Covered terrace and pool house ideas

A covered terrace or pool house works when it’s built for water and sun first and looks second: a non-slip floor, furniture and fabrics that can get wet and stay out in the light, shade you can adjust, somewhere for wet and dry towels, and soft, safe lighting for the evening. Get those right and the space can be as comfortable as a living room, just with a pool, a sea breeze or a garden in place of walls. Here’s how to plan one, whether you have a real pool house or a covered terrace next to a plunge pool or hot tub.

Decide what the space is for

Pool houses and covered terraces usually do a few of these jobs:

• Lounging: loungers, a hammock, a daybed.
• Eating: a table in the shade, perhaps an outdoor kitchen or a bar.
• Changing and showering: a small room or a screen, hooks, a bench.
• Guests: a sofa or daybed that works as an extra bed in summer.

The cover terrace is all about lounging: two loungers, a hammock, teak side tables for drinks, and nothing between the pool and the view.

Get the shade right

Shade is what makes a terrace usable at midday.

• A solid roof gives full shade and rain cover, like the cover image. It can make the area behind it dark, so a pale ceiling helps bounce light around.
• A pergola with adjustable louvres lets you choose between sun and shade.
• Shade sails and large umbrellas are cheaper and seasonal.
• Outdoor curtains in acrylic or polyester on a rail give shade from low evening sun, privacy and a softer look.

Watch where the sun is at the times you’ll actually use the space. Low morning and evening sun reaches far under a roof.

Choose a floor that stays safe when wet

The floor is the most important safety decision around water.

• Textured porcelain tiles with an outdoor or wet-area slip rating. In Europe this is often given as an R rating, with R11 or higher commonly suggested around pools.

• Natural stone with a honed, flamed or brushed finish; polished stone is far too slippery.
• Composite or hardwood decking with grooves, kept clean so algae doesn’t build up.
• Light colors stay cooler under bare feet than dark ones.
• Falls and drainage: the floor should slope slightly away from the house so water doesn’t pool.

The cover uses large grey tiles in two tones. Large, matte, textured tiles in mid-tones hide water marks better than dark or very pale ones.

Pick materials that survive sun and water

The teak tables and loungers in the cover are a classic choice. For how strong sun affects furniture and fabrics indoors, our conservatory and sunroom guide goes deeper.

Store towels, cushions and everything else

A pool area gets messy fast without storage.

• Dry towels: a cupboard, a lidded box or a closed bench.
• Wet towels: hooks, a ladder rail or a slatted rack in the shade, where air can move. A neatly rolled stack on a shelf or a lounger, like the folded towel by the pool in the cover, looks inviting for guests.
• Cushions: a waterproof deck box, so they don’t sit out in rain or dew.
• Small things: a shelf or basket for sunscreen, sunglasses, flip-flops and books.
• Pool kit: nets, covers and chemicals out of sight and out of children’s reach.

Light it softly at night

Evening is when a covered terrace is at its best. Keep light low and warm so you can still see the stars.

• Low step and path lights along edges and changes of level.
• Pool lights under the water, which light the space beautifully on their own.
• Lanterns and LED candles on tables.
• Wall lights under the roof, aimed down, not into people’s eyes.
• Use fittings rated for outdoor and wet locations, and have any wiring near water installed by a qualified electrician following local rules.

Add plants and textiles

• Potted palms, as in the cover, give a holiday feel and some shade. Choose plants that suit your climate and, by the sea, can handle salt and wind; our jungle balcony guide has plant lists for sun, shade and wind.
• Avoid plants that drop leaves, flowers or berries right next to the water.
• Outdoor cushions and throws in two or three colors that suit the view: white and navy by the sea, green and cream in a garden.
• A striped outdoor rug defines the lounge area and softens tiles.

Before

After

The before-and-after above shows the lounge side of a covered terrace. The empty version is just a roof, a floor and a railing; two sofas facing each other, a round rug, a low table and plants in baskets turn it into an outdoor living room.

Borrow a style

• Coastal and Mediterranean: white, blue and natural wood, stripes, linen and terracotta pots.
• Tropical: dark wood, palms, rattan and leafy prints.
• Modern resort: large pale tiles, simple white loungers and one sculptural light.

Safety with water

• Children: follow local rules on pool fencing, gates and covers, and never leave children alone near water.
• Glass: use plastic or acrylic glasses and plates near the pool.
• Electricity: keep extension leads and plug-in devices well away from the water.

Common mistakes

• Polished or glossy floors around water.
• Indoor furniture or ordinary cushions left outside.
• No shade at the hours you use it.
• No place for wet towels, so they end up on every chair.
• Bright floodlights that drown out the view and the stars.

Try it in Cozee

You can plan a dream terrace in Cozee, a free design game for iPhone and Android, where you furnish empty 3D rooms, including covered terraces and balconies, with real furniture and decor. Try one version with loungers and a hammock facing the view and another with a sofa and dining table under the roof, and see which one other players rate higher. If you’d like a pool terrace of your own to design, you can also create your own Space: describe the room, mood and style, pick one of the looks Cozee generates and publish it with a Space token.