10 Outdoor Living Essentials for The Ultimate Summer Pool Party
There is no better place to spend a hot summer day than poolside. By combining reinvented summer essentials with timeless granite and stone features from Swenson Granite Works, a backyard pool can become a favorite hangout spot for parties all summer long.
Even the easiest additions, from colorful dinnerware to plush towels, can make a space feel fun and welcoming with minimal effort, while natural stone hardscaping keeps your backyard landscape stunning for years to come.
This summer, turn everyday get-togethers into unforgettable events with these outdoor living essentials for the ultimate pool party.
THE POOL
Woodbury gray granite pavers and custom coping provide a beautiful transition from pool to greenery at this Martha’s Vineyard estate. Project by Jonathan Keep Landscape Design.
A pool can double as both the centerpiece of your landscape design and a focal point for summer gatherings. Whether you’re installing a new pool or updating an existing one, stone is an excellent option when it comes to luxury, durability, and functionality. With Swenson Granite Works’ natural stone, you can charm your guests with all the amenities of a vacation resort right in your own backyard.
Granite, limestone and bluestone are excellent materials for pool coping, decking and patios. Not only are granite and natural stone slip resistant, naturally durable and maintenance free, they are also beautiful in appearance and have a consistent look that can stand the test of time.
Many homeowners favor Swenson Granite Works’ Woodbury Gray granite due to its light color, which allows it to retain less heat, unlike darker alternatives. For an added element of safety, sandblasting the granite coping makes it slip-resistant.
Indiana limestone, which Swenson now supplies at our 9 retail locations, is an excellent option for outdoor areas. Full Color Blend Indiana limestone pavers add lasting structure and elegance to any backyard, while custom limestone coping offers the same for your pool.
With it’s unique hue, bluestone blends with natural surroundings to create a harmonious environment. A thermal finish makes this stone even more durable and smooth to the touch.
A PARTY-READY PATIO
Bring the comfort of your living room outdoors with a functional and furnished patio. Serving as both an open dining area and a cozy space for lounging after a day in the sun, this backyard gathering area is a summertime essential.
The perfect patio begins with attractive, long-lasting materials. With its exceptional durability and beautiful appearance, granite and natural stone are great options for patio flooring and walls. Excellent traction when wet and the ability to withstand freeze-thaw cycles make stone a favorite among homeowners in climates with harsh winters.
Learn more about choosing the perfect natural stone for your outdoor patio.
With a beautiful patio in place, get ready for outdoor dining and relaxing by setting your space with weather-resistant dining furniture, comfortable chairs and large umbrellas.
The cozy patio at this Hollis, New Hampshire home features full color natural cleft bluestone. Boston Blend ledgestone thin veneer, along with 2” thermal top Woodbury Gray granite wall caps and countertop, accentuates the space. Project by Northern Lights Landscape Contractors.
OUTDOOR COOKING AND DINING AREA
An outdoor kitchen makes cooking and serving at your next pool party convenient as ever, giving you an all-in-one space to store, cook and serve food to your guests.
Swenson Granite Works’ granite and natural stone countertops and custom veneer can elevate any outdoor cooking and dining area, adding an element of luxury and comfort to even the most laid-back barbecues.
When it comes to durability, natural stone is much more resilient than concrete or tile, especially in its ability to withstand the freeze-thaw cycle in colder climates
Swenson Granite Works’ thin stone veneer with granite, limestone or bluestone countertops deliver an elegant appearance that pairs beautifully with stainless steel appliances. Their low-maintenance properties and resistance to bacteria make them an excellent year-round option for everyday practicality.
Learn more about how to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen.
Weathered Quarry veneer, bluestone countertops, and bluestone patio pavers complement stainless steel appliances in this New Hampshire outdoor kitchen.
With your outdoor kitchen stocked and ready, entertain guests with classic summer dishes like these crispy barbecue chicken tenders, teriyaki shish kabobs, or other delicious summer dish ideas from Taste of Home.
