10 Inspiring Pool Designs from Swim Spas to Infinity Pools to Plunge Pools and More
Swim Spas, Gunite Pools, Infinity Pools; 10 Inspiring Pool Designs to Help you Choose the Best Pool for Your Property
Adding an inground pool or spa to your outdoor living space is an exciting upgrade and one you’ll hopefully only have to make once! To help you make the perfect choice for your home, here are 10 inspiring pool builds with a breakdown of the pros and cons for each choice.
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The star feature of this custom gunite pool is the 360 degree spillover spa!
Gunite Pool with 360-Degree Spillover Spa
A custom inground gunite pool is hard to beat when it comes to customization, longevity, and aesthetics. Gunite pools can be made in almost any shape and size. You can customize water features like bubblers, deck jets, sheer decent water features, and spa elements as well as pool pebble to get the perfect color water. This gunite pool is extra large with a classic rectangular shape and diamond-laid patio giving the outdoor living space a sophisticated feel. The 360-degree spillover spa is the star of the show, adding a striking and unique feature to this classic design. Elements like the patio’s built-in fire pit, louvered roof pergola, and putting green, complete the beautiful outdoor living space.
The only real con of a gunite pool is budget constraints and build time. Because gunite pools are completely custom, they take time to build and can be more expansive than a pre-fab pool. They also last longer and can be repaired over time whereas a fiberglass pool will typically need to be replaced entirely when it wears out, making the upfront expense cost-effective in the long run.
This Michael Phelps Swim Spa is just one of the many highlights to this outdoor living space. It also features a covered outdoor kitchen, private putting green, built-in fire pit and tanning lounge.
2. Swim Spa
Swim spas have been growing in popularity over the last few years and for good reason. They are a more affordable option than a custom gunite pool, they are lower maintenance (many are even self-cleaning) they are less expensive and more energy efficient to heat and they require less space. Swim spas have a current so you can swim laps and do other aquatic exercises in addition to cooling off. Some swim spa brands, like this Michael Phelps Swim Spa, have a heated spa section that is separated from the cool swim area. Many swim spas have built-in hydro therapy seating as well. Additionally, they are a great tool for teaching young children how to swim.
Obviously, the appearance of a swim spa is completely different from that of an inground pool. If you want your pool to be a beautiful feature of your outdoor living space, this may not be the right choice for you. They are also significantly smaller. It’s unlikely you’ll want to host a pool party in your swim spa, but hosting a play date for your children and a couple of friends is definitely possible.
This oversized gunite spa doubles as a plunge pool when the heat is off
3. Plunge Pool
This custom gunite beauty doubles as a plunge pool and inset spa. The oversized design has plenty of space and seating for a hot tub party, but turn the heat off and you have a beautiful plunge pool for cooling off on hot summer days. The benefits of a gunite plunge pool are the custom size and shape, the ability to add heating and hydrotherapy features for relaxation, and its beautiful appearance.
Cons, unlike a swim spa, you can’t take a gunite pool with you if you move to another property. While they’re smaller and easier to heat and clean than a full-sized pool, they do not have the self-cleaning features of some swim spas.
If you’re looking to turn heads, this raised spa with 360 degree spillover makes a bold statement.
4. Raised Spa with 360-Degree Spillover
This raised spa makes a bold statement. It has a 360-degree spillover and stepping stone pavers span the space between the raised spa and the inground pool. This design is a great example of how you can get creative with the design of custom gunite pools. The list of pros and cons is the same as other custom gunite pool and spa combos: customization, longevity, and aesthetic. The cost and construction timeline is more than other pool types.
Amityville is proof that you don’t need a huge property to build a stunning outdoor living space. At a modest 3,000 square feet, it has a gunite pool and spa, putting green and outdoor shower.
5. Inground Pool and Spa with Deck Jets and Outdoor Shower
Having limited space doesn’t rule out a gunite pool entirely. Projects like Amityville prove that a lot can be done with a modest-sized yard. This outdoor living space features a custom gunite pool with deck jets and spa, a putting green, an outdoor shower, a custom patio for sunbathing and dining, and a vine-covered pergola over the fire pit. String lights bring a magical glow to the space. Clever details like the wooden partition disguising the air conditioner and providing hooks for beach towels, add the final touches.
If you’re looking to make your outdoor living space into a haven for relaxation, consider an inset gunite spa.
6. Inset Gunite Spa with Sheer Descent Water Feature
Division is another example of a modest-sized yard with an impressive outdoor living space. With a gunite spa that can double as a plunge pool with the heat turned off, an attached pergola over an outdoor kitchen, a built-in fire pit with a sitting wall, and a private putting green, this little corner lot has it all.
An inset gunite spa is a great option for smaller spaces. Not only is the design visually pleasing, but custom features like this sheer descent waterfall also give it that extra special something. The house's brick encasement and limestone coping are design choices that wouldn’t be available with a traditional hot tub or swim spa. If the customizable design is important to you, gunite is the way to go.
If you have a property with a view, nothing beats an infinity pool and spa.
7. Infinity Pool and Spa for Properties with a View
Does your property have a gorgeous view? If so, nothing beats an infinity pool. Another version of a custom gunite pool, infinity pools have spillover features on one or more edges, to create an endless effect. There is no coping or tile to obstruct your view, simply water, gracefully spilling over the edge of the pool, seeming to merge into the surroundings. Infinity pools are the most expensive option on this list. But with suitable property, they’re well worth the expense.
If you have the space and budget from an inground pool, gunite pools can be made in any shape and size you desire
8. Gunite Pool and Spa with a Custom Shape
Get creative with a custom shape gunite pool and spa. One huge advantage of gunite pools is that they can be designed in almost any size and shape. This pool combines a unique, curved perimeter with deck jets and a spillover spa for a one of kind backyard oasis. The most important factor in building a custom shape pool is hiring a company you trust. Attention to detail and master masonry is so important to the success of a design like this.
Adding custom features like this sheer decent waterfall is a perfect way to add drama to a traditional rectangular pool
9. Inground Pool and Spa with Sheer Descent Water Features
Another example of a classic design with a little something special. This custom gunite pool and spa has a traditional rectangular shape, made extra special with a raised sitting wall and sheer descent water features. Combined with the patio’s built-in fire pit, this outdoor living space is truly something special. Sophisticated, chic, and functional; proving you don’t have to be wild to stand out.
If budget is not an issue, there is almost to limit to how creative you can get with the design. This pool and spa features a plethora of water features like a water curtain pouring off one side of this custom pavilion
10. Backyard Resort with Pool, Spa, Swim-up Bar, and Plenty of Water Features
If you’ve got the budget, go big! With custom design, there’s not much you can’t do. Get creative, dream big, and throw us a curve ball. We’re always happy to take on a challenge and building incredible outdoor entertainment spaces is what we do best. This design has a swim-up bar, a sheer descent water curtain on the custom pavilion, multiple outdoor kitchens and bars, a custom bocce ball court and so much more.
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