The Pool and Patio Playbook

There’s nothing like a Kansas City backyard in the full swing of summer, and homeowners are leaning into it more than ever. Today’s outdoor living spaces feel like true extensions of the home, bringing all the comfort and style of the indoors out. Even better, they offer a sense of escape without needing to pack a suitcase. Here are a few standout spaces that prove it.

Coastal Calm

For designer Maureen Lindstrom and her family, designing her backyard escape was all about bringing the vacation vibe to her home. “We love to travel, especially to the beach, and we often stay at hotels right on the water,” she says. “So we wanted to create our own little oasis at home—somewhere we could escape to and really enjoy.”

In-water loungers are inviting for long, lazy days in the pool (which, in this humidity, we know is much appreciated), and a large sundeck is dotted in nautical-style chairs, which Lindstrom says she chose because they’re as comfy as they are elegant. The pool itself has a gentle slope but stays relatively shallow, making it comfortable and usable from end to end for the whole family.

A standout feature that you won’t find at your average home pool: a swim-up bar with stools on both sides, perfect for games or happy hour. A nearby privacy wall with built-in water features adds a soothing trickling-water soundtrack, and subtle lighting throughout the hot tub and bar area creates a magical glow after dark.

Everything about Lindstrom’s pool was intentionally designed—right down to the plaster color, which ultimately affects the color of the pool water. “I wanted it to feel like a sophisticated blue,” she says. “My home is blue and white inside, and I wanted that look to carry outside, too.” The result is an at-home paradise that flows seamlessly from indoors to out.

Screen Time

When a young family from Prairie Village reached out to design firm Schloegel Design Remodel to add a screened-in porch to their home, their request was to be able to relax and enjoy the outdoors comfortably, rain or shine, without battling the bugs or elements. With a toddler and another baby on the way, that kind of comfort was especially important to them. “They really wanted something that felt like a natural extension of the home,” says designer Donna Kirsopp, who led the project. “Our goal was to make it feel like it had always been there.”

A vaulted 12-foot ceiling with wood slatting and an exposed ridge beam give the space warmth and height while a gas fireplace with a sleek wall system anchors the room. A ceiling fan, mounted TV and carefully placed lighting round out the modern, transitional design. “We chose the Vintage Vein finish for its warm, almost copper tone,” Kirsopp says of the wall. “It complements the wood and concrete perfectly.”

The natural light that pours in through clerestory openings above the fireplace and the French doors creates an airy, open feel. “Capturing light was essential,” Kirsopp says. “We wanted the space to glow throughout the day.”

The space has quickly become a favorite for the family, Kirsopp says. “They told me they use it more than their finished basement. That’s the best kind of feedback.”

Modern Oasis

In the heart of Lee’s Summit, this stunning pool transformed what was an ordinary backyard into something extraordinary. The sleek side-entry step system and LED light display creates a unique backdrop for intimate gatherings and lively celebrations under the stars.

“The homeowner was really focused on having something that felt unique and modern,” says Ramon Vazquez of Aqua Blue Pools, the pool installer. The side-entry steps of this design give the pool a contemporary edge while the color-changing lights make it a perfect party place, Vazquez says.

The integration of deck jets making gentle water sounds adds an auditory element that helps create a relaxing outdoor living atmosphere. The concrete deck coping reinforces the clean, modern aesthetic while requiring minimal upkeep—exactly what the homeowners wanted.“The client wanted to enjoy their backyard, not spend weekends maintaining it,” Vazquez says.

A prominent natural stone fountain serves as the space’s centerpiece, and tall, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs frame the entire area. This outdoor retreat achieves that perfect balance of structured sophistication and organic beauty—a private sanctuary where modern luxury meets natural tranquility, inviting you to dive into your own slice of paradise.

By the Firelight

With its crisp lines and inviting textures, this cozy firepit lounge, brought to life by Abby Humphreys of Collected Living Design, strikes the perfect balance between polish and practicality.

“The client was drawn to the timeless elegance of a checkerboard pattern but wanted it to feel fresh and approachable,” Humphreys says. “Using turf between the pavers gave us that structured grid while softening the overall feel. It creates a visual rhythm that’s both playful and refined.”

The furniture selection also reflects a mix of comfort and character: Oversized Adirondack chairs in a soft white exude a coastal-casual Hamptons style. “We looked for pieces that felt elevated but never too formal—perfect for gathering with friends or enjoying a quiet morning coffee,” Humphreys says.

Anchoring the space is a custom cast-concrete firepit with a gas-burning insert that keeps things cozy with minimal effort and extends the patio’s use through every season. “This space was meant for year-round connection,” Humphreys says. “It’s versatile by design.”

Country Retreat

Nestled in the rolling countryside of Holt, Missouri, just outside Kansas City, this organic free-form pool transformed a simple backyard into a private sanctuary. The design flows naturally with the country setting, and the elevated deck-on-deck auto cover system is convenient and sophisticated.

“The homeowner was really focused on creating something that felt both functional and beautiful,” says Paige Warner, regional operations manager at Probuilt, the company that installed this pool. “He knew the splash pad needed to be a true hangout area, which is why we incorporated seating along with the bubbler feature.”

Bubblers serve a dual purpose: maintaining water circulation to prevent debris buildup while creating soothing background sounds that create a tranquil atmosphere.

The new patio seamlessly connects to existing hardscape elements, creating a cohesive design that feels intentional rather than pieced together over time. “It’s about creating that perfect balance of form and function,” Warner says. 

Backyard Paradise

Located in South Overland Park, this outdoor space was brought to life by Jeff Svilarich, principal with Red Oak Landscaping. Svilarich worked around an existing backyard pool with Beyond Blue Outdoors, who created a custom-made aluminum pergola with remote-controlled louvered panels. 

“The homeowners wanted a comfortable place for friends and family,” Slivarich says, and that vision is beautifully realized throughout the design. The covered patio area features an inviting firepit that serves as the heart of the space, and a putting green adds to the fun. The outdoor kitchen completes the entertainment space. 

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