Wow! Check out this layout! How would this pool design look in your backyard? It’s going to be a great place to enjoy spending time with friends and family.
If you’re going to be building a backyard pool this year, the first thing that you should consider is how your family expects to use the pool area. Can you envision boisterous games of water volleyball or basketball? Did you incorporate a large deck area into your pool design? If you plan to do a lot of entertaining, the bigger the better, right?
Will there be a diving board? If that’s a yes, where will the deep end be? Some homeowners choose to make the “deep end” at the center of the pool leaving both ends shallow.
Will your pool area take up the majority of the backyard, complete with an outdoor kitchen and dining area? Or are you planning something on a smaller scale? It’s important to remember that your pool design directly influences the cost to build it.
Once you determine where your pool is going to be located, the next step in pool design is to choose the shape. Some pool shapes are better suited for specific architectural features, think modern vs traditional, for example. The shape can affect the overall ambiance of your pool area. If you’re looking to achieve a certain setting—sleek and contemporary, for instance. You would most likely go with a geometric design. However, if you crave the relaxing environment of a lush tropical garden a pool with curvy lines would add to the mood nicely.
Let’s take a closer look.
Kidney-shaped pools
Kidney-shaped pools were among the most popular designs for residential pools back in the 50s and 60s. The style isn’t as popular today, but someone who is staying true to the historical style of a mid-century modern home would likely have a kidney-shaped pool to complete the picture.
A kidney-shaped pool consists of a simple curved design with an indentation on one side. If you have young children, this design creates a natural division of the shallow end from the deep. The nook created near the pool’s indentation is perfect for special design features. Maybe a decorative bench or a couple of chaises for those keeping an eye on the young ones.
Lastly, kidney-shaped pools are a smart choice for those on a budget because the curved design gives you more area for swimming.
Figure 8 pools
The figure 8 pool represents a more contemporary look than the kidney-shaped pool. One oval is placed atop a larger oval and looks like the number 8, but with a thicker middle section. This pool design is a more current style aesthetic.
They provide more swimming area than the kidney design which gives you even greater savings on the overall cost.
Rectangle pools
This pool design is likely the one used for the first residential swimming pool. They’re perfect for swimming laps or other types of water exercise. The familiar shape appeals to our senses—perhaps it’s stirred by childhood memories of days spent at the city pool.
We’ll note that, as a rule, rectangular pools usually cost more than curved pools. That’s due to the increased perimeter footage. On the other hand, it’s easier to install automatic pool covers that utilize railings and fixtures to make the cover open and close.
L and T-shaped pools
L-shaped pools are a popular choice for those who want to designate a large area for shallow water play. Typically, the short “foot” section is the shallow area allowing kids to play without hindering those who are diving in the deep section.
Speaking of diving, L-shaped pools make it easier to meet code depth requirements. Say your pool has an 8-foot depth, it means that 22 feet of length must be at least 5-feet deep. In most pools, that can break down to a pretty steep slope. The L-shaped pool allows for a more gradual slope which appeals to many families.
T-shaped pools are great for designating diving and play areas. However, T-shaped pools require a lot of space. Moreover, the added perimeter footage increases the cost, of course.
Geometric pools
There are two broad categories in the geometric pool department. True geometric shapes, such as a heart, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, or circle are well established. They provide a simple, universal kind of shape. Unique, custom shapes are composed of straight lines that incorporate sections with curved lines. Great for those homeowners who want a sleek, non-traditional look.
Roman and Grecian pools
Some consider Roman and Grecian pools to be a subcategory of geometric-shaped pools. However, these classic pool shapes have been around for a long time. This pool design links back to old-century Greek and Roman architecture.
These pools represent elegance and style. They combine a rectangular shape with a combination of radius and angled modifications.
Radius pools
Another name for these pools is free-form because there are no hard rules on the shape. The use of curvilinear lines means that the pool can take on virtually any shape.
The cloud or bubble-shaped radius pool is becoming a favorite in certain parts of the United States. They are perfect for creating a tropical or garden environment. The shape naturally integrates with pockets of landscaping.
One drawback is in regard to covering the pool. The irregularity of radius pools may require a customized cover—which can be quite expensive.
How’s it shaping up?
Overall, one pool design isn’t better than any other. Your pool builder should be willing and able to help you make any changes or additions to the shape so that you can customize your family’s pool.
It boils down to what works best for you and our family. If this is the year you take the plunge and break ground on a backyard pool, the shape that you choose will pale in comparison to the flood of happy memories that you’ll be making.
That’s a fact.