How To Choose The Right Kind Of Pool For Your Outdoor Living Space

You’ve designed your own outdoor oasis. Everything looks beautiful, except for the pool. It’s too big and looks like it doesn’t belong with the rest of the outdoor living space. Let’s rewind to a time before you had the pool put in.

There are certain things that you have to look for when choosing a pool.

In the case above, it’s size. If it’s too big for your yard it’s going to look sort of clunky.

Size isn’t the only thing that matters, however! Keep reading to find out how to choose a pool that will fit in with your yard.

1. Consider What You’re Using the Pool For

Before you choose a pool, sit back and think about what you’re going to be using the pool for. Do you have a bunch of little ones who like to bring their friends over to swim? Are you using it as a luxurious way to lounge on your days off from work? 

You should also think about your climate. If you live in an area where it’s hot pretty much year-round, then you’ll be getting a lot more use out of your pool than those who experience frequent cold fronts. All of these factors will determine how large of a pool you need. 

2. How Much Space Do You Have? 

Speaking of space, how much room do you have available to place a pool? If you have acres and acres of land to play around with then the sky is the limit. You can get pretty much any sized pool you want. 

If you have a smaller yard, however, a pool that’s too big will seem a little clunky and out of place. Not only will it look out of place but it makes it harder for your children and pets to run around and play. 

You should also consider if you entertain people on a regular basis. If you do, it may be wise to give yourself more deck room than pool room.  

3. Pool Shapes 

Pools come in a wide array of sizes and shapes. The most popular shapes for you to consider are rectangle, oval, true L, Lazy L, and kidney. We’re going through each of these shapes with you. 

Rectangle 

Rectangle pools are the ones that you see in yards all over. They’re the most common type. 

You can get a lot of normal swimming in with these but they are best used to swim laps in. 

Oval

Even with the rounded corners, you can still swim laps in an oval pool as well as do any other water sports. Oval pools look a little less formal than rectangular pools but that’s not a huge issue depending on the theme you’re going with for your yard. 

True L 

If there’s a corner of your house that offers a lot of space then a true L pool is the perfect way to fill it. This pool shape offers a little variety. You can have one end be a little shallower than the other in order to accommodate inexperienced swimmers. 

You can use the long section of the pool to do laps and use the shorter end for lounging and play. There’s no end to the options. 

Lazy L

The lazy L pool shape provides the same exact variety that the true L does. The difference is that the short end of the lazy L rests at an angle. It may fit with your space a little better or just add more personality to the yard than the true L. 

Kidney

If you have absolutely no idea which shape you want to use, consider the kidney. It works well for any type of yard. It’s inviting and the indention of the bean shape offers up the potential to have a pool and a hot tub. 

4. Type of Material

Now that you’ve chosen what size pool you want, you’ve got to figure out what material you want to use. The big three are vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete. Each material comes with its own share of pros and cons. 

Vinyl

If you’re strapped for cash, viny is the most inexpensive option. It also works pretty well if you happen to live in a colder climate.

The only issue with vinyl is durability. They only hold up for about a decade. This is still quite a long time but fiberglass and concrete do last longer. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass pools don’t take that long to install and they look a little better than vinyl. Fiberglass doesn’t work with every single pool shape though. If your pool exceeds the correct dimensions you won’t be able to use this material. 

Concrete 

Concrete is the sturdiest option that you can go with for your pool material. Not only is it strong but it’s also pretty versatile.  

5. Trees and Shade 

The last thing that you need to consider is your foliage. It seems like a good idea to clear the lot out for your pool until the hot summer months arrive. It’s best to leave a few trees around the pool. 

You may end up with a few leaves in your pool but trees provide much-needed shade. Besides, trees give your outdoor living space a little character. 

Liven Up Your Outdoor Living Space With the Right Pool 

Every good outdoor living space needs a pool. It’s almost criminal to host a summer BBQ without one. There’s so many on the market that it can be pretty hard to choose one though. 

Use the tips that you’ve read here today to liven up your outdoor space with the right pool. 

Are you ready to build your perfect outdoor oasis? Contact us to schedule a consultation.