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22 Pool house designs and ideas

By Elise Hodge

Published: May 8th, 2023

From sliding barn doors to a greenhouse design, check out these stunning pool house ideas that will inspire your next backyard project.

Preparing your outdoor area for summer can happen in any season. What better way to do that than with a fabulous pool house? With a pool house, you’ll have everyone wanting to hang around at your place on the weekend for some fun in the sun.

Pool houses not only add privacy to your backyard but can also make it look so beautiful, and there are really endless design possibilities! One thing is for sure — you’re going to be spending a lot more time enjoying the outdoors when you have a lovely pool house.

Ready to be inspired? Check out these amazing  pool house designs.

1. Sliding barn doors

Sliding barn door opens up to swimming pool in backyard

First up, we have sliding barn doors for your pool house! Barn doors give your pool house a cosy and classic farmhouse look without making the space feel so closed in. It also offers a modern charm that can complement any space.

2. Country vibes

Give your swimming area a country vibe with a rustic pool house, complete with wood or stone detailing and a poolside terrace as a hangout space. You can even use the space to keep pool necessities.

white pool house with stone detailing and a poolside terrace

3. Small space

If you don’t have much room for a full pool house, perhaps something a little smaller will work! All you would need for a mini pool house is enough room for an outdoor lounge area or a cosy dining area to entertain guests as the sun goes down. This is definitely a no-fuss alternative for a pool house.

white pool house and white sofa next to a pool

4. Take in the view

If you’ve got a great view near your home and pool area, take advantage of it and get started on building your pool house there! It can enhance the overall pool experience and create a relaxing atmosphere for you and your guests—whether you take a dip in the pool or not.

stone poolhouse with shingled roof in front of a pool
Source: Jesse Gardner via Unsplash

5. Greenhouse

Pool house in the style of a greenhouse with light shining through the ceiling

A greenhouse acting as your pool house would be lovely! Just imagine how relaxing it would be to lounge in the middle of a sun shower. In case it rains, you would have somewhere to stay and could watch the pitter-patter of rain trickle down over the roof.

6. Entertainment space

How about a vast and beautiful entertainment space? This would be the perfect place for a family to hang out or entertain guests. The space will allow you to hang out and enjoy other activities while still enjoying the amazing poolside view. Adding a kitchen to your pool house will also mean that you can watch the kids and entertain your guests, all while putting on a feast!

White modern poolhouse with sliding doors leading to dining area
Source: Ralph (Ravi) Kayden via Unsplash

7. Up at the bar

If you’re in the process of designing your pool house, why not add a bar and pizza oven area on the side? Get some chairs lined up and ready for guests to sit on after an afternoon in the pool, and set up some outdoor lighting to really make the whole area look inviting.

open-air pool house with bar seating

8. Boho hut

Are you obsessed with boho? Why not go all out and bring the boho style to your own poolside? This style can be customised to suit various design preferences, but whichever way you go, you will have a space that gives off eclectic, colourful, and free-spirited vibes. Bring out the bamboo, wicker, and rattan, and maybe a boho hut pool house is what you’re looking for!

pool house in the style of a boho hut with sliding doors and pool chairs
Source: Ibrahim Mushan via Unsplash

9. Outdoor living space

An outdoor living space could act as an extension of the pool area. This kind of pool house could give enough room for a lounge and dining area, where you can chat with friends in between dips in the pool.

pool next to outdoor terrace with glass walls and overgrown plants
Source: Lissete Laverde via Unsplash

10. Log house

Log pool house with greenery in background

A log pool house gives a rustic and natural look to your swimming area, so it can be a relaxing place to lounge around. It can also provide a convenient and comfortable space for changing and storing pool equipment. The space can be a great entertainment space for hosting guests as well.

11. Hamptons style

Give your pool area a luxurious and elegant look with a Hamptons-style pool house. The coastal-inspired design creates a serene and inviting ambience for any space. With it, you can have a suitable place for changing and storing pool equipment without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor pool.

blue Hamptons style pool house with white details and French doors

12. Indoor-outdoor

Modern villa with pool deck and indoor-outdoor lounge

Get the best of both worlds by having an indoor-outdoor pool house! The indoor space can provide shelter for any season year-round, while an outdoor space can be a versatile and functional area for entertaining and relaxing. This design choice adds visual interest to your pool house and creates a unique and appealing aesthetic.

