Design and landscaping

Incorporating intelligent design can really enhance your swimming pool and backyard.

Whether you have a large or a small backyard, your pool will most likely become the dominant focal point. Creating a connection between home and pool happens when design and placement are given consideration. Integrating interior and exterior spaces through hard landscaping (pathways, terracing, outdoor entertaining areas) and soft landscaping elements such as garden beds will enhance and add value to your property.

1. Landscaping

Landscaping encompasses the aspects of pool and spa surrounds. There are many considerations to be taken into account that are specific to the swimming pool and spa environment. Any form of outdoor design and landscaping will greatly improve the overall look of your outdoor area.

2. The designer

A Landscape Designer is a qualified professional who has the ability and training to produce a landscape design concept based on your pool and garden requirements, then combine all the elements to achieve a fantastic looking outcome in order to maximise your outdoor living space. A landscape designer will consider all the key components of your landscape including pool, spa, pergola, outdoor room, outdoor furniture, paving, ornamentation, decoration and very importantly – foliage.

3. Concepts

Consumers are increasingly looking for a total solution between their back door and back fence. Space conscious courtyards, outdoor rooms and gardens – including decks, paving, water features, retaining walls, barrier fencing and planting – can all be incorporated in and around your pool area. The process of your complete outdoor design begins with an on-site consultation. In this consultation, a designer will seek to understand your personal style, what you are trying to achieve and how you want to enjoy your outdoor space.
From this meeting, a design proposal to suit your individual requirements will be developed. Upon acceptance of your design proposal, the design phase of your outdoor area will commence. The final design will include a concept of all hard surfaces and elements, planting scheme, garden lighting and irrigation in and around your pool or spa.

4. 3D visualisation

Should you wish to visualise a particular space more easily, 3-Dimensional drawings can be produced for most elements of your concept. These drawings are intended to give a basic representation of your concept. If you find it difficult to visualise 2-Dimensional plans, you may find 3D visualisation a valuable method of understanding your swimming pool and landscape design in greater detail.

5. Pool placement

The most ideal positioning for your pool is a spot that delivers privacy, catches the sun in autumn or spring, is sheltered from the wind and allows safe supervision of your children. There are also a few other factors you may consider priorities when you are deciding on your swimming pool placement.

The most popular method in a confined space is to position the pool against an existing feature such as the house, fence or another boundary as this maximises the available space. In a small backyard, you can create the illusion of space by positioning the pool along the backyards’ longest span.

For pools in confined spaces, there is a much greater need to echo the overall style of the adjoining home. Choose materials for the coping, decking and connecting pathways that complement the exterior of your home.

Enjoying a pool is not just about swimming in it. Most pool owners will tell you the time spent gazing at their ‘water view’ is far greater than time spent swimming.

The sun will warm your pool by up to 4° celsius so think about a north-facing location that gets plenty of sun (4+ hours per day is ideal). If your positioning for the sun exposes the pool to the prevailing wind, which will increase cooling and evaporation, you can consider putting up a windbreak.

6. Documentation

Design documentation refers to precisely annotated drawings prepared to help pool and landscape contractors construct the pool and garden as the designer intended. As with architectural drawings for your home, this stage involves detailing specific elements of the landscape with dimensions, surface finishes, specifications, colours and construction notation. Design documentation is advised if your swimming pool design comprises structural elements that require precise adherence to a designer’s specifications when building permits are required for structures such as pools, spas, pergolas, outdoor rooms and retaining walls.

If you have any other questions, please give us a call on 1800 625 331 or use our CONTACT US page.