You are probably tired of scrolling through thousands of photos of different types of pools. They tend to range from huge resort pools all the way to tiny backyard ones. But there is no advice in terms of design, ideas, shape or size. Well, look no more, you are in the right place!
We carefully curated 30 different pool design ideas, with tips for choosing the right material and necessary accessories to create a well-rounded design.
Everything is divided into different sections. You can find the ideal shape and size. Then you can choose between an inground, above ground or semi in ground pool. At the end you can find a few tips for pool tile ideas.
Key Takeaways
- Three main swimming pool types are inground, above ground and semi inground swimming pool. They all come in different shapes and sizes, but inground pools offer the most variety.
- There are elements (which will be discussed in this article) that will affect the final design and price of your swimming pool.
- Regardless of the size of your yard, there is a perfect pool design for everyone. To make all your ideas come to life, we recommend using a site plan.
Pool ideas
When it comes to pool ideas, there are certain elements that you should consider before starting the design process. Those elements are:
- Depth and material – These are two most important components of your design. When it comes to material, you will need to choose between concrete, vinyl or fiberglass.
- Features – These will be the things that will enrich your pool design. Some of the features you may like are waterfalls, spas, hot tubs, slides or decks.
- Lighting – If you like swimming at night, or you simply enjoy lounging at the pool after dinner, you are probably going to install some lights. There are many options, the main ones are LED and fiber optic. Some will transform your backyard into an oasis, like floating lights or illuminated water features.
- Safety features – Some of these features will be required by your local government (like fencing) when issuing a building permit for the pool. So always check with the building department what are necessary safety features.
- Heating – Depending on where you live, you may want to add heating in order to extend your swimming season. You will have to choose between gas, solar and heat pump.
- Filtration systems – Three main types of swimming pool filtration systems are sand, cartridge and DE.
- Automation – These systems will allow you to manage nearly every aspect of your pool. They include remote control and smart features.
Once you have selected the elements to incorporate into your pool design, it’s crucial to obtain a pool permit and HOA approval if necessary. With that out of the way, the fun part of designing your pool can begin!
Pool shape
Some pools are built for specific purposes like lap pools for fitness, infinity pools for a landscape architectural statement, modern pools to reflect the owner’s aesthetics, and free form pools that blend in with the surroundings.
The shape of a pool is determined by the following factors:
- The size of the lot
- Available space
- The lay of the land
- Budget
- Safety codes
- The architectural style of the home
- Sun exposure
- Intended use of the pool
Some of the most popular swimming pool shapes are:
- Lap pool
- Rectangular pool
- Infinity edge pool
- Kidney shape pools
- Free form pools
- Oval pool
- Lagoon shaped pool
- Grecian or Roman pool shape
- Octagon pool
Let’s explore these swimming pool shapes and their variations.
1. Lap pool
Lap pools are similar to the standard ones, the only difference is their dimensions. Since they are built for exercise, meaning swimming laps, they are narrow and long.
You can see it in the picture above, their shape is not as balanced as the shape of a standard pool is. The design of a lap pool will mostly depend on the space that you have in your yard.
Our advice is not to think too much about the width of the lap pool, but about its length. So whatever you plan to include in your design, don’t put it around the pool, just put it along the longer sides of the pool. You may have to sacrifice some width, but you’ll be able to maximize length, which is the most important aspect of a lap pool.
2. Rectangular pool
Rectangular pool is the most popular shape of pools. As you already know, they come in all sizes, and can be made from different materials. They can also be inground or above ground.
The best thing about rectangular swimming pools is that because of their standard shape, there is pretty much no need to have anything custom made. In terms of your budget, that is a great way to enhance your design without breaking the bank.
Another great aspect of this pool shape is that you can always add to your design. There are no intricate corners that are hard to work around.
3. Infinity edge pool
Infinity edge pools (zero edge pools, vanishing edge pools, or simply infinity pools) are a type of swimming pool where the water flows over one edge. That one edge is slightly shorter than others, creating an illusion that the water has no boundaries.
Infinity pools can be incorporated into various parts of your yard, but certain areas are more suitable. Those are:
- Locations with scenic views (gardens, ponds, or natural landscapes)
- Higher areas on sloped properties (steep sites)
- Spots with a drop-off (downward slope)
If you decide to hire a professional pool designer, they can help you with your ideas. In this way you will enhance the beauty of your property, add a touch of luxury to your yard, and potentially increase the value of your home.
An infinity pool design can be enhanced with a hot tub. You have two options. You can create infinity pool with a standard hot tub. But, if you’re feeling like you need something special, your design can feature an infinity edge hot tub.