13. All the essentials

If you’re one to stay by the pool all day, it might not be a bad idea to put all your essentials in your pool house! If you have a big enough building, set up everything you need: a dining area, a grill or kitchenette, a fireplace, storage for pool essentials, and places to lounge about. You might even be able to squeeze in space for games like table tennis.

modern home with glass walls and metallic details in front of pool
Source: Florian Schmidinger via Unsplash

14. Kitchen area

Modern house at dusk with swimming pool and barbecue in backyard

Building a pool house with a fully functioning kitchen is definitely worth it. This way, you can conveniently prepare and serve food and drinks without having to go inside your house to access the kitchen. It can also be a great way to entertain guests since it allows you to socialise while cooking.

15. Timber details

The natural aesthetic of timber creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that can enhance the overall ambience of a pool area. And brown wood is a standout feature and offers a great contrast to your clear water and pool tiles! Practically speaking, timber is also a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand various elements without needing much maintenance.

roofed patio with sofas and chairs beside pool
Source: Randy Fath via Unsplash

16. Modern beach house

Modern pool house with garden and wooden deck. Outdoor dining area

Even if you live in the mountains, you won’t ever have to feel far from the beach with a modern pool house!  The modern flat roof makes the pool house look minimal and non-invasive among the existing landscape around your pool area.

17. Stone accents

Spacious modern luxury pool villa. Featuring wooden decking, sun beds, swimming pool, and garden

Adding stone accents to a pool house can be a great way to enhance its aesthetic appeal and create a more natural and organic look.

Stone has a timeless and classic feel, adding texture and depth to the design of the pool house. It can also blend the pool house into the surrounding environment, creating a seamless transition between the outdoor and indoor spaces. Since stone is durable and low-maintenance, you can also count on it to look great for years.

18. Pop of colour

Make your pool house stand out by painting it a bright, fun colour like orange or yellow! Bright colours add vibrancy and personality to the space and help draw attention to its unique features. Additionally, it’s a great way to express your personal style and make a bold statement.

Pool house with orange exterior wall and floor-to-ceiling window. Two folding chairs beside pool
Source: Xavi Serra via Unsplash

19. Pool lighthouse

Wondering how to make your pool house unique and gorgeous? Add a lighthouse tower to the mix. It can give you and your guests an amazing view that could be seen from the top level. On the top level, you could even put a guest bedroom or a teenagers’ retreat for the kids, or maybe you’d want to save that space for yourself!

white pool house in the style of a lighthouse tower

20. All about symmetry

You can never go wrong with doing a symmetrical pool house build. Symmetry creates a sense of balance and harmony, so it adds a visual appeal to the space. Additionally, it gives a more cohesive and polished look that’s pleasing to the eyes, which can create a calming and reassuring atmosphere.

Symmetrical pool house. White and brown concrete building near swimming pool during daytime
Source: Mikail McVerry via Unsplash

21. Surf shack bar

Imagine this: after an amazing surf on perfect waves, you come back home and place your surfboard on your pool house shack and jump into a warm and inviting pool. How amazing would that be? And this little shack would be a great place to relax and enjoy a drink.

surf shack-style bar and flat-screen TV near pool with pool-side umbrella

22. All the colours

Instead of choosing a single solid colour, play around with the rainbow and sprinkle a few more colours to your pool house! You can choose neutral colours for columns, doors, and windows, then pick bright or bold colours for your furniture. It will make the pool house feel welcoming, vibrant, and cheerful.

pool house with rainbow-coloured exterior wall

So there you have it, 22 pool house designs and ideas to consider for your next renovation project! What were your favourites? Let us know in the comments below!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise H

I've recently moved into a new home and I've been having so much fun decorating it with pretty wall prints and Scandinavian-inspired furniture. So as well as being a freelance writer, I'm always on the lookout for new design pieces for my home!

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