We built a pool house this last year and love it. It is totally self contained - full bath, w/d, full kitchen and a king size murphy bed. We built it with my parents in mind if they wanted to come for an extended visit. We have a stove/oven/microwave combo unit and love it. While mostly is seems to get used for the kids microwaving popcorn - I think that we will use it more this fall with cookouts - I don't know if I would put it on the very top of the lists of must haves - but I knew that I could not go back and add it later if I needed it. But I will tell you that the thing that we have used most that we almost didn't include was the washer/dryer. It is a life saver with all the extra towels - you can now get a full size stacked set and it is great....just an idea....good luck!

I hadn't thought about a stackable w/d set. I don't know how much room I will end up having, but that is something to think about, for sure!

I am leaning towards a microwave vs. full stove, for space reasons, and also, I am not intending this to EVER be used as an apartment (don't want to make it *too* nice, lest we end up with unwanted boarders - LOL!).

Thanks for your input!

We are also doing a 18x20 pool house/cabana...wanted the mini suite then the half open half closed concept with grilling type of kitchen...but I am so confused. How did you decide? We are in Texas. But not sure what to expect for 30,000.00
What square footage are you planning?

The dimensions are approx. 20 X 20, including the bathroom. A majority of the dimensions were decided for us, as we are adding on to the back of the house, and the foundation and topography determined much of what we could do.

My plan is for it to be all enclosed with a sliding door to the outside, and a bar-type window (so we can put bar stools outside). The interior, again is mainly determined by the existing situation.

In the end, we plan for it to have a full bath, a bar set up with some cooking/washing capabilities, and room for some furniture.

I wish I could say I have it all planned out, but my husband is doing most of the work (saving big $$) and we are doing the pool first, with this prepped but we are not actually building it, now. I know it is unconventional to do it this way, but that is how we tend to work. He is the do-er, and we design together based on him telling me what needs to be where for logistical reasons and me telling him how I want it to look given the logistical constraints. :)