Ground pools are not something every household has because of their expense and the amount of space they take up. Having a personal swimming pool makes the statement that you have the luxury of spending money on recreational items. This gives them an air of exclusivity and excess.
Ground Pools design has been progressing in leaps and bounds; we are no longer limited to a basic rectangle surrounded by brick paving and unappealing wire fencing. They can be above or below ground (even both), surrounded by (or made with) a wide variety of materials and decorated in a multitude of innovative ways to compliment the style of your home and garden. Their style and positioning can be incorporated into your home design and landscaping so your overall property has one seamless, striking aesthetic.
32 Creative Ground Pools For Homes and Summer Getaways
Patios and pergolas can be worked into your the pool design to create a covetous space that is perfect for socializing in the summer with your friends and family for hours of outdoor fun. The same can be said of splash pools and hot tubs, which are often seen alongside swimming pools. This means that small children can swim safely and your pool entertainment area can be used all year round. There are so many great ideas out there so without much further ado here are:
1. Raised Wooden Pool With Bleacher Seating
Wood is a material that is not commonly associated with its proximity to water but if properly treated it can be a really gorgeous unexpected poolside decking. The large pool and wide pool decking surrounding it gives you space for sun loungers for tanning and relaxing with a drink by the pool. The large steps to one side create bleacher like seating with individual cushions for guests to relax on. The added benefit of using wood as a pool surround is that its non slip, so its both safe and beautiful.
2. Skinny Laps Pool With Planters
This elegant T shaped pool with large full steps can be used for both recreation and for swimming laps. The white paving extends into a tanning area and around the pool and up the retaining wall creating a light and relaxing little bubble surrounding the shining blue surface. This layout also provides you the pleasure of being able to train in your own backyard surrounded by nature. The planters running high overhead full of ferns adds a bit of colour against the tall white pool wall. The white, blue and green colour scheme evokes the feeling of a Greek holiday in the sun.
3. A Pool With A View
This hilltop location is the perfect spot for a statement swimming pool. The sleek white paving and bright blue water use stunning view as the backdrop to complete the whole experience. To contrast the modern white surroundings the natural fiber furniture and rug add some texture to the poolside chaise lounge to make it that little bit more comfortable.
4. Large Ground Pools With Glamorous Cabana
This Tuscan style cabana with authentic round tiles and charmingly creeping foliage sitting alongside this massive pool is a great entertainment space. The areas for sunbathing as well as the pockets of shade allows you be in and out of the pool all day. This is how you spend time off in style. The fact that the whole pool area is surrounded by trees makes the area feel private and exclusive.
5. Above Ground Pool And Hot Tub On A Balcony
This iconic above ground balcony pool is unexpected and so chic. The long wooden paneled lap pool and its square stone hot tub counterpart and runs the full length of the large balcony. The wooden planks of the pool decking match the balcony floor boards perfectly for elegant cohesion. Uplighters placed at regular intervals at the foot of the pool illuminate it and draw the eye towards it. Placing a white walled raised planter behind it, which is also lit with uplighters, serves as the perfect backdrop for this statement pool. This is a rare example where a pool can be snuck into a smaller space and be just as effective as one that is far bigger.
6. Circular Country Swimming Pool With Hot Tub
This perfect pair of circles that sit half in and half above the ground seems to be hew from the natural rock surroundings. The rustic style fits with the barn style country house in this natural setting perfectly. The deep green colour of the water comes from the colour of the pools floor, this makes it look like a reservoir that might be found on a traditional farm. The hot tub sits slightly above the main pool mimicking its shape and material for a perfect blend of rustic chic.
7. Amorphous Pool With Cottage Style Pool House
The bright blue of this amorphous pool stands out strongly against the rich green of this natural setting. The uneven shape appears more natural looking than most man made pools especially when paired with tree line that runs alongside it. The concentric circles of the splash pool are contained within the shape of the pool which adds an extra detail of beauty when viewed from above at the main house as this picture seems to imply. The pool house can be a dwelling on its own or act as a novel guest bedroom with a poolside dining area is perfect for summer meals.
8. From The Pool To The Sea
The ultimate indulgence is a pool by the sea. You don’t technically need it to swim, but it’s nice to have anyway! The pool has been designed very specifically for its location as it seems to be running into straight into the sea. It’s elegantly curving shape only serves to advance this effect. By contrasting the three blues of the sky, sea and pool a colour scheme is created that will vary day to day; a colour schemed created by nature just for you. The thick white lip prevents it from being a true infinity pool but is just as chic as it subtley outlines the where the pool’s edges end while letting the water pour over it.
9. Large and Luxurious Poolside Cabanas
Poolside cabanas can make even the simplest pool fun and exciting. The large pool with earth toned checkered tile is flanked by this huge cabana, which becomes your main entertainment space. This timber framed, fabric draped cabana provides ample room for people to lounge in comfort. This is the perfect poolside a place to entertain and relax with a gorgeous view as your backdrop. The whole design results in an ambiance that is luxurious and summery.
