Choosing a pool design can be one of the most exciting parts of planning a new backyard. It can also be one of the hardest. Do you want clean, straight lines or a more natural shape? A place to swim laps or a shallow ledge where you can relax?

The best pool designs aren’t just about looks. Your yard, your home, your budget, and how you plan to use the pool should all play a part in the final design.

Start With Your Yard and the Space You Have

Before you settle on a pool design, take a good look at your backyard. The size and shape of your property can affect where the pool goes, how large it can be, and which shapes work best.

You’ll also need to think about existing patios, landscaping, outdoor living areas, and how much open space you want to keep. If you have a homeowners’ association, check for rules about pool placement, fencing, and other parts of the project.

Once you know what will work in your yard, you can narrow down your options:

  • Geometric pools: Rectangles, squares, and other geometric shapes have clean, defined lines. A rectangular pool can also work well for swimming laps.
  • Freeform pools: Curved edges create a softer, more natural look. Gunite makes it possible to customize the pool’s shape to fit your yard. Freeform pools also work well with features such as waterfalls and natural landscaping
  • Infinity pools: Water flows over one edge into a lower basin, making it appear as though the pool continues into the view. This design works best for yards with a slope or open view.

A custom pool builder can look at your property and help you choose a design that fits your space and how you want to use it.

Pick Pool Features Based on How You’ll Use It

It’s easy to start adding features because they look great in photos. Before you do, think about how you’ll actually spend time in your pool.

If you like to lounge in the water, you may want a tanning ledge. Wide entry steps can give swimmers an easy place to sit or enter the water. If you want a place to unwind at the end of the day, you might decide to add a spa or other custom pool feature.

Other options may include waterfalls, fountains, deeper swimming areas, and water features.

You don’t need to add everything. Choosing the features you’ll use most can help you get more out of your pool without crowding the design.

Design the Pool With the Rest of Your Backyard in Mind

Your pool is only one part of your backyard.

Think about where people will sit, eat, walk, and spend time when they’re not in the water. Your pool design should work with your patio, landscaping, outdoor kitchen, covered areas, and other spaces you already have or plan to add.

The style matters, too. A pool with sharp, modern lines may look great with one home, while a curved pool surrounded by natural landscaping may suit another.

Planning everything together can make the finished backyard feel connected rather than looking like the pool was added as an afterthought.

Plan Your Pool for the Texas Heat

A Texas backyard needs to work on hot summer days, so think about more than the water itself.

Where will you go when you want a break from the sun? You may want room for umbrellas, covered seating, or another shaded area near the pool.

It’s also worth thinking about where the sun hits your yard throughout the day. These details can affect where you place seating, landscaping, and other features around the pool.

Explore Pool Designs for Your Godley, Texas Home

There’s no single pool design that’s right for every backyard. The right one should fit your property, work with your home, and give you space to swim, relax, and spend time together.

If you’re planning a custom pool in the Fort Worth area, visit Lemaster Custom Pools’ showroom or contact our team for a free estimate. Tell us about your backyard, the pool designs you like, and the features you want, and we’ll help you plan a pool that fits your home.

Related:

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Gunite Pool Construction: 7 Benefits Homeowners Should Know