Indoor Swimming Pool Design Ideas

Whether you're a daily lapper or a recreational splasher, the indoor swimming pool is an undeniable luxury. This protected oasis promises an all-weather refuge from spring rains, winter snowstorms and summer clouds of mosquitoes. And, as a bonus, it requires less maintenance than its debris-embattled outdoor cousin. Lap pool or plunge pool, spa-sized or Olympic standard — you can have any style or shape that fits your home and your fancy. Basement-level backstrokes, anyone? A solarium aquarium? Grab a couple of interior necessities like a pool heater and automatic pool cover for humidity control, then it's smooth sailing — er, swimming. Let's dive into some inspiring and on-trend ways to have that swim-from-home experience.

The light stone terrace and crisp white walls in this tranquility-infused pool room provide a center stage to the offset sky-blue saltwater pool. A dramatic wood ceiling with crisscrossing beams and a series of large lanterns invite warmth into the radiant room. A stone water feature in the center of the room adds to the Zen atmosphere. The compact aquatic refuge even leaves yoga mat space for pool-adjacent fish pose. Namaste.

Leanne Ford of HGTV's Restored by the Fords took her talents to an existing pool in a Pennsylvania midcentury home, transforming it into this alluring lagoon. A visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous home, Fallingwater, gave Leanne the inspiration for a natural oasis, which entailed painting the pool black and the surrounding walls white. Leanne crowned her achievement with dozens of paper lanterns, creating an enchanting and upbeat indoor pool sanctuary.

This splashy modern pool room offers up next-level opulence with an illuminated lap pool hogging the spotlight. The nearby gym has us imagining morning laps, but a bank of bar-adjacent, in-water stools within view of a game area reassures us that this swanky space is for enjoyment as much as enterprise. The pool is expansive, the ambiance impressive and a mirrored ceiling effortlessly doubles the drama.

To go full Zen in your stylings, mimic this natural pool room swathed in stunning slate tile and red cedar cladding. An open corner shower and a floating bench rest opposite a single 32-foot sliding glass door. Unobtrusive recessed lights on the wood-paneled ceiling highlight the periphery of a deep teal pool with an offset entry. Yes, in fact, that is a warmly illuminated wine cellar beckoning us from behind the glass door. We feel our energy balancing and awareness expanding just admiring this tranquil retreat.

Entirely open to the sunshine but not to rain or nosy neighbors, this beautiful-and-bright courtyard pool room begs for attention. Iridescent glass tiles accent the spa, waterfall and the zigzag pool itself, magnifying the water's turquoise blues while they sparkle and shine. Neutral colors in the stone pool deck and home façade are embellished by wispy beds of verdant prairie grasses. Bring on the rains and the neighbors: This radiant suburban soaker is too perfect to keep private.

Even if we don't live in Renaissance villas built in the 1500s, we can copy the romantic look for our own chateaus. Dark-wood double-entry doors with large iron handles, check. Terracotta-tiled pool deck, check. Gorgeous rectangular pool in a glowing teal, check. Dramatic and beaconlike antique lighting, check. Magnificent decorative brickwork on a cloister vaulted ceiling — please!

The designer of this lovely indoor pool pavilion took a bright and breezy approach with a pale stone pool deck and white vaulted ceiling with exposed rafters. Graceful round columns are bridged with glass, while bohemian touches are present in the handwoven hammocks with macrame details floating over the verdigris pool. A collection of moss in concrete planters makes for an elegant and humidity-happy indoor garden.

A jaw-dropping, two-tone vaulted ceiling defines this cheery pool room, part of a family lake house. A rectangular pool with a corner entry and lapis-blue tile trim sits within soft-gray tile decking. The matte tile tracks a couple of feet up the room's walls, at which point the dramatic red ribcage of the ceiling architecture takes over. In case our attention lingers too long above, a porthole wall medallion over the entry reminds us to drop our gaze, and our towel, to enjoy the nautical nature of this seaworthy sanctuary.

Towering glass walls with subtle black framing keep daylight at a maximum and distractions at a minimum for a striking indoor oasis that is more exotic mountain pond than typical indoor pool. We are swimming in natural variation and organic texture here, with the flagstone pool deck laying an appropriate and attractive foundation. Primordial ferns and tropical palms populate the gurgling cascades on the far side of the pool, evolving into a greenery-adorned rock waterfall at its corner.

Residents of this Maryland mansion enjoy in-home views of their magnificent Versace-inspired wading pool in a 22-foot-high atrium. With a colorful mosaic-tile bottom and a shape reminiscent of an Italian fountain, the spectacular splash pad is accompanied by sculpted urns and decorative ironwork, muraled walls and sky-high palm trees. Note the grass-mimicking, low-pile green carpet set within a decoratively tiled footpath. And that's a hot tub in the left corner in its own intimate enclosure with a terra-cotta tile roof. This room is certainly runway ready.

