Home Design: Why

HOME DESIGN

Why Didn’t We Think of That? QUICK TIPS FOR AVOIDING

POOL HOUSE ENVY

By Lisa J. Gotto

CONSIDER A COMPLETE INDOOR KITCHEN

When you have a pool, an outdoor kitchen is almost a must. When you have a pool house, however, you should consider adding a small, but efficient kitchen to your interior plan, as well. Most outdoor kitchens are great for grilling and impromptu family meals by the pool, but if you really love entertaining poolside, the convenience of a full kitchen in close proximity makes more sense. It provides room for the extra cold storage space essential for summer days, additional prep space, and the all the tools of the chef trade, which creates more options for meals and menus on those precious staycation days.

ADD A VAULTED CEILING TO YOUR PLAN

Just because your pool house will have less square footage doesn’t mean it can’t look grand. A vaulted ceiling can help mimic the spacious airy feeling of your main home’s open plan design in your pool house.

AMP UP YOUR STYLE!

Once you have invested in a great structure, you can start having fun with interior appointments. Keep in mind that patio furniture is for the patio outside the pool house and may look underwhelming if used as a means of furnishing the interior. You truly have so many options once you choose a design direction because moisture-wicking fabrics come in many styles and colors. Having fun with art, lighting, and creature comforts like cushions and window treatments will help make your pool house feel like a home!

LAYER IN TEXTURE

This is another opportunity to get creative so you’ll love your space even more. Add panache to your pool house by adding a layer of visual texture to wall surfaces. Enhancing treatments like accent walls of white shingles, reclaimed barn wood, bead board, Venetian plaster, and tile that mimics other surfaces, or on its own makes the difference between well thought out design and after-thought design.

CREATE A CHANGING AREA WITH ULTIMATE UTILITY

Originally pool houses were created to provide a convenient space for changing into one’s swimsuit. Beyond having a wall with hooks and a pull across curtain, think about this space as a multipurpose room by adding shelving for shoes and sandals, cubbies for clean towel storage, and maybe even a built-in bench for handy seating and laundry basket storage. Planning for adjacent laundry facilities also makes sense since your pool house is already primed with plumbing for showers, powder rooms, and that complete indoor kitchen. No more lugging all those heavy wet towels up to the main house for washing!