Pool House Design Ideas on a Budget: Layouts and Features

The best pool house design ideas on a budget put money into three things: a covered place to sit, somewhere to dry off and change, and storage. Everything else (kitchen, fireplace, guest bed) is optional and can be added later.

It's very common to want all of it at once, so don't feel bad if your wish list is longer than your budget. Ranking the features by how often you'll use them solves most of the problem.

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What should be included in a pool house?

Start with the basics people use every swim day:

• Shade and seating, so there's a place out of the sun.
• A spot to hang towels and kick off wet shoes.
• Storage for cushions, floats, pool chemicals and toys. Keep chemicals in a closed, ventilated cabinet away from kids and pets.
• Power for lights, a fan and a phone charger. Have a licensed electrician handle any wiring near water.

Then add by priority: a bathroom, a changing area, a small kitchen or bar, and finally entertainment or a sleeping nook.

Which pool house layout fits your yard?

Think of the pool house as a few simple zones in a row: wet entry, changing, lounging, serving. The wet entry sits closest to the water so nobody drips across your seating.

Covered lounge

The cheapest version is an open pavilion with a roof, a ceiling fan and a built-in bench. It needs no plumbing and works well in warm climates. The style references can be simple. The National Park Service notes that the Greek Revival style was inspired by the classical Greek temple, which is why columns and a pedimented roof suit a poolside pavilion so naturally.

Pool house with bathroom and changing room

A pool house with bathroom and changing room is the most useful upgrade, because it keeps wet feet out of the main house. Plumbing is the expensive part, so put the bathroom on the wall closest to existing water and sewer lines. A small toilet and sink plus a curtained changing nook is often enough.

Pool house with outdoor kitchen

A pool house with outdoor kitchen can be as small as a counter, a sink and a compact grill or fridge. Choose a counter you can wipe down, and keep the cooking side away from the main seating so smoke drifts off.

Modern open-air designs

Modern pool house designs lean on a flat or low-sloped roof, large openings and a short list of materials. The restraint is also budget-friendly: fewer finishes means fewer line items.

Classic and traditional looks

If your house is older, echo it. The NPS describes how the dominant characteristic of the Italianate style was the low, overhanging roof with decorative eave brackets. A deep overhang is also practical here, since it shades the seating.

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What size should a pool house be?

There's no single right size, but some proportions help. Allow about 30-36 inches for walkways inside, and about 2 feet of space around a seating group. A changing room needs roughly 3 by 4 feet to be comfortable. A simple lounge pavilion works at around 10 by 12 feet, and a 20 by 20 footprint gives room for seating, a bathroom and a small kitchen counter. Check local setback and permit rules before you fix the size.

Small pool house interior ideas

For small pool house design ideas, think in layers and in vertical space.

• Use a bench with storage underneath instead of separate seating and a chest.
• Hang hooks and shelves on the wall to keep the floor clear.
• Pick one wall color in a light neutral and add color through cushions and towels, which are cheap to swap.
• Choose a rug sized to sit under the front legs of the seating, so the group reads as one zone.

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How do you save on a pool house?

Pool house design ideas on a budget work best when you spend where wear is highest and save where it isn't.

• Spend on the roof, the floor and anything near water. Skip fussy trim.
• Use outdoor-rated, solution-dyed fabrics for cushions, since sun and chlorine fade ordinary fabric quickly.
• Paint existing furniture and reupholster cushions instead of buying new sets.
• Build in phases: shell and seating first, plumbing and kitchen later.
• Pick one wood tone and repeat it, so mixed pieces look planned.

If you want more ideas for outdoor shade, see patio shade ideas.

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Materials that survive wet feet and chlorine

Floors should be non-slip when wet: textured porcelain tile, sealed concrete or composite decking. Avoid polished tile. Wipeable surfaces such as quartz or sealed wood counters handle splashes. Metal hardware should be rated for damp locations, and stainless or powder-coated finishes resist rust better than plain steel.

If dogs swim with you, I recommend a durable, easy-to-rinse floor and a towel hook near the door so wet paws stay at the entry.

Colors and lighting

As an architect, I'd keep the walls light and neutral, then pull two accent colors from the garden or water, such as a deep blue and a leafy green. Light colors reflect daylight and keep a small room from feeling closed in. For evenings, combine a ceiling fixture on a dimmer with string lights or lanterns outside. Warm bulbs make the space feel relaxed after dark. For a related palette read, see what colors go with brown.

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Extras to add later

A fireplace or fire table, a TV wall or a daybed can wait. If the pool house will host overnight guests, a daybed with storage drawers is cheaper than a full bedroom. Plan the wiring and plumbing now so these upgrades don't mean opening walls. For a media setup, TV room design ideas cover placement and glare.

Frequently asked questions