Nothing makes a pool area feel complete like a fully equipped pool house.  These freestanding, partially-enclosed structures provide extra privacy, fun, and storage – and with nearly endless customization options, a pool house can add a touch of style to your outdoor living space, too.

Thinking about putting in a pool house this spring?  Before you start making plans, check out this list of our top 10 pool house “must-haves”:

1. Walls for privacy (and shade!).  Your pool house doesn’t have to be completely enclosed – in fact, most of the “pool house” structures we build for our clients are freestanding, partially-enclosed living areas that provide a shady retreat from the summer sun.  If you want lots of coverage and a more room-like feel, you might want to choose a structure with a full roof and three walls.  If you just want a shady place to dry off or enjoy a few drinks, you might opt for a more open plan with fewer walls.

A freestanding pool house can provide shelter from the heat – and an extra place to gather with friends for a casual, poolside cookout.

2. A changing room/bathroom.  If you’ve ever had the less-than-pleasant experience of having to go inside an air-conditioned house in a wet bathing suit, you’ll understand why changing rooms are at the top of our list.  By adding a fully-enclosed changing room on to your pool house, you can ensure that you and your guests have a private – and warm — place to change clothes.  Plus, you’ll never have to worry about mopping tracked-in pool water off of your home’s floors.  It’s a win-win.

If you really want to go all out, you can add some plumbing and turn that changing room into a full bathroom.

3. A shower.  Need a refresher after your afternoon swim?  Consider adding a shower to your pool house.  If you’re planning on putting in a bathroom or changing room, a shower makes a useful addition.  No bathroom?  No problem.  You can still add a shower to any exterior wall of your pool house and give your guests a quick and easy way to rinse off.

4. Storage space.  Tired of using your garage to store all of your pool equipment, toys, and accessories?  Don’t forget to include some dedicated space storage space in your pool house plan.  Add cabinets, shelves, and hooks to keep everything organized and easy to access.

5. Wiring for lights and entertainment.  Don’t forget to include wiring and electrical outlets in your pool house plans.   A fully wired pool house will ensure that you’ve got plenty of juice to run lights, a ceiling fan, a TV, speakers, or even a mini-fridge.

6. An outdoor kitchen.  A pool house doesn’t have to be just for changing or storage – it can do double duty as a fully equipped outdoor kitchen.  Consider adding an outdoor grill, a sink, a refrigerator, a dining area, or even raised, bar-top seating.  A metal frame ensures a durable foundation for your outdoor kitchen – and it also provides more room for storage. Granite countertops can add functional elegance to the space.  The only limit is your imagination.

7. A fireplace.  An outdoor fireplace can add year-round appeal to your pool house, whether you’re making post-swim s’mores on a warm summer evening or enjoying a hot mug of cider on a chilly fall evening.

8. Walls, flooring, décor, and more.  Your pool house can be customized to match any style or design scheme.  Choose from a nearly unlimited array of exterior finishes, such as stone, brick, stucco, or fiber-cement siding.  Add more personality to the space with paint; custom lighting; stone or brick accents; custom countertops; and a variety of durable and attractive flooring options.

Customize your pool house to match your home’s exterior.

9. A finished ceiling.  No outdoor living space is complete without a finished ceiling – and your pool house is no exception.  Choose from a wide variety of styles and materials, from budget-friendly, low-maintenance options such as vinyl/PVC panels and faux-tin tiles to timeless classics like tongue-and-groove wood paneling.

10. Time.  Although every pool house is unique, construction typically takes about 6 to 8 weeks to complete.  If you’d like to add a pool house to your backyard this year, we’d suggest starting the preliminary design work as early as possible to ensure completion before the beginning of summer.