From refreshing mornings and entertaining weekends to family milestones and lifelong memories, swimming pools can be the star of your summer. The perfect pool begins with a thoughtful design. Pools serve a purpose far more than the simple summer dip.
Having a swimming pool in your backyard presents endless opportunities for growth, connection, and laughter. Perfectly designed for your backyard, the right pool shape creates a delightful aesthetic experience that will brighten your summers.
Why Swimming Pool Shape Matters
Many people want to jump straight into construction when building an inground backyard pool. However, the planning and design stage are the most crucial elements of creating the luxury swimming pool experience you want.
A perfect, luxury pool design should complement the home architecture and backyard layout, while optimizing the family lifestyle and property value.
The shape of the pool determines:
- Functionality
- Atmosphere
- Traffic in the backyard
- Long-term value and landscaping opportunities
It creates the first impression of your backyard.
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Pool Shape?
Choosing the perfect pool shape requires a balance of lifestyle preferences, intended use, architecture, and property layout.
Begin the decision-making process and transform your backyard into your dream pool by reviewing the following.
Backyard Layout and Dimensions
Backyard size limitations and state regulations on zoning and pool protection can restrict dream pools from being built. For example, backyards are filled with trees, shrubbery, patio, patio equipment, gardens, and play areas. Yet, you still need to allot ample space for a pool fence and decking.
Your pool contractor team can help survey your yard and landscaping plans to determine the optimal dimensions. Once the dimensions are finalized, prototype different designs to find one that gives the illusion of a bigger space.
From our experience, most homeowners in the Fairfield, CT area favor a 20×40 size inground pool for its versatile, perfect fit in Connecticut backyards.
Lifestyle Significance:
The right pool shape enhances your family’s lifestyle. It’s important to identify your priorities and intentions regarding pool use early on.
- If you seek a pool for fitness, like swimming laps, then a narrow, long, rectangular pool shape will facilitate your needs.
- If you seek a social setting, you may opt for a rounded shape that will leave ample space for a large patio in your yard.
- If you seek a family-friendly pool, it is important to incorporate a shallow and deep end and safety measures throughout.
Additionally, identifying what pool amenities and features you would like is important when deciding on the pool shape.
For example, you might consider including a tanning ledge and waterfall for relaxation. These features often complement a curved pool shape.
Pool Style and Mood:
The design of the pool enhances the mood. Pool contractors often recommend letting your home’s architecture guide the pool design planning.
With their sharp, symmetrical structure, geometric pools align with modern, minimalistic aesthetics. Curved and freeform pools, on the other hand providing a more organic and relaxed feel.
Pool owners can further elevate their pool with intentional lighting features and customization.
Pool Maintenance Preferences:
Creativity is not the only contributing factor to pool shape decision-making. Convenience is equally important.
During the swimming season, pools need frequent cleaning. During off-season, pools require sufficient protection such as automatic pool covers or winter covers.
The easiest pool shapes to clean and cover are geometric rather than curved shapes. The most common is a rectangle pool shape, for its predictable water circulation, straight-forward covering process, and lower maintenance costs.
Budget and Future Value of the Pool:
Different pool shapes bring different values. Depending on your pool shape and size options, you have different opportunities and restrictions to consider.
For example, a flexible freeform pool shape presents more landscaping and backyard renovation opportunities than rigid rectangular pools. However, it often costs substantially more to install due to increased customized labor.
When carefully analyzing your budget constraints, you may ultimately decide the more expensive pool shape provides a better resale value and enhances your life more.
6 Inground Pool Designs and Their Advantages
1. Rectangular Pools
A rectangular pool shape encourages athletic use of the swimming pool. Its layout is perfect for swimming laps and setting up a volleyball net for games. Additionally, the rectangular shape is the least expensive to install as an inground pool.
2. Kidney-shaped Pools
A Kidney-shaped pool is a great option when backyard space limits the pool customization. It is an oval shape with an indentation on one side. This simple, soft-edged choice is another popular option for families.
3. Freeform Pools
If you are looking to turn your backyard into your personal oasis, the freeform pool shape impressively resembles natural water. However, this complete customization and complex construction is typically more expensive.
4. L-Shaped Pools
L-shaped pools combine the convenience of rectangle pools with the versatility of curved pools. The structure provides ample space to divide the deep end from the shallow end, ensuring you can dive safely while kids play in the pool.
5. Roman Pools
Roman and Grecian pools are essentially rectangular pools with curved or stylized corners. If you are looking for a complement to your grand, sophisticated home, installing a Roman or Grecian shaped pool is the best option for you.
6. Infinity Edge Pools
Sloped or hillside backyards often benefit from infinity edge pools. An infinity pool elevates the prestige of the property; however, the complex plumbing system is substantially more expensive.
FAQ About Pool Shapes:
1. What is the most popular pool shape?
The rectangle pool shape is widely regarded as the most popular pool shape. It is versatile, less expensive, and totally timeless, providing optimal swimming space and covering convenience.
2. What pool shape is best for small or irregular yards?
For smaller backyards, kidney-shaped or freeform pools are highly effective because their custom curves accommodate surrounding patio space and landscaping obstructions.
3. What pool shape is the least expensive?
The standard rectangle-shaped pools are the least expensive as they don’t require complex or custom excavation, framework, labor, or covers.
4. How to choose the best pool shape for my yard: rectangle vs freeform?
The best pool shape depends on your property size and layout, lifestyle, home architecture, and long-term goals. A rectangular pool often suits modern homes and lap swimming, while freeform and geometric designs complement outdoor entertaining and natural landscapes. A custom pool contractor can evaluate your property and recommend a design that maximizes both function and aesthetics.
Dive Into Your Dream Backyard with Shoreline Pools
Professional, custom pool designers deliver the best results. Choosing the right pool shape balances functionality and aesthetics with your personal lifestyle.
For 50 years, Shoreline Pools has transformed Connecticut homeowners’ visions into a luxury pool experience. Our experienced designers provide exceptional service, assessing:
- Property dimensions
- Utility line setbacks
- Home architecture
- Family lifestyle & pool use
- Sun exposure & natural shade cycles
Ready to transform your backyard into a luxury retreat? Call Shoreline Pools at (203) 967-1203 and schedule your custom pool design consultation today!
