A pool is always a great addition to a home. It provides a place to relax and unwind anytime at the comforts of your own home. It’s also a fun activity for kids and a great place to host get-togethers. Just like all parts of your home, a pool needs to be carefully planned and designed to fit your needs as well as your space. And for that, you definitely need the help of swimming pool design consultants. There’s a lot to take into consideration from the aesthetics to the materials which makes it an exciting project.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already set on having a pool. Here are some essential tips for designing and planning your pool:
Identify Your Wants and Needs
Start off by envisioning what your dream pool looks like. Maybe make a list of the features you want and make a sketch to help you imagine it better. Figure out how you want to use your pool and if there’s any specific features that you will be needing for you and your family. This is important to decide on in the very beginning because a pool mainly used for exercise will be very different from a pool for recreation and relaxation. Once you have a main purpose for your pool, you will be able to make objective decisions during planning and construction.
Aesthetics
A swimming pool is basically just a hole in the ground that’s filled with water that people swim in but each pool can be very different. There are lots of themes and designs to choose from for your pool. Whether you’re looking for something modern or rustic, indoors or outdoors, if you want to feel like you’re in a spa or at a fun resort, there are endless options to choose from. As a general rule, we recommend that your pool should match the aesthetics of your house or at least try to avoid any glaring contrast so the pool won’t look out of place. Make sure you leave room for additional features you may want to add in the future such as landscaping, a lounge area, etc. It would be nice to balance the concrete and tiles with plants and wood material.
Design
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, your pool should also have a practical design. Remember to add bench areas below water level so you have a place to rest and lounge. A seating area is useful because one won’t always be swimming or standing while in the pool. You can also integrate a spa or kiddie pool. If you have children, you may need to set up a pool fence as an extra precaution. Another thing to consider is the flow from your house to the pool. It should be easy to move to and fro the house and pool area. Pool equipment, accessories like pool blankets, and toys should be easily accessible as well.
Restrictions
Research if there are any local bylaws and property requirements for building a pool. This will prevent you from any setbacks that may arise had you known about the restrictions earlier. The experts you hire to help you with your pool will also be knowledgeable regarding this.
Space
Gone are the days where only homeowners with sprawling backyards can have their own pool. Now, it’s all about coming up with a pool design that is perfect for the space you have. There may be factors in your own home that can give it more of an identity. An example of this is a slope and instead of working against it, you can use it to your advantage. Again, maximise the space you’re working with.
Set a Budget
As with any project, you need to set a budget. A pool can get very expensive quickly. Assigning a budget to follow will aid you in making the right decisions. You might get carried away from all the options and put aesthetics over practicality. As much as possible, weigh the pros and cons whenever making decisions and compromise if you have to.
Materials
The pool and the area surrounding it will be in contact with water and various chemicals so you must consider safety and durability. Ensure that the materials for the pool interior, deck, coping, and waterline work well together. Once you have a final theme for your pool, the choices for the materials would be filtered out to those that fit the chosen aesthetic.
It was interesting to me when you talked about how a swimming pool should have a practical design. Are there software programs that can be used to perfect a swimming pool design before you start construction? It seems like you would want to perfect the swimming pool design so that you don’t make expensive mistakes.
I appreciate your advice when you told us to consider the flow from our house to the pool to ensure it’s easy and accessible for people to move to and from the house and pool area. My son has been getting swimming lessons lately, and since he’s quite interested in the sport, I was thinking of getting a pool built in our backyard soon. I’ll keep your advice in mind when I get pool builders to hire for the project soon.
Thanks for these pool planning tips. My parents want to have a pool built in their backyard sometime this year. I’ll have to make sure that are aware of any laws or restrictions in their area like you suggested.