Designer Pool House and Cabana Ideas That'll Make Life Feel Like a Permanent Vacation (2024)

Shou Sugi Ban, Japanese for "burned cedar" improves the longevity of siding, designer Sarah Zames of General Assembly tells us. Her team designed this slatted structure for a mother and daughter duo. The cascading light and partial shade make it the ideal "refuge from a busy life, a focused space to connect," says Zames.

A painted concrete slab and colorful furnishings turned the back of designer Isabel Ladd's garage into a destination. "I just hose it off as needed!" she says. It's easy to clean and low-maintenance, which is an ideal material candidate for the backyard.

Aside from being a nice place to hang out, your pool house should also provide storage for all of those Insta-worthy pool toys. Keep it separate from the sitting area with a crawl space accessible by ladder, like this one in a pool house designed by Lindsey Lane. A small window in the "attic" also adds an architectural touch.

This turreted outdoor bunk with an arched opening, the work of designer Tamsin Johnson, does not skimp on character or charm—it's the ideal spot to supervise little ones or to rest with a book after a long swim. Consider this your invitation to lean into whimsy!

"A pool house should be an effortless extension of the living space, says Suzanne Kasler, who designed this grand one with architect Stan Dixon. It blends right in with the rest of the home.

For a patch of grass next to her parent's pool, designer Sara Gilbane "found these fabulous chairs from Century Furniture that can create shade—they're vibey and special without being a mass of furniture."

If you want to carve out a stylish post-swim lounge area in the yard but don't have the room, budget, or desire to build a full-blown pool house, take note of this gazebo by April Powers. The crawling vines, sheers, and camouflaging paint color allow the gazebo to blend right in with the garden environment while the bench and coffee table ensure comfort and function.

Keep things tidy with an outdoor shower fixed to the exterior of the pool house. Robson Rak also optimized this outdoor space with a built-in bench and hooks for towels, hats, and beach bags.

This screened-in porch designed by Corey Damen Jenkins serves many functions, from a mini greenhouse and a four-season living space to a pool house hang zone. The key to creating the right environment for plants to thrive is to install climate control features like insulated screens while still allowing for total light filtration for a summery vibe.

A bathroom by the pool is such a game-changer, especially when the main house is a trek from the swimming area. In this Anna Spiro–designed bathroom, tropical wallpaper is all it takes to establish a fun style moment. The light green skirted vanity and rattan mirror carry the color scheme outside and tie everything together.

When designing a vacation home, the pool house should feel like a true escape. Wendy Owen designed this luxe-meets-rustic lounge in Sonoma, California to feel like a French villa in a bygone era. That's thanks to the scraggly stone, candlelight, antique salvaged wood tables, and generally romantic ambiance.

A pool house is the perfect place to experiment with an indoor/outdoor concept. Opt for a retractable door or floor-to-ceiling glass doors that let the breeze inside. Hanging some sheers or linen curtains, as designer Lindsey Lane did here, will give it a dreamy feel.