If you’re considering adding a pool to your home, you’re likely excited about the lifestyle benefits a pool offers – from cooling down in the summer heat to creating a central hub for family and friends. But before you dive into your project, choosing the right pool shape and style is key to maximising both function and visual appeal, especially considering how small blocks of land are becoming across the Gold Coast. Here’s a guide to help you pick the perfect pool to complement your space and suit your lifestyle.
1. Evaluate Your Space and Block Size
With lot sizes getting smaller on the Gold Coast, it’s essential to maximise every square metre while ensuring your pool still fits comfortably. Smaller yards lend themselves well to plunge pools, lap pools, or even freeform pools that can be adjusted to fit tighter spaces. Consider how much room you want to allocate to decking, landscaping, or a seating area, and leave enough clearance around the pool for easy access and safety.
For those with more generous space, larger pools, such as rectangular or infinity-edge designs, can make a striking impact and create a more resort-like feel. A larger space can also accommodate more playful features like beach entries, tanning ledges, or shallow zones for children.
2. Match the Pool Style to Your Home’s Aesthetic
Your pool should enhance the visual flow of your home, not detract from it. If your home has a sleek, modern design, rectangular or geometric pools with clean lines offer a contemporary look that aligns beautifully with minimalist architecture. For a more organic or tropical feel – perfect for the lush, coastal vibe of the Gold Coast – freeform pools with curved edges and integrated landscaping give a natural, relaxing atmosphere.
3. Consider How You’ll Use the Pool
Think about how you envision using your pool. If your primary goal is to keep fit, a lap pool that’s long and narrow is ideal, even on a smaller block. Plunge pools, while compact, are excellent for cooling off and require less water and maintenance. For families, pools with gradual entries or wading zones can provide safe play areas for children.
4. Select Materials and Finishes That Suit the Coastal Climate
The hot Gold Coast sun and proximity to the beach mean that pool finishes need to be both durable and reflective of the local landscape. Concrete pools are highly customisable and resilient, allowing you to choose from a variety of finishes, including tiles, pebbles, and quartz. Remember darker finishes around your pool will hold heat making it more uncomfortable to walk, sit or lay on.
5. Add Features to Enhance Functionality
Enhancing your pool with a few well-chosen features can take it from standard to extraordinary. Consider adding a shallow ledge for lounging, which is perfect for smaller pools and doesn’t take up much space. LED lighting adds a dramatic effect and allows you to make use of your pool well into the evening. For more compact pools, a waterfall or infinity edge can create the illusion of more space while adding a calming visual element.
6. Plan for Privacy and Landscaping
Maximising privacy in smaller yards can make your pool feel more exclusive. Consider adding privacy screens, hedging, or even a small fence if your yard faces neighbors or the street. Landscaping around your pool can also help enhance the ambiance – palms, succulents, or native Australian plants are low-maintenance options that suit the Gold Coast climate.
7. Keep Maintenance in Mind
When selecting your pool’s shape and style, consider ongoing maintenance needs. Pools with intricate shapes and added features may require more upkeep than simpler designs. Plunge pools and smaller lap pools tend to be easier to maintain, which is a major plus if you want to minimize your maintenance time and costs. This applies to your landscaping selections too – avoid plants that drop a lot of leaves or you’ll be forever out with the pool scoop and topping up the chemical levels!
8. Create Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow by Connecting the Pool to Living Spaces
On the Gold Coast, indoor-outdoor living is a priority, and connecting your pool to key living areas can elevate the experience of both. By positioning your pool close to main indoor areas – such as the kitchen, living room, or outdoor dining spaces – you’ll create a seamless flow that makes the pool feel like an extension of your home. This connection invites easy access, encourages social interaction, and maximises views of the water from inside. Large sliding glass doors, poolside patios, and lounge areas can further enhance this integration, letting you and your guests move effortlessly between indoor comforts and poolside relaxation.
Choosing the right pool shape and style for your Gold Coast home means balancing aesthetics, functionality, and compliance. Whether you’re dreaming of a compact plunge pool for your cozy backyard or a luxurious lap pool to complement a larger space, there’s a style to suit every block size and lifestyle. Take time to consider your needs and reach out to our friendly team if you have questions or concerns.
