For the host who loves to entertain all summer, a pool house is the ultimate luxury. Because these structures are so multifunctional—they can be used as a place to change into swimming gear or house guests overnight—there's a lot to consider when setting them up. "A pool house is going to be lived in a little harder than a main home," says Hattie Sparks Collins, a New Orleans-based interior designer. "After all, it's supposed to be a place where people can kick back, sit on furniture with wet bathing suits, and generally not have to watch their step. The materials and furniture need to live up to those elements."
And if the warmer seasons bring guests in heavy rotation, you'll want to make everyone feel at home, from your parents to your best friend and her three kids. Here, two designers share their tips on how to accomplish it all.
Take Notes from Your Main House
"Because a pool house is its own separate entity, I find people make the mistake of not treating it as an extension of their home," says Collins. "It should be infused with the same personality, just with varying elements." A complementary color palette is an easy way to start! For example, if your home uses lots of bright tones, choose the softer versions of the same hues in the pool house for a subdued feel that evokes a relaxing atmosphere. If it's more neutral, use the calming shades on the pool-house walls, and throw in some colorful accents (funky patterned throw pillows, say) for an upbeat, vibrant look.
Don't Skimp on the Bedding
"If you're going to be hosting frequent overnight guests here with any regularity, you should absolutely invest in a good bed, one that can either can be tucked away or fully appointed in a room of its own," says Krista Nye Nicholas, partner and principal designer at Cloth & Kind, a national interior-design firm based in Michigan and Georgia. To spruce up the bedroom, she suggests beginning with a lightweight bed frame that's adjustable, so your guests can each find their ideal, individualized sleeping position and comfort level. Both the head and the foot of the Beautyrest MotionAir Adjustable Base, for instance, can be raised and lowered with a wireless remote.
For the mattress, Nicholas looks to the stylish and practical Beautyrest Harmony Lux Hybrid. "It incorporates technology that provides a cool sleep environment," she says. "And it's made of sustainable fabrics." It's available in a variety of feels—from firm to ultra-plush—and uses a memory-foam top and a coil base for advanced support and pressure relief.
Furnish Minimally and Functionally
You don't want to crowd the floors of your pool house. Be sure to provide pathways for people to walk in and out with their wet suits, and keep things as clutter-free as possible. Collins suggests adding built-in shelving for storage, side stools that can be used as seating and as small tables, oversized cube-shaped floor poufs as modular seating options, and stackable chairs that can be used when needed and stored compactly when not.
"There are so many beautiful performance and indoor-outdoor fabrics for furniture to ensure it holds up to wear and tear," says Collins. "I'd also lay down a few indoor-outdoor or grass-cloth rugs underfoot to bring some warmth in."
Be Strategic with Appliances
"For the kitchenette, use mini appliances," says Nicholas. "A small sink, a dishwasher drawer, a microwave or speed oven, and an undercounter fridge or beverage counter could be all you need." She also recommends appliances that can blend into the surroundings, such as a fridge that can be hidden behind a door or immersed into surrounding cabinetry. "Most can be configured as 'panel ready' so they all but disappear, which is ideal for multifunctional spaces," she adds.
Let the Sunshine In
"A pool house is essentially part of your backyard," says Collins. "You don't want it to feel dark, since that'll diminish the outdoor-indoor feel you're trying to create." If ceiling height allows, she advises installing a flush mount to bring extra lighting into the space, along with decorative sconces in the bathroom and kitchenette. And Nicholas likes dimmable options in her light fixtures. "Evening co*cktails by the pool with the lights on low: Need I say more?" she says.
