The design isn’t even complete yet but you can tell this is going to be an amazing layout. Can’t you just imagine yourself, your family, and your friends enjoying this space—over and over again? Designing your new inground pool area is exciting and hopefully, the wait to break ground isn’t an excruciating one.
Before you have someone start drawing up the plans, you need to consider how your family is planning to use the pool area. It’s going to help you determine the final layout and surrounding area. Have you determined how large and deep your pool will be? Will you enclose the space or leave it open? What about an outdoor kitchen area? If so, you probably want the areas to flow together as it aids in creating the perfect ambiance.
If you’re planning to incorporate a diving board, you need to determine where the deep end is going to go. These days, many homeowners are choosing to put the “deep end” in the center of the pool leaving shallow water at both ends. Perhaps your family is more into sliding than diving though—
Is your pool area going to take up the majority of the backyard? Or will you keep it on a smaller scale? The size of your swimming pool directly influences your building cost so you need to make that decision early on.
The shape of things to come
After you decide where you’re swimming pool is going in, the next step is to choose the shape that it will be. The shape of your pool helps create the ambiance too. And, although some may care to differ, there is no design too over the top—beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.
However, keep in mind that the more extravagant the layout, the more expensive your final cost is going to be. On the other hand, if you’ve decided it’s time to create your own private get-away—right outside your door—the possibilities are endless!
Let’s look at some different inground pool shapes to spur your imagination.
Figure 8 pools
If you’re looking for a contemporary look, the figure 8 pool may be for you. One oval is placed atop a larger oval to achieve the number 8. The middle section of the pool is thicker creating a more current style aesthetic. They provide a larger swimming area than the kidney-shaped pool design which gives you even greater savings on your overall cost.
Kidney shaped pool
Kidney-shaped pools were extremely popular during the 50s and 60s. Even though the style isn’t as popular today, someone who wants to stay true to the historical style of a mid-century modern style home would likely choose to install a kidney-shaped pool. It will complete the “trip back in time”—and, they’ll likely not want to leave.
Geometric pools
A true geometric shape, such as a heart, triangle, oval, square, or circular, is a well-established pool design. These shapes provide a simple, yet universal, shape. Another category in the geometric pool department is a unique, custom shape. These pools are composed of a mixture of straight lines and curved lines creating a very non-traditional look.
Grecian and Roman pools
As their names suggest, these classic pool designs date back to old-century Greek and Roman architecture. Therefore, those that consider Grecian and Roman pools to be a subcategory of geometric-shaped pools might rethink their definition. The word “elegant” is often used to describe these styles. They combine a rectangular shape with a combination of radius and angled modifications.
Radius pools
The radius pool is also known as the free-form pool. Technically, any pool that has rounded areas can be considered a radius pool.
The “cloud” or “bubble” inground pool is becoming a popular design. Homeowners who want to create a tropical or natural style garden around their pool often go with a free-form style. They’re also perfect for integrating pockets of landscaping, such as trees or shrubbery.
The only downside to having a radius pool might also come from the irregularity of its shape because it can be challenging to use a pool cover. If you have one made to fit, it could be rather expensive.
L and T-shaped pools
L-shaped pools are a popular choice for young families because the shorter “foot” section is usually designated for shallow water play. Plenty of room for the kids to play and the longer section is free for diving. L-shaped pools also make it easier to create a gradual slope into deeper water rather than having a sudden, steep slope catch you by surprise.
T-shaped pools are also great for designating diving and play areas. However, remember that T-shaped pools require a lot of space and the increased perimeter footage increases the cost of your pool.
Rectangular pools
The first residential inground swimming pool was likely a rectangular pool. They are perfect for water exercise, frolicking with friends and family, or swimming laps. The shape is familiar—stirrings of happy days spent at the city pool perhaps—so it naturally appeals to our senses.
Like the T-shaped pool, the increased perimeter footage generally makes rectangular pools more expensive than curved pools. However, it’s easier to install automatic covers that open and close independently. Also, purchasing a ready-made cover is usually somewhat less expensive as well.
The shape of things to come
If you’re installing a pool this summer, congratulations! If you want to play around with different shapes, sizes, and layout designs, try out some pool design software. Some programs are free of cost and there are software packages available for purchase too.
Once you hire your pool builder, they can help you make any changes or additions so that you can completely customize your family’s pool. If you’re preparing to break ground and make a splash, get ready for a tidal wave of happy memories that will flood your mind for years and years to come.