A peaceful gray-and-white palette creates an airy and serene atmosphere in this posh pool room located in Great Britain. Acres of pale mosaic tile on the curvaceous wall and around the spillover spa glisten with whatever color is on offer; in this case, the pool's lovely light teals and turquoises combined with the cool-toned English daylight flooding in. We can thank the wall of folding glass doors for the latter, attended by a row of tall black planters with deep green foliage.

With clever inclusions that evoke the out-of-doors, you'll forget this modern pool is inside. Furnishings include plenty of greenery, like boxwood balls and large-scale palms. The porcelain pool deck even gives way to an artificial turf lawn, punctuated by landscape pavers. The modern pergola with optional privacy curtains draws attention from the room's oversized glass dome with dark framing. And the pool with mosaic-tiled sun shelf basks in its retreat like a glowing aquamarine jewel thanks to sophisticated lighting design, replicated throughout the room.

This pool room is at-one with its magnificent arboreal surrounds thanks to copious redwood paneling and full walls of glass. Though the skies are obscured by the lush leaf canopy, the iceberg-blue pool, darker marbled trim tile and gray stone decking lend us its spectrum. The private spa's pair of corner sliding windows welcome in warm breezes and forest scents along with the sublime scenery.

This Mediterranean-style sanctuary enjoys both a restful atmosphere and arresting design. A small-scale lap pool leaves plenty of room for decadent poolside lounging. High rounded arches allow light from the glass roof to cascade into the entirety of the space. The warm-weather architecture in this sun-drenched pool room successfully belies the fact that the impressive residence is actually in Aspen, Colorado.

Wyoming winters make the view even more picturesque from this expansive natatorium with its gorgeous glassy pool and sunken corner spa. The wall of windows is barely interrupted by mosaic-clad columns housing linear light fixtures. A series of ceiling domes joins the list of eye-catching design details. In warm weather, the glass windows can be raised to open the room entirely to an outdoor entertainment area, cementing the impression of a luxe mountain resort.

Frolicking in the enormous pool isn't all that's on the agenda in this contemporary indoor pool room with a hot tub, bar and a multitude of seating and dining areas. The architecturally impressive two-story atrium has a central glass ceiling with redwood beams. Both modern and vast, the room avoids the austere with its warm wood construction, an abundance of greenery and welcoming woven furniture. These dynamic digs are pool-party ready, and we want an invite.

Acres of natural stone in ivory tones enwrap this sea-glass indoor pool with opulent detailing. Note the elevated spa at one end of the pool and the cascading water feature attended by two green lion head medallions in the middle. A single wall of glass provides ample light and ambiance to an already majestic pool room.

This indoor lap pool with spillover spa enjoys botanical-garden stylings in a sunny enclosed terrace with stunning sightlines. The glass walls and ceiling let in copious light, while the chic seating area with its colorful accents gets the shady treatment under a towering white pavilion. The neutral tiled patio leaves space for beds of lush greenery.

You don't need a big basement or even backyard solarium space to enjoy an indoor dip, just an empty patio corner, an appropriately sized pool and a sophisticated cover like this snazzy dome. Its brushed aluminum construction could be bronze or black, whatever you like. And its retractable nature means you're in control of how much outside is allowed in. Freezing rain and furry critters, no thank you. Warm rays and drink replenishment, OK!

HGTV's Million Dollar Rooms visited an Ohio dream residence to share this magnificent, Mayan-themed indoor swimming pool. Inspired by the homeowners' trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, this island-like oasis has it all — full-size palm trees, an enormous indoor waterfall, grottos and stone bridges, together with historically accurate replicas of ancient Mayan temple ruins. We simply love the exotic atmosphere as well as the artistic commitment.

The sparkling blue pool almost looks like an exquisite area rug in this towering and stone-wrapped entertainment area. A pair of ancient bonsai welcome us to the central, two-tone tub. It resides within a few drippy steps of a full bar and a multitude of lounging spots, all of which enjoy expansive views, courtesy of the room's sky-high wall of glass. The only exception to the serious stylings in this palatial party space is a whimsical bronze fountain at the head of the pool: a mermaid frolicking with dolphins.

Architects extended this residence with a sunroom-style retreat with copious natural light and commanding views. A subtle-gray flagstone floor gives prominence to the cobalt blue pool and spa. Floor-to-ceiling windows and two-tone wood paneling on walls and ceilings effectively blur the lines between this private indoor oasis and the gardens outside.