4. Kidney shape pools
The popularity of kidney shaped pools stems from their practicality. The inward curve on one side makes them an ideal design choice for smaller spaces. Moreover, their asymmetric shape gives a modern look.
Depending on your desired design and aesthetics, you can choose kidney shaped pool that is made from:
- Concrete
- Fiberglass
- Vinyl
In this photo, you can see a fiberglass kidney shaped pool. As all fiberglass pools, these are premade, but if you need a custom design, see the photo below.
Here you can see a vinyl kidney shaped swimming pool. The best thing about them is that they are customizable. So whatever space you have, big or small, this pool will be a great addition.
And again, depending on your design, these pools can be enhanced with many different accessories. Such as deckchairs, slides, swings, tables and beautiful landscaping.
5. Free form pools
Free form pools are designed in a naturalistic way, with flowy and curvy edges, which makes them very unique. They are typically made from concrete or have a vinyl lining. It is possible to find fiberglass ones, but those are pre-made models.
These pools are great if you have limited space or an irregularly shaped backyard. You can purchase pre-made features and then create your design around them, in order to save some money.
Great example of that would be the photo above. Where the stairs and the hot tub are standardly made and the vinyl free form pool is designed with those features in mind.
If you are indecisive or simply like multiple pool designs, free form pool is an excellent choice for you. The reason is that you can easily combine free form pools with some other pool design. In this particular example, you can see a combination of free form and lap pool. This is a great option if you like to lounge and relax and your partner likes to exercise. Or vice versa.
6. Oval pool
Oval pools strike an excellent balance between leisure and exercise, providing ample length for lap swimmers and plenty of space for lounging pool-goers. Few pool designs can offer this unique combination of features. However, if you find the oval pool shape to be unexciting, there are ways to spruce it up.
The best way to make any pool design special is to add a personal touch. You can do this through different or intriguing tile work (we’ll explain this in more detail later) or by slightly changing the shape of the pool.
You can see this in the design above, where the edges of the oval pool are slightly pinched so that the pool looks like an eye, with tiles completing the design.
7. Lagoon shaped pool
Lagoon shaped pools are a type of free form pools. The idea is that the shape of the pool resembles a natural body of water. Accessories, natural materials, surroundings and landscaping is what makes it a complete lagoon pool.
When it comes to the cost of lagoon shaped pools, they can be on the pricier side. The reasons for that are mainly accessories and landscaping. Also, they tend to take up more space than a regularly shaped pool.
Another thing that will take your lagoon pool to another level is a sand bottom entryway. This will not only look amazing, but will complement the natural look of the pool. Just take into consideration that you will have to install sand filters.
8. Grecian and Roman pool shape
If your style is timeless and elegant, Grecian/Roman pool shape is an excellent choice for you. This shape has a rectangular base with stylized corners known as Roman pool ends.
If you like this pool design idea, but you have limited space, there is an option for you as well. You can choose a half-Roman shape. In this case only one side of the pool is rounded.
Grecian or Roman pool shape is also a great option for indoor pools if you don’t live in a place with warm weather. You can complement this design with matching floor tiles and elegant lightning. With simple furniture and not too much bright colors, this type of indoor pool design is an excellent centerpiece.
9. Octagon pool
If the Roman pool design seems like a bit too much for you, octagon shape may be the right choice. This is another timeless design that can fit into any size yard. Cut-off edges are a simple, yet eye-catching detail.
Pool size
As you have seen, swimming pools come in many different shapes, and of course, they come in different sizes. We will discuss the basic 3 pool sizes and ideas on how to improve their design:
- Small pool ideas
- Large swimming pool
- Standard pool size
1. Small pool ideas
Small pools are those with 10×16 or 10×20 dimensions. In terms of depth, 3 feet is standard for soaking pools, and everything above 5 feet is great for swimming. Don’t be afraid of the small dimensions, these pools can be as beautiful as any standard sized one.
Since you are working with the small space, every detail has to be well thought out. When choosing a color scheme our advice is to go with a neutral color, so that the pool can be the focal point. Don’t choose big and bulky furniture, it can be overwhelming. Stick to the simple design with elegant lines and few accessories.
If you work with a little more space, you can create a spa feeling. Choose a spot in your yard that will be covered and secluded. Surround your pool with plants, palm trees, natural elements and comfortable lounge chairs.
As for the color, since there is more space, you can choose more than one. Just make sure the colors you include in your design are complementary.
2. Large swimming pool
Large swimming pools are usually part of a tropical resort. But they are not reserved only for that. If you have enough space in your yard, why not install a large pool? Everything bigger than 18×36 is considered to be a large swimming pool.
