With more of the nation looking to spend holidays within the UK, curating the perfect private garden that provides resort-level escapism has shifted towards the top of homeowners’ priority list. Optimising investments in outdoor areas has encouraged homeowners to develop luxury spaces that offer the calm, sensory experience usually associated with travel destinations.
A recent Swimming Pool Trends Report from Compass Pools by Waterstream, drawing research from 2,000 UK homeowners, revealed that more than a quarter of UK homeowners view the swimming pool as the ultimate luxury lifestyle asset, ahead of state-of-the-art gyms or home cinemas.
This aspirational desire comes from a rise in the popularity of staycations and the increase in homeworking, encouraging more time in the home environment. As the summer approaches, achieving a perfect personalised garden space that combines the beauty and functionality of a holiday destination is the next step for making the most of time spent at home.
The Pool as Architectural Anchor
The most premium hotels prioritise guest enjoyment throughout their spaces, making sure each area has a purpose. Swimming pools are a prominent feature in these outdoor spaces, and are often zoned to encourage synthesis between spaces. Moving between the hotel amenities, you will often find the pool at the centre, supporting the sense of peace or active enjoyment sought from holiday retreats.
The same approach can be used in residential settings, using discreet, precision planning to make the most of compact spaces. Using the pool as the architectural focal point and planning your garden with this in mind helps inform the flow of pathing, views, planting and key entertaining areas. The pool can provide structure and stillness, letting surrounding garden elements settle naturally around it.
Material Continuity and Restrained Colour
A defining characteristic of resort-style gardens is subtle and nuanced colour choices that complement the theme used throughout the interior and exterior. The recent Compass Pools trend report found that contemporary pool design has shifted away from high-contrast surfaces in favour of deeper tones that respond to light and landscape.
Compass Pools’ Nova® colour range, an advanced gel-coat system with a translucent holographic effect, mimics the aesthetic of popular holiday destinations, bringing the beach to your door. Once the pool is filled with water, the finish subtly mirrors the sky, planting and architecture around it. These tones allow the pool to sit comfortably alongside natural stone, porcelain or timber decking, reinforcing material continuity.
The choice of materials define how a garden looks and feels, and consistent textures and palettes allow your garden to read as a unified, quietly luxurious space.
Designing for Quiet Ritual and Wellness
The private resort garden is designed around relaxation and recuperation, offering a place to escape. As seventy percent of homeowners believe investing in a swimming pool will improve their wellness, health and fitness, pools are being designed to support these personal rituals. Early morning swims and quiet, reflective evenings are part of the hotel wellness experience, and bringing these moments to your home can make every day feel luxurious. Lighting also plays a role, with resort gardens and spas favouring low-level illumination that allows water to glow softly. This approach echoes the atmosphere of luxury wellness retreats, where light influences a softened, quieter mood.
Water quality has also become an integral part of the experience, as we seek more natural pool solutions. Compass Pools’ Nature range uses mineral-rich systems, delivering water that feels gentle on your skin, lending a sensory and spa-like swimming experience.
Enduring Luxury
“In every project, we consider how a pool is lived with over time, integrating all the small details that make it feel just as easy as a hotel stay. You can enjoy a pool with all the practical benefits, like superior insulation and safety covers, without ever compromising on its aesthetic,” comments Alex Kemsley, MD of Compass Pools by Waterstream.
This quiet efficiency reflects the broader shift in luxury values seen in the trends report, where quality performance is essential to the design story. These elements bring a sense of time away into the home environment and make it something that can be enjoyed day to day.
To download the full Swimming Pool Trends Report, visit the Compass Pools website.
