The Hottest Pool Design Trends of 2022

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Ahairstyles, trends in the swimming pool industry tend to fluctuate and evolve over time. What’s considered “in-style” one season may not necessarily be popular the next. This year’s swimming pool design trends are all about straight lines, clean materials, and unique features.

SMALL POOLS FOR THE WIN

Small pools, sometimes referred to as plunge pools or cocktail pools, are all the rage this year and are ideal for backyards that are oddly shaped or have limited space. Long gone are the days where a substantially sized backyard was a requirement to own a swimming pool. Some small pools have jets and heaters that can be turned on and off, allowing them to essentially function as both a pool and a spa. These types of small pools, often called spools, allow homeowners to keep water temperature refreshingly cool on warm days while cranking up the heat in the evenings or on chillier afternoons. Due to their smaller size, small pools are easier to clean and maintain than traditional swimming pools. They also require less chemicals, making them a very cost-effective option for those keeping an eye on their budget. “We work in some areas, mainly closer to the city, where the homes are absolutely beautiful, but the backyards are rather narrow,” says Baker Pool designer Joe Morrison. “For these homeowners, a small pool is the perfect option. We’re very mindful about designing these pools in a way that takes advantage of the available space without making the backyard seem too overcrowded.”

GEOMETRIC IS BACK, BABY!

While freeform pools are still common, geometric pools with clean, straight lines are making a huge comeback. In some instances, the configuration of a backyard will naturally lend itself to a certain pool footprint but, in most cases, the shape of the pool is merely determined by the personal preferences of the homeowner. For the past decade or so, the majority of Baker Pool’s clients opted for freeform designs that emulated a more natural setting. Stone veneers and copings, boulder water features, and surrounding landscaping were all common components used to help further enhance this organic ambience. However, in more recent years, homeowners have started to gravitate back to more geometric designs. Geometric pool designs can be as simple as a traditional rectangle or much more complex shapes, but they all incorporate straight lines and crisp corners.

UPGRADED MATERIALS CREATE AN ELEGANT FINISHED PRODUCT

With the rise in popularity of home remodeling and DIY shows on TV, homeowners have become much savvier about the many different material options available to them. This year more than ever, the designers at Baker Pool Construction have noticed an increase in demand for upgraded materials, particularly when it comes to pool coping and patios. “For many years, most of the pools that we built had concrete cantilever coping that transitioned immediately into the concrete pool deck,” says lead designer Rob Warren. “For those customers who wanted something a little more ornate, flagstone coping was the conventional alternative.” Now, the designers at Baker Pool Construction are finding that an increasing number of customers are requesting more elaborate, refined materials, such as cut stone or travertine, for the coping and decks surrounding their pools. While these materials come at an additional cost, they also produce an extremely polished, contemporary finished product.

LIGHT FINISHES ARE BACK ON TOP

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a concrete pool over vinyl or fiberglass is that concrete pools are completely custom designed. Many homeowners find this very enticing, as it means that

they have the ability to make all design decisions and customize the pool to fit their personal style. Perhaps the most significant factor when it comes to the overall appearance of the finished pool is the interior plaster color. At Baker Pool Construction, all pools are plastered with a pebble finish that contains small pebbles of varying sizes and colors. These finishes range from very light to very dark, with many diverse shades of blues and greens in between. Not surprisingly, the color of the pebble is the biggest determining factor when it comes to the resulting water color in the pool. For the past few years, darker finishes have been the most favored among the clientele at Baker Pool Construction. However, this year the design team at Baker has started to see a shift back towards lighter finishes that produce a more classic light blue or turquoise water color.

UNIQUE FEATURES ENHANCE WOW FACTOR

Baker Pool Construction specializes exclusively in custom, concrete pools. They occupy a distinct niche in the market and cater to a very specific, sophisticated group of St. Louis homeowners. “Most of our customers want more than just a simple swimming pool,” says sales manager Ken Mikes. “They see a pool as an extension of their home. They’re looking for something that will turn heads and make an impression; something that they can be proud of.” This desire leads some clients to request unique design features – ones that aren’t frequently seen – even with concrete pools.

TANNING LEDGES & SWIM-UP BARS

Once upon a time tanning ledges and swim-up bars were amenities that could usually only be found in swimming pools at extravagant luxury resorts. But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drag on, an increasing number of homeowners are choosing to add these once uncommon features to their private backyard pools. This is in large part because many families are choosing to forego their summer travel plans and are thus spending more time at home. Tanning ledges and swim-up bars are both fantastic for entertaining, as they provide a place for people to congregate and mingle in the water.

FIRE & WATER FEATURES

“Water and fire features have always been a common way to increase wow factor,” says designer Ryan Taylor, “but now we’re starting to see clients who want to add more and more. Instead of a single sheer descent waterfall or a couple of scuppers, customers are requesting full-blown feature walls that incorporate a combination of different water and fire features.” And speaking of fire… Water and fire have gone together since the beginning of time. There are few features that manage to make as big of an impression as fire bowls and fire pits and, as such, they have always been a popular addition to concrete pools. Like with other design elements, fire bowls and fire pits come in a variety of colors and styles, so they can be customized to match the customer’s home and individual tastes. Traditionally, fire pits are installed apart from, but in close proximity, to the pool. Large natural boulders, benches, and/ or outdoor furnishings are then added to provide seating. Now, a lot of homeowners are taking this a step further and requesting a design with the fire pit on one edge of the pool and concrete benches for seating in the pool itself. Not only is this placement unique and aesthetically pleasing, but it also allows both people in the pool and those around the pool to socialize together around the fire.

CONCRETE SPAS

Concrete spas are certainly nothing new – Baker Pool Construction has been building inground, concrete spas along with their pools for over 50 years. When attached to the pool, spas are customarily raised so they spill into the swimming pool. However, this year the trend seems to be designing spas that aren’t raised, but are rather flush with the pool. “Flush spas look very modern and sleek,” says designer Eric Held. “Raised spas and flush spas are both beautiful to look at. Again, it’s really just a matter of which style the customer prefers. The one thing homeowners need to keep in mind if they’re considering a flush spa is that it can’t be kept open independently from the pool. So, if they want to be able to use the spa in the wintertime, they will need to keep the entire pool open throughout the winter as well.” How do you feel about these current design trends? To schedule a consultation to discuss the possibilities for your own backyard, you can call (636)519-POOL or visit their website at www.bakerpoolconstruction.com.