A backyard pool is a dream for most people. Who wouldn’t want to spend their weekends relaxing in a private pool with a good book or enjoying some fun time in the water with the kids? Preparing to build a backyard pool is equally exciting as well. Looking for the perfect pool design idea, trying to find quality materials that fit your budget, deciding on how big the pool should be, the entire process is both thrilling and challenging at once.
Getting your backyard pool design right is so important. If it ends up looking good, you have a backyard that’s the object of envy for your neighbors and worth showing off to your guests. But if it doesn’t turn out as you planned, it will end up costing you a fortune for nothing. That is why it is a good idea to do some thorough research and have a look at different backyard pool design ideas before settling for one.
We have compiled for you some of the most attractive yet extremely affordable backyard pool designs that will turn your backyard into the coolest part of your home. But before we get to that, let’s find out what it needs to design a good backyard pool.
Planning
Before you start any new project, big or small, you need to plan ahead. There are so many variables involved in designing your backyard pool. You first need to consider how big your backyard is. The size of your pool depends on it. You wouldn’t want your entire backyard to be taken up by a massive swimming pool. It has to be proportionate and leave some open space for other purposes too. For a small backyard, a plunge pool is an excellent option since it occupies less space but has sufficient depth
Next, you need to determine where in your backyard would you want to place the pool. It can be positioned in one corner of your backyard to keep it exclusive and save space, or it could be placed centrally, making it the main attraction. It can be placed closer to your house or farther from it, depending on your priorities.
Now, whether the pool will be an above ground pool or an in-ground pool will depend on the kind of landscape you have. For instance, if your backyard is level ground, you can opt for either an in-ground or an above ground pool. But if the surface is sloping, uneven, or rocky, an above ground fibreglass pool is your best bet.
Once all of this is decided, you need to choose the type and design of your backyard pool. Whether it would be a lap pool, you can swim complete laps without obstruction or an aesthetic free form swimming pool.
To get a clear idea of which pool designs would be best for your backyard, have a look at the list below.
If your backyard is sloping, uneven or rocky, an above-ground fibreglass pool is your best bet…
Best Designs For A Small Backyard
If your backyard space is limited, paying attention to the pool design is all the more important. Here are a few options for you to explore.
1. Plunge Pools
Plunge pools are small but typically deep pools that are perfect for small spaces. These are generally preferred by people who need a small backyard pool for wading or lounging in the water. They can be great for cooling off on a hot summer afternoon and are the perfect spot for relaxing with a good drink in hand. Owing to their small size, they are not usually good for swimming but can be used for other aquatic exercises or water aerobics.
Plunge pools can be built as in-ground or above ground. Fibreglass pools built above ground are a popular choice in this category. Plunge pools are easy to maintain and can be built quite aesthetically in a limited space. Depending on your house’s architecture, you can decide to either go for asymmetric design or a free form, organic one.
If your house has a modern, contemporary look to it, a straight-edged geometric pool design would be suitable. For more rustic architecture that has smooth curves and rugged walls, a free from or natural-looking pool is a better choice.
2. Fibreglass Kiddie Pools
If you need a pool just for your kids to play in and have a good, active weekend, you don’t need anything bigger than a kiddie pool. For a more sturdy and permanent solution, get a fibreglass kiddie pool made in your backyard. These are much better than the inflatable ones that hardly last two summers. An above-ground fibreglass pool will be much safer for your kids. Since kiddie pools are meant to be small, you don’t need to worry about the space constraint either.
3. Swimming Pond
Swimming ponds are simply free-form, organic-looking pools that can totally transform your backyard. These swimming ponds are built to look like natural ponds having organic shapes and surrounded by natural rocks or boulders. You can even add a small waterfall to it if your budget permits, to add to the natural feel.
Natural pools will generally be lined with rubber or reinforced polyethylene and a regeneration zone can be installed within the pool to make it self-cleaning. This zone will have pumps to circulate the water through layers of sand, gravel, and rocks to filter it.
Best Designs For A Contemporary Style
If you prefer minimalistic, modern designs, then getting a backyard pool that fits this description isn’t tough. There are so many great options for contemporary designs in backyard pools.
1. Infinity Pools
These are currently one of the most popular choices among contemporary swimming pools. Clean straight lines and the illusion of a never-ending pool of water is what characterizes this extremely elegant design. Infinity pools work best in bigger spaces, but you will be pleased to find out that the effect can be achieved with smaller pools too. A small rectangular pool is good enough to give the illusion that an infinity pool offers.
2. Lap Pools
Lap pools are another contemporary design gaining popularity today. These sleek backyard pools are best built on larger spaces. Lap pools are suitable for swimming complete laps and are characterized by long, straight edges and narrow shapes. Your lap pool can be built in-ground or above-ground according to your preference. An above-ground fibreglass pool can look just as good as any in-ground pool and can be designed to complement the look of your home.
3. Fishtank Pools
Instead of undertaking a huge project of building an in-ground pool, an above ground fish tank pool can be a much easier solution. It essential has a glass casing and is reinforced at the edges and corners for strength. You can get creative and decorate the tank as you like. Maybe add some decorative rocks along the corners where they can be seen from the outside.
Pep Up Your Backyard Pool
Add minimalistic elements around the pool. These may be a wooden deck or squeaky clean, neutral-toned tiles to completely transform the look. Add some accessories such as warm lights for the evening, comfortable seating with a canopy and colourful cushions for that pop of colour. You can also add some planters around with some green plants, a tiny cascade flowing into the pool or a water wall to add a bit of freshness to the whole look. All of these elements can enhance the ambience around your backyard pool.
Conclusion
There are so many innovative ways to design your backyard pool. As long as you have the desire to give your backyard a facelift with a chic and stylish pool, space is not a constraint. Planning well ahead of time and putting some effort into research can be very helpful in deciding what works best for you. Go ahead and get a look around, talk to some good backyard pool designers and landscaping experts in your area, and find your pick.
