2 min read- One couple discovered that their fixer-upper home once housed an indoor swimming pool after curious neighbors prompted them to investigate.
- Hidden under the home's flooring, the couple uncovered the original pool's concrete base and drain.
- The couple ultimately decided against restoring the pool, opting to renovate the space instead.
Buying a home is often equal parts exciting, stressful, and full of surprises—especially when it's a pre-loved property. You never know what might be hiding behind wallpaper, beneath floorboards, or even under the staircase. Influencer Carys Louise learned that lesson firsthand.
When Louise and her partner, Marc Lezar, purchased their charming Victorian fixer-upper, they knew they were in for some renovation work. As the couple settled into their new neighborhood, they kept hearing neighbors ask whether they planned to restore the home’s old pool. Confused, Louise saw no evidence of there ever having been a pool on the property—until the neighbors explained. The pool hadn't been outside. It had been built inside the home.
After hearing the story from multiple neighbors, Louise and Lezar decided they had to investigate. In an Instagram Reel shared with her more than 10,000 followers, Louise filmed Lezar pulling up floorboards to reveal a concrete floor complete with a drainage system. Although the pool had long since been filled in, one remnant remained: the original drain cover, a small reminder of the home's party-filled past.
Indoor swimming pools surged in popularity during the 1970s, when they became a coveted symbol of wealth and luxury in high-end homes. The decade embraced bold, custom design, and these pools often featured intricate mosaic tilework, wood-paneled ceilings, and lavish entertaining spaces. Despite their glamorous appeal, however, indoor pools never became a mainstream home feature. High installation and maintenance costs, along with the limited square footage of most middle-class homes, kept them firmly in the realm of the ultra-wealthy.
Much to the disappointment of her neighbors (and the video’s many commenters), Louise has no plans to restore the home's hidden pool. She admitted she briefly considered bringing it back to life, but quickly changed her mind after receiving a quote of more than £62,000 (nearly $82,700). Instead, she revealed in her Instagram caption, “We’ve already transformed this space into something amazing, and we can’t wait to share it with you!”
Considering the steep restoration costs—not to mention the ongoing maintenance an indoor pool would require—perhaps it's all for the best.
