Decorating & Design
July 11, 2022
Dive Into Summer With These Fabulous Pools
At the height of summer, there’s nothing quite like coming home after a long day and jumping into a refreshing pool — especially during a heat wave. If you’re looking to cool off, here are some of our favorite H&H pools you can virtually dive into. Plus, find inspiring pool design ideas to plan your perfect outdoor space!
This city backyard features a galvanized metal stock tank pool that serves as a cost-effective alternative to an in-ground pool. The homeowners wanted a place for their kids to cool off in the summer without sacrificing their entire backyard footprint.
“The boys are always outside playing with friends in the neighborhood or jumping on the trampoline, so this tank is just what’s needed to cool down,” says designer Arren Williams. “It’s two feet deep, but it’s not just for the kids to splash around. You can sit in there with a glass of wine.”
In this suburban backyard, designer and homeowner Erin Feasby wanted to create a “cottage in the city” by installing a gorgeous pool with twin cabanas, a fire pit and lounge and dining areas.
“The pool makes our yard a destination. We always wanted a house where everyone likes to hang out with their friends,” says Erin.
Inset wood planks create a dock-like effect that’s reminiscent of sitting lakeside at a cottage.
This expansive swimming pool located in Quebec’s Eastern Townships is surrounded by lush trees and plants that add to the grand setting. A mix of nautical-style furniture give it a resort feel.
Broad steps are accented by in-pool lighting that give it a dramatic effect in the evening.
When you’re surrounded by lush palm trees and clear Palm Beach skies, taking a dip in the pool feels that much more special. This 1920s home — inspired by Venetian, Spanish and southern styles — makes a striking backdrop.
Two types of seating around this curvacious pool gives guests variety; they can stretch out on the loungers when they crave some vitamin D (with SPF, of course), or sink into a woven outdoor sofa in the shade.
Designer Hali MacDonald’s backyard brings our Pinterest dreams to life! There’s room to lounge in the sun, take a dip in the pool or enjoy an alfreso meal.
This pool with a spa-like water feature is covered in Upper Algonquin flagstone and surrounded by an array of lush plantings, like sea oats grass, viburnum and serviceberry.
In designer Brian Gluckstein’s blooming city backyard, a formal pool — complete with dark gray gunite and waterline tile for a more muted look — feels like a sophisticated water feature.
If we had a backyard this beautiful, we’d never want to leave! The spacious pool is the main focus of the outdoor space, accented with a hot tub and a mixture of lounging and dining areas.
Lush lawn helps this bright turquoise pool blend into the countryside, thanks to minimal edging and natural-looking terracing. “We took away all the hard surfaces, so it looks less manicured,” says designer Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers. “We’re thinking of making it dark next year to blend in even better.”
This dreamy garden has all of the essentials for alfresco entertaining: a spacious pool, firepit, bar and more! After a dip in the water, you can quench your thirst with a summery cocktail at the bar, it’s like being at your own private hotel.
“The kids want to be in the pool at 9 a.m., so I’m usually having my coffee out here,” says homeowner Tanya Linton of her family’s resort-style cottage. A vintage-inspired motel sign adds a touch of quirk to the family-friendly space.
Ample loungers lining the pool are made for drying off in the sun with a juicy summer novel and ice-cold beverage.
Designer Sarah Richardson’s eco-friendly country home, Starlight Farm, is a covetable getaway for many reasons, but the sun-drenched backyard — complete with a glistening rectangular pool — is one of her favorite spots to entertain.
Sarah and her husband Alexander’s daughter Fiona cannonballs into the pool, which overlooks the Ontario countryside.
With sprawling views of Ontario’s Blue Mountains and Georgian Bay, you’ll want to lounge near this modern farmhouse’s pool well past sunset.
“As long as it’s not raining, we’re out here,” says homeowner Stephanie Nerlich of her year-round farmhouse’s sprawling backyard. Even the family’s Portugese water dog, Peter Tosh, loves to hang out by the water.
