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Advice on pool design and construction
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
Michael Davis
New member
we just built one last year! i suggest measuring your space first and then talking to a designer about what kind of pool shape would work best. also, don’t forget to think about things like pool deck space and landscaping!
Elara Brooks
Member
Hey Mike,
I remember standing in my yard last spring, tape-measure in one hand, coffee in the other, wondering how on earth a hole full of water could feel so complicated. Here’s what finally made the lightbulb click for me and hope it saves you a few head-scratches.
Walk the space first, no sketches yet.
Early morning, late afternoon, whenever you’ve got five minutes—just stroll the yard and pay attention. Where does the sun roast the grass? Where does rain puddle? That little detective work tells you more than any Pinterest board.
Old-school string trick.
Grab a ball of twine and some tent stakes. Outline the rough pool shape right on the lawn. A rectangle? A kidney? You’ll instantly see if you still have space to drag the mower through or set up a grill. If the string path feels tight when you walk around it, the finished pool will feel even tighter in real life.
Setback math.
Most municipalities want at least 5–10 ft between water’s edge and the property line (sometimes more). Call the zoning office once; don’t rely on the builder’s guess. I learned that the hard way and had to shave two feet off my original width.
Purpose over pretty pictures.
• Kids cannon-balling? Leave a wide shallow end.
• Lap swimmer? Long and narrow beats fancy curves.
• Social butterfly? Baja shelf plus built-in benches keeps everyone chatting.
Any design book will tempt you with wild shapes, but if it doesn’t serve how you live, you’ll regret it by Labor Day.
Budget for the “invisible” stuff.
People rave about tile choices, then flinch when the quote for proper drainage or a decent variable-speed pump shows up. Spend smart on plumbing and filtration up front; you can upgrade the fancy lighting next year.
Talk to at least two local builders.
Ask for addresses of pools they finished three summers ago, not last month. If the deck is still level and the coping hasn’t cracked, that crew’s probably solid.
Leave grass (or patio) breathing room.
Swimming is fun; sitting pool-side with a burger is half the point. I kept a 6-ft strip along one edge for loungers and didn’t regret it once.
Measure twice, call the city once, and trust your gut on size—bigger isn’t always better if it turns your yard into wall-to-wall concrete. You’ll thank yourself when there’s still space to chase the dog.
Good luck, and shoot a pic when you’ve got the twine laid out. Happy digging!
I remember standing in my yard last spring, tape-measure in one hand, coffee in the other, wondering how on earth a hole full of water could feel so complicated. Here’s what finally made the lightbulb click for me and hope it saves you a few head-scratches.
Walk the space first, no sketches yet.
Early morning, late afternoon, whenever you’ve got five minutes—just stroll the yard and pay attention. Where does the sun roast the grass? Where does rain puddle? That little detective work tells you more than any Pinterest board.
Old-school string trick.
Grab a ball of twine and some tent stakes. Outline the rough pool shape right on the lawn. A rectangle? A kidney? You’ll instantly see if you still have space to drag the mower through or set up a grill. If the string path feels tight when you walk around it, the finished pool will feel even tighter in real life.
Setback math.
Most municipalities want at least 5–10 ft between water’s edge and the property line (sometimes more). Call the zoning office once; don’t rely on the builder’s guess. I learned that the hard way and had to shave two feet off my original width.
Purpose over pretty pictures.
• Kids cannon-balling? Leave a wide shallow end.
• Lap swimmer? Long and narrow beats fancy curves.
• Social butterfly? Baja shelf plus built-in benches keeps everyone chatting.
Any design book will tempt you with wild shapes, but if it doesn’t serve how you live, you’ll regret it by Labor Day.
Budget for the “invisible” stuff.
People rave about tile choices, then flinch when the quote for proper drainage or a decent variable-speed pump shows up. Spend smart on plumbing and filtration up front; you can upgrade the fancy lighting next year.
Talk to at least two local builders.
Ask for addresses of pools they finished three summers ago, not last month. If the deck is still level and the coping hasn’t cracked, that crew’s probably solid.
Leave grass (or patio) breathing room.
Swimming is fun; sitting pool-side with a burger is half the point. I kept a 6-ft strip along one edge for loungers and didn’t regret it once.
Measure twice, call the city once, and trust your gut on size—bigger isn’t always better if it turns your yard into wall-to-wall concrete. You’ll thank yourself when there’s still space to chase the dog.
Good luck, and shoot a pic when you’ve got the twine laid out. Happy digging!
David Wilson
Member
When I designed my pool, I learned it’s all about planning how you’ll actually use the space. Start by walking your yard at different times of day to see where the sun hits and where you might want shade later. Then, grab a garden hose or some string and outline the shape you’re considering, it really helps you visualize size and flow.
Think about who will use the pool most: kids, guests, or just you relaxing. That helps decide things like depth, tanning ledges, and deck space. Leave plenty of room around the pool for seating or a small outdoor kitchen if you like entertaining.
Think about who will use the pool most: kids, guests, or just you relaxing. That helps decide things like depth, tanning ledges, and deck space. Leave plenty of room around the pool for seating or a small outdoor kitchen if you like entertaining.
Nathan Parker
Member
I’m in the planning stage too, and one thing that really helped was marking out the potential pool with string and lawn chairs just to see how it felt walking around it. It’s crazy how different it looks on paper vs. in person. Also, talk to someone who’s already built one in your area, they’ll know what works best with local soil and sun exposure. I’m leaning toward a smaller design with a big lounging area instead of going huge.
Jason Bennett
Member
Hey Mike, designing a pool is really about balancing space, function, and style. A few things that helped me:
- Walk your yard first – notice where the sun, shade, and drainage naturally fall. It’ll affect where people actually want to be.
- Outline the shape – use a garden hose, rope, or string to trace the pool on the ground. Gives you a real sense of scale before digging.
- Think usage – shallow areas for kids, deep end for diving, tanning ledges, or built-in seating if you entertain. The shape should fit how you plan to use it, not just what looks cool.
- Leave room around it – for loungers, pathways, or a small deck. Don’t cram it right up against fences or trees.
- Check local rules – setbacks from property lines, permits, and safety requirements. Saves headaches later.
- Talk to builders – see examples of pools they did a few years ago, not just the shiny new ones. It shows long-term quality.