The perfect outdoor swimming pool

Kidney, rectangle, oval or even triangle - there are plenty of options available when it comes to choosing the shape of your outdoor swimming pool.

The design you go for will be largely dictated by your personal requirements. You may have an oddly shaped yard or require room for laps as well as recreation. 

Choosing the right shape for your pool

You can work a pool in with or around a garden or contrast it against the shape of your yard. But if your tastes tend to swim against the tide, any shape is possible.

An oval pool might be the perfect way to break up a flat, square backyard. Creating some curves can soften an angular space, especially if it has a limited garden. If the garden is the go, a more abstract shape, such as a rounded wedge or kidney, could integrate well with plants.

Naturalistic shapes needn't follow any particular structure and can blend effortlessly into a garden environment. However, such a design may require some maintenance and is recommended only for those with a green thumb. Plants that come up close to the pool may require extra care and splashing would need to be kept to a minimum.

An L-shaped pool is the perfect compromise for families. The shorter section of the shape can be shallow, allowing for fun and games with the kids, leaving the longer, deeper section free for uninterrupted laps. With an increasing trend towards using pools for fitness and health, the lap pool is a popular option. 

The L-shape design is space efficient and can squeeze a lot of action into a small or narrow space. 

Integrating the outdoor swimming pool into your backyard

One thing to keep in mind when choosing the ideal shape for your yard is leaving a little space around the pool. Squeezing the swimming area into a small space is a clever move, but you may regret a lack of room for diving, entrance and lounging by the pool. 

Concrete pools offer more flexibility in terms of shape than fibreglass or pre-moulded interiors. With concrete you can create a bold shape and tailor the pool to your needs. 

But for ease of installation and a less expensive project, factory-made fibreglass interiors are available in a wide range of basic and practical shapes.

Talk to a pool builder in your area to find out which outdoor swimming pool will be perfect for your backyard: