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According to Thumbtack’s 2025 Curb Appeal Report, which brings together intel from more than 1,000 people surveyed by Zillow, homeowners would be willing to give up just about anything for their dream backyard. Twenty-eight percent of respondents said they would nix a guest bedroom, 25 percent would be down to part with a spa-like bathroom, and one in five would trade their kitchen island for an al fresco oasis. But what specifically would they give all that up for? If money were no object, the number one feature they’d add is a resort-style pool with a waterfall.
While it might sound a little cheesy, we’ve seen pool waterfalls done right. Take the one in architects Annie-Laurie Grabiel and Arthur Furman’s Texas backyard (pictured above). It visually connects the raised hot tub to the swimming pool, creates a soothing sound, and adds some movement to the pool’s uniform resin surface. If we didn’t know that this was a residential setting, we’d totally think this was a boutique hotel.
But a waterfall isn’t the only way to make your swimming pool feel a little more elevated—here are four more resort-worthy features we back.
An Integrated Spa
Save space in your yard by combining your in-ground pool with a spa that you can heat up separately from the main swimming zone. Interior designer Abbie Naber defined the two different areas in this project by using zellige tiles in the color Burnt Sugar from Zia Tile.
Sun Shelf Chaises
Make the most of a pool’s tanning ledge with a chaise or two. The ones in actress Stephanie Beatriz’s backyard are from Ledge Loungers and can simply be plopped in the water—no drilling or complicated assembly required.
A Reason to Whip Out the Goggles
Wanting to make your existing pool feel a little more resort-worthy? If you haven’t already filled it up this year, take a page out of artist Alex Proba’s book and give yourself something to dive for by swathing the bottom in water-based pool paint.
All-Over Tile
Concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass are some of the most common in-ground pool materials, but they aren’t your only options. As a nod to the landscaping, the architects at Electric Bowery clad this plunge pool in Kelly green subway tile. All this scene needs is a few striped towels from the H&M Home x Palm Heights collaboration to feel like a real vacation.