If you have decided that you’re going to add a swimming pool to your backyard, you have a lot of exciting decisions ahead of you. Taking your swimming pool ideas from just a dream to an actual reality is a thrilling endeavor! The decisions that you make will also separate your pool from others out there—making it something that is truly your own.
One of those decisions is choosing the right pool shape.
You want to make sure that you choose a pool shape that suits your style preferences but also fits your yard both from an aesthetic and logistics standpoint.
While some homeowners come into the process with a clear idea of what they want, others are looking for some ideas—and want to know any possible factors that they should consider in making the decision.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to choose the best inground pool shape so that you can feel confident you’ve made the best choice. When your pool is ready for swimming, you want to love every single thing about it, including its shape.
Swimming Pool Shape Options
The style of pool that you choose could be a natural, flowing look (with curves) or it could be more modern, straight-lined, and linear. Linear pools are rectangular in shape but there is even some preference there in terms of the size/length of the edges.
You could also do something completely customized and go with a unique shape like a horse head, a guitar, a piano, or some other shape that suits your personality and your preferences.
Which of these options is right for you will really come down to several important factors.
Let’s look at some considerations that you should keep in mind when ultimately coming to the decision of the best pool shape for you.
Your Personal Design Preferences
In general, most people tend to gravitate toward either a modern, linear look or a natural, free-flowing look which will help you to determine what pool shape is right for you. Your personal preferences will have a lot to do in making this decision. In fact, you’ve likely already made decisions around your home and landscape that suit your personal preferences.
The Surrounding Landscape Style
Of course, it also helps to consider the home’s architectural style and the rest of the landscaping. What inground pool shape will best complement what is already there? Again, you’ve likely already made these decisions and you want your pool to fit in with what’s already there.
Available Space
The shape of the yard itself and how much space you have available are also factors that come into play with inground pool shapes. Where will you be putting the pool and what other outdoor living features are you planning to incorporate?
This can have an impact on what type of pool shape will work best for your space as a whole.
Functionality/Plans for the Pool Use
Ultimately, how you plan to “use” your pool can also impact choosing the right pool shape. The obvious answer is “to swim,” but really people end up using their pools in so many other ways.
- Do you have kids that will be using the pool for swimming/playing?
- Do you need a deep-end that is deep enough for safe diving?
- Will anyone be using the pool for lap swimming for exercise?
- Do you envision yourself doing more lounging than swimming?
All of these factors can come into play when choosing the right pool shape and making sure that you’re able to get full use of your pool.
Plans for Pool Features
Swimming pool features are also really important to your overall use and enjoyment of the pool—plus they should be considered in terms of choosing a shape. An infinity edge, for instance, is best-suited to a linear pool. Though that’s not to say that you couldn’t have a straight edge for the infinity edge and a curve somewhere else. One of the amazing things about building a custom pool is that it can truly be one-of-a-kind and only limited by your imagination.
Other potential pool features that you might be considering include the following.
- A beach entry
- Sun/tanning ledges
- Water features
- An attached or detached spa
- Pool lighting
- Unique depths (such as all one depth, a deep-end in the middle, or an extra-deep end)
- Rock wall or caves
Plans Around the Pool
You’ll also want to consider the features around the pool as these will impact your overall space and can therefore play a role in choosing the right pool shape. These features around a pool end up being as important as the pool itself since they keep you in the space for longer and make your time there more enjoyable.
Such features might include the following.
- Pool patio
- Outdoor kitchen
- Pavilion or pergola
- Retaining walls
- Walkways and steps
- Fire features
- Poolhouse
Choosing the Right Pool Shape Boils Down to Choosing a Custom Pool
Clearly, there is a lot to consider with inground pool shapes. But what is important to remember is that you wouldn’t have the abundance of choices to make if you didn’t choose a custom, gunite pool.
With a fiberglass pool, you are truly stuck with only the shape and size that can fit on a truck (since this type of pool is made at a factory and sent to your house).
That’s why the best material choice for custom pools is gunite, which allows you to choose something outside of the norm and super customized.
When building a gunite pool, custom pool builders in Northern VA will start off by digging a hole and installing the plumbing. Gunite pools use a rebar framework grid (steel reinforcing rods) that is then sprayed with the gunite mixture (a mixture of cement and sand). The gunite will be smoothed out and then set to completely dry before a smooth finish is applied to the rough surface.
When you are having a gunite pool built, you really can get completely customized and even go with a totally unique design like a guitar or a horse head! You’re not limited in size in any way, either. If you want a large pool that is extra long, you are able to achieve that with gunite since you are not limited to what fits on a truck.
Working with a Custom Pool Builder in Northern Virginia
At the end of the day, pool shape is just one of many choices that you’ll be making for your swimming pool. With a project as important as this, you really want to make sure that you’re in good hands and have chosen an excellent guide to walk you through every decision.
We know there is a lot to think about and it can get overwhelming. But at Rock Water Farm, we are here to help. As you move closer to making decisions around your swimming pool, we can help to be your knowledgeable guides that will ensure you’ll be happy with the end result.
With the right guide leading your pool creation experience, you’ll be able to feel confident that your dream will come to fruition exactly as you’ve dreamed—or perhaps even better.
Are you ready to get started on the pool of your dreams at your Haymarket, Gainesville, or Round Hill, VA home? If so, talk to an expert, choose a solution that rocks, and get ready to see your dreams begin to take shape!
