22 Before-and-After Swimming Pool Transformations
Need inspiration for your pool remodel? See how these pools were transformed from unsightly messes to beautiful oases.

Photo By: Zaremba & Company
Photo By: Zaremba & Company
Photo By: Larry Hanna/AP Images
Photo By: Jim K. Decker
Photo By: Tony Flora /AP Images
Photo By: Larry Hanna/AP Images
Photo By: Larry Hanna/AP Images
Photo By: Joe Loehle
Photo By: Tomas Espinoza
Photo By: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim Agency
Photo By: Jason & Anna Photography
Photo By: Colin Sussingham
Photo By: Colin Sussingham
Photo By: Patrick Ketchum
Photo By: Distinguished Pools with Daren Edwards
Photo By: Distinguished Pools with Daren Edwards
Photo By: unknown
Photo By: Gilles Mingasson/Getty Images
Photo By: Bianchi Design
Photo By: Bianchi Design
Photo By: Fieldwork Design
Photo By: Fieldwork Design
Photo By: AQUA Pools and Spas
Photo By: AQUA Pools and Spas
Photo By: Pool Environments
Photo By: Pool Environments
Before: Just Another Pool
After: Majestic Masterpiece
Michigan landscape designers Zaremba & Company convert the freeform pool into a rectangular pool that sits perpendicular to the house, rather than parallel with it, creating a majestic symmetry to the yard. The extensive remodel spotlights an elevated spa at the head of the pool.
Learn More: How Much Does It Cost to Install an In-Ground Pool?
Before: Grimy Pool is Lacking
As seen on Brother vs. Brother, the backyard in this Las Vegas home is inhospitable and dismal.
After: Swimming Pool and Outdoor Entertaining Area
This outdoor area, seen on Brother vs. Brother, features a swimming pool and newly landscaped backyard. With a place to sit and enjoy the outdoors, this backyard has it all.
Learn More: Saltwater vs Chlorine Pools: Which One Is Right for You?
Before: Dreary and Dated
This before pool, as seen on The Vanilla Ice Project, is drab and dreary. Lacking any personality or appeal it is in need of a major overhaul.
After: Open With an Infinity Edge
After this pool was redesigned on The Vanilla Ice Project, it features an infinity edge and shows off the spectacular water views. Once drab and dated, now this pool is an inviting oasis.
Find More Ideas: 39 Lap Pool Design Ideas
Before: Lacks Personality
This pool area, as seen on Brother vs. Brother, is still decorated in 1960’s vintage Vegas décor before renovations.
After: Cheerful and Colorful
This pool area, seen on Brother vs. Brother, is now a relaxing oasis after the complete renovation.
Learn More: In-Ground vs. Above-Ground Pools: Pros + Cons of Each
Before: Dirty and Dull
The HGTV Dream Home 2017 featured an unremarkable pool that was in need of a refresh.
After: Ultimate Waterfront Escape
This view looking from the pool chaise lounge chairs toward the back of the home highlights how the property's cohesive color palette and fresh take on Southern style creates the ultimate waterfront escape.
Find More Ideas: 50 Patio Ideas and Design Tips
Before: Murky Mess
This pool, pre-renovations, looks more like a pond rather than a relaxing summertime oasis.
After: Sunny and Refreshing Backyard Oasis
This swimming pool, seen on America's Most Desperate Landscape, received a major overhaul that turned this backyard space into one the whole family will enjoy. The swimming pool received some much need attention and the pergola beside the pool is the perfect spot to relax during a warm summer night.
Find More Ideas: 32 Pool House Design Ideas
Before: Uninspired Backyard
This pool, seen on Indoors Out, lacks any personality or charm.
After: A Total Backyard Transformation
This backyard, seen on Indoors Out, has a freeform paver patio that leads to the pool area and is interspersed with colorful low-maintenance planting beds. A custom pool cabana was added for the adults to enjoy. A splash of ambiance is created with strategic lighting, seating walls, and a beautiful water feature that looks like it feeds into the pool.
Find More Ideas: 67 Dreamy Pool Design Ideas
Before: Ordinary Backyard Lacks Character
This backyard, seen on The Outdoor Room, features a sunny pool but lacks any personality.
After: Swimming Pool Oasis in Hollywood
Host Jamie Durie of The Outdoor Room, transforms the swimming pool area at the home of Anne Heche and James Tupper from an overly sunny and hot yard into a shaded garden fit for Hollywood entertaining. A wall of hedges provides shade and privacy, while the pool features a lounge-like gazebo on one end and a hot tub on the other.
Find More Ideas: Indoor Swimming Pool Design Ideas
Before: Dated Pool With Faux Rock Wall
The faux rock wall adorning the swimming pool of this contemporary Phoenix home is a major eyesore. The cheesy rock formations are not helped by the chaotic landscaping and generic decking.
After: Serene Contemporary Pool
Phoenix pool builder Kirk Bianchi removes the “artificial penguin exhibit” and replaces it with an ironwood tree salvaged from the desert (one of three he places around the yard). He declutters the landscaping, introduces new decking and adds overflow to all sides of the pool, enhancing the lovely mirror effect.
