As we dive into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what shaped pool design in 2024 and look ahead to the trends making waves in 2025. Last year, Charlotte-area homeowners embraced features that turned their backyards into personalized sanctuaries. Minimalist designs, eco-friendly solutions, and integrated outdoor living spaces were all the rage, combining form and function to redefine what it means to have a pool.
But trends don’t stay static, and 2025 promises exciting new directions in pool design. Whether you’re envisioning a sleek modern pool with cutting-edge features or a serene natural retreat that harmonizes with your landscape, the year ahead is brimming with opportunities to bring your outdoor space to life. At Majestic Pools, we’ve curated a list of the top pool design trends to help you transform your backyard into the ultimate getaway. Ready to be inspired? Let’s take a look at what’s in store for 2025.
1. Infinity Pools – The Pinnacle of Luxury
When it comes to making a bold statement with your backyard, nothing quite compares to the elegance of an infinity pool. Known for their vanishing edges, these pools create a mesmerizing visual effect, seamlessly blending the water with the surrounding landscape. Whether overlooking a serene lake, a vibrant cityscape, or a rolling hillside, an infinity pool delivers a resort-like experience right in your own backyard, transforming it into a true oasis.
Why Homeowners Love It
- Maximizes Breathtaking Views: Infinity pools are designed to highlight and enhance your property’s natural beauty, whether it’s a lakeside retreat or a hillside vantage point.
- Adds a Luxurious, Modern Aesthetic: These pools exude sophistication and elevate any outdoor space to the pinnacle of modern design.
Design Tips
- Perfect for Scenic Backdrops: Infinity pools are ideal for properties with dramatic views, such as Lake Norman or Lake Wylie homes, where the water appears to merge into the lake or horizon.
- Consider Multi-Level Features: Enhance the wow factor by incorporating a dual-level design, where overflow water cascades into a secondary pool, spa, or decorative basin below, adding both function and artistry.
- Integrate with Landscaping: Use natural materials, like stone or wood, to complement the surrounding environment and create a cohesive, tranquil space.
Pro Tip
Infinity pools are particularly well-suited for sloped properties, which naturally accommodate the required elevation for the vanishing edge effect. If your home boasts an elevated backyard, hillside, or a location overlooking a body of water, this pool design can turn your outdoor space into a show-stopping centerpiece. For homeowners in the Charlotte area, especially around Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, an infinity pool is not just a luxury but a valuable investment that enhances the beauty and functionality of your property.
2. Natural Pools – Where Beauty Meets Sustainability
For homeowners seeking a serene escape that harmonizes with the environment, natural pools are the perfect solution. These pools mimic the look and feel of natural bodies of water, like ponds or lakes, and prioritize eco-friendliness by using plants and natural filtration systems instead of traditional chemical treatments. The result is a backyard feature that not only enhances the aesthetic of your outdoor space but also promotes sustainability and wellness.
Features to Include
- Rock Formations: Use boulders and stone to create a natural, organic look that resembles a tranquil pond or stream.
Waterfalls or Streams: Add movement and sound to your pool with gentle waterfalls or streams, enhancing the sensory experience while aiding in aeration and filtration. - Native Landscaping: Surround the pool with lush, native plants to create a cohesive environment that supports local wildlife and integrates seamlessly with the surrounding area.
Why Homeowners Love It
- Seamless Integration with Nature: Natural pools blend effortlessly into outdoor spaces, making them ideal for homes with expansive gardens, wooded lots, or rural settings.
- Chemical-Free Swimming: With no harsh chemicals, these pools offer a safe and sustainable swimming experience that’s gentle on the skin and environment.
Enhanced Ideas
- Stepping Stones: Create a whimsical and functional feature by incorporating stepping stones across shallow areas, adding charm and accessibility.
- Regeneration Zone: Include a designated area filled with aquatic plants like reeds, lilies, and cattails. This zone naturally filters the water, maintaining cleanliness while enhancing the pool’s natural beauty.
- Diverse Water Features: Add small streams or bubbling fountains to provide soothing background noise and increase visual appeal.
Pro Tip
Transform your natural pool into a stunning focal point, day or night, with carefully placed LED lighting. Highlight rock formations, waterfalls, and surrounding plants to create a magical ambiance after dark. The warm glow of lighting not only adds to the pool’s aesthetic but also extends its usability into the evening, offering a peaceful retreat whenever you need it.
3. Small Pools – Big Style in Compact Spaces
For homeowners with limited outdoor space, small pools, also known as plunge pools, prove that size doesn’t matter when it comes to style and luxury. These pools are thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality while fitting seamlessly into smaller properties, making them a popular choice for urban settings or modest backyards. Despite their size, small pools deliver big on aesthetic appeal, offering a chic, versatile centerpiece for your outdoor area.
Why Homeowners Love It
- Perfect for Urban Living: Ideal for homes in city settings or on smaller lots, small pools provide the joys of having a pool without overwhelming the space.
- Easier Maintenance: Smaller volume means less upkeep, making cleaning, heating, and water usage more manageable and cost-effective.
- Year-Round Enjoyment: In the Carolinas, our temperate climate makes plunge pools an excellent feature for year-round relaxation and entertainment.
Design Ideas
- Water Features: Add personality and tranquility with features like bubbling fountains, waterfalls, or scuppers, which create soothing sounds and enhance the spa-like atmosphere.
- Tanning Ledge: Incorporate a shallow ledge where you can lounge in the water while soaking up the sun—perfect for relaxation or a splash-friendly spot for kids.
- Bold Tile Designs: Turn your pool into an artistic statement by using bold, colorful, or patterned tiles that draw attention and reflect your personal style.
- Seating Areas: Built-in benches or submerged seating around the pool add functionality and a touch of luxury, making your small pool the ultimate relaxation hub.
Pro Tip
For even more versatility, consider a multi-functional design. A plunge pool with a built-in hot tub or swim jets combines the best of relaxation and exercise while making the most of limited space. This dual-purpose approach ensures you can enjoy your pool in every season, whether cooling off in the summer or warming up in cooler months.
Bonus Features
- Lighting Options: Use underwater and perimeter lighting to extend usability into the evening hours and create a sophisticated ambiance.
- Custom Decking: Surround your pool with premium decking materials like natural stone, wood, or composite to complement its design and enhance your backyard’s overall aesthetic.
4. Geometric Designs – Sleek and Modern
For those who appreciate clean lines, symmetry, and a minimalist aesthetic, geometric pool designs are the epitome of modern elegance. These pools use shapes like rectangles, squares, and L-shaped configurations to create a sleek, contemporary feel that perfectly complements modern architecture. Whether as a statement piece in a minimalist backyard or an integrated feature in a larger outdoor living space, geometric pools offer sophistication and functionality.
Why Homeowners Love It
- A Perfect Match for Modern Homes: Geometric designs align seamlessly with contemporary architectural styles, creating a cohesive look that enhances the overall design of your home and outdoor space.
- Efficient and Practical: The clean lines of geometric pools make them easier to cover with automatic pool covers, offering convenience and protection without disrupting the design aesthetic.
- Versatile for Any Space: Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a more compact area, geometric pools can be scaled and customized to fit your specific needs while maintaining their signature style.
Design Features
- Glass Tile Accents: Incorporate shimmering glass tiles around the edges, steps, or interior of the pool for a modern, reflective finish that catches the light beautifully during the day and glows under lighting at night.
- Water Features: Enhance the design with sleek water features like deck jets, scuppers, or edge spillways, which add movement and a touch of luxury.
- Integrated Seating Areas: Built-in benches and ledges within the pool not only add functionality but also complement the geometric structure, providing space for relaxation and socializing.
Pro Tip
Elevate your geometric pool to the next level by integrating smart pool technology. Automated systems for lighting, heating, and cleaning allow you to control every aspect of your pool from your smartphone, creating a truly futuristic experience. Pair these features with modern materials like polished concrete or composite decking to complete the look.
Ready to Take the Plunge?
A stunning pool is more than a backyard feature; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Whether you’re drawn to the modern elegance of geometric designs or the tranquil beauty of natural pools, Majestic Pools is here to make your vision a reality. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your dream pool.