that I just couldn’t toss out.
  3. I had a 10-year old dryer that I was replacing.
  4. I had enough tongue and groove cedar boards left over to trim the inside and outside of a 43 x 48 small dressing room. [yup I did the math]
  5. I had some 1×4’ mahogany boards and deck oil left over from a deck project and some scrap plywood from a cabinet job.
  6. Extra exterior, wall-mount lantern

Making the Dryer Safe

A fried of mine is an appliance repairman.  He went thru the dryer and made sure everything was safe, replacing a few items for some beer!

My electrician added an outlet for the dryer for $90.

Pool Changing RoomTowel Storage Cabinet

I used some scrap birch and AC plywood left in my shop and built a cabinet 28” x 23.” This allowed me to use my remnant granite and have the granite overhang the sides ½” and the front edge 1.”

The granite remnant was the cooktop cutout in a recent kitchen remodel.  The client didn’t want it.

Once the cabinet was built I closed in the front so I could re-use the built in cabinet and hinges. I use a left over hook hasp lock to keep the door sealed from mice. Once complete this cabinet can hold 30 full sized pool towels.

I then cleared some space on one side of my shed and installed the cabinet into a corner and the dryer next to it. The dryer has a 10” vent pipe and vents straight out of the shed

Pool Changing RoomBuilding the Changing Room

I bought some 2×4 studs and framed my room so the cedar would just fit. Luckily for me there was enough boards to make the room a decent size for someone to change in.

On the opposite side of the shed from the dryer and cabinet I built my changing room. The shed has a cathedral ceiling in this area so I used the full length 2×4 studs for the walls, no scrap.

I framed a doorway on one side of the front wall, and a bench seat on the other side of the wall. Later I would hang a shower curtain for privacy.

i relocated the lighting wires for the shed and added a switch and wire for a wall mounted lantern on the inside wall.

The cedar boards were installed with a pneumatic nailer.  I ripped a few f the cedar boards down to make a door jamb and some trim which covers both sides of the open doorway.

Pool Changing RoomThe Bench Seat

I topped off the bench frame with my left over mahogany 1×4 deck boards and sanded them silky smooth, before coating them with a protective coat of Penifin oil, also left over from a deck project..

The front edge of the bench 2×4 was covered with a ripped down cedar board.

The Finishing Touches

I used the extra mahogany boards to make a raised 1×4 wood mat to stand on. I then bought a shower curtain and rod, cut it down and mounted it for privacy.

All said and done this project cost me $165.  I paid $45 in framing lumber, $90 for electrical work and $30 for the shower rod and curtain. The rest was left over material laying around the shed and my workshop.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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