8 Pool Design Trends to Get Behind

Feb 6

4 min read

Does it seem like there’s something missing from your backyard? Is that space just laying fallow?

Could it be that the very thing that backyard space misses is a pool?

And have you always dreamed of having a pool in your backyard?

You can have one (as you’re about to find out from this article) but if you do, don’t look past these trends in pool design, all of which have recently become relatively popular.

We can help you bring your vision for your backyard pool to life - but don’t miss these trends, just in case you want to capitalize on any of them along the way.

Here are 8 of the best of them, from underwater lighting to rock waterfalls for your pool.

Rock Waterfalls for Your Pool Are in

Rock waterfalls for pools have been trending lately and offer a lot more than just aesthetic value.

But first, of course, the aesthetics. Rock waterfalls for your pool, especially those made with real stone, can revolutionize the look and feel of your yard. This alone is a selling point.

But they offer so much more. For one, rock waterfalls offer a little bit of auditory stimulation and pleasant white noise that can drown out ambient noise pollution.

The other thing is that rock waterfalls also help circulate pool chemicals, improving the economy of your setup.

And, on top of that, the waterfall will help cool the pool off through evaporation, so one of these can help keep your pool cooler and more comfortable on those scorching summer days.

But don’t just stop at the waterfall; another cool trend is to build a grotto into the design behind the rock waterfall that can serve as a unique and private retreat.

Pool Heaters

If you hate putting your pool “in” during the cooler months of the year, consider building a heater into the design of the pool.

This will improve operating costs slightly, but at the same time, you’ll get to use your pool throughout more of the year - earlier and later in the season.

Underwater Lights

Naturally you will want to consider the ambient lighting configuration associated with your outdoor entertaining areas, but not all of your lighting has to be conventional.

Some of the lighting can be submarine, so to speak, and there are a lot of selling points associated with underwater lighting.

For one, underwater lighting creates a completely unique ambiance that just can’t be replicated with overhead lights.

For another, the underwater lighting can be used to complement the overhead lighting, making the pool more enjoyable to use in the dark and bathing the whole area in a suffuse, calming blue light at night.

Smaller Pools Are a Possibility

Don’t think that just because you have a small yard you can’t have a pool. Small pools are trending!

Granted, you’ll have more flexibility with what you can put in your yard the more space you have, but don’t feel limited just because you don’t have a lot of room.

Even a small yard can accommodate a pool design that might surprise you, and our team of custom pool contractors in Houston is the perfect consultative resource for you to tap into.

Get us a survey of your yard or give us the available dimensions, tell us what you’d like to see there, and we’ll go over your viable options.

A Shallow “Lounge” Ledge

Another big trend among homeowners that are looking to design custom pools for their yards is to incorporate a broad, flat, shallow ledge near the steps, or at one end of the pool.

At first glance the feature might seem odd, until you realize what they’re used for - basically, a lounge ledge for relaxing in shallow water.

Drop your lounge chair in the shallows and you can enjoy a nice relaxing dip without the exertion of swimming - and we all know that one of the main benefits of pools is relaxation.

Saltwater Pools Are Becoming Popular

Saltwater pools may not be new but they certainly are enjoying a surge in popularity at the current time. Basically, they represent a unique and natural way to help keep your water clean and clear.

Conventionally, homeowners typically use a blend of chemicals, including either chlorine or bromine, to disinfect their water so as to prevent the growth of harmful pathogens.

However, saltwater in your pool can help keep the water sanitized without the need for harsh (and expensive and corrosive) chemicals, effectively and affordably.

But it gets better - saltwater has also been linked to a number of benefits with respect to skin health, too - so the benefits go beyond keeping the water clean. Saltwater pools might just be a win-win.

Cocktail Pools

Would you love a bar that you can swim up to? You may be able to get just that in your backyard, with the design of what might be termed a “cocktail pool.”

The basic design of a cocktail pool will incorporate a wet bar for your outdoor space, and will either have a ledge or another seating area in the pool where you can swim or wade up.

Just a thought for inspiration - other than these pointers, you can make of it whatever you want!

Consider a Smart Pool Design

Lastly, smart pools, or pools which offer you remote, smart controls over temperature, lighting, and sometimes even chemical administration, are becoming more popular.

These pools can be remotely managed which can cut down on operating and maintenance costs, and make the pool more comfortable since you can make specific settings.

Moreover, smart pools are great for landlords, those that own multiple properties, or just homeowners that are always traveling, as the smart infrastructure is easier to manage from afar.

Work with Our Pool Contractors in Houston

Thinking one of these design trends might offer your home a bit of extra value? You might be right, and our custom pool contractors in Houston can help you bring that vision to life.