These pools are great for families that have more than 6 members, or simply love to throw pool parties with lots of guests.
If you decide to build a large residential pool you might want to take a few things into consideration. Mainly, the space. The pool size has to be in proportion to the size of your yard. The reason for this is not to overcrowd the lounge area.
Since we are talking about big dimensions, our recommendation is to obtain a detailed site plan of your property. It offers an aerial view of your plot, so you have the chance to see how each of the elements of your design will correlate with each other. It is very hard to do without one.
The other thing is the shape of the pool. Every shape mentioned in the previous section of this article can become a large pool. But our advice is to go with the free form. They look wonderful and have a natural feel. Also, as you saw, they are very easy to combine with other pool shapes.
3. Standard pool size
A standard swimming pool size is 16×32. This is also the minimum pool size for 8 feet deep pools.
No one will ever say they wish they had a smaller or simpler pool design. So whatever your design is, go for it. There are many different shapes even for standard pools. Again, if you have limited space, our recommendation is to have a site plan where you can easily decide on the shape, size and location of your pool.
Inground pool designs
Inground pools are the ultimate blank canvas for your backyard dreams. From classic concrete to budget-friendly vinyl, there’s a material to match every pocketbook. But don’t let sticker shock scare you off from that concrete masterpiece just yet, there are plenty of factors that impact the final price of your inground pool.
When it comes to shape and size, the world is your oyster. Whether you’re looking for a sleek rectangle or a funky free form, the only limit is your imagination. So go ahead and dive in!
Above ground pool design
If you’re looking for a quick and budget-friendly pool design, an above ground pool might be the solution for you. These pools can be installed in just a few days, and often come in kit form for easy assembly.
Many higher-end models also offer options for decks and railings, as well as the ability to add heaters to extend the swimming season.
However, it is important to note that above ground pools generally do not add value to your home and can have similar maintenance issues as inground pools. Additionally, they are typically only around 4 feet deep, making them not suitable for diving.
Semi inground pool designs
Semi inground pools are a great option for steep locations. The reason is that there is no need to level the ground before installation. This makes them a great design option for places where inground or above ground pools just won’t work.
Some pool companies that make above ground pools offer pools that can be installed as a semi inground pool. Also, there are those that offer custom made semi inground pools. They can be made of the same materials as inground pools. Which is great news for the homeowner planning to install a semi inground swimming pool.
This type of outdoor pool design is great because it can be incorporated into the terrain of your backyard. If you have a sloping plot, our advice is to install a semi inground pool and take advantage of your property to create a unique design.
Backyard pool ideas
Who says size matters? With some creative shape-shifting and a little geometry, you can create a show-stopping backyard pool design in even the tiniest of yards. Of course, that kind of intricate awesomeness requires a custom job, but hey, who doesn’t love being unique?
Think about the elements that you want to incorporate and work around them, those elements can be:
- integrated fire pit
- pool house
- pool decking
- diving board
- patio
For those who are working with a limited space, water features can be a total game changer. A simple wall can go from meh to mesmerizing with the right design touches. And let’s not forget about textures, materials, and other design elements (pool deck, pool area, pool environments) that can take your own backyard, from basic to bougie, no matter the size.
Modern pool designs
Contemporary pool designs are like the James Bond of backyard bliss – suave, sleek, and always on the cutting edge. Who needs a basic rectangle when you can have a custom beautiful pool, that doubles as a work of art?
But the real game-changer? In-pool lighting. With the right LED or fiber optic setup, your pool can go from basic to breathtaking in a flash. Cue the oohs and ahhs.
If you’re feeling adventurous, mix things up with a modern-meets-traditional mashup. Think sleek lines and neutral colors paired with intricate pool shapes for a design that’s equal parts timeless and trendy. Who says you can’t have it all?
Pool tile ideas
Ah, the humble pool tile – so small, yet so mighty in its power to transform a basic pool into a backyard paradise. The right choice of tile can take your outdoor oasis from blah to beautiful in no time.
You will leave a lasting impression with:
- bold colors
- intricate patterns
- unexpected textures
If you are interested in some out of the box designs, check out this video, it will definitely inspire you.
Video: The most creative swimming pool designs
Site plans for perfect pool design
Now that we’ve gone through all the components necessary to create the perfect pool design, it’s time to start creating it. Our team of experts will make a plot plan of your entire property. This will include existing structures and the proposed pool design. Having a detailed site plan will not only help you determine the right shape and size of the pool, but it is a requirement for all permits.
