DESIGNING YOUR DREAM POOL

Shape & Style

Once the placement of the pool has been determined, it's time to choose the shape, size and style. This will establish not only the parameters of the pool within the landscape and proportionality to your property, but the character of the entire pool environment as well.

Formal pools, in symmetrical shapes, with straight lines can repeat the architectural planes of a house. Their elongated shapes direct the view outward. The oldest, most classic example is the rectangular pool.

Free-form pools, which feature irregular curves, generally require more space than symmetrical shapes. This style dates back to the years immediately following World War II, when the advent of gunite made such curvaceous forms economically feasible. Some pool curves accommodate existing site features such as trees and rocks. When vegetation is planted up to the edges, organically shaped pools can look convincingly natural.

Alternatively, you could go for the ultra-natural look, where your pool would look as if it was always meant to be there. This can be achieved by utilizing the existing topography and incorporating a variety of plants, rocks and boulders that will allow the basin to blend seamlessly into its surrounds.

Pond or swimming pool? It is possible to blur the visual definition between the two with planted perimeters, boulder-strewn edges, and rushing waterfalls.