Find More Ideas: 40 Stunning Ways to Landscape Around a Swimming Pool
Before: Backyard That Has Seen Better Days
This backyard lacks any charm and feels dingy and dated.
After: Contemporary Modern Pool and Courtyard
The soft glow of interior lights brighten this sleek pool, which fits neatly in the courtyard of this contemporary home. A wall-size sliding door opens the master bedroom to the pool and courtyard, eliminating the divide between indoors and out.
Find More Ideas: 24 Above-Ground Pool Deck Design Ideas
Before: Boring Backyard Pool Area
The homeowners were seeking a facelift for this backyard pool and patio area, which features worn concrete and tired paver stones. The tall, overgrown bushes need to be removed in order to uncover a stunning surrounding view.
After: Contemporary Pool With Covered Outdoor Dining Area
Part of the renovation of this backyard area included using soft gray mosaic tiles to line the existing pool. A covered dining and kitchen area provides the perfect spot for outdoor relaxation and entertaining.
Learn More: Saltwater vs Chlorine Pools: Which One Is Right for You?
Before: Dull Backyard Lacks Creativity
The pool could be beautiful in this backyard, but the space needed serious love.
After: Sunny Yellow Modern Backyard With Pool
Green grass makes a dramatic trim for this backyard's concrete pavers. Sunny yellow shade umbrellas and water accents create a desert oasis.
Find More Ideas: 50 Patio Ideas and Design Tips
Before: Plain Pool Surrounded by Concrete
Before the swimming pool renovation, it was surrounded by concrete and not much else. The lack of landscaping makes this space seem uninviting.
After: Swimming Pool With Waterfall
What was once uninviting, now this outdoor swimming pool is stylish and welcoming. With a raised platform perfect for dining and watching swimmers, this backyard has it all.
Learn More: In-Ground vs. Above-Ground Pools: Pros + Cons of Each
Before: Lacking Lap Pool
The dated pool and spa is ready for a much-needed makeover.
After: Mediterranean Swimming Pool
The California home leads out to a welcoming Mediterranean-inspired swimming pool. Surrounded by a stone tile patio, the pool has a trio of water features and a relaxing hot tub.
Find More Ideas: 67 Dreamy Pool Design Ideas
Before: Bland Backyard
This backyard lacks, well, everything. Any update would be an improvement in this sparse outdoor space.
After: Total Reno Complete With a Pool and Outdoor Kitchen
As seen on Flip or Flop, this Riverside home has been completely renovated by Tarek and Christina El Mousa. Renovations to this home included a stunning backyard with extensive hardscape, three different seating areas, a BBQ and bar area, a pool, a fire pit, and landscaping.
Find More Ideas: 15 Patio Covering Ideas
Before: Forlorn and Uninviting
After: Two Pools is Better Than One
Rather than destroy the existing pool, Michigan-based Zaremba & Company adds a second pool that overlaps the original pool. The second pool has shallow ends and a vanishing edge over which water spills into the original pool below. The multi-tiered design provides a safe play area for children and introduces plenty of spaces for lounging and entertaining.
Learn More: Saltwater vs Chlorine Pools: Which One Is Right for You?
Before: Rocky Horror
After: Serenity Now
Phoenix pool builder Kirk Bianchi removes the “artificial penguin exhibit” and replaces it with an ironwood tree salvaged from the desert (one of three he places around the yard). He declutters the landscaping, introduces new decking and adds overflow to all sides of the pool, enhancing the lovely mirror effect.
Learn More: Everything You Need to Know About Natural Swimming Pools
Before: Subterranean Mess
After: Northwest Oasis
Fieldwork Design & Architecture transform the pool room into a zen retreat by ensconcing the room, floor to ceiling, in Western Red Cedar and slate tile. The sliding glass doors are replaced with a 32-foot wide single sliding door to create a seamless portal to the verdant outdoors. An unfinished utility area is converted into a wine cellar and changing room.
Find More Ideas: Indoor Swimming Pool Design Ideas
Before: Dated and Dull
After: Pool With a View
Maryland pool builders Aqua 74 convert the figure-8 pool into a rectangular pool with pebble interior and travertine decking. A vanishing edge is introduced, creating a seamless transition to the backyard and lake beyond. All this for an approximate budget of $100,000.
Find More Ideas: 67 Dreamy Pool Design Ideas
Before: Concrete Nightmare
After: Dallas Dream
Texas pool designers Pool Environments gut the pool and replace the aggregate concrete with travertine paver in a Versailles pattern. They build a raised spa, one-foot wall and sheer descent waterfalls. The space is opened up by removing a portion of the driveway and adding an outdoor fireplace and seating area.
Find More Ideas: 50 Patio Ideas and Design Tips
Before: Welcome to the Jungle
After: Modern Transformation
Before: Bad Case of Blues
After: Perfect Hue
Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture replaces the interior finish, giving the pool a more natural hue of blue. On a $45,000 budget, they replace the patio, line the pool with stones and break up the ho-hum rectangular shape with a stone walkway, creating an attractive square-shaped pool and two smaller decorative pools.
Watch the Video: Turn a Dumpster Into a Pool