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The pool is the star, but the supporting cast matters
When people picture a new pool, they usually think about the water. The shape, the colour, the way it catches the light. Fewer people think about the structures around it, yet they make a big difference to how easy and enjoyable the pool is to live with.
Pool buildings cover everything from a small plant room hiding the pump and filter to a full garden room with showers, changing space and a kitchenette. Some are practical and tucked out of sight. Others become a much loved part of the garden in their own right.
In this guide we’ll look at the main types, what each one does, where to put them and what to think about before you build. We’ll keep things general and practical, so you can start sketching out ideas for your own garden.
Start with what you really need
Not every pool needs a grand building beside it. Some families are perfectly happy with a neat equipment housing and a towel rail. Others want a space where the whole family can spend the day. Knowing which camp you’re in will shape everything else.
The plant room comes first
Every pool needs somewhere to house its equipment. This is the one structure you can’t do without, so it’s worth getting right.
What goes inside
- The filter and pump that keep the water moving and clean
- Heating equipment, or the connections to an outdoor heat pump
- Water treatment and dosing equipment
- Electrical controls and, often, smart control hubs
- Space for storing chemicals safely, if your system uses them
What makes a good plant room
A good plant room is dry, well ventilated, secure and easy to get into for servicing. It should be close enough to the pool to keep pipe runs short, but far enough from seating areas that you don’t hear the pump. Good lighting inside makes routine checks much easier.
Sound is worth a thought, too. Pumps and heat pumps make a gentle hum when running. Most people barely notice it, but it’s worth placing equipment away from bedroom windows and neighbours’ gardens. Solid walls, careful positioning and good quality equipment all help keep things quiet.
Different forms it can take
The plant room can be a small standalone shed, a section of a larger building, an underground chamber or a space in an existing garage or outbuilding. The right choice depends on your garden, your budget and how much you want it to blend in. A small, well designed housing can be clad to match fencing or planted around so it almost disappears. If you already have a garage or shed close to the pool, it may be possible to use part of it and save building something new.
Chemical safety matters
If chemicals are stored in the plant room, keep them in their original containers, away from children and pets. Always follow the label, wear gloves and eye protection, never mix chemicals and add chemical to water, never water to chemical.
Changing and shower areas make pool buildings more useful
Once the plant room is sorted, many families start thinking about comfort. A place to change and rinse off can transform how the pool is used.
Why they help
- Wet feet stay out of the house, which saves a lot of mopping
- Guests have somewhere private to change
- A quick rinse before swimming helps keep the water cleaner
- Towels and toys have a proper home
Keep it simple or go further
A changing area can be as simple as a sheltered cubicle with a hook and a bench. At the other end of the scale, it might include a proper shower, a toilet, heated floors and storage. Plumbing and drainage add complexity, so think about what you’ll really use.
Storage is easy to overlook. Pool toys, floats, cleaning tools and spare towels soon build up. Built-in cupboards or a simple bench with lift-up seats keep everything tidy and out of the rain, and they help the whole area feel calm and uncluttered.
Outdoor showers
An outdoor shower beside the pool is a lovely, simple addition. It works well in summer and needs far less building work than an indoor bathroom. Some families have both, using the outdoor shower on warm days and the indoor one in cooler months.
Garden rooms and entertaining spaces
For some families, the building by the pool becomes a second living room. This is where the idea of a pool house really comes into its own.
What people use them for
- Somewhere to sit out of the sun or rain
- A kitchen or bar for summer parties
- A gym or yoga space alongside the pool
- A quiet reading spot or home office with a view of the water
- Extra space for guests to relax
Designing for the way you live
Think about how you’ll move between the house, the pool and the building. Wide doors that fold back can open the space right up in summer. A covered terrace or overhang gives shade and shelter. Views from inside to the water make the whole scene feel connected.
Safety is part of the design, too. If young children will be in the building while others swim, make sure there’s a clear view of the water from inside. Consider how doors and gates close, and whether the pool can be secured when the building is in use for other things.
Matching the style of your home
A garden room works best when it feels like it belongs. Timber can feel warm and natural. Brick or stone might match an older house. Clean render and large glazing can suit a modern home. Our guide to pool landscaping has ideas for tying the whole space together.
Not everyone needs a full building, and a swimming pool canopy can give you shade and shelter with a much lighter touch.
Enclosures and covered pool buildings
Some structures go over the water itself. These turn an outdoor pool into something you can use for much more of the year.
The main approaches
- Fixed buildings with walls and a roof, creating a true indoor pool
- Retractable or telescopic enclosures that slide open on sunny days
- Canopies and pergolas that give partial shelter and shade
Things to think about
A pool under cover needs careful thought about heat, humidity and ventilation. Warm water evaporates into the air, and without proper dehumidification that moisture can cause condensation and damage. Our guide to swimming pool enclosures explains the options in more detail.
