Frank Sinatra '40s Pool Included a Controversial Design Feature That's Making a Comeback in 2026

One feature defined the pools of the 20th century: a diving board. The trend was so pervasive that even Frank Sinatra took part.

An archival photograph from 1949 shows the famed singer helping his son, Frank Jr., jump off the diving board at their pool into the water below. It complements the Spanish-style design of the home and adds height to the area behind the plush pool loungers.

Luxury pool designer Brad Holley tells Homes & Gardens 'There is a classic, almost timeless Mid-Century image burned into people’s minds of a family outside together in their backyard. For years, decades even, this was the classic American snapshot of pool ownership.' In the intervening years, public opinion has turned, and diving boards have become less popular.'

However, Frank Sinatra's design is the perfect example of how diving boards can add not just fun, but aesthetic benefits to a pool area. As nostalgic design grows ever more popular, we think that this classic, Americana detail (like this diving board from Amazon) will return to the forefront of pool design in 2026.

To explore, we spoke with Brad about the misconceptions about diving boards and how you can use one as a design-led detail in your outdoor space. I've also curated an edit of retro pool furniture inspired by Frank Sinatra's '40s patio, to help you get the look.

Shop The Retro Pool Edit

Nostalgia has been reigning in every area of the home, and there's no reason to think that this summer it won't come for our outdoor spaces. Here are the Homes & Gardens team's favorite retro accents to bring the look to life.

First, let's explore why diving boards are emerging as a beloved pool deck trend for 2026. Brad explains that as the cost of pools has risen, the pressure on them to perform has gotten higher.

He states: 'Pools are now expected to be art installations and the visual centerpiece of your backyard. It needs to be designed so that you get maximum enjoyment out of it, both while outside and even when you’re inside looking at it from a distance. And the more that swimming pool aesthetics have become a priority for homeowners, the more discerning people have become regarding what is placed around them.' Frank Sinatra's pool provides a blueprint for what this could look like.

So, where does the bad rep come from? Brad explains that, as an element that was popular in pools of yore, diving boards have become associated with that time.

He states: 'If you ask anyone who has ever owned a diving board what they actually think of them, they’ll tell you the truth: “We used it for a little while, but the kids got bored with it pretty quickly. Nobody has touched it in years, and at this point, it’s not even safe to use because the mounting bolts have turned into pure rust." And that’s how the story used to end: a once-exciting accessory gets used for a couple of seasons only to be forgotten about and abandoned. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I’m here to tell you that you can still have a diving board AND incorporate it in a way that adds beauty.'

Based on his decades of experience in the pool design industry, Brad has strong opinions on where you can go to find a diving board that has the sleek glamor of Frank Sinatra's, rather than evoking the sad image above.

He tells Homes & Gardens: 'I want to point out that there are a couple of manufacturers who have taken the time to elevate the form and the overall appeal of the diving board, which is, in and of itself, a big step forward. If you’re considering including a diving board around your pool but you want something a little more modern, check out the manufacturer, S.R. Smith.'

He adds: 'For the ultra-discerning client who wants their swimming pool to resemble the collection of fine art inside their home, no amount of money can buy a finer diving board than the ones produced by the legendary Mikel Tube. From his humble little shop in Belgium, he passionately and carefully hand-crafts each one from certified Brazilian Ipe Wood. There is no better way to describe this diving board than to simply say, it is an art installation.'

However, you can elevate your pool party without going directly to these manufacturers. Brad recommends: 'The final piece of advice I’ll give regarding using a diving board to enhance your pool space is to say that you can alter the surroundings of the diving board or the place that it’s mounted in order to completely change the look and the feel of a diving board installation. There’s not really a widely accepted term for this, but as best as I can tell, it’s considered a recessed diving board.'

'Some of our industry’s more detail-oriented designers started a trend where they created a surrounding for their clients’ diving boards,' adds Brad. 'Whether it’s wood decking, stone, or even concrete, you can basically create an intentional void for a diving board to sit down inside in such a way that the top surface of the diving board will be flush (even and level) with its surroundings. When executed well (and especially if you can match the color of your Modern diving board to its surrounding materials), your diving board remains fully functional while almost disappearing into your hardscape and decking.'

This will help you create a pool area that captures the nostalgia and warmth of Frank Sinatra's vision, while feeling simultaneously modern.

As design grows more personal, even the outside of our homes need to reflect our approach to joy and fun. A design-led diving board is a great place to start.