Swimming pool design series: part four – determining pool size and shape

How big should a swimming pool be? It sounds like a straightforward question, but there is no single answer. A larger pool is not necessarily a better pool, and the dimensions that work beautifully for one home may be entirely wrong for another.

In our Pool Design Series, we have been looking at the decisions that help shape a successful swimming pool project. Having considered who will use the pool, where it will be located and the different design styles available, we now turn to two elements that have an enormous influence on both the pool’s appearance and how it will be enjoyed: size and shape.

Start with what you want to do in the pool

As with so many aspects of pool design, purpose is a good place to start.

If regular swimming for fitness is the priority, sufficient length and a clear swimming route will be important. For a family pool, the emphasis might instead be on providing enough space for several people to swim, play and relax comfortably at the same time.

A pool intended primarily for relaxation may not need to be particularly large. A smaller pool with carefully considered seating, steps, water features or an adjoining spa can provide exactly the experience the homeowner wants without occupying unnecessary space.

Where several different uses need to be accommodated, the design can reflect that too. The important thing is to establish those requirements before deciding on dimensions.

Bigger isn't always better

It can be tempting to assume that a luxury swimming pool should be large, but scale needs to be appropriate to its setting.

Outdoors, an oversized pool can dominate a garden, leaving insufficient room for the terrace, planting, seating and other elements that make the whole space enjoyable. A more modest pool, beautifully proportioned within its surroundings, can have considerably greater visual impact.

The same principle applies indoors. The pool needs to sit comfortably within the room while leaving sufficient space around it for safe movement and depending on the project, loungers, relaxation areas or other wellness facilities.

Good design is about proportion rather than simply maximising the amount of water.

Choosing the shape

Rectangular pools remain popular for good reason. Their clean lines work particularly well for swimming lengths and can complement both contemporary and more traditional architecture.

But a rectangle is by no means the only option.

Curved and freeform pools can work beautifully where a softer appearance is required, particularly within established gardens and more naturalistic landscaping. Alternatively, a pool can be designed to respond to the architecture of the house or the particular shape of the available site.

The starting point should not be ‘Which pool shape do I like?’ in isolation, but ‘Which shape works best here?’

Let the property influence the design

One of the advantages of a bespoke pool is that its dimensions do not have to be dictated by a standard template.

For an outdoor pool, the shape may respond to the lines of the house, changes in ground level, existing terraces, mature landscaping or an special view. On some sites, a long, narrow pool may work far better than a broad one; elsewhere, a more generous pool can become the natural centrepiece of a large garden.

Indoor pools present their own opportunities. A pool incorporated within an existing building will naturally be influenced by the available space, while a purpose-designed pool house provides greater freedom to determine the ideal proportions of both the pool and the room around it.

In either case, the aim is for the pool to look as though it belongs to the property rather than having simply been fitted into an available space.

Don't forget the space around the water

It is easy to concentrate on the dimensions of the pool itself, but what happens around it is just as important.

An outdoor pool needs sufficient space for people to move comfortably around the water and may also need to accommodate loungers, dining furniture or other entertaining areas. Indoors, the surrounding area contributes greatly to how comfortable and inviting the pool room/area feels.

Steps and entry points also require careful thought. Their size and position can influence the usable swimming area, while features such as integrated seating, spas or water features will all need to be factored into the overall dimensions.

Considering the pool and its surroundings together from the outset produces a more cohesive result.

Think about depth as well as length and width

Size is not simply a matter of the pool's footprint. Depth is another important part of the design.

A family with young children may have very different requirements from a household primarily interested in fitness swimming. Some owners prefer a consistent depth, while others want different depths to accommodate different activities.

The intended use of the pool should therefore determine its depth profile rather than relying automatically on a conventional arrangement.

A pool designed for its setting

The most successful swimming pools rarely begin with a predetermined set of dimensions. They evolve from an understanding of the people who will use them, the property they will become part of and the experience the homeowner wants to create.

A pool does not need to be enormous to feel luxurious, nor does it need an unusual shape to make an architectural statement. Getting the proportions right and ensuring the design works in harmony with its surroundings are far more important.

Ultimately, the right size and shape are the ones that make the pool feel completely at home in its setting.

At London Swimming Pool Company, we specialise in the design, construction, refurbishment and servicing of luxury swimming pools across London and the Home Counties. Whatever your needs, we're here to help – call us on 020 8605 1255.