Pool Houses & Cabanas – Landscaping Network

A pool house is just that, a second house on the property which can include a second kitchen, game room or even a spare bedroom for guests who want their privacy. Pool houses require full utility hook ups and a building permit with all its requirements and approvals.

The term cabana is often used interchangeably, but this is not a pool house. It is a three-sided roofed structure designed to provide shelter and privacy at pool side. Some can be built with a permit while others prove so abbreviated they are little more than a tent.

Whether you are planning a pool house with all the accoutrements or one that is designed for equipment storage and a changing room, it first and foremost is part of the overall landscape. These structures are so large they cannot be disguised or hidden in planting. High cost demands this become an integral element that enhances the surrounding landscape and views from both indoors and out. To get it right the first time, keep these four cornerstones in mind to make the most out of this major amenity.

Positioning - Find the exact location for the maximum benefitBecause the pool house is so large, it cannot be ignored. In fact, it's almost always a major backyard focal point. That forces you to create a structure that is visually appealing to look at and integrates seamlessly with your home's architecture by repeating materials, colors and finishes in its facade. When you look out to the pool, the pool house should blend in as though it was created with the house. Similarly, when looking from the pool house back to your home, the view should be equally as integrated. This visual link connecting both structures has a powerful impact on the overall landscape.

Existing conditions and building codes dictate the ideal position for this structure relative to property lines. The space created by property line setbacks should be used for storage of items such as bikes or firewood so they aren't crowding spaces around your house. Strike a balance between the structure's distance from the pool and the property line to utilize every square inch of space you can.

Strive to preserve trees both on and off site. Your neighbor's trees may provide the perfect background for your structure if it is well positioned, reducing the demand to plant and maintain your own. On-site trees and existing older hardscape elements if appropriate should also be preserved as part of the site planning process to save money because both of these are expensive and time consuming to replace. Often, such elements can dictate the overall size and shape of a pool house when it must be designed with respect to crowding or problematic existing conditions.

Maximize Living Spaces Indoors and OutEvery pool house will be unique to its users. The constellation of indoor and outdoor spaces can include a bar, covered patio, fireplace, and all the detailing that goes with them. In rainy or very hot climates, a covered patio is not uncommon, and this is where an outdoor fireplace or grilling center should be located under the solid roof. The more open this living space to the view from the house, the greater opportunity you have to create a visual amenity.

Pool houses almost always face the pool itself with little space between the facade and the pool water line. Open beam arbors on one or more sides can double or triple your outdoor living space. When it is built in a symmetrical setting relative to the pool, a pair of matched arbors, one on each side can increase usable space and make the structure more beautiful. But not all pool houses are laid out that way.

Pool House Design Options

Symmetrical: Equal on both sides, a formal landscape design. If your landscape is symmetrical, your pool house should reflect this in its location. Often uses elements and plants in pairs.

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Pool Houses & Cabanas - Landscaping Network