Designing a Pool To Suit Your Lifestyle

With beautiful weather bringing plenty of sunshine to the Gold Coast year-round, a backyard swimming pool is a common item on many homeowners' wishlists. This article explores how to design a pool that complements your home while incorporating the laidback Gold Coast lifestyle.

Choosing Your Pool Design

When thinking about a pool design, there are a few key considerations that will help you along in your decision-making, ensuring the final result is a backyard pool that not only looks great, but also works well with the space you have and the lifestyle you wish to achieve. Here are some things to think about when considering the type of pool you wish to build:

Size and functionality

A crucial component to give thought to is the size of the pool and how you intend to use it. How big is your backyard and what type of pool will fit in that space? Do you need room for a deck or lounge area for relaxing? Is your pool going to be used for fun and games with the family, cooling off on warm summer days or to keep fit by swimming laps? 

Your budget also comes into play here as your pool size will directly impact the cost of the build as well as ongoing maintenance. 

The shape of your pool

You've decided on the size of your pool. Next you will need to choose the ideal shape! Again it's a good idea to consider how you wish to use your pool - if you're looking to swim laps then a lap-style pool is the obvious choice. Smaller backyards may only require a plunge pool for refreshing dips. 

The larger the backyard, the more area you have to play around with in terms of design. A geometric pool may suit the home's shape; if you have a sloping yard with sweeping views then an infinity pool could provide a stunning addition to your property. 

Some popular pool shapes we build at Burleigh Pools include: 

• Geometric Pools: L-shape, U-shape, rectangular, square or a custom geometric shape.
• Freeform Pools: a custom shape to enhance your landscaping and suit your block, often incorporating curved edges, kidney shapes and circular elements that blend seamlessly with the surrounds.
• Plunge Pools: smaller square or rectangular pools designed to fit in compact spaces.
• Lap Pools: longer, rectangular pools with straight lines that can incorporate an L-shape or levels as additional features. 

The shape of your pool can enhance the overall aesthetic of your backyard area, and help you achieve your desired style whether it's tropical, Mediterranean, modern or something more traditional. You can also include a stunning water feature, steps or a beach entry. A professional pool designer like Burleigh Pools can offer advice on how to choose the best pool shape for your outdoor space.

Where will you place your pool?

Pool placement is paramount in ensuring you get maximum value out of your pool. Consider things like privacy from neighbours, shelter from wind, getting maximum sunshine, and supervision (if children are involved). 

Consider the location of any trees and whether their roots may cause a future problem, or if overhanging leaves will cause an unnecessary mess in the pool. In this situation you may wish to include a pool cover to keep it clean. 

Lastly, check with the council on the location of drains, pipes, sewer lines etc. 

Make it seamless with your overall design

Your pool is only one element of your backyard design. Your swimming pool should be an extension of your home's style and complement the existing features and design elements of the home's architecture. Modern homes would suit a modern pool with clean lines, for example. Acreage homes with sprawling space could opt for a freeform swimming pool set amongst stunning greenery for a tropical backyard oasis.

In addition to this notion, your pool should be a part of the overall backyard plan, incorporating your landscaping, paving, decking, fencing and any other structure you plan on including in your outdoor living space. Failing to consider this could result in an uncoordinated pool and backyard area. If you can find the right balance and create a harmonised space, you are looking at improving your property's overall value and making the most of your investment. 

Fibreglass vs Concrete Pools

Fibreglass pools are quick to install and require low maintenance. However concrete pools provide great design flexibility for homeowners and are durable and long-lasting compared to fibreglass. While concrete pools may need more upfront investment and maintenance, they offer superior long-term value. Concrete pools can also support additional features like spas, waterfalls and intricate waterlines.

Enhancing your lifestyle

Once you have decided on a design for your backyard swimming pool, consider your lifestyle and how you plan on using this space. If you plan on making the most of your time outdoors, think about the following additions to enhance your home. 

Landscaping & Gardens

As mentioned above, considering how your landscaping will fit amongst your outdoor pool is a major element in creating beautiful backyards. Your landscaping and green spaces play a crucial role in the appearance of your outdoor space and it's a good idea to consult a landscape designer to help design an entirely new backyard space that incorporates paving, tiles, timber decking, plants and turf, retaining walls and drainage systems.

The more beautiful the space, the more value you add to your property.  

BBQs and Outdoor Entertaining Areas

Consider adding an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area, or simply a covered space for your BBQ to enjoy those summertime afternoons next to the pool with friends and family around. You can keep it simple or go "whole hog" and include outdoor speakers, a projector screen, a gazebo, an outdoor bar, fridge and more - there really is no limit here besides budget and space. Think about your desired lifestyle and how you wish to use the space!

Lighting

Often an afterthought, lighting is actually an important part of your outdoor space and provides a lovely aesthetic when done right. Consider how you would like to light up the area - you can include LED lighting in the pool itself, or around the space. Festoon lighting is a popular option. Having great lighting means you can continue to enjoy your backyard and swimming pool after the sun sets.

Spa

Consider attaching a spa to your new outdoor pool for a wonderful way to wind down at the end of the day. A spa can be incorporated seamlessly into your swimming pool design and is a popular addition to any home.

Family Fun

There are countless ways to ensure your swimming pool is used by the whole family year-round, ensuring you get your money's worth while creating lasting memories with the kids. For the ultimate family pool, incorporate a slide, get some pool toys and floatation devices and they'll never want pool time to end.

Pool safety is another crucial consideration and ensuring you have compliant pool fencing in place and that children are always supervised. 

Practicality is also key here - it's a good idea to invest in storage for pool toys and games to keep the area neat. 

Contact an Award-Winning Gold Coast Pool Builder

Burleigh Pools is an award-winning swimming pool builder designing and building stunning inground pools throughout the Gold Coast and Northern NSW. We would love to discuss your dream pool with you. Call us for a chat on (07) 5576 0500 or browse recent pool designs we have completed.