Installing an in-ground swimming pool on your property can be an excellent way to add value to your home while giving you the added benefit of a relaxing and beautiful outdoor entertainment space. However, with so many options when it comes to pool design, how can you make the decision that’s right for your needs and property? Read on for some helpful pointers that’ll get you started in the right direction.
Determining Pool Location
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when it comes to your new pool is where it’ll be located on your property. Often times, this is a more difficult decision to make than you might think. There are a number of factors that could influence the location of your new pool.
For starters, zoning restrictions could prevent you from adding a pool to certain areas of your property, so it’s a good idea to check with your local municipality to ensure that you don’t have any restrictions. Specifically, it’s not uncommon for pool construction to be prohibited within 15-25 feet of your property line and from your home itself.
Furthermore, depending on the grade of your land, your options when it comes to pool location could also be affected. Generally, your pool should be built on the highest point of your land rather than at the bottom of the hill (to avoid obvious drainage and flooding issues). Therefore, it may be necessary to have parts of your property leveled in order to get your pool in the location you want it.
Of course, your vision of your backyard may also affect where you want to place your pool. It can be helpful to envision your yard in different “activity sections,” with each section serving a different purpose. Perhaps one quarter of your yard is dedicated to garden space, and another quarter is play space for the kids. You could either incorporate a pool into the play space or use the remaining half of your yard to create a relaxing pool area.
Pool Shape Considerations
Another important decision you’ll need to make is that of figuring out what shape of pool you’d like in your yard. All shapes come with some inherent advantages and possible disadvantages, so you’ll need to assess your options and choose wisely.
If you’re looking for a pool that will stand out among the natural components of your yard while providing a shape ideal for swimming laps, then a rectangular or square pool is probably your best bet.
On the other hand, if you want something that blends in more with the natural landscape of your yard, then going with a free-form shaped pool might be ideal. With a free-form shape, your pool and landscape designer can collaborate to work around interesting landscaping features in your yard. In this sense, your pool becomes more of an organic extension of your yard rather than a giant cement hole. The only possible drawback to a free-form pool, however, is that establishing shallow and deep ends can be a bit of a challenge due to the complex shape.
To get the best of both worlds, many homeowners these days opt for a kidney-shaped pool, which is rounded enough to provide a more natural integration with the rest of the yard and landscaping, but still distinct enough to make adding shallow and deep ends simple. A figure-eight shaped pool is also an ideal option that provides similar benefits.
Great Pool Design Elements
Finally, for homeowners who want their pools to exist organically in their yards, landscaping design will play an important role. This way, you can achieve your desired “big picture” look without sacrificing any of the function of your space in the process.
The use of rock around pool areas is very popular because it provides a natural border while also being ideal for use in landscaping beds. It’s even possible to have pools made out of rock for a more integrated look.
Another popular pool and backyard design feature that pool owners enjoy is that of adding other water features to play up the beauty of the space while making it more tranquil, as well. Water features to consider include fountains, waterfalls, and even small ponds or rock beds around the pool area.
Finally, adding a spa adjacent to your pool, along with some lush plants, can add even more luxury to your yard and pool area. You may even want to consider adding a screen fence around the pool and spa area for greater privacy.
As you can see, there’s a lot to take into consideration when it comes to planning out your pool design. For the best results, consider working with a pool and backyard design specialist to ensure all of your needs and considerations are met.