Landscape Designs For Pools

Swimming Pool Types and Designs

Landscape designs for pools can be costly. The two main types of swimming pools are either a vinyl liner pool or concrete swimming pools. Vinyl liner pools are less expensive. Although only specific shapes are offered, there is a wide selection. In addition, some companies, will customize their existing shapes.

When choosing a concrete swimming pool, you have your choice of any shape that can be designed.

Please go to my other page to read more about concrete and vinyl liner pools.

Pool shapes can be either rectilinear in shape, curvilinear, or a combination of both.There are so many shapes and sizes to choose from. I like to stay with the simpler designs and create the excitement in the surrounding design elements. You can see some additional swimming pool pictures here.

The simplest style is a rectangle. This is simple, classic, and has the added advantageous of working well with an automatic pool cover. Another popular design is an L shape. Grecian pools are also classic. These pools have straight side edges, with a simple curve at both ends. For more natural shaped pools, you can use a kidney shape or any creative free form that one might design. These pools tend to give a "lagoon" type feel to the design. Pools can also have intriguing vanishing edges.

Swimming Pool Decking

When thinking about landscape designs for pools, an important decision to make is what type of pool paving material to use. Paving around pools is a little different than other areas. You don't want to select swimming pool decking that will be hot on the feet. Bluestone, which I love, is known for this, so I rarely recommend it to be used.

Some materials to consider that work well around pools are other natural stones, such as Idaho Quartz or Tennessee Crab Orchard, travertine pavers, concrete pavers, stamped concrete, and regular concrete. Read more about swimming pool decking.

Note: When excavating for the pool and/or changing the grade of the land, be careful of any large trees on the property. Raising or lowering the grade outside the drip line (diameter of branching) of the tree will cause the decline of the tree.

Landscape designs for pools often incorporate a waterfall. People love the look and sound of moving water! To get the most natural look, it is important that the waterfall is located at an existing higher elevation than your pool.

Here are some interesting design tips for pool waterfalls and waterfall designs.

Spas

Spas can be designed as part of the pool itself, or set apart in the pool paving. For spas (hot tubs) integrated with the swimming pool, a variety of different designs can be used.

Spas can be designed either with or without a waterfall into the pool. They can be set at an elevation close to the pool paving height.

The spa can be elevated to create a more dramatic waterfall.

Spas may have steps leading up to it, so that the spa becomes part of a raised platform.

If you have the space, you might want to use this space as a sitting area!

Spas can also be a free standing hot tubs unit purchased from a spa company. All the mechanisms are in the unit itself.

This element of your project should be thought about at the very beginning. Please visit my page on swimming pool fencing placement.

Shade

Landscape designs for pools should incorporate some shade at the pool area. There are ways to do this which add to the beauty of the landscape. Here are some ways to create that shade.

Shade trees

I often provide shade trees in an area of the property where shade from the tree will be cast on the pool paving area. Some of the trees I love to use are 'October Glory' Red Maple and Japanese Zelkova.

I have written a page with very good information about pool landscaping. You can visit it here: Pool Landscape Designs

Pergola

A pergola is a nice architectural element to have in a design and particularly at poolside. It is classic and elegant. It can be sized to accommodate dining furniture and lounges. If placed in the design artistically, it can become a dramatic focal point.

Tent

You can also purchase a wonderful tent!

Path lights around the pool will create lighting for night use. Up lights in nearby trees will add some lighting also. Torch lights are a great way to create lighting for areas where typical lighting does not seem to work. And torch lights create a wonderful ambiance! You want your swimming pool lighting to be functional, but also subtle.

You can read more about pool landscape lighting here.

When creating landscape designs for pools and the pool paving, I always make sure the spaces will be large enough for the desired seating. I usually allow a minimum of 15' for a table and chairs and 10' for lounges. I try to make the area used for dining easily accessible to the kitchen. When designing and selecting places for lounges, I make sure to face them so that the best view is taken advantage of. For example, if there is a nice mountain view on the property, I would position the lounges for that viewing. Landscape designs for pools can make lounging and dining at this outdoor area all the more enjoyable by considering what people will be looking at.

There are many different styles of furniture that can be used in the pool area. Some of my favorites are teak, all weather wicker, and Adirondack chairs. Teak wood outdoor furniture is particularly desirable due to many factors.

Landscape designs for pools require thought to make the area special. I hope I have provided you with some things to consider when undertaking a swimming pool project.

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