Pool houses have enjoyed a boom in popularity over the last ten to fifteen years. The convenience of the pool house is quickly realized by pool owners absent the structure, and pool owners are getting creative with pool house designs and uses.

The most basic pool house design is meant to function as a place for swimmers to change and clean off without soiling the house. Basic pool houses often include an area for convenient storage of pool supplies as well. A simple pool house plan might also house pump systems to shield them from weather.

But increasingly pool owners are recognizing the opportunity for more collaboration between home & pool house plans. Many owners coordinate house plans with swimming pool structures and use the added area to house guests or build kitchen and bath areas into pool house floor plans so all poolside entertaining is concentrated near the pool. Living quarters need never be invaded by wet, dirty swimmers.

Recognizing their double-duty purpose, pool house plans call for more water resistant, cleanable surfaces. Slate, stone, and tile floors with natural fiber and indoor/outdoor rugs replace more plush interior décor.

Tropically inspired cabana designs are popular, as sandy, humid living has already spoken to poolside conditions in cabana pool house plans. Cabanas are versatile structures as well; seasonally built or permanently installed, cabanas range from single person dressing rooms to attractive large thatched structures - a slice of island living in the comfort of the backyard.

Pool houses aren’t strictly limited to outdoor pools. Designs for pool house plans with indoor pool systems are built for the same benefits as outside pool houses. They are usually placed near an exterior entrance to an indoor pool or added onto the pool room itself.

Of course the building of a pool house must start with a plan. Free pool house plans cover the most simple and uncomplicated structures. Luxury accommodations and those with electricity, kitchens, and baths require more elaborate planning. It is wise to consult a contractor and work with them to build custom plans for a pool house that is expected to be more of a guest home.

The exterior of the pool house is not to be neglected, either. Patios and decks connecting from pool house to pool negate traversing grassy areas that dirty pools, and are ideal spots for well equipped patios for entertaining in or out of the pool.

Pool houses continue to move from optional pool accessory to standard pool feature. The convenience is unarguable, something more and more pool owners are quickly coming to realize.