With the summer months quickly approaching, everyone will be headed out to the pool in no time. Whether you plan to entertain friends, host family or create your own retreat, a pool house is a fantastic addition to any home. Pool houses provide guests with space for an overnight stay, and allow you to lounge by the pool (or hot tub) in style. From adding a kitchenette to keeping the interior clean with an outdoor wash area, here are our top tips for modern pool house design.
Our Top 13 Tips for Modern Pool House Design
#1 Consider Your Needs
Before starting the design process, think about how you want to use your pool house. Do you plan to entertain guests or house kids returning from college? Would you rent out your pool house as an apartment or use it as an escape from the main dwelling? Imagining how you could and would use the space helps you and your designer create a pool house that actually meets those needs.
#2 Blend With the Main House Unless Historic
Work with a designer to mesh the design of your pool house with the style of your main house. Homeowners often prefer that the pool house feel like an extension rather than something that was added later. Ensure the pool house is integrated enough to blend with the main house, but private enough to make guests feel at ease.
However, we recommend that homeowners collaborate with a local expert when remodeling a historic house. In some cases, your city’s Historic Planning Commission might require later additions to be stylistically distinct.
If so, read through our do’s and don’t’s of historic home remodeling before designing your pool house. Reach out to an architectural historian or design firm for further guidance.
#3 Include A Kitchenette to Maximize Your Pool House’s Functionality
To make your pool house more functional, consider adding a small kitchenette area. When entertaining guests who are lounging by the pool, this will allow you to prepare drinks and snacks. Encourage guests to gather, or use the space exclusively for catering setup.
Unsure how you will use your pool house in the future? If hoping to eventually convert your pool house into an ADU, this will help ensure your space is compliant with residential building codes.
#4 Add a Private Patio
Another design element that allows you to flex in the future is a private patio. When entertaining guests, an enclosed outdoor lounge area can provide the perfect spot for relaxation after an eventful afternoon.
Should you choose to convert your cabana into a full-fledged guest house, a patio creates privacy for weekenders or long-term renters. Even if you have no plans to host or lease, a private patio can provide you and your partner with a romantic retreat.
#5 Keep the Interior Clean with an Outdoor Wash Area
Whether a heated shower or a simple faucet, an outdoor wash area is both practical and luxurious. Not only does it keep people from tracking water inside.
When enclosed, an outdoor shower provides a tranquil moment amid all that high-energy fun in the sun. With the right design, an outdoor wash area can also create a beautiful architectural moment that ties the entire space together.
#6 Opt for Performance Fabrics
Next on our list of pool house ideas is to opt solely for performance fabrics. When designing a pool house, performance fabrics are absolutely key. No matter how well guests dry their suits and shake off sandy shoes, your pool house furniture will be put to the test.
Quoting Catherine Kwong in an article for House Beautiful, Hadley Mendelsohn makes the case for performance fabrics. When designing modern indoor-outdoor spaces, Kwong recommends balancing “‘the client’s minimalist aesthetic with how a beach house is actually used.'” Kwong notes that a pool house should “‘not [be] a place where people are worried about tracking in sand.'”
Instead of seeming stuffy, a pool house should encourage guests to relax. At the same time, it should communicate your unique sense of style. Far from the kitschy patterns and waxed finishes of yesteryear, today’s performance fabrics speak to modern sensibilities. Simultaneously, they resist staining, tearing and so much more.
In the pool house of our Braeswood Place project, we opted for performance fabrics that capture textures and tones prevalent throughout the main house. Rather than delicate silks and unctuous leathers, we selected attractive performance fabrics that will stand the test of time. The main house is shown above on the left, while the pool house is above on the right. You can see how tones and textures carry from one space to the next.
The living room boasts gorgeous fabrics from Pindler and Pindler, Geronimo, and Wolf Gordon. With fun elements, pops of color, durable furnishings and performance fabric, this pool house design is perfect for kids and guests.
#7 Select Materials and Colors that Speak to Your Home’s Surroundings
When designing nature-inspired interiors and outdoor spaces, we always recommend selecting materials and colors that speak to your home’s surroundings. One easy way to capitalize on natural light and gorgeous views of nature is to add a glass door or floor-to-ceiling windows.
A glass door or expansive window filters natural light into the room while creating a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. It brings beautiful views of your backyard into the living space.
Similarly, select colors inspired by your home’s environment. Opt for deep blues and mossy greens. Pepper flower arrangements throughout the space. This can help mesh the pool house with its surroundings. Not only does this tie the house to your home. It can also make the space feel organic and grounded.
