Pool House and Lounge Area Design Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining in 2024
By: Britteny
If you have a pool or plan to build one, you might also be considering a pool house or lounge area. Pool houses are often to used to store towels and equipment, but they can be more elaborate too. Some homeowners add a bathroom to their pool house, and others turn them into outdoor entertainment spaces with TVs and furniture. If you don’t have the budget for a pool house, a thoughtfully designed lounge area near the pool can do the trick too.
In this post, we’ll walk you through some of our favorite designs featuring a pool house or other spaces meant for relaxing poolside. We’ll also share tips for recreating the looks in your own yard. Keep reading to discover some of our best pool house ideas and lounge spaces.
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Poolside pergola
We love incorporating pergolas into our exterior designs. We use them over garages, front patios, entryways, and more.
The rendering above features an outdoor dining table next to the pool. Building a pergola overtop the dining area provides some shade, and string lights ensure the space can be enjoyed after the sun goes down too. The wood used for the pergola matches the portico over the entry door, connecting the pool lounge area to the rest of the home.
Teepee lounge
When it comes to your pool house or lounge area, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. This client wanted her backyard to look like a “high-end glamping site,” so we incorporated a teepee-inspired tent into our design. Within the tent, there’s an l-shaped sectional, coffee table, and an area rug that all work together to create a cozy-chic space perfect for relaxing.
This design also features a fit pit surrounded by comfy chairs, plus an outdoor kitchen and dining space.
Add a fire feature
Adding a fire feature is an excellent way to create warmth and coziness within your outdoor living space. The covered lounge above looks like a living room with the electric fireplace, couch and chairs, coffee table, large rug, ceiling fan, and plenty of planters.
This poolside lounge also features a fireplace, which helps draw the eye to that section of the backyard. The sectional sofa, coffee table, and umbrella add to the cozy vibe and create the perfect place to dry off after a dip in the pool.
Poolside bar and pizza oven
Instead of running inside every time you want a drink and getting your floors wet, bring the bar outside for easy access. The design above has a bar right next to the pool, as well as a pizza oven, fire pit, and sofa. Wood decking in this area helps it feel like a distinctive space within the yard.
Covered outdoor kitchen
If a poolside pizza oven and bar isn’t quite enough, opt for an entire outdoor kitchen instead. The design above features an outdoor kitchen to the right of the pool. Covering the kitchen offers protection from the elements, and the recessed lighting and hanging lantern ensure it can be used well into the evening.
In addition to the outdoor kitchen, this backyard features several lounge chairs around the pool, as well as a fit pit and more seating. Whether you’re cooking, eating, or relaxing after a meal, there’s plenty of places to kick back in this outdoor oasis.
Create outdoor rooms
If you have a nice-sized outdoor space to work with, consider breaking up the area into smaller outdoor “rooms.” Doing so can make it more functional and aesthetically pleasing. You can do this by using different flooring materials, adding layers of flooring, or incorporating rugs throughout.
In the design above, the “living room” sits on top of grass and large stone pavers. This creates contrast against the concrete used around the rest of the pool area. The dining table and chairs are placed over a large rug, which helps to anchor the furniture. In the uncovered portion of the yard, two lounge chairs rest under an umbrella. There’s also an l-shaped couch and coffee table tucked into the corner.
Freestanding pool house
If you have room for it, a freestanding pool house is a great addition to your yard. The pool house above is detached from the main house and can be utilized in a variety of ways. It’s a convenient place to store pool equipment or outdoor furniture when not in use. Or, you could add a sink and toilet so you and your guests don’t need to run into the main house every time you want to use the restroom.
Covered poolside patio
Covered patios are nice features whether or not you have a pool. They offer a place to relax outdoors while providing shade and protection from elements like rain.
We kept the covered poolside patio above relatively simple to allow the pool to take center stage. We included some seating and a rug, plus a fan to keep loungers cool. The wall of windows behind the furniture makes the patio feel like an extension of the home’s interior. It also provides a nice view of the pool for anyone inside.
Awning with curtains
Not everyone has the space or budget for a covered patio. For this homeowner, we suggested a more affordable alternative. A freestanding awning with curtains provides shade just like a covered patio for a fraction of the cost.
Resort-inspired poolside retreat
This homeowner requested a resort-inspired poolside retreat that would make them feel like they were on vacation every time they stepped into their backyard. We turned the covered porch into a luxurious lounge complete with a teak sectional sofa and matching chairs and coffee table. Plenty of plants, wood columns, and a patterned rug add warmth to the space.
There’s also a pull-down projector screen on the wall of the garage so people can watch a movie while they swim.
Put your pool house plans into action
A dedicated pool house or poolside lounge can transform an ordinary backyard into an outdoor oasis. Whether you want to sip wine near the pool, cook a meal, or watch TV, there are tons of ways to achieve the pool house or lounge space of your dreams. The right furniture, accessories, and equipment can enhance the area surrounding your pool. These upgrades will make your pool house a place you’ll never want to leave.
We hope this roundup of pool house ideas has offered you plenty of inspiration for your own outdoor oasis.
Whether you want to incorporate a pool house into your home design, need help picking paint colors, or want to update another aspect of your exterior, we can help. We’ll create a custom design based on your wants and needs. We’ll also share a shoppable resource list to make it easy to bring our rendering to life. Begin your exterior design project today.
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