What's Hot in Richmond Pools Right Now: 5 Design Trends Worth Talking About in 2024

If you've been scrolling through home design feeds lately, you've probably noticed that backyard pools have gotten a serious upgrade. Gone are the days when a rectangular blue rectangle was the pinnacle of pool ambition. Today's Richmond homeowners are asking for more—more personality, more technology, more connection to the surrounding landscape.

We dug into what local pool builders are seeing on the ground across the Richmond metro, from the leafy neighborhoods of the West End to the growing communities out in Chesterfield and Hanover counties. Here are five design trends making waves in 2024—plus honest takes on whether each one is a smart long-term investment or just a shiny object.

1. Saltwater Systems Are Becoming the New Standard

If you asked a Richmond pool builder five years ago how many clients were requesting saltwater systems, the answer might have been "a handful." Ask today, and you'll hear that saltwater is quickly becoming the default expectation rather than an upgrade.

The appeal is easy to understand. Saltwater pools use a chlorine generator to produce their own sanitizer from dissolved salt, which means fewer harsh chemicals to buy, store, and handle. The water feels noticeably softer on skin and eyes, and many swimmers find the experience simply more pleasant.

What builders are saying: The upfront cost of a saltwater system runs roughly $1,500 to $3,000 more than a traditional chlorine setup, but ongoing chemical costs tend to be lower. The salt cell—the component that generates chlorine—typically needs replacement every five to seven years, which is a cost to plan for. Overall, most local builders consider this a genuinely timeless upgrade, not a passing fad. If you're building a new pool in 2024, it's worth serious consideration.

Is it right for you? Almost certainly yes, unless you're working with a very tight budget. The comfort and convenience advantages are real, and it's a feature that holds up well for resale.

2. Natural and Organic Pool Shapes Are Replacing the Rectangle

Geometric pools still have their place—particularly in more formal or contemporary home designs—but the dominant aesthetic shift in 2024 is toward freeform shapes that feel less like a constructed feature and more like a natural water element.

Think curved edges, irregular perimeters, beach-entry sections (also called zero-entry or walk-in entries), and pools that seem to flow organically into surrounding plantings and hardscape. Richmond's older neighborhoods, with their mature trees and established landscaping, are particularly well-suited to this aesthetic.

What builders are saying: Natural shapes can actually be more cost-effective than you'd expect when using certain materials like fiberglass, since fiberglass shells come in preset shapes. Custom freeform concrete pools, on the other hand, can get expensive quickly. Budget accordingly based on your chosen material.

Is it right for you? If your backyard has irregular dimensions, significant grade changes, or mature landscaping you want to work around, a freeform design might actually be more practical than a traditional rectangle. It's also a strong choice if your home's architecture leans toward the informal or craftsman styles common throughout Richmond's historic neighborhoods.

3. Smart Pool Technology Is Hitting the Mainstream

Home automation has taken over everything from thermostats to doorbells, and pools are no exception. In 2024, Richmond homeowners are increasingly asking for pool systems they can control from their phones—adjusting temperature, turning on lights, running the pump, and even monitoring water chemistry remotely.

Systems like Pentair's IntelliConnect and Hayward's OmniLogic allow full pool management from a smartphone app. Some integrate directly with existing smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. It sounds like a luxury, but the practical benefits are real: you can heat your pool before you get home, get alerts if something's wrong, and optimize pump schedules to save on electricity costs.

What builders are saying: Smart automation adds roughly $1,000 to $3,500 to a pool build depending on the system and how many features you're automating. The energy savings from optimized pump scheduling can offset some of that cost over time. Builders note that this technology is evolving quickly, so choosing systems from established brands with strong update track records matters.

Is it right for you? If you're already living in a connected home and value convenience, this is a natural extension. For homeowners who aren't particularly tech-oriented, the learning curve can be frustrating—so honest self-assessment is worthwhile before committing.

4. Resort-Style Outdoor Living Spaces Are Taking Over

This is perhaps the biggest shift in how Richmond homeowners are thinking about pool projects in 2024: the pool itself is no longer the main event. Instead, it's the centerpiece of a fully designed outdoor living space that might include an outdoor kitchen, pergola, fire features, and lush landscaping.

Local builders report that the average scope of pool projects has expanded significantly, with many clients now budgeting for the surrounding hardscape and amenities as part of the same project. The result is a backyard that functions as a genuine extension of the home's living space—a place designed for entertaining, relaxing, and spending real time.

What builders are saying: This trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward investing in the home environment, accelerated by the pandemic years. It's not a fad—it's a rethinking of how outdoor space is valued. That said, the costs can escalate quickly. A complete resort-style outdoor living project can run two to three times the cost of the pool alone, so phasing the project over time is a smart approach for budget-conscious homeowners.

Is it right for you? If you entertain regularly or have a family that would genuinely use a well-designed outdoor space, the return—both in enjoyment and resale value—tends to be strong. If you just want a pool to cool off in during Virginia's hot summers, a simpler approach is perfectly valid.

5. Eco-Friendly Features Are Moving from Niche to Normal

Sustainability is showing up in pool design in ways that are both practical and genuinely impactful. Variable-speed pumps—which use significantly less electricity than single-speed models—are now required by federal energy standards, but many Richmond homeowners are going further with solar heating systems, pool covers that reduce evaporation and heat loss, and LED lighting upgrades that cut energy use dramatically.

Some homeowners are even exploring natural swimming pools, which use plants and biological filtration instead of chemicals—though these remain a niche choice that requires specific site conditions and ongoing maintenance knowledge.

What builders are saying: Variable-speed pumps and LED lighting are no-brainers at this point—the energy savings justify the cost quickly. Solar heating is a solid investment for homeowners who want to extend their swim season without running up propane or gas bills. Natural pools are fascinating but require a committed, knowledgeable owner.

Is it right for you? For most Richmond homeowners, incorporating eco-friendly features is less about ideology and more about long-term cost savings. Starting with a variable-speed pump and LED lighting is a practical baseline that almost everyone building a new pool should consider.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Backyard

Trends are useful as inspiration, but the best pool for your home is the one that fits your specific yard, your family's habits, and your budget—not just what happens to be popular right now. The builders listed in our Richmond directory can help you sort through the options, weigh the trade-offs, and design something that you'll still love ten years from now.

The most important conversation you can have isn't about which trends to follow. It's about what you actually want your backyard to feel like—and finding a local professional who can help you get there.