Don’t forget to include a pitcher or large beverage dispenser of fruit-infused water to keep guests hydrated all day long.
DURABLE OUTDOOR DINNERWARE
Complete your backyard dining experience with durable serveware perfect for dining al-fresco.
If disposable plates come to mind when you think of plastic dinnerware, think again.
“There are actually plenty of chic, attractive choices out there made of melamine (a hard plastic),” says Epicurious. “Though not compatible for the microwave, the sturdy, lightweight plates are nearly indestructible, making them ideal for backyard parties and picnics.”
For melamine plates that look like fine ceramic dinnerware, check out this list by Real Simple.
Lehua Melamine Dinner Plates by Anthropologie
COMFORTABLE SEATING OPTIONS
Whether for lounging poolside or bathing in the hot summer sun, comfortable outdoor seating is essential at any pool party. Chaise lounge chairs provide a place to relax and sunbathe, while Adirondack and patio chairs are great options for a porch or patio.
This brightly-colored outdoor sofa provides a pop of color and fun to a backyard space, while providing a cozy place to lounge in the shade. Photo credit: Magma Design Group
It’s no surprise that Adirondack chairs are a classic backyard favorite for many homeowners; aside from their visual appeal, cushions can transform them into one of the most comfortable outdoor seating options around. Featured here are Woodbury Gray granite patio steps.
Chaise lounges complete any backyard setting and are perfect for sunbathing between dips in the pool. Custom Woodbury Gray granite patio pavers and pool coping featured here at this home in Rye, NH. Project by Great Works Landscape.
This custom built Woodbury Gray granite couch is perfect for the oceanfront seating area at the Rye, NH residence. Project by Great Works Landscape.
No backyard patio is complete without a patio dining set. Pictured here is a backyard patio area featuring a mix of Boston Blend ledgestone and mosaic thin veneer with a Woodbury Gray granite cap. The patio stone is full color natural cleft bluestone. Project by Northern Lights Landscape Contractors.
SHADE AND SHELTER
A hot summer day is ideal for throwing a pool party, but even the most lavish patio or backyard can be uncomfortable without proper shelter from the sun. Depending on your space and atmosphere, anything from lush shade trees to stylish canopies can be used to provide much-needed shelter in your outdoor oasis.
Shade trees enhance the natural environment of a landscape while also keeping your space comfortable. When choosing trees for a poolside area, it is important to consider leaf drop, root systems, container vs. in-ground planting, and integration with the surrounding landscape.
Citrus trees are a warm-weather favorite that can be potted for convenient mobility.
“An advantage to growing a poolside citrus tree in a container is that you can move it around to follow or get away from the sun,” says The Spruce.
Acacias or Japanese Maples also make excellent pool-friendly shade trees, as they drop fewer leaves than most trees and provide ample shelter from the sun.
If you’re looking to expand your patio, a pergola is an excellent source of shade that can be enhanced with foliage or an overhead canopy. Umbrellas are another excellent way to keep your patio cool, whether used to provide shade over an outdoor dining table or placed poolside over a lounge chair.
Additionally, if you have the space, a gazebo will not only add value to your property, but also allow you to accommodate more guests in your backyard.
A minimalist design approach elevates an outdoor space with a white umbrella and chaise lounge set. Woodbury Gray granite coping and custom-cut pavers create a charming yet sophisticated pool patio. Project by Great Works Landscape.
Vivid orange umbrellas pair well with bright turquoise blue chaise lounges. Pictured here is an outdoor kitchen and pool area featuring Connecticut Blend Ledge thin veneer, and Woodbury Gray granite countertops, pool coping and steps. Modwalls Lush glass subway tile is in the pool. Project by Magma Design Group.
LIGHTING
The sunset doesn’t have to mark the end of your pool party. With the proper amenities, a sunny space can be transformed into an enchanting evening atmosphere.
