Modern pool design has become somewhat of an artform. There was a time when all backyard pools looked basically the same, but that time is gone. Today’s pools incorporate a variety of materials and design techniques to make each creation as unique as each homeowner. If you’re planning to build a pool, here are some inspirational ideas based on some of this year’s most popular pool and patio design trends.
Vanishing edge: The latest craze in pool design is the vanishing edge (sometimes called an infinity edge or negative edge), which produces the visual effect of water extending to the horizon.
Fire features: There’s just something ethereal about combining the elements of fire and water that appeals to many people on a deep level. Fire bowls, fireplaces and fire pits make an excellent addition to a poolscape, both from visual and practical standpoints, as a fire feature provides a way to enjoy your pool deck during months when it’s too cold to swim.
Water features: Water features come in a variety of styles, including waterfalls, fountains, spillways and more. The image below incorporates two different types of waterfalls: a natural stone waterfall and a spa waterfall.
Back to nature: Many homeowners choose a design that looks like it was carved out of nature. This can be achieved by incorporating natural stone, or as in the design below, concrete pavers that emulate the look at natural stone. There are a number of added benefits to choosing pavers over natural stone, including decreased materials costs, decreased installation costs and non-slip surfacing.
“Green” options: Eco-friendly design strategies are one of the top-growing trends in outdoor living. With a pool design, this can be achieve through the use of a geothermal or solar heater, as well as permeable paver decking. Permeable pavers allow rainwater to filter through the joints instead of running off into ditches and storm drains. A permeable system can even be designed to harvest and recycle rainwater.
Mixed materials: Eclectic designs are quite popular, achieved by mixing a variety of materials and styles together. The design below incorporates multiple styles of pavers, tiles and natural stone. Wood grained porcelain pavers also add the look of natural wood to the design, but offer added benefits that can’t be achieved with natural wood: durability, slip-resistance, fade-resistance and stain-resistance.
Multiple elevations: Retaining walls can help control erosion, convert sloped terrain into usable space, and in the case of poolscape design below, build multi-level terraces for seating, gardens, dining areas, water features and more.
Decorative edging: There was a time when your choices were limited to brick or bullnose coping. Keep in mind that both of those options are still popular choices. But now, creative designs and alternate edging materials are becoming increasingly popular, as well.
Extended outdoor living areas: Modern poolscape design tends to expand beyond the water’s edge and into extended outdoor living areas, which are often designed and decorated to look like an outdoor version of an indoor space.
Less is more: While some are drawn to expansive poolscapes, others are opting for a contemporary minimalist look. The design below evokes the timeless look of a classic pool with the contemporary twist of an additional modular stepping stone patio.
Lighting: One simple way to add ambiance of a pool design is to incorporate interesting lighting. This can be done throughout the landscaping and in the interior of pools and spas.
11 comments
Do you do BBQ / outdoor kitchens?
Funny you should ask…next week’s blog is about build-in grill design ideas! Belgard offers a lot of products to build gorgeous outdoor kitchens and grill stations. We offer pre-built modular units that install very quickly in our Belgard Elements collection. For custom outdoor kitchens, we have many retaining wall products that can be used to construct a durable outdoor kitchen that will last a lifetime and increase the value of your home. One really great Belgard product for constructing custom kitchens and grill stations is Tandem® Modular Grid, which is highly versatile and can be used to improve the aesthetics of existing structures, as well as construct new ones. If you need help finding a qualified contractor in your area to install any of these products, visit our contractor locator page.
I would be interested in seeing a blog like this but for driveways. Do you do driveways with lighting and drainage as well?
We have a few driveway design blogs in our archives that can help to give you some design ideas. If you need help finding a qualified contractor who can help you with your design, installation, drainage and lighting needs, visit our contractor locator gallery.
Do your company specializes in pool grottos in Maryland or Virginia?
There are a number of fantastic Belgard authorized contractors in the Maryland/Virginia area. To find one near you, visit our contractor locator gallery.
Nice article. Will definitely take note of the key points.
Thanks!
Nice ideas. My personal favourite among these is the decorative edging one. It brings forth a premium touch to the entire pool. Nothing is sweeter than finishing your work and coming back into the comfort of your pool.
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These pool decks and patios seem to be so on trend. I’ve never seen an actual vanishing edge pool deck in our area, but it creates such a cool visual effect, I can see it becoming more and more popular over the conventional designs. Of course, the other designs are classic and seems like you can’t go wrong with them! Thanks for the great post and visuals.