Getting a new pool can be extremely exciting. It is a very nostalgic piece of the backyard for many of us, that we want our own kids to grow up with too. But pool design has evolved significantly since the time we were children. In the past 10-15 years the options available have exploded tremendously. With so many unique elements which you can incorporated it is easy to feel like a kid in a candy store, trying to take a bit of everything. Yet it is important for us to show restraint.
While we all love the idea of acrylic windows, wet deck, and negative edges, it is important that the fundamentals of building a great pool space are adhered to. This will ensure that your pool achieves its functional purpose, and looks great, while still giving you some wiggle room to add in the fun, unique features that you love.
To help you get started with building the ultimate pool, here are 5 tips you should follow.
1. Maximise your space available
With the trend of larger homes being built on smaller blocks, the area which to build a pool on has been increasingly compressed. Gone are the days of a quarter acre block with 16m2 homes, and a massive pool with no pool fence. Now we have far less space to work with, 600m2 blocks, with 40m2 plus homes. Then you have to also include a fence around your pool. So, it is important to maximise every centimetre available to you.
To maximise space you should consider doing the following:
Build the pool against the property boundary. This will allow you to use your existing boundary fence as part of the pool fencing.
Minimise the area within the pool fence. This space is not used outside of summer, and if your kids want to use the space, they will require adult supervision. All space inside the fence used takes away from usable space outside of it.
Ensure the pool is built in an area that doesn’t section off large areas of your backyard. This will segment and reduce the areas available for you to use.
Single or double side access to the pool is all that is required. Similarly with perimeter paving or decking. Gone are the days of the full perimeter fence and paving.
The pool should be visible from living areas of your home. This will make it easier to keep an eye on the kids or view the pool as a showpiece.
2. Some design guidelines
When designing a pool it is important that both the architecture of your home and the landscape it will be built in are considered. If your home is modern, then your pool should follow suite with right angled corners and straight lines. At the same time, if you have a period home it should follow the particular architecture style to ensure it matches. If your backyard slopes, you can design the pool around this, taking advantage of the slope to deliver a unique aesthetic. As well as this, you can use retaining walls around the edge of your property as decorative features by building raised platers along the pool edge.
It is also important to consider the usability of the pool into the design. There should be a logical progression which transitions from the house to the pool. So, the exit points from the home and the pool gate, or steps, should all line up in a logical way. As well as this you should consider that temperature is the number one thing which will determine how often you use the pool. A larger pool is harder and more expensive to heat.
Other design tips include:
If you have kids, design the pool with them in mind. They will use the pool a lot.
Domestic pools can’t be made safe to dive in, so it is best to just discourage the practice.
Pay attention to the steps and bench areas as these are the areas which will be used the most.
3. Material selection and aesthetics
The material selection is extremely important in creating the perfect pool for your home. When choosing the materials you will want to provide a good balance between soft a hard finishes to avoid making your backyard resemble a stone tomb. To do this, use pot plants, planters and strip gardens to break up the paving. You can also use timber batons and decking to soften harder masonry surfaces.
Once you have determined materials, it is also important to consider colour schemes. It is important to remember here that lighter coloured paving readily stain and discolour when outside. Meanwhile, darker colour will tend to weather stains better. However, if you do want to have lighter colours, choose something with some mottling or a variegated appearance as this will reduce noticeable stains.
4. Don’t be afraid to do something unique
Do remember that, at the end of the day, it is your pool. So, you really can do what you want to personalise it. Break some rules, and get creative. From a builders perspective, it is better to make an ugly pool that the client loves, than a funky pool they hate. Just try to consider the above tips as they can be used to ensure it sits nicely with your home and its surroundings. Be bold and create something that is uniquely you.
5. Talk to the professionals
Get an experienced pool designer or Architect on board. They will be able to take your requirements, the design of your home, and the layout of your backyard to create something unique. If you want a pool that stands out and is uniquely “you” they are the ones to call. With their experience, and expert designer will take you through a step by step process which enables you to have the perfect pool. Apart of this process is utilising 3d Pool design support to provide you with an in-depth 3D model of your pool. With this, you can visualise the pool, and see how it will fit into your home, before giving it final approval.
Conclusion
Follow these tips to create your dream pool. With a designer backing you, and some great design ideas you can create something really special that you and your family will enjoy for many years. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative and create a space that is an expression of you and your family.