The swimming pool industry has witnessed a fundamental shift over the past decade. What was once primarily a status symbol has transformed into something homeowners consider essential to their daily lives.
Patrick O’Neal, CEO of Century Pools in Orangevale, California, has watched this evolution unfold from a unique vantage point. His family has been building gunite pools since 1964, giving them six decades of perspective on what constitutes a lasting design trend versus a fleeting fad.
The change didn’t happen overnight.
From Status Symbol to Family Gathering Space
Even before the pandemic accelerated home improvement trends, Century Pools noticed homeowners asking different questions. The conversations shifted from size and showy features to usability, comfort, and long-term enjoyment.
Patrick recalls a family in the late 2010s who wanted a pool that could accommodate their kids, extended family gatherings, and even work-from-home breaks. They talked about spending entire weekends outdoors, not just swimming laps.
“That conversation was a clear signal,” Patrick explains. “People were starting to see their backyards as multi-use living spaces rather than just status symbols.”
The pandemic only intensified what was already underway. Swimming pools suddenly became “essential” to many homeowners during lockdowns, with demand for recreation, relaxation, and entertainment at home fueling residential pool construction.
Today, the pool industry sits nearly 31% above pre-pandemic levels, signaling durable demand rather than temporary enthusiasm.
What Multi-Use Living Actually Looks Like
The shift from “static display” to “extension of the home” required rethinking fundamental design elements.
In the early 2000s, a status symbol pool typically featured large geometric shapes, flashy waterfalls, and dramatic tile. But there was little thought about lounging, shallow play areas, or social flow.
By the late 2010s, Century Pools started integrating features that supported how families actually spend time outdoors:
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Shallow Baja shelves for kids and casual lounging
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Built-in seating walls that double as conversation areas
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Shaded zones for relaxation
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Flexible spaces that can host gatherings of any size
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Strategic lighting and fire features
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Connection to outdoor kitchens or patios
These elements reflect a broader industry trend. Pools in 2025 are designed to serve multiple functions beyond swimming, including swim-up bars and sunken seating, as outdoor spaces become true extensions of the home.
The Pinterest Problem
When homeowners arrive with Pinterest boards full of infinity edges and dramatic waterfalls, Century Pools doesn’t immediately say no.
“Our first goal is to understand why they love each element,” Patrick says. “We talk through how they actually envision using the pool day-to-day—morning swims, weekend entertaining, kids playing, family lounging—and what will hold up structurally over time.”
This is where California-specific realities come into play.
Take oversized vanishing-edge waterfalls. They look stunning on Instagram, but in a California backyard, the technical challenges multiply. Soil movement, seismic activity, and drainage all become factors.
Patrick has worked on projects where the homeowner loved the concept, but once they evaluated the site, the slope and soil conditions meant the wall would shift over time, create uneven water flow, or put stress on the shell.
“In those cases, we guide them to a modified design,” he explains. “Sometimes a slightly smaller edge, additional structural reinforcement, or adjusted water flow preserves the visual impact but ensures the pool remains durable, safe, and low-maintenance for decades.”
It’s a balance of aspiration and reality.
What Gunite Can Do Now That It Couldn’t in 1964
When Brian O’Neal founded Century Pools with a shovel in hand, pool construction was far more limited. Pools were largely geometric and uniform, with less understanding of soil variability and structural reinforcement.
Today’s construction techniques have evolved dramatically to address California-specific challenges while preserving contemporary aesthetics.
Modern gunite allows Century Pools to engineer complex shapes, vanishing edges, tiered layouts, and integrated features like Baja shelves or spas. They customize steel reinforcement, shell thickness, and support beams to match each property’s soil and slope.
The advances go deeper than design flexibility. Better curing methods, additives, and concrete formulations improve long-term resilience. Steel-reinforced concrete gunite structures can withstand various environmental pressures, including shifting soil and even minor earthquakes, which is why gunite remains popular in California.
“Gunite gives us the flexibility to push the boundaries of design without compromising structural integrity,” Patrick notes. “We can deliver pools that are both visually striking and built to last decades—something that simply wasn’t possible in the early days of the company.”
The Litmus Test for Timeless Design
With the technical capability to build almost anything, how do you distinguish between genuine innovation and fleeting trends?
Patrick’s litmus test is straightforward: Will this design serve real, everyday use and feel timeless?
Trends can be visually striking, but if a feature doesn’t enhance how a family interacts with the pool—how they swim, lounge, entertain, or play—it risks feeling dated or underused in a few years.
The team looks for balance: proportion, flow, durability, and adaptability.
A sleek vanishing edge or fire feature can be contemporary but also functional and safe. Overly elaborate waterfalls or ultra-specific shapes might read as dramatic now but become cumbersome or impractical over time.
“Innovation for us isn’t just what looks impressive on opening day,” Patrick says. “It’s what continues to enrich family life, integrates with the landscape, and can evolve as needs change, even decades down the line.”
This philosophy aligns with current design trends. Sleek, minimalist pool designs with clean lines, neutral colors, and simple geometric shapes like rectangles or L-shaped pools are popular among homeowners seeking a modern, timeless aesthetic.
What Families Actually Do With Their Pools
Observing behavior patterns over time reveals gaps between what homeowners plan for and what they actually use.
The most common surprise? How much time families spend in and around the pool without actually swimming.
Shallow lounging areas—what the industry calls tanning ledges or Baja shelves—get used constantly. Parents supervise kids from these shallow platforms. Teenagers lounge there while scrolling their phones. Adults relax there with a book or beverage.
These features provide a resort-style ambiance and can be outfitted with comfortable in-water loungers, making them ideal for sunbathing or supervising children.
Built-in seating becomes the preferred spot for conversations. Fire features extend the usable season into cooler months. Lighting transforms the pool into an evening gathering space.
First-time pool owners often wish they had planned for more of these “non-swimming” zones.
Looking Ahead: The Next Wave of Innovation
After 60 years in the business, Century Pools has learned to distinguish between what homeowners say they want and what they’ll actually value long-term.
The next wave of innovation appears to be moving toward wellness integration and sustainability. Homeowners are increasingly interested in hydrotherapy jets, saltwater systems, and features that support physical and mental health.
Energy-efficient pumps, solar heating systems, LED lighting, and variable-speed filtration systems are becoming standard components of modern pool builds. More homeowners are opting for saltwater systems, which use fewer harsh chemicals.
But the core principle remains unchanged.
The pools that stand the test of time are the ones designed around how families actually live. They balance contemporary aesthetics with practical functionality. They consider California’s unique environmental challenges. They create spaces for memories, not just Instagram moments.
“Being a multigenerational pool contractor isn’t just about longevity,” Patrick reflects. “It’s about building lasting relationships based on trust and shared dreams. Each project is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and to earning your trust.”
As the O’Neal family continues the legacy Brian started in 1964, they remain focused on creating spaces that families will cherish for generations—pools that serve as treasured meeting places where memories are made, family events are held, and new beginnings are celebrated.
That’s the kind of innovation that never goes out of style.
