SOURCE: Studio McGee
It might seem decadent and luxurious to hear that someone has not just a pool but a pool house, right? Well it’s true that they’re a splurge but if you have a pool it will change the way you use (and enjoy) your time there. My advice to anyone with a pool is go for it because it will drastically improve your life. When you’re designing your pool house bathroom you want to think about the ways to increase the enjoyment of your family and guests but also yourself. If you’re the one normally running after everyone and accommodating everyone’s needs this is going to save you endless hours. And relaxation and fun is exactly what a pool is all about.
You’ll have some functionality issues to consider that you might not think about indoors.
Do all your research before you start the project. You want this to be a one-time job so that you can get back outside and start enjoying the pool.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT WHEN DESIGNING YOUR POOL HOUSE BATHROOM?
1/ IT WILL ALWAYS BE WET
Be sure absolutely everything you include in your design can handle a lot of water. This seems obvious but it’s not always. A lot of people overlook the small things and end up constantly tweaking and changing things around.
It’s not a stretch to say you’ll consider that when selecting tiles and countertops materials, the big things. What about the decor, the artwork, the light fixtures. All those things need to be either wet rated (electrical) or just plain water resistant (decor).
SOURCE: House of Jade
2/ DESIGN WITH STORAGE IN MIND
Go big, like really big on the storage in your pool house. Design a lot and then add some more. You’ll be storing massive amounts of toilet paper, towels and sunscreen.
You might have guests who drop by unannounced and you’ll want extra beach towels and maybe even swim suits. You could potentially deal with that storage in other parts of the pool house but if the bathroom is where it’s going be sure you’ve designed space for it. And don’t forget about the bulky pool toys. They need a ton of space!
SOURCE: HGTV
3/ CONSIDER SLIPPING HAZARDS
The floor needs to be a material that can handle a lot of water sitting and pooling without damage. Equally important is consideration to slipping. A lot of the people using the bathroom will have just come out of the pool. Use materials that won’t create slipping hazards.
I recommend a ceramic or stone that has some texture. You don’t want anything that has any type of gloss to it and smooth and sleek are not your friend in a pool house. Also consider vinyl or rubber for less expensive options. Teak that you often seen on balconies is another great option as it can withstand change in temperature and wet conditions.
SOURCE: BHG
4/ SIZE MATTERS
Remember that people will be using this room to change in and out of swimsuits. These are never easy to remove when they’re wet so make sure there is lots of room to move around freely.
If you have a young family you’ll potentially have lots of young kids around and that means you need to accommodate a parent with one or more kids. They need space!
SOURCE: Adore Home Magazine
5/ LAUNDRY FACILITIES ARE A DREAM
If you have the space and the budget, add a washer and dryer. Yes it’s a splurge but It makes cleaning towels easier than having to drag them through your house to the main laundry room.
If that’s just not possible you can add a storage bin with wheels. That will make the job of dragging the towels into the house a bit easier on you.
SOURCE: Serena & Lily
6/ BE PLAYFUL AND HAVE FUN
This bathroom should be more playful than the other bathrooms on the inside of your home. A pool house should never take itself too seriously.
Use bright, bold or beachy colours to create the same energy inside the bathroom to reflect what’s happening on the outside.
Have fun with bold colours on the vanity and the walls. Use decor that you would never dare to use inside. Let your inner kid have fun here.
SOURCE: Pinterest
7/ KEEP ACCESSORIES TO A MINIMUM
This is a space where people (usually kids but adults too) are very excited and rambunctious. For most of us, no matter how many times we yell “walk” around a pool there’s a lot of energy that can’t be contained.
Limit things that can be knocked to the ground and broken. Don’t use any glass accessories or things like delicate wood objects that can be broken. Use rattan, acrylic and metal instead.
SOURCE: CM Design
8/ EASE OF USE
Keep this space simple for your guests. Don’t make them guess where to put things. Use hooks for guests to hang their wet towels. Install open shelves-so everyone can see what they might be in need of (sunscreen, etc). It’s a nice gesture to include a bench for guests to sit while down to put their flip flops on, change a diaper or hide from the kids for a while:)
SOURCE: To Have To Host
9/ INCLUDE AN EXHAUST FAN
It will get super hot in this little room with the sun beating on it and no ventilation. Add to that all the water accumulating and you’re creating a microclimate inside your pool house. Make sure you install one of these or a window that opens.
SOURCE: Decorpad
10/ LEAD THE WAY
Make it easy for a guest to get out of the pool in a hurry and find the restroom. And have some fun at the same time. A sign that directs them is helpful and adds a lot of additional character to your space. This is especially true if you have a few doors which can cause confusion as to which one to use.
SOURCE: Etsy
You should be fully prepared now to start designing the pool house bathroom. Just stay focused on how much easier it will make your life when it’s complete.
If you need help designing your pool house or any other part of your home, contact me to discuss how I can help.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
