With summer in full swing, floats are a necessity at any pool party. But for planners in search of floats that are more trendy than the standard inflatable tube, many companies offer products resembling unicorns, golden swans, monarch butterflies, and yachts. Here's a look at high-end pool floats that can be used at events this summer—and ways some recent functions have incorporated floats into their design and activations.
Perrier celebrated its many flavors—including the new strawberry and watermelon varieties—with a weeklong pop-up experience that came to an event space in New York’s SoHo neighborhood from July 12 to 16. The event featured a branded bubble ball pit in the Perrier colors, as well as props that included fruit-theme pool floats such as watermelons, strawberries, and oranges. The event was produced in partnership with experiential marketing agency the Michael Alan Group.Â
At Toronto Life’s inaugural Doughnut Festival, which took place in June at Dufferin Mall, doughnut pool floats were used as ceiling decor.
The Village Voice hosted its 10th annual Choice Eats food festival in May at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York. The event offered a photo booth with props that included pretzel, doughnut, popsicle, pineapple, and pizza floats.Â
At BuzzFeed’s annual Pride party, which took place in June at Villain in Brooklyn, colorful photo ops incorporated a variety of pool floats, including one that was designed to look like a castle.Â
Sydney, Australia-based summer lifestyle company Sunnylife offers a variety of giant luxury floats, including a gold swan, $70. The floats can be purchased directly from the company website and are shipped worldwide.Â
The lie-on rainbow float, $60, can be used for Pride events or a standard pool party.Â
Giving the standard flamingo an extra bit of glamour, the rose gold flamingo float, $70, could pair perfectly with rosé-filled pool parties.Â
California-based summer lifestyle company Funboy offers a variety of trendy floats, including a red lips float, $79. Floats ship worldwide.Â
One of the company’s larger floats is a 50-foot rainbow cloud daybed, $169, designed for at least two people to lounge.Â
For a float that pulls double duty, a yacht-inspired float, $128, has a daybed for two, two drink holders, and a front cooler.Â
For a budget option, pool float company GoFloats offers a festive unicorn float on Amazon, with the price starting at $20.
The company sells mini inflatable drink holders, $8.55 for a pack of three.
Omaha-based indoor-outdoor furnishing and decor company Hayneedle.com offers a line of Swimline-brand floats, including an ice cream cone float, $37, that could pair with ice cream socials and dessert-theme events.Â
For Cinco de Mayo and summer cocktail events, the company offers a margarita pool float, $30.Â
Another animal option is a monarch butterfly float, $50, which has cupholders built into the wings.Â
