Some people like the idea of an above ground pool because it isn't such a permanent structure, and can be taken apart at the end of the season and stored away. One of the biggest drawback of owning an above ground pool is that you are limited in the shape and size of the pool. In order to maintain structural integrity, most of these are round, and have height limitations. In ground pools are able have more flexibility, and while some people like the idea of a rectangular pool, there are a number of different options, including round, oval designs, and even custom shapes and depths. You can even add landscaping and water features to your pool, making it unique to your own personal tastes.

A swimming pool is the focal point to your back yard, so any design should start with the pool, and go out from there. Some people like the idea of having a hot tub right close by, with some kind of connection so that if it gets too hot, there can be an inlet to let the cooler pool water come in.

Some pools have a combination of angles and curves, with seats that are built in, steps, and even fiber optic lighting. Customized decking, water features such as water falls, or even combining a water fall feature with a slide is an option. Some designs even incorporate water features with natural landscaping to give you a more exotic experience, like enjoying a swim in a tropical lagoon. There is so much you can do with these different designs, and even if you don't have a flat level yard, you can still incorporate a pool into your landscaping.

If you are not sure what kind of design you want, or what other features you can include with your pool you should go online. There are a number of different places you can go where you can see an abundance of these different designs, not just to give you some examples of the options available, but also give you ideas for your own custom designs.

Really the different designs are limited only by your imagination as well as your budget. With today's technology, you are not limited by structure, because there are so many different materials to choose from, fiberglass, metal, stone and other masonry that you don't have to stay with conventional shapes. You can have curving designs, and even edges that look more natural and may not even look like a pool. The pumps, and filtration systems can also be hidden away so they are not noticed. With the use of fiber optics, you can have lights just about anywhere you want them. If you live in an area that gets a lot of sun, many water features, filtration systems and even pool heaters can be operated with the use of solar power, which saves you a lot of money on your utility bills. These systems can be installed with the panels in a separate location, so that they don't interfere with your design strategies.