Thinking about adding a pool to your backyard? Swimming pools not only add value to your home, they also create amazing outdoor spaces that allow for family fun, entertainment and hours of relaxation.
But before you plunge in, make sure you decide on a design that will work best for your backyard and your lifestyle. Here’s a great checklist to start:
1. Size & Function
Start by getting clear on the main purpose for your pool. Will your pool be used for leisurely dips and a backdrop for alfresco dining? Or will it be an action-packed hub for family fun and entertaining active kids? Then again, you may want it to help you get fit and get those daily laps in. When deciding on size and function, make sure you also consider the land area you have, as well as the cost and running expenses of the pool design you choose.
2. Overall Design
Pools are a costly investment, therefore it’s important to put some thought into the overall design process. You want to choose materials that are high quality and stand the test of time. Then, aim to seamlessly blend your interior and exterior spaces using hard and soft landscaping elements to enhance the overall effect. Also, be wary of choosing a new ‘design fad’ without careful consideration. What may be on trend today, may outdated tomorrow.
3. Placement
The most ideal position for your pool is one that provides privacy, gives the pool sunshine throughout autumn and spring, and has shelter from the wind. If you have small children, then make sure safety elements are high priority too.
4. Style
Your pool and its surrounds set the tone of your outdoor living space. If you have confined space, position the pool against an existing feature such as the house, fence, or other boundary, to maximise space and style. If you have a big backyard, then you can have more flexibility with the size and shape of pool you choose.
Let’s look at some popular designs to choose from:
• Above Ground Pool
This retro classic is great for those who have a limited budget or want quick installation. They’re also a great option if you have a steep block. With some clever deck placement and a little landscaping, they can look just as sophisticated as their in-ground counterpart.
• Family/Recreation Pool
If you have a big backyard (and a growing family), then a recreation size pool could be right for you. Designed for lots of activity, they handle all the extra fun family features like water slides, diving boards, bridges, boulders and more!
• Freeform Pool
The freeform pool is perfect for irregular shaped backyards. This flexible style can be designed to follow the curves of your outdoor space and blends perfectly with natural landscaping, to create a peaceful lake or river style setting.
• Cocktail Pool
Bigger than a plunge pool, but smaller than your average backyard watering hole, these boutique-size pools are well suited to those who want a place to relax and cool down, without taking up too much space.
• Swim Spa
Swim spas provide a compact and luxurious alternative to the standard pool. Whilst they’re big enough for kids to splash around in, they also include the therapeutic jets of a spa, so the adults get to have fun too. The powerful jets are also strong enough to swim against, so it doubles up as a great workout.
• Plunge Pool
City living or a tiny backyard doesn’t meant you can’t enjoy a refreshing dip on a hot day. Plunge pools can be custom made to fit even the smallest of spaces. Simply add some stone carvings and lush greenery to the surrounds, and you’ve instantly created a tropical paradise on your doorstep.
• Kidney-shaped Pool
As the name implies, a kidney-shaped pool resembles an oval with a curved indent on one side. The absence of any angles gives the design a natural look and makes it suitable for backyards of any size. Many pool designers use the kidney shape’s retro look as a foundation to feature greenery, a waterfall, or even a spa, along the indented area.
• Lap Pool
Increasingly popular, lap pools are long, slim pools designed for serious swimmers who want to clock up those laps. Well suited to large or small spaces, they make a fantastic statement, as the result creates a stunning addition to your home’s design.
• Infinity Pool
Infinity pools (also known as zero edge pools), create the breathtaking effect of disappearing into the horizon. Designed to play a visual trick on the eye, they appear as if there is no separation between the water and surrounding landscape. They work well with a sloping block (and beautiful view), and require less landscaping because the outlook is the focal point.
Once you have a vision for your new pool, then it’s time to chat to a pool professional, who will help you navigate the variety of options available to you and plan out the installation process.