Size and Position of Your Pool

The layout of your pool depends on your budget, available space, and design taste . No two pools are the same, so be sure to think about what you really want and need in a pool. Take a good look at your yard and decide where you would like the pool to be located. You may prefer it in the sunniest spot , or near the shade. One thing to consider is that the water will warm up in the sun, saving on your energy bills.

Sometimes people want pools at the bottom of the yard, and sometimes close to the house. Make your choice based on the design of your home and what works best for you. Keep in mind to allow space around the pool for borders, fences and landscaping. Do you want to be able to see the pool from the street, or from your house? Consider your access paths to make sure that the pool is ideally situated. Using a tape measure, measure the dimensions of the pool you want. Keep your pool size proportional to the size of the home. Do you want it to be just one aspect of your yard, or do you want it to be the yard's main feature? Your house can easily look overwhelmed if the pool is too large .

The overall size greatly impacts the final cost of the pool. The most popular pools are about 50 square feet in size. Of course, you can choose a larger or smaller one if you'd like .

Shape options are pretty much unlimited. Think about whether you want a round, oval or rectangular pool. You might prefer the pool to be kidney-shaped or even a custom-designed unique shape. The pool can also embrace a home, appearing to wrap around it or curve towards the home. When choosing the shape of the pool, consider what you will be using it for, as well as how it looks. For children, you might want a shallow pool, but for diving you will want one that's much deeper than normal. If you want to swim laps or play games, you might consider the classic rectangular shape. They are also much easier to cover. Kidney or free-form designs blend in well with surrounding vegetation and may appear more natural. Most pools are about 3 1/2 to 5 feet deep; they may have to be deeper if you wish to make use of a diving board, or shallower if you have very young children. Choose the design to suit your lifestyle and your sense of what looks good.