Across Middle Tennessee, resort-style living at home is evolving from a trend to a long-term lifestyle choice. Discerning homeowners in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and beyond are opting for custom-designed softscapes and hardscapes that reflect a luxurious, wellness-oriented aesthetic. Anchoring many impressive estates are pools and accompanying spas, signaling connection, everyday indulgence, and the escape we all need from life’s daily demands.
As we look ahead to this year’s spring and summer season, custom pool design trends are moving toward cohesive outdoor spaces that mirror the elegance of a five-star destination; vacation-style experiences you can enjoy without ever leaving your home. In other words, people are looking for more than just a pool. At Landscape Solutions, we see a number of emerging trends guiding property owner preferences and design aspirations. Let’s “dive in” to what high-end Middle Tennessee homeowners are asking for now.
Pools Inspired by Geometric Principles
One of the defining pool design trends in 2026 is a departure from the freeform curves of decades past. Today’s homeowners are looking for tailored designs with straight, sharp, pleasing lines. Often inspired by resorts in Europe and the UAE, the desire for modern, clean geometric designs is dominating our design-build conversations.
And while the particulars of each design choice may vary, the goal is always a seamless extension of the home’s architecture. Whether traditional, classic, mid-century modern, or minimalist and contemporary, we’re seeing increased interest in backyard pools with parallel lines and knife-edge pools that convey a mirror-like reflective pool aesthetic.
Larger 30-by-60-foot pools are popular for expansive properties, while sophisticated spas, plunge pools, and spools (spa-pool hybrids) are increasing in popularity among homeowners with extensive hardscaping, kitchens, and patios already in place.
Simple, elegant, and uncluttered, these design choices create a striking backyard atmosphere while complementing, rather than clashing with, your property’s existing elements.
Moody Finishes, Personalized Features
Dramatic, dark pool interiors are taking blue porcelain tiles of a past era straight into the 21st century. Charcoal, graphite, midnight blue, and even near-black finishes are replacing traditionally lighter tones.
The result is a striking focal point. This modern take on residential pool designs feels deeper, calmer, and more in tune with a wellness-oriented aesthetic. Our recommendation is to combine dark pebble aggregates and glass tiles to add an extra dimension to the underwater shimmer.
And while these choices create a unique and distinguishing ambiance, darker finishes come with practical benefits. They absorb solar heat more efficiently, subtly warming your pool and reducing energy demand (talk about efficiencies in beauty and function).
Integrated Wellness Zones at Home
As the focus on wellness and its many rewards seeps more and more into everyday life, there is no better way to complement your custom pool design than with an accompanying spa.
Elevated spillover spas flush-mounted to your swimming pool are the definition of restoration. They create tranquility at every level, even if you’re admiring your pool and spa from the deck or over lunch, brunch, or a late afternoon’s nosh on the patio.
Tanning ledges (also known as sun shelves or Baja shelves) offer leisurely lounging areas for shallow-water socializing and a more controlled space where parents can accompany young children. Cabanas and covered areas designed concurrently with your pool add to the resort-style vibe, creating a pleasing harmony reminiscent of a Mediterranean or Caribbean escape.
Many Middle Tennessee homeowners are also integrating fire features adjacent to their pool areas for an easy transition from day to night entertaining. Linear fire elements and sculptural bowls contrasted against dark pool interiors create a showpiece effect that is simply stunning.
Among active families and professional athletes, we’re seeing high demand for vitality pools heated to therapeutic temperatures for deep relaxation and muscle recovery. These features are ideal for restoration and hydrotherapy at home (a delicious accompaniment to your daily fitness regimen).
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Integration
If there’s a singular mantra we repeat again and again, it’s that resort-style living is characterized by flow, even if this is not something that is instantly or consciously recognized. When a property’s interiors open seamlessly into the backyard and pool area through large sliding doors, the distinction between the two spaces blurs. It’s a detail the eye likes, and one that people are drawn to. Instead of a jarring disruption in scenery, you’re carrying your exquisite indoor design out toward the patio, pool, and other hardscape and softscape features.
This is a significant trend influencing custom pool design trends: designs that flow with intention. The home itself should stretch outward with French doors or folding glass panes that stack neatly on both sides to bring the indoors out and the outdoors in.
Design plans like these, executed with meticulous attention to detail, offer you and your home’s visitors an immersive outdoor experience that feels miles away from the day-to-day and deeply integrated with Middle Tennessee’s natural ecosystem.
Custom Lighting and Elevated Hardscapes
When our clients begin their pool planning process, we start with a macro view of their property and design goals. What do they want to achieve and how do they want to feel when stepping into their outdoor spaces? These insights help us choose the right pavers for the decking, surrounding pathways, and other hardscape and softscape elements that bookend a gorgeous pool environment.
These days, large-form porcelain pavers are replacing traditional concrete decking for their durability, easy maintenance, and modern aesthetic. And while they appear smooth, porcelain pavers are manufactured with high slip-resistant coatings that perform better than concrete when wet. When clients are looking for practicality along with a distinguishing design scheme, we make sure they’re aware of their options and why certain choices, while pricier, are better than others.
Lighting around your pool and outdoor areas is also evolving, combining both practicality and ambiance. Dynamic LED systems allow you to shift levels of lighting from soft white to dramatic color schemes, perfect for entertaining. Pathway lighting, along with illuminated water features and tree uplighting, all work together to unify a layered, breathtaking atmosphere once the sun begins to set.
Working with skilled hardscape and pool designers Nashville homeowners trust ensures a cohesive master plan that aligns with the many ways you’ll be using your outdoor spaces year-round.
The Trend in Resort-Inspired Living at Home
With remote work and home offices now a design consideration, many Middle Tennessee homeowners are prioritizing outdoor property design as something to be enjoyed every day and at any time instead of reserving the luxury for evenings and weekends. Your property and your pool area should inspire a sense of excitement, pride, and an irresistible desire to throw the patio doors open and work outside! Join the video meeting from your poolside patio, because why not?
Timeless Pool and Property Landscaping
While resort-inspired living represents a shift in how homeowners in Middle Tennessee design their spaces, we expect this trend to endure. As pool design trends 2026 continue to evolve, the emphasis is on elevating at-home relaxation, restoration, entertaining, and socializing; who could say no to that?
Get in touch with us at Landscape Solutions to discuss your ideal outdoor space and pool design dreams. Now is the perfect time to get started! Let’s create an oasis steps from your door that you can enjoy any day and every day for years to come.