When most people beeline it to a pool, they’re typically fixated on an Olympic-worthy cannonball or a sun-kissed tan. But in reality? A pool area can be packed with plenty of style potential — you just need to know where to look. Read on for several inspired setups from the industry’s finest. From statement-making pools to well-appointed pool houses, these ideas are poised to make a splash.
Photo by Molly Culver
Pared-Back Pergola
In this setup from Texas designer Kyle Dutton, a handsome pergola stands adjacent to a repurposed garage, which was reimagined into a pool house. “We really wanted a space that was an extension of the pool house with more seating outdoors and to serve as a shady oasis for sunbathers that needed a break from those summer rays,” he explains. “The walls and floors of the space are lined with low-profile deco ivory porcelain tile that served as a subtle, yet chic backdrop to this stunning pergola.”
Photo by Brittany Ambridge
Go Coastal
Michelle Gerson transformed this beachfront property into a coastal retreat with strategically placed pavers and pops of white accents. “Our goal was to reconceptualize the existing space so that it would feel light, bright, happy and fresh, be conducive to frequent entertaining and comfortably host the whole family for extended periods of time,” the New York City-based designer explains. Mission accomplished.
Photo by Scott Shigley
Go Geometric
For landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt, it’s imperative to create a pool area that looks good from every angle. Case in point: This geometric pool, which is surrounded by lush greenery. “We set out to both restore the landscape located in a bowl-like valley in Palm Springs, while also opening the view to the mountains beyond,” shares Nick Fobes, Partner at Hoerr Schaudt. The design team also incorporated audible water elements to ease the heat and dry climate.
Photo by Stefan Merriwether
Dive In
Designer Kevin Klein dove headfirst into this outdoor space by adding a conversation pit to this property’s pool house. The sunken living room deftly mirrors the depths of the swimming pool, creating an interesting conversation between the great outdoors and indoors. “The client, a music lover and piano fanatic, was looking for a way to find some added value from his dilapidated and unused West Hollywood back-house garage,” he says. “We wanted to create a space that was intensely comfortable, but also functional for entertainment.”
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Privacy, Please
With privacy as a top priority, landscape architect Joseph Richardson outfitted this pool area with tall hedges and a manicured lawn to create a “secluded retreat.” “We focused on maximizing the available space,” adds Richardson, who runs Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. “The design includes a spa and submerged benches for lounging, offering both relaxation and functionality.” The result? “It’s truly a remote oasis tucked away in a dense urban environment,” he says.
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Create Contrast
As this project from GTM Architects proves, opposites attract. According to Mark Kaufman, the firm’s principal, the homeowners live in a traditional, shingle-style home — but wanted a contemporary pool house. “We wanted to complement the landscaping with a contemporary structure that uses natural materials fitting in with the surrounding area,” he says. “The pool house was designed to have the same feel on the inside as it does on the outside, connecting the exterior and interior with intentionality and function.”
Photo by Patricia Burke
Steep Style
When tasked with designing a pool area on a steep incline, Susan Cohan literally rose to the occasion. “The site has three separate spaces divided by a very steep hill down to the main house,” says the New Jersey-based landscape designer. “The complicated task united the landscape with the design that included naturalistic plantings, several sets of steps, and a new patio.” Here, an angular pool house as well as a stone-clad pool and spa sit precariously on the incline — bridging the gap between form and function.
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