Wellness is no longer just a personal pursuit. It has moved beyond routines such as gym visits or healthy eating and is now shaping how we design and experience our homes. As people invest more in self-care and mindfulness, they’re realizing that well-being extends beyond the four walls of the house. The most inspiring homes blur the line between indoors and outdoors, transforming backyards into sanctuaries that nurture both body and mind.
At Soake Pools, we’ve seen how this shift is reshaping the residential landscape. Outdoor living spaces are no longer treated as afterthoughts; rather, they’re essential, multi-functional extensions of the home. Designers who once focused solely on interiors are now expanding their expertise to include outdoor environments, crafting spaces that foster beauty and balance. It’s an exciting evolution – one that challenges the traditional notion of where “home” begins and ends.
Wellness, Aquatherapy and Alfresco Design
We’re also in the midst of a major demographic transformation that’s driving new priorities in design. By 2030, every Baby Boomer will be 65 or older – this equates to more than 73 million people, who are redefining what comfort and longevity look like. This shift is fueling demand for spaces that are accessible, low-maintenance, and restorative. Outdoor living areas are becoming integral to aging in place, providing a connection to nature and moments of calm without leaving home. Plunge pools, in particular, have emerged as a smart, wellness-centered solution. “Smart” plunge pools can be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. This year-round versatility supports both physical therapy and mental rejuvenation. They’re also practical in size and resource use, making them ideal for homeowners who want a beautiful, functional feature that enhances daily life without overwhelming their space. Increasingly, designers are viewing these pools not just as amenities but as architectural statements that anchor the backyard experience.
One of the most exciting developments in recent years is how seamlessly indoor and outdoor design are converging. The desire for continuity (through materials, finishes and atmosphere) is leading interior designers to take a more active role in outdoor projects. Homeowners want spaces that flow visually and emotionally from one area to the next. A plunge pool with handcrafted tile, surrounded by lush plantings and paired with warm natural textures, can echo the aesthetic language of a home’s interior, creating a cohesive environment that feels intentional and whole. Personalization plays a key role in this evolution. Clients are increasingly asking for outdoor features that align with their routines and personalities. We see requests for flexible layouts, expressive finishes and even custom mosaics that turn the pool into a work of art.
Photo: Soake Pools
This drive has led us to partner more closely with interior designers, helping bring their indoor-to-outdoor visions to life. Our recent collaboration with holistic interior designer Gala Magriñá grew from that same spirit of individuality. Together, we created two limited-edition tile palettes – Breathe (shown above) and Awaken – each inspired by the idea of transforming the backyard into a personal sanctuary, a space for both reflection and renewed energy. This type of customization gives designers powerful tools to elevate their work. When a plunge pool or outdoor feature is treated with the same care and creativity as a kitchen or bath, it becomes part of a larger story, connecting beauty, function and wellness. That holistic approach is where the future of residential design is headed.
Designers are looking for products that reflect that philosophy. Each Soake pool is precast in New England using high-performance concrete and hand-tiled by artisans, ensuring both durability and aesthetic appeal. Their saltwater systems and efficient pumps promote sustainability, while our new Fitness & Wellness package enables aquatic exercise right at home. These innovations align with what today’s clients value most: spaces that are not only luxurious but that genuinely enhance quality of life.
Expanding your design vision to the outdoors is no longer just about adding amenities – it’s about creating harmony between the built environment and the natural one. As wellness continues to shape how people want to live, designers have an incredible opportunity to guide that transformation, crafting homes that don’t just look beautiful but feel restorative. The backyard, once considered secondary, has become the next great canvas for design innovation. For many homeowners, this will be the most transformative room of all.
—Karen Larson is co-founder of Soake Pools
