What Shape Should Your Swimming Pool Be?

Dry summer heat is miserable. If you want to relax in your backyard but there’s no way to cool down, it’s time to start thinking about building a pool. Not only do swimming pools increase the sell ability and curb appeal of your property, they’re a great way to have fun and beat the heat. But before you hire a company to start building, think about what shape you would like your pool to be.

What do you want to use the pool for?

Every pool has a different purpose. Maybe you want to entertain more than you want to swim laps. Or a convenient way to incorporate exercise into your mornings is what you’re looking for. Still other people want a pool for sunbathing and relaxation.

Depending on the primary activity you have in mind, square footage matters. Rectangular pools can give you clear swimming paths and a lot of area. Kidney pools also give a lot of swimming room whereas a figure-8 pool has a lower area to perimeter ratio, which makes construction more expensive.

If you’re primarily looking for a pool where everyone can have fun, a rounded pool like kidneys and figure-8s are a great way to incorporate features like steps, hot tubs, and water features. Having the same features near a rectangular pool is tricky and will usually use up more of your total backyard.

What does your property look like?

Some shapes blend in with different house constructions than others. A classic kidney swimming pool, for example, works best with a mid-century house or a backyard that has been landscaped for a family with children.

More contemporary houses, on the other hand, can have more experimental or starkly designed swimming pool shapes, such as rectangles. Contemporary houses are also more likely to have figure-8 pools than kidney pools.

The shape of your swimming pool will have a big influence on how you use it. Make sure you keep both your future plans and a potential house sale in mind, and go to Varsity Pools here for more expert advice.