For a growing number of buyers, a community pool is a must-have amenity, but today's pools are about much more than swimming.
As new homes and yards generally get smaller, there is greater emphasis on shared amenities, such as community pools, to compensate for less space at home.
Taking a cue from hospitality and experiential design, community pools have evolved from a bonus amenity into a lifestyle-enhancing destination, supporting recreation, relaxation, fitness, wellness, and social connection.
That evolution is resonating with buyers. According to data from NewHomeSource's Homebuyer Outlook, which tracks homebuyer search activity, community pools are by far the most in-demand amenity, a trend that has been gaining momentum for some time.
In March 2024, 30% of house hunters searched for communities with a pool. Since then, that figure has grown to more than 50%, as searches filtered by other amenities have declined, notably gated communities and waterfront communities.
“In today’s affordability-constrained housing market, consumers have to step back and ask themselves what really matters. For many, a non-negotiable in their homebuying journey is living in a community with a pool,” says Ali Wolf, chief economist for NewHomeSource.
“A community pool checks multiple boxes for families. It offers low-cost entertainment for kids, supports an active lifestyle, and provides a built-in social environment.”
And although buyers clearly want community pools, gone are the days of the standard rectangular pool surrounded by a few lounge chairs.
Inspired by the kinds of experiences traditionally associated with resorts, today's community pools are designed to accommodate a wider range of activities, age groups, and interests.
Here is what is trending with community pools.
Community Pools Are Becoming Destinations
Community pools are becoming major social hubs within a community. Amenities are evolving to support comfortable, natural opportunities for gathering.
Southern Land Co.’s senior vice president, design, Ben Crenshaw, points to the Skube Swim Center at Westhaven, a master-planned community in Franklin, Tennessee, as an example of how community pools have evolved beyond a place to swim. Inspired by retro California swim clubs, the amenity was designed as a multifunctional destination that supports recreation, entertainment, and social connection.
“Beyond the lap lanes and dining, we added a large green space that could work both as a lawn and a performance area, where a live band can play while you are in the water, or kids can play.”
What features are most in demand poolside? Sun shelves (also known as tanning ledges), says Crenshaw.
“These shallow ledge areas, often outfitted with lounge chairs, give people a way to enjoy the water at their own pace, whether they want to sit in a few inches of water with a drink, or simply watch their kids from somewhere comfortable.”
Pool shapes are literally being re-drawn, as homeowners embrace the social opportunity of the pool.
“Pools are also getting narrower by design. For those who enjoy the social aspect of a pool visit, the action isn’t out in the open water; it’s around the edges where the energy is.
We lean into that design trend with broader stairs that double as seating in the water, and seat walls along the perimeter that keep people close to the conversation, whether they are in the pool or out of it,” he says.
Freeform, organic shapes, lagoon-style, lazy rivers, and integrated water features are also appearing in more community pool designs.
Another hallmark of resort-inspired pool design is choice. Rather than relying on one large pool to serve every resident, developers are tailoring pool design to be more inclusive.
“While our pools are designed for varied purposes: lap swimming, adults only, or family-friendly recreation, we have veered away from the old practice of creating dedicated wading pools for our communities. Rather than isolating families with young children from the main pool, we use zero-entry or beach-entry design - a gradual slope into the water - to accommodate a broad age range of visitors. This way, no one is siloed off into a separate area, and the whole family enjoys the pool together,” says Crenshaw.
Other top pool design features include:
Outdoor living rooms with clustered furniture for big or small groups
Large communal tables
Swim-up seating
Cabanas
Integrated dining and cafes
Poolside service
Wellness amenities, including cold plunges, hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and salt rooms
Fitness-focused features such as resistance pools, recovery areas, and outdoor fitness stations
What to Look for in a Community Pool
When searching for a home in a community with a pool, remember that not all pool amenities are created equal. Asking a few key questions can help determine whether a community pool is simply a nice feature or a true extension of your lifestyle.
Walkability and location: Is the pool within walking or biking distance of most homes, or will you need to drive? The more accessible the pool is, the more it will be used by the whole neighborhood.
How does the pool connect to the rest of the community? Is the pool integrated into other amenities? The best pool designs connect to other high-use amenities, providing flexibility and convenience.
Capacity and scale: How many homes does the pool service? What sort of crowds can you expect, and is the pool appropriately sized?
Seasonality: Depending on the climate in the region, are there features that could extend the pool season comfortably, like heated pools, fire pits, and heated lounge areas?
Shade and seating: What sort of seating features will invite you to linger? Comfortable seating that encourages socialization, and shaded areas for comfort are a draw to spend more time poolside.
To learn more about new communities and design trends, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.
Hero image is courtesy of Southern Land Co.