Talk to us about enclosures
We don’t build enclosures or garden rooms ourselves. What we do is install the pool that sits at the heart of the space, along with heating, covers, lighting and equipment. Talk to us about your plans and we’ll happily work alongside your architect, builder or enclosure specialist so everything fits together.
Telescopic enclosures slide back on warm days, and they’re one of the options covered in our look at the retractable pool.
Services, power and drainage need early thought
Behind every useful building are the things you don’t see. This is where well planned pool buildings really earn their keep. Water, power and drainage all need to reach the right places, and they’re much easier to plan before any paving goes down.
Electrics
Pool equipment, lighting, heating and any appliances in a garden room all need a safe, suitable power supply. Outdoor and wet areas have strict rules for electrical work, so it should always be designed and carried out by a qualified electrician and certified properly.
Water and drainage
Showers, toilets and kitchens need a water supply and somewhere for waste to go. The pool itself may need a drainage route for backwashing the filter or lowering the water level. Think about where these connections will run and whether the ground falls the right way.
Ducts for the future
Even if you’re not building everything now, it’s worth laying spare ducts under paths and paving. That way, you can add a shower, lighting or a garden room later without digging up the garden again.
Access for servicing
Our aftercare team, and any other engineers, need to reach equipment easily. A clear path, a sensible door size and room to work make servicing quicker and simpler for everyone.
Materials, upkeep and year-round comfort
Buildings near a pool live in a slightly tougher environment than most garden structures. Splashing water, humidity, sun and pool chemicals all take their toll over time.
Choosing materials
- Treated or naturally durable timber, well maintained, can age beautifully
- Masonry and render are solid and long lasting
- Composite cladding needs little upkeep
- Non-slip flooring is essential anywhere people walk with wet feet
Keep it comfortable
Insulation, heating and ventilation make a garden room usable in every season. Without them, a building can feel cold and damp for much of the year. Good ventilation matters in any space where wet towels and swimwear are kept.
Plan for maintenance
Every building needs a little care. Gutters, seals, paintwork and timber treatments all need attention from time to time. Choosing lower maintenance materials at the start can save effort later and keep everything looking smart for years.
Planning where pool buildings will go
Position is one of the most important decisions. A building in the wrong place can block the sun, spoil a view or make the pool feel cramped.
Things to consider
- Where the sun falls through the day, so you don’t shade the water
- Views from the house, the terrace and the pool itself
- Privacy from neighbours
- Access for building work and for servicing later on
- Drainage, soil conditions and existing trees
- Routes for pipes and cables from the house
Think about the walk
The distance between the house, the pool and any building shapes how the space works. Short, level paths feel easy. Long walks across wet lawn don’t. Consider lighting for evening use, too. Low level path lights and soft wall lights make the space feel welcoming after dark and help everyone find their way safely between the water and the house.
Rules and regulations
Many garden buildings can be built without a full planning application, but it depends on size, height, position and whether your home is listed or in a conservation area. Buildings with plumbing, electrics or sleeping space may also need building regulations approval. Always check with your local council or building control before you commit. Our guide to swimming pool planning permission covers the basics.
It helps to draw these into your pool plans from the start, rather than adding them later.
Pool buildings questions we get asked a lot
Do I need a separate building for my pool equipment?
You need somewhere to house it, but it doesn’t have to be a separate building. An existing garage, outbuilding or underground chamber can work well.
How far should the plant room be from the pool?
Close enough to keep pipe runs short and efficient, but far enough away that you won’t hear it from your sun lounger. Your installer will advise on your garden.
Can I add a building after the pool is installed?
Often, yes. It’s easier to plan ahead, though, so services like water, drainage and electrics can be routed in the right place from the start.
Will a building need planning permission?
It depends on its size, height, position and use, as well as your property. Check with your local council before you build.
Can a pool house be heated?
Yes. Many are insulated and heated so they can be used all year. Specialist advice on ventilation is important if the pool is inside the building.
Does HiLife build pool houses?
We focus on the pool itself, installing one-piece pools, heating, covers, lighting and equipment. We’re happy to work with your builder on everything around it.
Getting pool buildings right around your one-piece pool
The right structures make your pool easier to run and more enjoyable to use. Start with a practical plant room, then decide whether changing space, a garden room or an enclosure would add to how your family lives. Think carefully about position, check the rules and involve the right people early.
We’d love to help with the pool at the centre of it all. You can explore our full range of pools and then talk to us about how one of our shells could work with the buildings you have in mind.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
