These pool house ideas will help you maximize your backyard for outdoor entertaining and help store pool supplies
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ERICA GEORGE DINES
A pool house not only adds style to your backyard, but it’s also convenient for storage, quick outfit changes, and more. Depending on needs, pool houses can include an area for organizing pool floats or cleaning supplies. Or include a bathroom in your pool house design to make it easy to change clothes and rinse off before or after swimming. But a pool house doesn’t have to be a stand-alone structure—simply adding a pergola can add shade by the pool and create a nice spot to relax after swimming. Whether you choose a freestanding pavilion or pool house with a guest room, these pool house ideas provide plenty of inspiration for your next project.
Pool House Landscaping
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TRIA GIOVAN
Large hydrangeas and trimmed hedges outside this pool house give it a lush, natural look. The verdant greenery contrasts with the brown siding and white trim. A gate provides easy access to the pool, along with front and back doors to the pool house.
Covered Patio Pool House
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PHILLIP ENNIS
A covered patio can act as a pool house and a space to relax. Hang curtains that can be drawn shut for privacy, and incorporate multiple rattan chairs and chaises for a spot to sit by the pool. Across the covered patio, a permanent pool house structure provides an additional seating area to soak up the sun by the water.
Modern Pool House
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LAURA HULL
Embrace midcentury modern style with an open-concept pool house. This outdoor structure adds shade by the pool and has built-in bench-style seating for summer gatherings. The modern pool house also has an outdoor kitchen with a fridge and sink for quick and easy poolside food prep.
Pool House with Deck
ERICA GEORGE DINES
The neutral exterior color used for this pool house allows the natural elements to shine. An ivy-covered wall makes the structure look right at home in a tropical environment. It also pairs well with grass peeking between the paver stones and deck seating area.
Patio Pool House
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BRIAN MCWEENEY
If adding a structure by your pool isn’t in your budget, simply make use of the space you already have. This pool house design utilizes a covered patio attached to the house. Wood columns and climbing plants give it a natural look, while wicker furniture is a great spot for gathering.
Small Pool House Ideas
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JOHN BESSLER
If you’re adding a pool house on a budget, consider converting a backyard shed into a pool house. This small structure has enough space for a simple seating area in the shade. It can also be a great option for storing equipment when the pool isn’t in use.
Cabin Pool House
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KINDRA CLINEFF
This large cabin-style pool house features hunter-green trim that contrasts with natural wood doors and shingle siding for a rustic look. Sliding doors can be opened to allow easy access to the indoor seating area from the pool. Chaise chairs provide a spot to relax in the sun.
Cottage-Style Guest Pool House
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WERNER STRAUBE
Even a small pool house can be an ideal area for guests to stay. This pool house doubles as a tiny cottage with two beds for visitors. The yellow siding contrasts with light blue interior walls for a bright, colorful guest room that fits right in with a tropical setting.
Colorful Pool House Door
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RICH POMERANTZ
Painting the front door of your pool house can give it a completely new look. The bright pink used in this design stands out against white siding and a gray roof. The bright shade of pink is a great complementary color to the tall flowers surrounding the structure.
Gazebo Pool House
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WERNER STRAUBE
If you’re just looking for extra shade from your pool house, consider adding a gazebo. This large stone structure shades the seating area, but open archways still allow for plenty of fresh air. It’s a great option for taking a break from the sun on a hot summer day spent by the pool.
Cottage Pool House
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COSTAS PICADAS
Climbing roses transform this simple pool house into something magical. The pink roses create an archway over the door that opens into an indoor seating area. Outdoor wicker furniture allows guests to enjoy the outdoor landscaping next to the pool and completes the cottage-style design.
Modern Farmhouse Pool House
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PHILIP HARVEY
Continue modern farmhouse style from your home exterior to your pool house with barn-style doors that can be opened to let in a breeze. They also make it easier to store bulky pool supplies. A built-in bar on the outside makes it easy to serve drinks poolside.
Small Pool House
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MAXIMILLIAN KIM-BEE
Reminiscent of a cabana, this second-story pool house has plenty of privacy for changing. Cedar shake siding gives it a natural look that blends in with nearby palm trees. The slight overhang from the roof creates shade in a sunny backyard.
Add an Outdoor Fireplace
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DAN PIASSICK
Warm up after swimming by sitting next to an outdoor fireplace. The red brick used for this fireplace contrasts with tropical plants, giving the seating area rustic style. Curtains hung from the pergola provide privacy and shade by the pool when needed.
Outdoor Bar
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JAY WILDE
If you love entertaining, consider this pool house design. It includes a seating area for gathering next to the water, plus a built-in bar for serving up drinks. A sliding barn door provides privacy for an indoor changing area.
Cottage-Style Pavilion
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JAY GRAHAM
Create a light and graceful look with a layered grid and latticework support columns. Here, this pavilion is the perfect backdrop for the glimmering pool. It provides ample space for outdoor furniture, allowing a cozy meal under the shade.
Pool House Perfection
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TRIA GIOVAN
A pool house gives swimmers a place to change, freshen up, and enjoy a snack or drink. Such a structure is convenient for pool parties, saving guests the trek from pool to house in dripping swimsuits—and saving you the hassle of cleanup after the party. This one includes a bar, a bedroom, and a bath.
