My sister and I spent almost every sun-dappled day of summer 2004 in our grandmother’s pool. We played mermaids for about half the time, and for the other, we were on the diving board devising new jumps. The diving board wasn’t only for looks; it was integral to the memories and fun of those summers.
That’s why I feel so nostalgic when I look back at pictures of Doris Day’s pool from the 1940s. Though the actress was swimming at her Hollywood home long before my time, there’s something about her unbridled joy sitting on her diving board or jumping off that the streamlined lap pools of the 2020s simply don’t offer. As nature-forward design has become all the rage, diving boards have faded out of fashion, with aesthetics reigning over our outdoor design choices. This summer, however, I’m objecting to the dominant narrative and insisting: bring diving boards back.
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Doris Day at her Hollywood pool, 1940
(Image credit: Bettmann via Getty Images)
Shop The Nostalgic Pool Edit
From a diving board to perfect poolside privacy planting to pretty lighting that allows swimming late into the evenings, here’s everything you need for a pool party as they did in the ’40s.
Best Seller
A diving board gives your pool area instant charm, and this one from Amazon is a great pick. It’s a best seller on the site, and I love its smooth white surface.
Large Leaves
This vibrant palm is popular in shady landscapes. It has distinctive ruffled, pleated, fan-shaped leaves, giving it an exotic and ultra-tropical appearance.
Fast-growing
Japanese Boxwoods are low-maintenance and provide structure and formality over a long period. They are a fantastic option for garden novices and make great privacy screens when planted together.
Fun for evening events
Floating Solar Powered Pool Lights
Skip the expense of mains-powered lighting – these elegant floating solar pool lights add a striking glow after dark, are easy to install, and come in a wide range of styles to suit any backyard.
Intricate nighttime display
Go2garden Outdoor Solar Big Lantern
This solar lantern brightens borders, edges, and pathways while adding instant visual interest after dark. Its intricate cut-out design is the standout feature – and always a conversation starter.
Geometric twist
Sorrento Outdoor Chaise Lounge
A great pool lounger is the perfect place to recline after practicing your coolest jumps off the diving board. This textured one is especially beautiful with a stylish shape.
My first argument for diving boards is that, as a design writer, I actually think they can be very stylish. I get the sense that much of the removal of diving boards from home pools is due to their having a bad reputation as an eyesore. Though this may have been the case in the past, in 2026, there are so many options for cool, design-led diving boards in high-quality materials that actually visually add to your pool area.
One of their many design benefits is that they add instant height to your pool area. Unlike furniture, a diving board sits directly abutting your pool, so it brings in a slightly higher silhouette in the central area of the lawn. Your pool party guests will be impressed.
Furthermore, as I explained above, the best design is human-centered. Rather than blindly prioritizing aesthetics, adding a diving board is a great option for centering, whimsy, play, and fun in your pool area. The archival image of Doris Day at her pool is a great reminder of this; even as a glamorous movie star, she wanted to build her pool to be the most fun possible to swim in. With my summer hosting, I’m planning to do the same.
Though adding a diving board might not be for everyone, I think it’s one of the chicest ways to upgrade your outdoor space for 2026.