I love a good garden-inspired swimming pool. The lush landscaping around the pool, the natural colors, the stonework…it all comes together to make a very peaceful and relaxing setting in your backyard. There are many ways you can approach a garden pool design, so I’ll cover the main design approaches you can take, give you some ideas that spark inspiration, and give some other tips for installing this beautiful type of swimming pool. Let’s get started.
Main Benefits
First, let’s cover some primary benefits of choosing a garden-inspired pool vs. contemporary, classic, or other pool designs.
Natural Look
The primary goal of a garden pool is to have a really natural look that blends well with the landscaping in your backyard or surrounding mother nature. Look for plants native to the area and can work well near a pool (more on that below). For colors, tans and greys typically work best, but it really depends on the area.
Privacy
A lot of natural landscaping around the pool brings a lot of natural privacy features with it. Whether you have tall grass, some full bushes, or a few big trees around the pool, they provide nice protection from your neighbors or other areas of your home.
Peaceful Feeling
There’s something to be said about the peaceful feeling of being surrounded by nature. The flow of the leaves and grass around the pool and the aromas that all your plants give off will produce a relaxing feeling for everyone in the pool.
Watch Outs
The only “watch out” (I wouldn’t call it a disadvantage, just something to make sure you consider) is choosing the right type of plants to surround your pool. You need plants that are easy to maintain, don’t drop their leaves, can withstand the climate around the pool, and obviously look good.
These plants will get splashed with chlorine and other typical pool chemicals and likely be in a more humid climate than in any other spot in your backyard. They will also most likely be subject to a lot of direct sunlight since most pools aren’t going to have coverage over the top, so they need to be able to withstand getting soaked with sunlight. Consider the insects that some plants might attract too. The last thing you want is a home for all sorts of crawlers around your pool.
Types of Garden Pools
Garden pools are inspired by the landscaping around the pool, so there aren’t many “types” or typical design configurations that many pool builders will offer. It is really up to you and your landscaping architect to come up with the vision, although most folks choose some sort of freeform pool configuration. As I mentioned above, the landscaping, colors, and stone you choose impact the pool’s overall design.
Here are some of my favorite plants to get your landscaping search started:
- Banana trees
- Zebra grass
- Agave attenuata
- Staghorn fern
- Creeping jenny
Alright, let’s get to some design inspiration.
Garden Pool Design Ideas
The rockwork around this pool I built makes it feel like a little desert oasis and blends well with their retaining wall and walkway leading up to the house.
Here is another pool I designed and built several years ago with some ornamental grass and larger stones.
This swimming pool I built backs up to more of a tropical garden aesthetic.
I love the lush trees behind this pool. The subtle landscaping around the spa makes this pool blend in.
Garden pools can also be natural pool designs like the one pictured here. I love the lushness of this landscape.
The tree in the middle of this pool and the huge bushes and trees surrounding the pool make you feel like you’re in a forest. I love it.
This small garden pool I built has great stonework around the perimeter and a huge boulder in the middle.
This pool is right in the middle of a huge garden, which is another great option if you already have a lot of great landscaping around your yard or are planning to. The right side of the pool tucks into a very private area among the bushes.
Installing a Garden Pool
As I mentioned above, garden pools start early in the design process. The shape of the pool, the colors you use, stone choices, and the surrounding landscaping must be considered in the initial design. Make sure to tell your pool builder that the garden vibe is the design you want when you get started.
Lastly, I highly recommend choosing landscaping native to the area (and can survive around a pool, as I mentioned earlier) and colors that blend in with the natural surroundings.
Garden Pool Cost
A garden pool doesn’t inherently cost more than any other inground pool. It really depends on the size, shape, features, and other complexities of the build. The only major additional cost is landscaping, which can typically run about $3,000-$5,000. For cost data, head over to my average inground pool cost study.
Need Help Building Your Pool?
I offer design consulting services to help you build your ideal pool. I'll work with your contractor, create build-ready designs and specs, and much more.
Learn More
That’s about it for garden design pools. Have questions about them? Shoot me a note.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in garden-inspired swimming pools, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Garden-inspired swimming pools are designed to have a natural look that blends well with the landscaping in your backyard. They offer several benefits, including a natural look, privacy, and a peaceful feeling. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind, such as choosing the right type of plants that can withstand the pool environment and provide a visually appealing look.
Benefits of Garden-Inspired Pools
- Natural Look: The primary goal of a garden pool is to have a natural look that blends well with the landscaping in your backyard. This can be achieved by using plants native to the area and choosing colors that work well with the surroundings.
- Privacy: The natural landscaping around the pool can provide privacy by creating barriers between your pool and neighboring areas of your home.
- Peaceful Feeling: Being surrounded by nature can create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The flow of leaves and grass around the pool, along with the aromas from the plants, can contribute to a tranquil experience for everyone in the pool.
Considerations for Garden Pools
- Choosing the Right Plants: It is important to select plants that are easy to maintain, do not drop their leaves excessively, can withstand the pool environment (including exposure to chlorine and direct sunlight), and look visually appealing. Additionally, consider the potential attraction of insects to certain plants.
- Design and Landscaping: Garden pools offer flexibility in terms of design and landscaping. Most pool builders will work with you and your landscaping architect to create a vision that aligns with your preferences. Freeform pool configurations are commonly chosen for garden-inspired pools.
- Installation: The design process for garden pools starts early, with considerations for the pool shape, colors, stone choices, and surrounding landscaping. It is important to communicate your desire for a garden-inspired design to your pool builder from the beginning.
Examples of Garden Pool Designs
The article mentions several design ideas for garden pools, including:
- A pool with rockwork that creates a desert oasis feel.
- A pool with ornamental grass and larger stones for a natural look.
- A pool with a tropical garden aesthetic, featuring lush trees.
- A pool with subtle landscaping around the spa area for a blended look.
- A natural pool design with lush landscaping.
Cost of Garden Pools
The cost of a garden pool does not inherently differ from other inground pools. The overall cost depends on factors such as the size, shape, features, and complexity of the build. The major additional cost associated with garden pools is landscaping, which can typically range from $3,000 to $5,000.
Remember, if you need assistance with building your pool, there are design consulting services available to help you create your ideal garden pool.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts related to garden-inspired swimming pools. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