10. Modern Geometric House and Pool
This geometric pool has been made to echo the architectural style of the house, which is a modern series of sharp rectangles intersecting one another. The thin wall separating the stairs from the rest of the pool perfectly mimics the cantilevered roof slabs of the house itself. The bottom of the pool has been tiled in a dark aqua mosaic for a deep contrast to white house and pale paving stones surrounding it. The paving runs along the length of the pool and around the house, providing a large outdoor dining and entertainment space.
More Outdoor Ground Pools Ideas On The Next Page…
11. Infinity Pool with Wooden Decking
An infinity pool is an innovative design that ties in flawlessly with this ultra modern house design. The bright blue water and deep brown decking contrast strongly with the pure white house and exterior décor and furniture. Hints of colour are popped into the design through the furniture and plant life in the patio and poolside seating areas to tie the two together with artistic ease.
12. Simple Above Ground Pools
This is a classic family above ground pool. Pools like these can be bought easily from the internet or an outdoor store and require a pump to keep the pool water nice and blue. It is a far more budget friendly option that any of our previous examples as well as being a potentially temporary option. Even though its simple it does the job a great job creating a fun space to cool off in the summer and a motivator to get the kids outside playing in the sun instead of inside in front of the TV. This kind of above ground pools are also family friendly because they come with removable stairs and there are no sharp edges or hard pavement to slip and fall on.
13. Pool Wrapping Around Pergola
This pool has been designed with an integrated pergola in mind. The pitched tent style pergola is built on a pale concrete platform around which wraps the pool. The concrete platform juts out slightly into the pool in a very aesthetically simple manner to make it feel one with the pool. The paddle pool flows into main one through wide inlets either side of a paved island. This minimal design is kept safe buy unobtrusive thin silver pool fence.
14. Above Ground Splash Pool And Water Feature
The whole exterior landscaping of this outdoor area has been designed together; including the pool so that it is flawlessly cohesive. The pool acts as a swimming area and water feature in one. As people move within the splash pool water overflows and spills over the edge onto stones steps to create a tiered water feature. The pools geometry has been designed to incorporate plants, paving, textured columns that run past it through o the outdoor seating area.
15. Illuminated Pool Built Into House Design
This modern house has been designed with this large glowing pool as its central point. The pools appearance and light reflections that will run around the walls and ceiling inside affects all the rooms wrapped around it due to the floor to ceiling windows on three sides. Wherever you are in the living space you always have a view of the pool, which appears to be glowing. Strategic lighting and black stone bubbles highlight certain areas create this ethereal aesthetic and help make the pool the houses main feature.
16. Bush Getaway Infinity Pool
An infinity pool has been used in a rather unexpected location as this bush getaway makes the water disappear over the edge into the wild in a rather magical way. The stone surround suits natural setting while the cohesive wicker furniture is the cherry on top of this natural design that remains true to its stunning locale.
17. Dramatic Ground Pools Lighting For Entertainment
This mosaic tiled above ground pool demonstrates how strategic lighting can be used inside and outside for heightened drama. The coloured lights inside the pool make the water glow blue. The uplighters used on the outside highlights the small tile mosaic that details the pools gradually curving walls. This is the ideal other worldly backdrop for a night time dip and unforgettable pool parties.
18. Long Narrow Pool and Hot Tub In Nature
This thin lap pool outlined by clean grey paving extends off into the garden, surrounded by greenery and nature. The coordinated hot tub sits at the end of the pool like the end of an exclamation mark. Even considering this pool’s length and the spacious patio garden remain understated because of the way that nature has been made the focal point.
19. Marble Surrounded Pool and Water Feature
This large marble framed swimming pool doubles as a water feature that highlights the stones pattern. The sunken fireplace area has the dramatic marble sides with pool water spilling over as a backdrop and calming sound as a soundtrack to their conversation. The water feature and fire place make this a unique social area that can be used at all times of year.
20. Novelty Pool Shapes
With the right budget you can make a pool into almost any shape. Along with playful exterior shape the floor of the pool can be designed to add detail to make the shape identifiable like this example that has done using a tile mosaic. This violin pool also shows how detail can be added, like the violin bow, and how decorative gardens can be used to frame and emphasize novelty shapes.
More Ground Pools Design Ideas On The Next Page…
21. Natural Looking Comma Shaped Pool
A utopian forest dwelling like this needs an unusual pool This comma shaped pool and the deep teal colour of its floor makes it look like a naturally formed rock pool amongst all this nature. The stone surrounding the pool matches that used in walls of the house. All these aspects within the multi-hued natural setting ties whole design the together in a naturally harmonious way.
