Photo credit: Lou Curtis
Not long ago, a backyard swimming pool felt like something we had drifted away from. It took too much maintenance it didn’t add much or any resale value to the home. As a result, many families decided a swimming pool was a relic of a bygone era.
Then COVID happened and staying home for entertainment became a real thing. Now, it’s “everybody into the pool!”
According to recent industry research, there are more than 10.7 million residential pools in the U.S., and the industry is riding a wave nearly 31% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Even with rising costs and longer build times, homeowners seem to love their pools. Why? It’s because this isn’t just about pools.
The renewed popularity of residential pools is a shift in how our homes work for us. Outdoor space is where our lives happen now. It’s where we gather, unwind, and spend more time than we would have ever expected. A pool becomes the catalyst for this. Having a pool is an excellent reason to build out the space around it with brick patios, outdoor kitchens, and fire features. Not because you need it, but because you want it.
Over the past few years, something has shifted. Homes stopped being the place we returned to at the end of a long day. Now, our homes are the place where everything happens: work, rest, cooking, and celebrations. The backyard has stepped into a starring role.
During the pandemic, when travel paused, people started asking: “What if we could recreate the vacation experience in our own backyard?” Swimming pools answered that call.
At first, pools were practical. They were a way to pass the time and keep the kids entertained. But it didn’t take long before they became something more. Today, a pool is a gathering place and a good reason to stay outdoors a little longer.
This pool resurgence didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of several factors coming together at once.
First, there’s the “staycation effect.” Homeowners now realize they don’t need to leave home to enjoy a meaningful break. As Dorothy learned on her visit to Oz, it’s in our own backyard! A pool becomes a place to move, relax, and reset.
Also, there is continued population growth in warmer regions, where a pool isn’t seasonal, it’s part of everyday life. Plus, there is a stronger focus on wellness. Dating back to ancient civilizations, water has always had a way of restoring us, physically and mentally. It’s easy to imagine Socrates and Plato hanging around the public baths in Athens, chatting about philosophical theories!
Finally, the technology of pools has become almost frictionless. Today’s pools are easier to maintain than ever, with smart systems that handle chemical balance, lighting, and energy efficiency in the background. Even with the average costs of in-ground pool sitting around $65,000, homeowners are still moving forward. This says a lot about the value people see in treating their homes as their sanctuaries.
If your mental image of a pool hasn’t been updated in a while, it’s time for a refresh. Today’s designs are cleaner, more intentional, and closely tied to the architecture of the home.
Pool design shows a strong preference for simple geometric shapes like rectangles, L-shapes, and streamlined lap pools. There’s also growing interest in smaller, more focused designs, like plunge pools.
And then there are the details that elevate the experience including:
At the high end, companies like Guncast which specializes in custom-designed pools, are introducing features like moving-floor pools. This allows a space to shift from patio to pool depending on how it’s being used.
All pools are not created equal, and that’s part of the appeal. The right choice depends on how you want to use your space.
And then there’s a category that continues to gain attention, Natural pools. These pools use biological filtration instead of chemicals and are designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. They offer a more organic experience aligned with our growing interest in the environment and sustainability.
One of the most important and often overlooked elements of pool design is coping.
Coping caps the edge of the pool, creating a clean transition between the water and the surrounding surface. It also helps protect the pool structure and provides a safe, comfortable edge.
Pool coping products from Marion Ceramics, available from Acme Brick Tile & Stone, combine durability with design, offering materials that hold up to heat and moisture while enhancing the overall look of the surroundings. Coping is a small detail that creates a big impact.
The pool may be the focal point, but by no means the entire story. Today’s outdoor spaces are designed as complete environments, where each element supports the next.
A brick patio extends your living space to the biggest room in the home. Weather-resistant porcelain pavers are a game-changer for outdoor spaces. An outdoor kitchen turns everyday meals into celebrations. Plus, Winston outdoor furniture keep everyone together even on a chilly evening.
These features don’t compete with the pool, they complement it. Materials matter. Brick offers durability, low maintenance, and a look that works across a range of styles. Builders often only brick the front of a home. This may be a mistake. Why? The backyard is where homeowners actually live! Many homeowners have realized the aesthetic and practical benefit of using brick on all four sides. With this decision, the back of the home matches the investment homeowners are making in outdoor living.
Brick helps to anchor outdoor spaces while still allowing flexibility. The result is a backyard that feels cohesive, functional, and ready for real life.
Swimming pools are making a big splash again, but this time, it’s less about the feature and more about the feeling.
Not long ago, we were all looking for ways to escape our homes. Now, we’re reimagining them, and investing in them. Building spaces that invite us to stay a little longer, gather a little more often, and enjoy what’s right in front of us.
In many ways, a swimming pool has become a symbol of that shift. That’s what brings this story to a full circle. The resurgence of swimming pools isn’t really about returning to something old. It’s about moving toward something better. And, when it’s done right, it doesn’t just change your backyard. It gives you a place to step in, slow down, and move beyond the daily grind of just staying afloat, and on to living the good life!
Acme has a wide array of premium outdoor entertainment products that are not available at “big box” retailers. Click here to take a look. Hurry. Last one in the pool is a chicken!
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