Coastal Pool House with Pocket Doors Creates Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living

Set just above the shoreline, this Osterville property already had the quintessential Cape Cod look—weathered shingles, sweeping lawns and uninterrupted ocean views. The homeowners envisioned a pool house that fit naturally into this landscape while giving their family a place to gather, unwind and entertain.

They imagined a structure that felt open and connected to the outdoors, where you could move from the pool to the lounge without ever losing sight of the water. To bring that idea to life, the design centered on clean, crisp lines and large expanses of glass that would frame the views rather than compete with them.

Inside, a vaulted ceiling finished in warm wood draws the eye upward, giving the room an airy, coastal feel. Every choice—from the pale shingle exterior to the muted stone walls and the soft blue furnishings—was made to keep the space calm and inviting.

The multi-slide patio doors are the defining feature of the pool house. When open, the doors fully pocket into the adjacent wall, making the lounge feel like an extension of the patio. What could have been a separate, enclosed room becomes a breezy pavilion where sunlight pours across the floor and the pool feels only a step away. 

Because the house sits on an elevated portion of the property, the doors also frame a panoramic view of the ocean. From inside, the horizon stretches across the room like artwork. Even when the panels are closed, the narrow frames preserve those views and allow plenty of natural light to fill the space. 

Beyond the visual impact, the doors make the pool house far more functional. Guests can move freely between the kitchenette, the shaded outdoor seating area and the chaise lounges by the water without ever feeling disconnected from the action. For families who love to entertain—or simply want to keep an eye on swimmers while enjoying the shade—the seamless flow of the multi-slide door system adds comfort and ease throughout the day.

Along the side of the pool house, a row of awning windows creates a quiet rhythm across the wall. These smaller windows play an important role: they invite in fresh air from the shaded side of the structure and keep the lounge comfortable even on warm afternoons. 

Awning windows work especially well here because they can remain open during light rain, allowing for ventilation without exposure to the elements. Their placement high on the wall maintains privacy, offers flexibility for furniture layouts and filters in a gentle, natural light that brightens the interior without glare. 

From inside, the awnings frame glimpses of the surrounding greenery, offering contrast to the open ocean views on the opposite side. Together, the windows and doors create a sense of balance—sunlight, shade, fresh air and views of both land and sea.

Because this pool house sits just a short walk from Cape Cod Bay, the homeowners needed windows and doors that looked refined but could also handle the coastal environment. The project uses a thoughtful mix of materials—each chosen to support both the architectural vision and the long-term durability of the space. 

Along the main lounge wall, the awning windows are part of the Pella Lifestyle Series, which pairs a warm wood interior with a durable, aluminum-clad exterior. Inside, the painted wood finish blends naturally into the pool house’s soft coastal palette, adding a sense of comfort and craft to the room. Outside, the clad exterior stands up well to sun, salt and humidity, creating a low-maintenance surface that keeps its color and finish through shifting seasons. 

In areas where ventilation and placement requirements were more specific, Pella Impervia® fiberglass windows were used. These units are known for their strength and stability—an advantage in spaces that experience high moisture, temperature swings or direct sun exposure. The slim frames and clean lines match the look of the adjacent wood-clad units, making the mix of materials feel intentional and cohesive. 

The large patio doors belong to the Pella Reserve™ Traditional line, chosen for their combination of architectural detail and proven coastal performance. Their painted wood interiors give the pool house a finished, built-in feel, while the exterior cladding adds the protection needed for a structure so close to the water. Because these doors serve as the main connection between indoors and out, the balance of beauty and resilience was especially important. 

By blending different materials across the windows and doors, the homeowners were able to prioritize durability where it mattered most without compromising the warmth and character of the design. The result is a pool house that feels elevated and inviting but is also built to stand up to salt air, busy summers and ever-changing coastal weather.

Beyond the architecture, the windows and doors play an important role in how the pool house feels throughout the day. Large expanses of glass bring in consistent sunlight from morning to evening, brightening the room even when the panels are closed. When they’re open, the multi-slide doors turn the lounge into a shaded retreat that still feels connected to the water and sky. 

On warm days, the awning windows help keep air moving without creating harsh drafts, and their elevated placement adds privacy while maintaining views of the trees and gardens. The combination of these openings makes the room feel pleasant and livable—never too bright, never too closed off—whether you’re sharing lunch by the pool or curling up inside with a book after a swim.

While the pool house was designed with summer living in mind, it holds its own well beyond the warm months. The insulated glass helps maintain comfort on cooler days, making the indoor lounge a cozy spot for watching fall football or enjoying the sound of waves after the summer crowds fade away. 

Because the windows and doors are engineered for coastal conditions, they stand up to salt air, wind and shifting weather—important considerations for any home near the water. For the homeowners, that means the pool house remains a welcoming retreat from spring through late fall, not just during the height of summer.

In the end, what makes this pool house special isn’t only the views or the materials or the open-air design—it’s the easy comfort it brings to the property. The space feels just as welcoming for a quiet morning coffee as it does for a full house on a summer weekend. With its thoughtful window and door choices, understated finishes and connection to the landscape, the pool house has become a natural gathering place for the homeowners, offering a sense of calm that fits seamlessly into their daily life by the water.