Airy Pavilion
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TRIA GIOVAN
Many pavilions are completed with closed or solid roofs, but this one boasts a vented roof. Such a roof still provides shade from the sun, but it adds to the airy quality of the pavilion. Here, the vented roof rests on classically fluted columns, and a trellis enables privacy from the neighboring yard.
Doors for Seasonal Appeal
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LAURIE BLACK
Create added privacy and protection to your pavilion with sliding glass doors and full-length curtains. The doors can easily be left wide open to allow the shaded area to flow easily into the deck, but the doors can close out the sun or mosquitoes. Similar hues are used on both the deck and pavilion to ensure continuity throughout the space.
Year-Round Pool House
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STEVE GRAY
If a pool house seems like too much of an investment for a seasonal-use structure, give it the size and strength to serve as guest quarters year-round. This columned version includes a bedroom, bath, living area, and kitchenette.
Classy Cabana
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WILLIAM N. HOPKINS
This cabana, with its solid roof, has both an open-air and a sheltered feel. The structure houses a bath and changing rooms, a snack bar, gas grill, refrigerator, and a cozy seating area. An old jukebox inside provides water music.
Screened-In Pool Pavilion
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EMILY MINTON-REDFIELD
For protection from mosquitoes and other pesky insects, a screen is the perfect addition to your pavilion. The screen allows the pavilion to function as a place for dining as well as enjoying other outdoor activities. Unlike solid glass, the screen fabric enables the space to remain airy and comfortable. Here, a dining table and chairs provide a perfect place to enjoy a friendly cookout, while potted plants frame the doorway, beckoning others to join the fun.
Inspiring 1940s Modernism
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COLLEEN DUFFLEY
A classic pavilion is not always the best structure for your outdoor décor. Here, the clean lines reflect the 1940s modernism of the design—the perfect backdrop for the swimming pool. A fireplace in the center ensures that the pavilion is the perfect gathering place for a cool evening, while comfortable chairs provide a cozy place to watch the kids in the pool or enjoy an afternoon snack.
Match Your Pavilion with Your Home
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BOB GREENSPAN
Make sure that your pavilion is a beautiful addition to your outdoor décor by matching the style and color with that of your house. Here, the stucco frame and yellow paint go together perfectly with the main house. A walkway invites guests to enjoy the view from the pavilion, while latticework screening adds privacy. A large dining set and overhead chandelier ensures that the pavilion can be used at all hours of the day.
Pool House Changing Room
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JIM HEDRICH
Even a small building adds to the fun of having a pool. Whether you choose to install a bathroom, a small kitchen, or even just a couple of changing rooms, make it a structure you’ll enjoy looking at whenever you’re entertaining or using the pool area.
Pool House with Climbing Ivy
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GORDON BEALL
Add to your pavilion décor with ivy that climbs the columns and wire guides of the structure. The greenery adds a tropical appeal to the poolside pavilion while softening the exterior. The area offers protection from the sun, and a simple overhead fan creates an added breeze for those that enjoy a carefree meal under the shade.
Large Pool House with Seating
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JIM HEDRICH
A large pavilion can be an idyllic backdrop for your swimming pool. With its roofline, columns, and tongue-and-groove ceiling treatment, this expansive pavilion has Arts and Crafts sensibilities. Double columns add a personal touch to the structure, while a fireplace at one end ensures warmth once the sun sets. An ample amount of space creates a lounge area at one end of the pavilion, while a dining set at the other end provides a cozy place to enjoy an evening meal.
Hot Tub Pavilion
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EDWARD GOHLICH
Terra-cotta tiles and concrete pillars are the perfect materials for a Mediterranean-style pavilion. Here, the round roof is a perfect addition to the landscape with the round spa below. Low walls echo those found throughout the rest of the area, ensuring that the pavilion is the perfect addition. Landscape plants, such as bird-of-paradise and bougainvillea, wrap both the pavilion and pool, creating low-maintenance elegance that brings the décor together.
Covered Pool House Seating
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GORDON BEALL
Add a leisurely space to your home with a restful pavilion that provides a serene backdrop for your pool. This pavilion was inspired by British Colonial architecture, and is softened with greenery that scales the columns. The same brick that surrounds the pool is used on the stairs leading to the pavilion, creating a sense of continuity. A comfy furniture set provides a cozy place to relax and get away from the harsh rays of the sun. Outdoor lighting makes the retreat suitable at all hours.
Glass Roof Pavilion
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LAURIE BLACK
Allow sunlight to filter through your pavilion with a laminated glass roof that still protects from the harsh rays of the sun. The light paint ensures that this pavilion remains airy and reflects the heat from the sun. An outdoor grill is nestled in a low wall to separate the pavilion from the rest of the patio. Outdoor furniture and a dining table create a perfect place to enjoy a summer cookout.
Pool House Patio Seating
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EMILY MINTON-REDFIELD
This pavilion has a formal, traditional look that is in keeping with the pool style. The tropical plantings, however, create romance and mystery. With columns next to palm trees, the area feels less like a backyard pool and more like a hidden pond in the jungle.
Maximize Potential
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HEDRICH-BLESSING STUDIO
Placing a pool or spa close to a deck strengthens the outdoor potential of both. This multilevel deck is a destination of its own and a corridor to the pool. The hot tub is close by, too, but the deck’s structure helps screen and seclude it from the house.
