Pool Design Ideas to Create the Pool of Your Dreams

Deciding to add a pool to your home can be an exciting step, and you’ll most likely have several pool design ideas floating around. However, backyard pool design can be a tricky process because you have to consider which pool works best for your space, how to landscape around it and pool placement alternatives. It’s important that you have a good understanding of pool design. And, we’ve pulled together several things you want to consider as you go through the design process below.

Pool Design and Size Considerations

At Capital Country Pools, one of the questions our clients ask us the most is what size pool they should pick to fit into their backyard designs. It’s true that the yard can influence the pool’s size and design. However, when this isn’t the case, how do you decide how large of a pool you need? Ideally, we recommend that you pick out a pool size that fits proportionally with your landscape.

We believe in asking our clients how big they want to go with their pool design ideas and offering suggestions. We can help you find the correct size for your backyard that doesn’t dwarf the area while also making sure it won’t be so small that you’re disappointed with the finished results.

Small, medium or a big pool – pick your favourite:

Planning Your Pool Design Ideas

Installing a pool can be a huge investment in your property, so planning is key. No matter if you’re in Canberra or the surrounding suburbs, you’ll want a solid plan before installation professionals come in and start their work. To start, you want to consider what the ground is like in your backyard. You’re in luck if you have level ground because you’re already on the right track to having an above or in-ground pool with fewer modifications to your backyard design.

However, if you have your backyard on a hillside or sloping surface, or if the ground is very uneven and rocky, you may be worried that you won’t be able to bring your pool design ideas to life. This isn’t the case, though – choosing an above-ground pool is a great solution. For example, you can install a fibreglass shell for an above-ground pool on any terrain, including rough, uneven or sloped surfaces.

Next, where do you want your pool in your yard? A lot of pool design involves having a centrally located pool that draws people all to one location. Other people choose to put their pool closer to their house so they can create a nice transition from the house to the backyard to the pool. One important consideration at this stage of the planning process for your pool design is how the company will gain access to this location.

One of the final stages of the backyard design planning process is how you plan to use your pool. If you have a family, a lap pool could be a good pick because it has easy-access ledges that are slightly wider to support children or people just learning how to swim. If you have a compact backyard, a plunge pool is a small but deep option that will take up minimal space while still giving you the versatility of having a pool without taking up your entire yard. You can even double it up as a spa by adding a few jets.

Backyard Designs and Safety Regulations

At this stage of the pool design process, it’s easy to get bogged down and stuck if you’re not careful. First, you should get into contact with your local council in ACT or NSW to find out if they have any specific requirements you have to meet with your pool. Also, take a look at your sitemap to ensure there are no pipes or cables running underneath your pool area.

You’ll have to visit your local building authority website to find out what the safety regulations are regarding pools and pool design elements. Australian Standard AS1926.1 – Safety Barriers for Swimming Pools can serve as an example. Make note of any that would apply to your pool before you contact Capital Country Pools. The staff will be able to help you install your pool to your exact design with minimal fuss, hassle or delays.

Landscaping Around Your Pool Design

It’s not usual for pool owners to not have a set landscaping in place when they start the pool design process. You can grow your backyard and pool organically. Many clients don’t pick out their pavers until they finish the pool so they can get a good idea on the water and pool colouring. Since the paving is purely cosmetic, setting multiple paver samples up will allow you to see which ones look best from a landscaping perspective.

On the other hand, there are clients who like to have their cabanas, pool water features and paving all picked out and planned before any installation processes start. You can talk to your pool installers, and they’ll help you create a flow that goes throughout your backyard and looks organic. We’ll help you landscape around your pool before, during and after the installation process to ensure you love the finished results.

The Most Popular Pool Design Ideas

No matter the size or shape of your yard, Capital Country Pools can help you come up with a unique backyard pool design that perfectly fits your area. We’ll take your personal style into consideration when we give you suggestions, and we can build a design from this starting point.

Contemporary Pool Design Ideas

If you like the contemporary and cool style, you’ll find that the shape of the pool is key. Straight and clean lines work extremely well with this style, and an infinity pool is an excellent example. Infinity pools trick your eye into thinking that your pool is endless, and this helps you convey feelings of luxury and freedom. Another design option that suits this style is the lap pool. It has a long and narrow shape that makes it perfect for swimming laps. You can add a water feature that empties water directly onto your deck or back into the pool with a glass wall surrounding it for a very modern look.

Another step you can take to create a contemporary space is to add a chic seating area that is adjacent to your pool. You can use neutral and clean tiles or decking to accomplish this look. Add a few comfortable loungers or chairs with beautiful accent colours and a fire pit, and you have a modern look that will withstand the test of time.

Small Courtyard Pool Design Ideas

Courtyard design is all about creating a compact pool either above or in-ground. For this option, the plunge pool is one of your best design ideas. This is a deep but small pool that gives you a place to relax, exercise and swim. This backyard pool design is perfect if you’re worrying about encroaching on your neighbours. You also can easily incorporate a lot of features to make it seem more private while keeping it small.

You could add an elevated deck around your pool to give yourself a more private feel. Another option is to create a spa-like experience by adding comfortable seating around the edges of your pool and keep the colours calming and neutral. Adding jets to the pool is another way to enhance the spa-like feel of your space, and you can create a soft look by having a pool with rounded edges. You can add bamboo or grasses or mix in rocks to create a romantic look.

Family Backyard Designs

For a family pool, you should have something that is deeper at one end with a shallower area on the other end. This gives everyone a chance to enjoy it and feel safe, even if they’re not the most confident swimmers. Depending on your family’s size, the backyard design process could be more involved because you’re going for a bigger pool. The goal is to find something large enough to accommodate your family without completely taking over your backyard.

You can design a pool with wider edges and make a point to make the area surrounding the pool very appealing. Water features like sunpods or water jets add excitement and fun, and you can backlight them to continue to enjoy them well after dusk. You could incorporate a covered lounge area that overlooks the pool to give yourself a shaded area to relax.

Safety regulations are also key here. You’ll need fencing along all sides of your pool. Outside of the fence, you’ll have to incorporate a safety zone of 900 mm at a minimum all around the pool. There shouldn’t be any objects close to the fence that your children could use to climb over.