Stephanie’s two daughters, Riley and Livie, wade in the pool next to fruit-inspired floaties, which double as dream Instagram subjects. Plus, the concrete deck is made to look like limestone.
In the heart of Palm Springs, California, lies a desert-inspired getaway brimming with cacti, Palo Verde shade trees and jagged mountain views. The spacious pool is just begging to be dove into.
Homeowner Marco Paolella takes a lap in the refreshing water…
…while his wife, Debbie, lounges by the infinity pool’s edge with a magazine in hand. The backyard’s simple design keeps all the attention on the jaw-dropping scenery.
The view beyond this infinity pool is rivalled only by a Riviera-chic cabana and chaise lounges.
Hamptons style comes north in this Toronto waterfront backyard. Crisp white umbrellas and pillows pop against the weathered shingle exterior.
A Victorian plunge pool makes this modestly-sized urban backyard a luxurious retreat.
The pool takes center stage at this Windsor, Florida, home — the integrated hot tub make it the place to be no matter the weather.
Bountiful blooms and freshly trimmed grass line this Palm Beach, Florida, getaway’s pool, making play time transition into dinner time with ease.
This backyard pool area adopted a country club–feel, complete with a cabana, loungers and closely clipped box hedges to create a lush, manicured retreat.
Simple streams of water cascade into the pool in defined waterfalls for a contemporary feel. How about floating under one of those to wash the stress away?
At Michael Bublé’s L.A. home, perched high above the city sprawl, a deck wraps around the entire home and features a large pool — perfect for unwinding in after a busy day in Hollywood.
A long, narrow lot was no obstacle to the pool-loving owners of this downtown house. A grassed pathway leads to the pool, which features a gently tiered entry.
A refreshing oasis from a summer in the city, the pool’s azure water invites you to jump right in!
Punchy red accents liven up this pool surround — and are the perfect decor for a late-night party.
Deciding between a pool or a pond? This backyard proves you can have both! This lily pond is a nice organic touch which balances out the rigidity of the pool and landscaping beyond.
Vancouver architect Tony Robins’ spare, modern style perfectly captures the laid-back and cool party aesthetic the homeowners were going for. It’s the perfect spot to while away the day (and night!).
Even in the evening, the pool is just as stunning. An ethereal glow from the cabana, firepit and underwater lighting provide the perfect party setting.
At Canadian champion horse rider Eric Lamaze’s Wellington, Florida, home, the infinity pool looks out onto the golf course, seamlessly blending in with the water hazard beyond.
White architecture and furniture give this home a chic South Beach feel, which feels cool even on the hottest of days.
The only thing better than this luxurious pool surrounded by a spacious terrace is the views of the Pacific ocean beyond — bliss!
This Florida backyard has plenty of seating options for dining, warming up or lounging after a refreshing dip.
When designing his East Coast home, architectural designer Nicholas Lewins opted for clean, pared-back lines and continued that feeling outside. A rectangular pool contrasts the wild and organic tumble of the garden plantings.
A Pagoda dogwood punctuates the corner of this infinity pool, which falls off to follow the pitch of the land to the shoreline below.
Inspired by Monet’s Giverny gardens, Maxime Vandal and Richard Ouellette of design firm Les Ensembliers set out to create their own slice of paradise.
The fun never stops is you’ve got a stunning pool like this!
The perfect complement to any pool is a bocce court. Not only does it mirror the pool’s graphic simplicity, it’s also ideal for those late afternoon cocktails!
This countryside pool is finished in black concrete on its sides and bottoms for a steel-like look, perfectly suited to its understated and rustic surrounds.
We’re California dreaming of this Palm Springs backyard — the best way to cool down after a long day under the hot desert sun. A white Malm fireplace heats things up once the sun sets.
Cool blue lighting and extra-comfy lounge chairs keep the entertaining-ready atmosphere going until sun-up.
In keeping with the English country look of this home, a terraced lap pool suits the formal and tailored landscape.