Is It Time to Add a Pool House?

If you’re looking to transform your Cape Cod home without embarking on an overwhelming project or remodel, adding a pool house could be just right. Since you have a pool, you’re already everyone’s favorite neighbor between Memorial and Labor Day, but building a pool house can give your property a whole new look and provide much-needed extra space.

There are plenty of ways to increase space and flexibility with an addition like this. A pool house neatly does away with the problem of kids and fellow swimmers needing to trek into the main house for every snack or bathroom break. A cabana can also include a washer and dryer to make dealing with wet swimsuits and towels less of a chore. If you host a lot of guests during the summer months, a pool house can double as a guest house, complete with a full bath and bedroom or pull-out couch. At this Yarmouth Port home, we created a true outdoor family entertainment area. It’s a project that came together in stages over the course of several years.

We began with the pool and fire pit. The pool was sited to make the most of the marsh views. A set of travertine and natural stone steps, centered to the pool, provides access from the home which is set up a hill. The elongated, gas-operated fire pit is set at the far end of the pool, closest to the marsh.

In the second phase of the project, we added a pool house and basketball court. The pool house, with a powder room, washer and dryer, and a sink andrefrigerator, was designed to eliminate trips in and out of the house.

A comfortable inside seating area, and a rooftop deck, add charm and functionality. With two avid young athletes in the family, the adjacent basketball court sees a lot of action. In anticipation of the next phase – which will include a deck with an additional fire pit just off the back of the home, a storage shed and a two-car garage – we installed retaining walls with natural stone veneer.

A pool house could be just what your Cape Cod home needs for a refreshing transformation.