The best advice for designing a pool house!

The pool house has become the obvious solution for lounging, entertaining and enjoying poolside amenities. This outdoor space adds character and real value to your home. From a simple garden lounge to a large fitted kitchen, the pool house becomes a real additional living space.

There are different styles of pool house, from open to enclosed. Each style of pool house can serve a different purpose. Here are a few design ideas.

The advantages of an open pool house are numerous, offering the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sun without being directly exposed to UV rays. There are therefore many design possibilities, but the furniture must be weatherproof. You can opt for comfortable garden furniture, or a bar area for entertaining guests. For added privacy, you can add sliding privacy screens or motorised awnings.

The semi-enclosed pool house (or ‘pool house with annex’) is a very popular garden pavilion, and has also become the most popular pool house. The pool house with room offers a sheltered area to enjoy the poolside, but also an enclosed space in case of capricious weather. The enclosed part of the pool house can hide a fitted kitchen, a fitness area, a lounge or a room for pool equipment. The open space can be used in the same way as a pergola, where you can set up a dining table or small garden furniture area, depending on your needs and the space available.

The enclosed pool house is an ideal solution for enjoying your pool while protected from the elements. This outdoor layout means you can enjoy your pool and garden all year round, and extend evenings out with friends or family. You can also install a pool table or table football, and enjoy them every season. However, it's important to choose hard-wearing furniture, as the pool house is fitted with sliding glass doors that are not watertight.

To make the most of your space, especially when temperatures drop at the end of summer, you can incorporate a heating system into your enclosed or semi-enclosed pool house.

Before considering the layout of a pool house, it's important to determine what amenities you want to have in this outdoor space near the pool. The layout of a relaxation area will be different from that of a summer kitchen or a simple storage room. There are many possible uses for a pool house, whether as a sports hall, a summer kitchen or a lounge. Here are a few suggestions for designing your pool house to suit your specific needs.

The pool house is an ideal place for family gatherings and evenings out with friends. To design your pool house, opt for materials that are resistant to damp and easy to maintain, such as treated wood or aluminium. Add touches of bright, summery colours to create a cheerful, welcoming atmosphere. Potted plants or window boxes will add a touch of greenery and freshness to your space.

Kitchen, bar, barbecue...

The pool house offers the advantage of a complete summer kitchen, with the option of installing storage for crockery and practical equipment such as a pizza oven or barbecue. This allows you to prepare meals al fresco without having to go back and forth between the main house and the garden. A bar area can also be set up to serve refreshments on sunny days. Imagine preparing delicious meals al fresco, with all the necessary equipment at your fingertips. You'll be able to cook and serve tasty meals to your guests without having to move away from the hustle and bustle of the pool. The pool house becomes the perfect place to entertain your guests and enjoy the poolside in complete tranquillity.

A dining room

The dining room in a pool house offers a dedicated space for sharing meals with family and friends, while enjoying the ambience of the pool and an uninterrupted view of the garden. To create a comfortable and welcoming dining room, it's important to allow enough space so that you don't feel cramped. It's advisable to choose a table that's adapted to the size of your pool house, allowing easy movement around the space, and don't forget to choose comfortable chairs and weather-resistant materials. Don't forget to choose comfortable chairs and weatherproof materials. Akena also offers a range of solutions for lighting your pool house, including LED railings and wall lights.

A living room

The living room plays an essential role in the design of a pool house, providing an ideal space for aperitifs, afternoons and relaxing evenings. It allows you to relax by the pool while being protected from the sun. Make the most of your pool house as a place for socialising and relaxing. Choose a comfortable sofa, with a footstool and a round coffee table for easy movement.

A storage area

The advantage of the pool house is that it can also be a storage room, so you can add practical storage units to keep the space tidy and functional. So you can easily store all your pool equipment at the end of the summer.

Changing rooms

To enhance the bathing experience, it is important to have showers or changing rooms available. If you wish, the pool house offers the option of adding a bathroom and sanitary facilities outside the house. In this case, you will need to call in a plumber who can carry out the installation work for you. The creation of a changing area will allow you to change clothes discreetly and store your belongings while swimming.

A wellness area

The pool house also offers the possibility of creating a space dedicated to well-being and fitness. You can turn part of this space into a fitness room, equipped with exercise machines, yoga mats and other fitness equipment. You can also install a sauna, hammam or even a jacuzzi for a relaxing and soothing experience.