For many new pool build customers, the ideal result is more than just a pool, it’s a backyard oasis.
In recent years, pool designers have expanded their amenity offerings beyond the typical tanning shelf to cater to homeowners’ growing interest in full-scale backyard entertaining.
“I have more people than ever come into our showroom and design center with specific ideas for the personality of their pool area,” says Marc Testerman, senior sales consultant and designer at Burton Pools & Spas in Arkansas. He says some people are happy with traditional designs while others aim for more eclectic options. “They are seeking to create a well-thought-out, complementary outdoor space that seamlessly transitions with their home.”
The latest trends
Mike Farley, an international pool designer at Claffey Pools, says a major trend is bringing indoor amenities outside.
“The biggest craze and demand is for pools and outdoor living spaces to be combined; they want to go outside and be out there all the time,” Farley says, adding that clients request everything from outdoor TVs to showers and everything in between. “It’s almost an endless situation of what people are wanting to create.”
He notes they want to relax by the pool without getting wet.
“People today don’t even want to swim in them; they just want to hang out,” he says, noting the popularity of built-in fire pits and tables. “Everybody wants a fire pit. The sunken one in the middle of the pool is really cool.”
People don’t just want to tan on tanning ledges, either; they want to be with the kids playing in the pool under an umbrella, he says.
In Arizona, Shasta Pools designs about 85% of its pools with a tanning ledge, says Skip Ast III, director of sales.
“It’s odd for them not to have a tanning ledge,” Ast III says.
Alongside that feature, Ast says patio furniture, pergolas and gazebos are also must-haves for many of his new clients. Costs vary, but amenities typically start at $5,000, he says. He notes that demand has increased over the last few years, which led Shasta Pools to put a pool cost calculator on its site.
Lighting and aesthetic enhancements for nighttime appeal
Ast says homeowners also love focusing on the nighttime pool aesthetic, adding that Shasta is installing more pool lights than ever before.
“A typical pool in Arizona would have a large single light for the pool and a single light for the spa,” Ast says. “Now, we’re seeing four to five lights in the pool, smaller lights on the Baja shelves and lights facing up next to a bubble jet or splashdown. It goes back to that nighttime experience.”
PAL Lighting, based in Australia, has allowed Ast’s customers to customize their remote-control pool lighting. More of his designs incorporate specialized lighting that syncs yard and pool lights to music — “a lot of color-changing lights not just in the pool but in the yard,” Ast says.
Creating a staycation vibe without breaking the bank
The staycation vibe that started during the pandemic hasn’t faded, either, he says.
“People are getting creative with simulating a staycation or vacation feel without breaking the bank,” he says.
The high-end look is one that many Latham Pool customers are seeking, says Gail Conroy, Latham’s vice president of marketing.
“Outdoor décor is incredibly important to today’s homeowners, who prioritize finishing touches to create the perfect backyard oasis,” Conroy says. “Consumers are seeking patio furniture that mimics a resort look and feel.”
Landscaping is another area that creates a resortlike feel, too.
“Plants and landscaping are important to our consumers,” Conroy says. “They provide privacy and also define spaces and help homeowners achieve their desired aesthetic.”
Staying ahead of the curve
Keeping up with trends is all part of the job for builders.
“Today’s pool professional must be well educated and familiar with a much broader sense of home and outdoor living design products,” Testerman says.
When upselling amenities, Farley says connecting with clients is crucial.
Understand your client and what brings them joy.”
Mike Farley, Claffey Pools
“Understand your client and what brings them joy,” he says. “My job is to serve the client, and what I enjoy is coming up with what is best for them.”