22. Round Pool With Novelty Slide
The feature of round pool is a fun novelty slide to entertain all ages. The bright blue water (from a darker floor) and decorative stone surround that piles up around the slide makes this resemble a natural rock pool. The waterfall and added greenery around the pool along with the neutral colour and makes it less tacky kids park and more fun, quirky and natural.
23. Blue Bowl Of Water
As we’ve seen in a large number of examples the pool floor of this circular pool has been coloured to gives it this jeweled blue hue. The shape is perfect and simple with very thin rim. These two elements combine into an unusual yet simple design especially when seen from above through a second storey window.
24. Rocky Pool With Waterfall In The Desert
The rocky surroundings of the natural desert terrain in which this house placed are echoed in above ground rocky pool and nature inspired waterfall. The accompanying hot tub can be seen off in the distance is a similar shape but the pool brings in the rocky textures with thin horizontally stacked layers of rock making up the sides and waterfall tower. The ground pools edge itself is also uneven to keep it cohesive. This is great example of using your surroundings as an inspiration for your pool design.
25. Circular Pool Set Into A Grassy Knoll
This circular pool seems to have been wedged into the grassy knoll and ended up partly above partly below ground. The landscaping and pool go seamlessly together using a natural stone wall finish around the edge of the exposed side of the pool. The effect is different and interesting. There is a large pool house and shaded patio area to escape the sun but the novel positioning provides gentle slopes to sunbathe on if you want to work on your tan too.
26. Tropical Paradise At Home
This Bali inspired poolside has been achieved with the draping thatching over the cabana that would not look out of place on a tropical island. The wooden pool decking and bright blue water surrounded by greenery and hot red roofs make it easy to convince yourself that you are on a vacation in your own house.
27. Rustic Walled Tuscan Style Pool
What, from the outside, could appear to be a traditional walled garden surprises us with unexpected pool surrounded by a Tuscan style house and shrubbery. The pool itself is a simple blue rectangle with a rim of mosaic tiles. The detail comes from the paving stones around the pool which becomes a checkerboard with grass growing between each. This rustic shaded area surrounded by nature creates an intimate calming environment to swim and relax in.
28. Long Pool With Quirky Pergola
The pitched roof and delicate lace pattern of the eclectic pergola steals the show from this poolside area. The pool itself is narrow and long surrounded by neutral stone paving that blends with the bricks of the house. Shades of blue throughout the space from the patio and pergola furniture, pool water and tiling complement the striking yellow wall of the quirky pergola which makes the space uplifting and visually inspiring.
29. Vast Pool With Terracotta Brick Patio
The large sunny garden is used to its best advantage by allowing the pool to take up most of the lawn. Its sparkling blue expanse is framed so pleasingly by the red terracotta surround and bright green lawn. The outdoor dining area is hidden away under the thatch surrounded by bushes to keep the two recreational areas separate.
30. Contemporary Raised Wooden Hot Tub
This raised dark wood hot tub surrounded by bamboo is a beautiful social space for any occasion. Multiple activities can happen around the yard due to the way its divided into sections. The grey paving with ball pool and built in seating runs alongside the lawn, which is all lauded over by stylish hot tub reached by neatly built in steps. The hot tub and design around it lets it become the focal point to your entire outdoor experience.
31. Lakeside Pool With Wooden Decking
Water beside the water, like our eighth example, is a real statement. In this case the clear blue of the pool stands out dramatically against the grey of the vast lake. A small but chic pool surrounded by warm wooden pool decking and white wooden fencing creates a colourful patch over the muted tones of the lake while still paying homage to the wooden jetties around them. Indulgent but understated this is a stand out addition to a lakeside home.
32. Wooden Framed Above Ground Pool
This is a more aesthetically pleasing version of our above ground pool seen in example 12. The vertical wooden surrounds are far more attractive than bulbous blue sides of the previous one and provides protection from puncturing. Stairs to the small sunbathing area are built into the curvature of the framework and another set leading directly into the pool take the form of a little set of stairs on the other side. The wood has been treated to match the wooden shed and fence to great effect.
Conclusion
Ground pools and their surroundings are clearly a unique way of expressing your home’s style. They can be designed with added extras like splash pools and hot tubs to make them a fun place to be for all ages and at any time of year. By fusing your pool design with plant life you are given the chance to make your pool a more natural looking feature and blend it with your chosen landscaping and your house’s location.
They can take the form of large recreational spaces or thin simple lap pools. They come in many shapes; rectangular, round, square or any weird shape you can think of. You can even influence the colour of the water with your choice of tiling and pool floor treatments. The design possibilities are at your fingertips and something beautiful can be made to suit most houses with a garden.
Ground Pools provide you with a space that is not only a fun way to cool off and exercise, but can also be the social hub of your household. Cabanas, pergolas and patios become iconic entertaining spaces for you to make memories.