This summer has been a hot one, and there’s no better way to escape the heat than to lie by the pool in your own backyard. Imagine sipping on iced tea while sunbathing or making a splash with friends at your next pool party.

Get inspired to create the perfect poolside spot with these seven swimming pool designs, brought to you by our friends at Porch.com.

1. Cool Industrial
This stylish backyard is a chic space to relax or entertain with its poured concrete pool surrounded by the house’s cool aluminum siding and steel beams. 

Image Credit: SHED Architecture & Design

2. Personal Private Country Club
Take a trip to the country club without having to leave your home by creating a personal place for peace and quiet. This five-star Seattle home has it all, with a large pool for playing, extra seats for lounging and more than enough space for hosting a pool party.   

Image Credit: Lane Williams Architect

3. Backyard Oasis
Two is better than one with this hot tub and swimming pool backyard duo. Complete with a custom pool, outdoor kitchen, travertine surround, and custom lighting and fountains, this home’s backyard is a piece of paradise.

Image Credit: JC Enterprises

4. Lakefront Splendor
This slice of aquatic real estate combines waterfront property with an outdoor swimming pool for a design that really makes a splash. Overlooking Lake Washington, this luxurious backyard pool is what many of us only dream of enjoying.

Image Credit: Gelotte Hommas

5. Tropical Garden
Nestled in the mountains, this Washington home’s tropical outdoor oasis features a natural-style gunite pool and spa, patio with a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, changing rooms and lush plantings.

Image Credit: Darwin Webb Landscape Arch

6. Mediterranean Estate
This Mediterranean-inspired home features a generous backyard with outdoor living areas and a grand swimming pool with a sweeping waterfront view, making it quite the poolside paradise.

Image Credit: Gelotte Hommas

7. Tuscan Manor
Escape to another country in this scenic backyard, full of beautiful landscaping, an outdoor entertaining area and the perfectly sized swimming pool in which to take a dip every summer. Read more about this stunning property, which appeared in our September 2014 issue, here.

Image Credit: Gelotte Hommas