Designing Well

Homeowners increasingly want outdoor spaces that help them relax, recover and spend more time outside. Cold plunges, hydrotherapy areas, saunas and dedicated wellness spaces are becoming part of backyard projects as builders design spaces that serve as everyday retreats rather than simply places for recreation.

Maria Moscato, owner of Mia Luna Design in San Diego, California, says the classic “kidney bean” pool is becoming obsolete, and more clients want a pool that naturally integrates with their home and landscape. 

“The old school, recreational backyard concept is dying out as people realize it overstimulates rather than restores,” Moscato says. “Today, more than ever, people want a refuge in their home.”

Mike Farley, elite design consultant at Claffey Pools in Texas, says the pandemic encouraged homeowners to spend more time outdoors. Moscato believes the demand has continued as people look for spaces that help them disconnect from work, technology and everyday stress. “Clients are becoming more aware of how important it is to create a home sanctuary to reset,” Moscato says. “The idea is to touch on our five senses so we have a space that is restorative rather than just recreational.” 

Whether a property includes a sprawling backyard or a compact patio, homeowners often want lighting, water features and wellness amenities incorporated into a cohesive design. 

“People want everything in their home [available] outside as well,” Farley adds.

From products to places

Wellness design starts with how homeowners want to use the space, not where individual products should go.

Farley says more homeowners are creating dedicated wellness zones rather than having individual features scattered throughout the backyard.

“Most people are creating a wellness space: ‘We’ve got a patio off the master suite, we’ve got a little bit of privacy screen around this, I’m going to have a yoga space in here and I’m going to have my cold plunge, hot tub and sauna,’ ” Farley says.

These spaces often include recovery features alongside areas for yoga, quiet reflection or simply enjoying the outdoors. In some projects, Farley is also seeing detached wellness rooms or pool houses that combine saunas, showers, bathrooms and recovery spaces into one structure.

Although homeowners often want these areas tucked away from the main entertaining rooms, they don’t necessarily want them hidden. 

“I got a glass door because I want to look out into the garden space,” Farley says. “I want to look across my pool, see my water features and see the lighting. Sometimes, it’s kind of in a nook off to the side, but I still have visibility of the rest of the features in the backyard.”

Connecting spaces

To make a space feel intentional as well as functional, Moscato says successful wellness projects create a visual connection between the home and outdoor spaces.

“You don’t want a cold plunge standing in your yard with no other ‘feeling’ around it,” Moscato says. “A good design principle is to create a union between home and water/wellness features by using a visual bridge between interior and exterior.”

Sliding doors that open to patios, extended decking and connecting walkways all help create that transition between indoor and outdoor living, she says.

Many out-of-ground cold plunges now feature lighting and natural finishes, while in-ground installations can be enhanced with overflow edges or natural stone and teak borders.

Privacy is another important design element. Moscato recommends using natural screening features such as tall hedges, climbing vines and vertical gardens to create secluded spaces without sacrificing the overall feel of the landscape. 

“Definitely stick with a green solution like plants or trees to keep the spirit of wellness in the environment,” she advises.

Challenges for builders

While budget constraints aren’t new, Farley, who is also the co-founder of The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge and host of the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast, says wellness-focused projects require more conversations about priorities, costs and long-term planning.

“My job is to understand everything that they want, and before I design anything, I give them a shopping list with what all these things are going to cost,” Farley says. “There are clients who are like, ‘OK, I understand what I want, and we can’t take on all that right now, but please give me a master plan on how all these pieces can be done over a period of time.’ ” 

Farley recommends creating a complete plan from the beginning, even if construction happens in phases. That allows builders to install electrical, plumbing and other infrastructure early instead of disturbing completed landscaping later.

“The design in its entirety is developed,” Farley says. “Therefore, we can provide utilities and everything, so when we go to do the later phases, we don’t have to tear the whole backyard up.”

Thoughtful planning is often just as important as the design itself.

“We’re stewards to help [clients] do the best with their time and money,” Farley says.

Trending features

As wellness amenities become more common, Farley says builders also need to understand how homeowners expect those features to perform.

Some clients prioritize daily recovery, while others want occasional wellness amenities that complement the larger backyard. Those expectations often determine if a built-in feature or a self-contained unit makes the most sense.

“Putting a cold plunge inside is totally different than putting one outside,” Farley says, reminding builders to consider outdoor temperatures and the unit’s performance. 

Moscato is also hearing more questions about alternative approaches to water treatment.

“People want healthy water to bathe in since our body absorbs water through our biggest organ — the skin,” Moscato says.  

While salt electrolysis remains common, Moscato says biofilters — systems that use probiotics and microorganisms to filter water — are gaining attention. Although still relatively new, she believes builders should be aware of the technology as clients ask about alternatives. 

Both experts anticipate homeowners will continue investing in outdoor spaces that support everyday living.

“I believe the outdoor sanctuary will become more requested,” Moscato says. “People are looking to make their home an extension of who they personally are.”