Create your own backyard oasis with a custom pool
Just add water
Story by Alea Wilkins
A backyard in need of refreshment should look no further than a striking aquatic addition. Pools are as essential and customizable to Lowcountry luxury as a seafood tower. Wade into blissfully calm waters instead of squeezing a spot amongst Coligny’s summer crowd. With salt in the air, every poolside lounge can be transported to the oceanfront. Plus, upgrades like serene waterfalls and tranquil jets may convince homeowners to ditch the beach chairs for good and, instead, swim in a private pool that make every day a tropical getaway.
Resort ready
Fresh towels and cucumber water are all that’s needed to make this custom project by ACR Gunite Pools five-star worthy. Operations manager, Thomas LaBerge, says its irregular shape offers more space for waterside entertainment, lounging and tanning. An impressive accent is the natural stone waterfall that LaBerge also says “creates your own Five Seasons without leaving the house.” Perfect for lounging with a good book or sharing cocktails with friends, this elegant pool provides resort-level luxury for however you choose to unwind.
Quiet luxury
The Lowcountry’s natural beauty speaks for itself with a pool designed for pure elegance. This unfussy Sea Pines installation by Clearwater Pool Service of Hilton Head adds home enjoyment without unnecessary bells and whistles, a style choice owner Step Cornet finds refreshing. “It is clean and simple, and it offers everything in a pool-spa combination without taking away from a fantastic setting,” he says. Placed at the corner of the home’s deck, the pool allows guests to sit front row to the beauty of their backyard while swimming or luxuriating in the spa. Jets arch over the water for extra tranquility, but their thin streams don’t distract from its surroundings. In the Lowcountry, paradise is all around.
Day to night
As part of the 2025 HGTV Dream Home, this pool keeps luxuriation high even as the sun goes down. Its elegant tile ledge is perfect for soaking up midday rays, and automated LED color changing lights extend happy-hour into the evening. Innovative Pools worked on the grand project, and business owner Eric Brooks says the hidden pool cover and gentle jets add spa-like serenity. “With automated water features, the constant motion of water lets the mind flow with calm and quiet surroundings,” he says. Whether enjoying a sunrise swim or dipping in after dinner, this lavish pad makes any time pool time.
More pool styles to make a splash
Pools come in all shapes and styles, each catering to different needs, aesthetics and lifestyles. Here are a few additional styles making waves in the Lowcountry.
Lap pools
Fitness meets function. For homeowners who want to blend recreation with exercise, a lap pool provides a sleek, elongated design perfect for swimming workouts. These pools are typically narrow and long, maximizing swim space without taking up too much backyard real estate. Bonus: They’re easy to maintain!
Plunge pools
Small but mighty. Short on space? A plunge pool is the perfect compact solution, offering a refreshing dip without requiring a sprawling yard. These deep, small-footprint pools are ideal for cooling off, hydrotherapy and even aesthetic enhancement — think of them as a chic water feature with benefits.
Infinity pools
A view with no boundaries. Also called vanishing-edge pools, these designs create a seamless visual effect where water appears to spill into the horizon. Ideal for homes with marsh, lagoon or waterfront views, an infinity pool turns any backyard into a luxury resort.