If possible, add features that make your space feel more natural and integrated. For example, we incorporated a gorgeous waterfall feature in our Balmore project’s swimming pool.
#8 Create a Multi-Purpose Space That Flexes for Different Functions
Design your pool house and surrounding outdoor areas in a way that allows it to meet a variety of needs. After all, you might entertain friends and family one weekend. You might host a charity event the next!
We already established that a kitchen and primary suite elevate any standard pool house from cabana to apartment. To create a multi-purpose space that conforms to different functions, add a living area too. If possible, extend the living area outdoors with a loggia.
Equip your pool house living area with a dining table that doubles as a game table. Commission custom millwork that disguises a TV until guest settle down for the evening.
#9 Build a Fireplace
To ensure the outdoor space surrounding your pool house can be used long after Labor Day, build a fireplace. With limewash brickwork, the fireplace in Hedwig Village‘s loggia ties its outdoor space to the main home’s interior.
At Colonial Drive, we opted for a more enclosed outdoor space (pictured above). This area creates a second living room for the main house. Furnish your pool house’s outdoor space with comfortable seating to create a cozy atmosphere.
#10 Integrate Playful Art Installations to Infuse Your Personality
Add playful art installations and install quirky tile to infuse the pool house with your personality. We encourage you to be a bit more adventurous in this space beyond the main house.
Think beyond traditional wall art—consider sculptural pieces, murals, or interactive art that guests can enjoy. For instance, a vibrant mural is the ideal focal point, adding energy and color to the space. Sculptural pieces, whether modern or whimsical, can be strategically placed to create visual interest and conversation starters.
Quirky tile patterns are another fantastic way to express your style. Opt for bold, geometric designs, colorful mosaics, or even custom tiles that reflect your interests and hobbies. These tiles can be used in various locations including your backsplash, bathroom floors, or even as an accent in the outdoor shower area. By choosing art and decor that resonates with you, you create a space that feels personal and inviting.
#11 Ensure All Spaces Are Safe for Your Pint-Sized Guests
Safety should be a top priority when designing a pool house, especially if you have children or plan to entertain families. Start by installing a secure fence around the pool area with a self-closing, self-latching gate. This barrier helps prevent unsupervised access by young children.
Use non-slip materials for flooring around the pool and in the pool house. This reduces the risk of slips and falls, keeping everyone safe even when the area is wet.
Designate secure storage areas for pool chemicals, cleaning supplies, and any other hazardous materials. Ensure these storage areas are out of reach of children and can be locked. Install childproof locks on doors and windows that lead to the pool area, adding an extra layer of security to prevent young children from wandering outside unsupervised.
By incorporating these safety features, you can create a safe and enjoyable environment for all your guests, big and small.
#12 Integrate Smart Technology for Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
Incorporating smart technology into your pool house design can greatly enhance comfort and convenience no matter what time of year you entertain. Start with a smart home system that allows you to control lighting, climate, and security features with a simple touch or voice command.
Automated lighting can be programmed to adjust throughout the day, creating the perfect ambiance for every occasion. Smart thermostats ensure the pool house is always at the ideal temperature, whether you’re entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet retreat.
For entertainment, consider installing a high-quality sound system and smart TVs that can stream your favorite shows and music. Outdoor speakers can extend the entertainment area to the poolside.
Smart locks and security cameras add an extra layer of safety so you can monitor and control access to your pool house remotely.
#13 Improve Accessibility with Guards and Handholds
Ensuring that your pool and surrounding areas are accessible to everyone, regardless of age or mobility, is key. Adding guards and handholds around the pool area can significantly enhance safety and accessibility. Handrails along pool steps and ramps provide essential support for individuals with mobility issues, making it easier and safer for them to enter and exit the pool.
Consider installing grab bars in and around the pool house, particularly in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and outdoor wash areas. These can help prevent slips and falls, providing stability for guests of all ages. Pool lifts are another excellent addition, allowing those with limited mobility to enjoy the pool with ease. These devices can be unobtrusively integrated into the design, ensuring they blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetic.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space for Year-Round Entertaining?
Designing a modern pool house requires careful planning and attention to detail. However, it is also a space in which you and your design team can take risks. By incorporating our tips, you can create a functional yet beautiful living space in which to relax and entertain all year round.
Ready to create the ideal outdoor space? Reach out to our team with details about your project!