Last Updated: September 2026
The backyards that work well on Smithtown waterfront lots keep the view open, cut the wind and give you comfortable places to gather from spring through late fall. Three design ideas do most of that work: a water feature such as a pool or hot tub with an infinity edge, green privacy planted along the sides of the yard, and a fire feature with built-in seating. Each one can stand alone, and together they make one connected outdoor space.
Design idea 1: How can a pool or hot tub feel like part of the water?
People buy on the water because they like being in it, on it or next to it, so a pool or hot tub is a natural fit. An infinity edge is the standout design here. One side sits at water level, so the surface appears to continue straight out into the pond, river or lake beyond it. The result feels luxurious and ties the yard to the view you bought the house for.
New York’s residential code requires a barrier around residential pools, and your town building department confirms the details. On the water side, glass panels are the usual choice because they meet that need without blocking the view.
Waterfront lots often slope toward the water and can sit on high groundwater, and work near the shoreline may need extra review. Plan for those early so the design doesn’t change mid-project. We design pools and build the patios, coping and hardscape around them, so the whole layout gets planned together.
Design idea 2: How do you add privacy and shelter without blocking the view?
Plant along the sides of the yard, not across the back. A few smaller trees or large shrubs on the property lines cut down what neighbors and passers-by can see while leaving your view of the water untouched. They also knock down some of the wind. On freshwater edges like ponds, rivers and lakes, river birch grows well near the water, and its roots help hold the soil and resist erosion along the bank. White fir is another evergreen option, but it gets large over time and needs well-drained soil with no salt exposure. Saltwater and brackish shorelines are a different story and call for salt-tolerant plants.
Side plantings can make your property a little less visible from the water, so weigh that as you plan. For shelter overhead, keep the main space open in summer with retractable shade close at hand, so you get sun or shade on demand. If the layout allows, a separate raised terrace reached by a set of steps and covered with an awning or pergola adds another outdoor room, more privacy from neighboring houses and a place to sit out a passing shower.
Design idea 3: Why build a fire feature with built-in seating?
Waterfront yards get drafty at night and in the cooler months, so a fire feature earns its place. A fireplace is usually the safer bet on the water because the fire is contained and less affected by wind. Set on a paver patio, it becomes the center of entertaining and keeps guests warm while they gather.
Seat walls around a fireplace or fire pit give guests a place to settle in close to the heat, and they can offer a little shelter from the breeze. Built-in seating also saves space, so you’re not rearranging furniture every time people come over. It can be part of a retaining wall that wraps a fire pit, built into the fireplace design, or formed by the edge of a partially raised pool. A comfortable coping helps the wall blend into the hardscape, cushions add color, and seat walls can even hide storage for tools or firewood.
Tie this entertaining area back to the house. Wide sliding doors between the family room and the patio let indoors and out read as one space, and placing an outdoor kitchen near the indoor one keeps serving easy. A minimalist design with natural stone counters and contemporary pavers keeps that transition clean.
We design and build patios, walls and fire features for homeowners throughout Smithtown and across Suffolk County.
FAQ
Can you put an infinity edge pool on a waterfront lot?
Often, yes. Waterfront lots frequently slope toward the water, which is the grade change an infinity edge needs. The design has to account for drainage and soil conditions, plus any rules for building near the shoreline, and the pool still needs a code-required barrier. Glass panels on the water side keep the view open.
What trees work for privacy on the water?
On freshwater edges like ponds, rivers and lakes, river birch handles wet soil well and its roots help stabilize banks. Plant along the sides of the property so you screen neighbors without blocking the view. On saltwater or brackish shorelines, choose salt-tolerant plants instead, since many common trees struggle with salt spray.
Is a fireplace or fire pit better for a windy yard?
A fireplace usually works better where wind is a factor, since the fire is enclosed on several sides and the chimney directs smoke up and away. Seat walls around it give some shelter from the breeze. A fire pit can still work in a sheltered corner, especially with trees or walls breaking the wind.
Want a plan that ties the pool and patio to the planting? See our landscape design for Smithtown homes.
See how this comes together on a real property with Entertaining Paradise, our project in Dix Hills, NY.
