In the summertime, our backyards become our private sanctuaries, providing an escape from the rest of the busy world. While it's easy to stay within our comfort zone while furnishing these quiet Edens, the true magic happens when we infuse our gardens with the same character that weaves throughout the inside of our homes. In 1968, John Lennon provided a masterclass in doing just that.
A photo of the back of his Tudor-style mansion in the Surrey, England village of Weybridge, bordering Esher, gives insight into the musician's approach to pool design. Rather than falling into the typical cliches, John Lennon sets his outdoor design apart with checkerboard tiles, windowbox-style planters (like these stylish steel ones from Wayfair), and a collection of small olive trees edging the patio. The look is simple, but the impact is strong, demonstrating that even a few small upgrades can completely elevate an outdoor space.
As homeowners seek out pool areas with more personality for 2026, John Lennon's design becomes the perfect blueprint for our outdoor designs. To explore, Homes & Gardens curated an edit of the accessories found at the musician's house, and spoke to experts about the direction of outdoor decorating trends for 2026, and how they align with John's design. To start, here's a peek into his backyard.
Recreate John Lennon's Poolside Look at Home
John uses terracotta pots on his patio to contrast with the natural stone platform, and this one is a wonderful pick for doing the same. Featuring warm orange tones and a soft, chalky finish, this versatile piece can serve as a planter throughout the year.
This 17-inch window box planter is stylishly chic. It has drainage holes, and would work just as well on the edge of a pool patio or a window ledge, to create a wall of plants.
If you don't want to redo your patio with a checker pattern, bring it to your table. These napkins are much more memorable. They bring a touch of traditional whimsy to your dining room tablescape and look right on trend in the process.
This gingham pillow would look great layered with other prints, patterns, and colors. It's a new must-have for your outdoor loungers and armchairs for bringing in a hint of checkerboard.
The perfect plant for your container is a Mediterranean-style olive tree. It brings the beauty of ancient civilizations into your garden, adding a traditionally historic charm that's hard to resist.
This outdoor rug packs outsized impact in a deceptively simple two-tone format. In black-on-beige, it brings enough graphic weight to rival statement pieces, but it softens easily in tonal neutrals or the nature-inspired green seen here.
This year, outdoor trends are moving towards experiential design, and a stylish pool deck idea is the perfect place to start. Designs like John Lennon's that incorporate personality among simplicity are growing ever more popular.
Isabel Fernandez, design expert at Quorn Stone explains: 'From hosting friends for a lively match viewing to simply enjoying a quiet morning coffee, an inspiring outdoor space sets the scene for memorable summer moments.'
Container planting around the pool, as we see with the window box containers and terracotta planters at John's, is an excellent way to bring this personality in with a green edge. Rather than traditional gardening, homeowners are opting for these easy-to-move, easy-to-care-for pots.
Sustainable Garden Design Expert Robert Witcomb explains: 'Sustainability is influencing not just planting choices but garden furnishings and décor. Reclaimed materials, recycled planters, and adaptable container gardening solutions are on the rise, offering flexibility and reduced environmental impact. Containers and modular elements also support the growth of vertical planting and seasonal redesigns, allowing gardens to adapt without major renovations.'
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