A beautiful way to complement a home year-round, Swenson Granite Works’ granite lamp posts provide elegant illumination to any nighttime backyard setting.
In addition, walkway lamp posts are a smaller alternative suitable for illuminating a stone path or sidewalk to your patio, garden, or pool deck.
Learn more about how you can use Swenson Granite Works’ lamp posts in your backyard landscape.
A stately Woodbury Gray granite lamp post makes an attractive accent in any part of a yard.
Light a path or entryway with low-profile Woodbury Gray granite lamp posts with optional granite caps.
Your pool can be brought to life in the evening with the soft glow of pool lights, which create a cozy ambiance that transitions an outdoor space from day to night.
Pool lights illuminate this Cohasset, Massachusetts estate, which features bluestone pool coping and decking and Woodbury Gray granite steps. Project by Sean Papich Landscape Architecture and Seoane Landscape Design.
A summer get-together wouldn’t be the same without the inviting warmth of a crackling fire. Whether it’s a small fire pit where guests can roast marshmallows or a roaring outdoor fireplace where large groups can gather under the stars, a fire feature can double as a source of lighting and warmth capable of extending a daytime pool party well into the night.
Swenson Granite Works’ Woodbury Gray granite DIY fire pit with a 30” diameter cast iron ring and cooking grate takes less than a day to assemble, making it a favorite among homeowners. It is available in Woodbury Gray and 6 other colors by custom order. Project by Jeremi Bigosiński, Form Plus Matter.
Learn how to install a Swenson DIY firepit in your own backyard.
A Woodbury Gray granite hearth and mantel complete this large outdoor fireplace. Woodbury Gray granite split face steps and New England Style wallstone provide a seamless transition to the pool area. Project by Seoane Landscape Design.
OUTDOOR GAMES
Bringing everyone together is simple with classic outdoor games and easy-to-learn sports like bocce, horseshoes, ladder ball, or cornhole. Fantastic alternatives for larger groups of players include badminton, volleyball, croquet, and frisbee.
For an eye-catching feature, Swenson Granite Works’ granite chess table is a one-of-a-kind fixture that provides a unique accent to your yard while also bringing people of all ages together for fun and entertainment.
Swenson Granite Works’ handcrafted granite chess table and benches combine novelty and nature to create a fresh spin on the classic board game.
POOL FLOATS
Pool floats are a great way to add lighthearted flair to a party, inviting children and adults alike to jump in and play. Add an unexpected pop of color and playfulness to your pool party with these fun and brightly-colored floats.
Fun designs like this watermelon float bring an element of youth and playfulness to any setting.
EXTRA TOWELS
To complete a pool party, an extra stack of vibrant towels should be kept on hand for guests. These classic pastel prints from Serena & Lily pair nicely with any theme, or you can achieve a more contemporary look with these geometric designs from Laguna Beach Textile Company.
Cabana Towels by Laguna Beach Textile Company
Take a look at our pool party moodboard for more inspiration.
Sources:
- Modwalls Lush glass subway tile
- Woodbury Gray granite pool coping
- Woodbury Gray granite patio
- Rosé Floaté pool float
- Laguna Beach Textile Company cabana towel
- Woodbury Gray granite lamp post
- Woodbury Gray granite DIY fire pit
- Back Meadow Fieldstone outdoor fireplace with bluestone hearth and mantel
- Anthropologie Lehua melamine dinner plates
- Woodbury Gray granite chess table
- Quest 110mm Premium Level Bocce Set
- Polished Woodbury Gray granite countertop and facing
- Lynx Sedona grill cart
- Serena & Lily Pacifica chaise
- Perigold California umbrella
- Rosecliff Heights Carrasco patio daybed with cushions
- Geneva dining table and four Huntington dining chairs
- L.L. Bean Adirondack chair
- Handy Home Products San Marino round gazebo
- New England Arbors Venetian pergola
Dive into stunning pool designs to inspire your own backyard oasis. Download our Pools and Patios Inspiration Book today.
