Are you looking at adding a new pool to your backyard? Much like a fingerprint, no two backyards or custom pools are exactly the same, especially with the wide variety of typography and landscaping in the St. Petersburg area. At Winway Pools, we take a custom design approach to help you find the pool style that works best for your lot, your goals, and your outdoor living vision.
“But what is the right pool for my yard?” It’s a common question we get at Winway Pools. In this blog, we will look at key considerations to help you choose the right pool for your yard and Florida lifestyle. The goal is to help you find the right pool to enhance your property value, boost your home’s aesthetic appeal, and provide a private oasis for relaxation or family fun.
Assessing Your Yard for Your Custom Pool Design
All too often homeowners do not factor in landscaping until after their new pool is built. But you will get better results if you reverse-engineer this process, such as designing and building a custom pool directly into your landscape. First, it is important to assess your yard to understand its unique features.
Yard Size and Shape
First, you want to measure the dimensions of your backyard and take note of any physical obstacles, such as trees, utility lines, landscaping structures, or uneven ground. It is rare for any yard to be completely flat or level in the St. Petersburg area, so your custom pool should be proportionate to your yard while still allowing room for decking, lounging areas, or outdoor kitchens.
Terrain and Soil Conditions
Florida soil can vary from sandy to clay-based. Sloped yards may require grading, terracing, or retaining walls to support your pool’s structure and prevent rainwater runoff from entering your pool. A site inspection can determine whether your property needs additional structural support or drainage solutions. According to Better Homes & Gardens, pool placement and foundation preparation are critical to long-term stability and safety.
Sunlight and Privacy
Spend some time observing your yard’s sunlight exposure throughout the day. Pools should ideally be placed in sunny spots for optimal heating and usability. How much privacy do you require? A custom pool builder can work with a landscape designer to incorporate more plants, hedges, trees, ornamental grasses, and other natural elements to add privacy along with your existing fencing. Privacy is also an important consideration for your new pool’s placement and orientation.
Local Regulations for Pools and Permits
Florida enforces specific pool safety laws around residential pool installations, safety measures, zoning laws, and environmental considerations. So your custom pool builder needs to be well-versed in these regulations, including the Florida Pool Safety Barrier Guidelines. Industry experts at Central Florida Lifestyle™ Magazine suggest working with an experienced contractor to handle the permitting process for you to expedite approvals and make sure all your paperwork is in order.
Defining Your Pool Goals and Lifestyle Needs
Both your yard and your pool should reflect your unique lifestyle and tastes. Before choosing a pool shape or style, what is your vision for your new backyard escape? How do you plan to use the pool? Assess your priorities for your yard and your new custom pool, such as:
- Exercise: Consider a lap pool with a geometric shape that accommodates swim lanes. If you have limited space in your backyard, swim jets allow you to swim in place without a large pool.
- Relaxation: According to The Spruce, plunge pools are a space-saving option, but unlike lap pools, they are designed for lounging or cooling off in the Florida heat. If your yard has more space to work with, then consider a lagoon-style pool with water features like waterfalls or water walls, with built-in spas and tanning ledges.
- Entertainment and Family Fun: Think about integrated seating areas, wide steps, and decking that work with your existing outdoor patio and landscaping. Maybe the kids would enjoy a shallow play area with water jets or bubbles?
Your home’s overall architecture and landscape style should also play a role. For example, modern homes pair well with geometric-shaped pools, while tropical landscaping blends beautifully with freeform or lagoon-style pools.
And of course, your budget and maintenance preferences will guide the decision. Larger, more intricate pools often carry higher construction and upkeep costs.
Geometric vs. Freeform Pools in Florida
According to Better Homes & Gardens, there are many pros and cons for different types of pools, especially when you are comparing geometric shapes to more freeform pool designs.
As we noted earlier, you want to consider your existing home and yard style. For a more sleek modern style, you may prefer a geometric pool, which also works well with a more rectangular-shaped yard. But if your yard has plenty of organic curves and tropical landscaping, you may opt for a more freeform-style pool, such as a lagoon motif. A kidney-shaped pool may be a good option if you have an irregular-shaped yard and this shape can feel less formal than a rectangular pool.
When it comes to geometric versus freeform pools, here are some key features to consider.
Geometric Pool
- Shape: Characteristics usually include straight lines, squares, and rectangles.
- Style: Aligns with a modern, minimalist style, including home and landscaping.
- Space: Maximizes the use of backyard space, such as a lap pool or plunge pool.
- Logistics: They are often less expensive to build and maintain than freeform pools.
Freeform Pools
- Shape: Accommodates different yard shapes with custom curves and contours.
- Style: Can be customized for any style, with natural stone and materials for a natural or tropical design.
- Space: Adapts to just about any landscaping and layout to make the best use of backyard space.
- Logistics: They can be more expensive to build and maintain, but offer far more customization options to fit your yard and your lifestyle.
Special Considerations for Florida Yards
Small Yards
Not every yard in St. Petersburg is sprawling. But that does not mean you have to sacrifice luxury, especially when you work with a custom pool builder. Plunge pools, cocktail pools, or small lap pools are ideal for compact spaces. Your pool builder can also incorporate vertical elements like privacy walls, planter boxes, or cascading water features to make your yard space feel expansive.
Sloped Yards or Irregular Lots
At Winway Pools, we specialize in design solutions like multi-level pools, retaining walls, and custom shapes that work with the natural slope of your yard, not against it. We use a variety of techniques, including terracing, to create poolscapes that work as seamless extensions of your landscaping and your home. Utilizing cutting-edge software, we can create a 3D mock-up of your pool design, ensuring that it works with your yard.
Tropical Landscaping
If your backyard vision includes palm trees, waterfalls, and rock grottos, a lagoon-style or freeform pool may be the ideal fit. These pools pair well with natural stone decking, custom lighting, and integrated landscaping features that transport you straight to a resort in your own backyard. Consider a mix of tropical plants and creeping ground cover, such as phlox, to fill in your natural stone decking.
Match Your Pool to Your Yard and Your Life
At Winway Pools, we believe your pool should be as unique as your property and lifestyle. Our design process begins with:
- Site Assessments: We evaluate your yard’s layout, terrain, and sunlight exposure.
- 3D Renderings: Visualize your pool design before construction starts.
- Collaborative Design: You’ll work hand-in-hand with our design experts to choose the right shape, size, and features for your yard.
Throughout the entire pool design and build process, we are committed to quality assurance. This includes overseeing St. Petersburg permitting, construction, and inspections to ensure code compliance and craftsmanship.
Choosing the right pool isn’t just about size and shape — it’s about how you want to live outdoors. Whether you envision early-morning lap swims, family barbecues by the water, or evening dips under the stars, your perfect pool begins with a thoughtful design.
Contact Winway Pools today to schedule a consultation for a free quote. We can guide you through the design process with expertise, creativity, and a commitment to your vision.
