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Designing and Planning the Perfect Pool

Ready to take the plunge into a pool project? Before you get to the fun stuff, like shapes and styles, you need to focus on zoning laws; building, health, and safety codes; and local permits. Other issues - like energy regulations and drought conditions - also need to be addressed prior to digging that big hole in your yard. Hire a pool contractor to guide you through the process.
Novelty & Custom Shapes
Swimming pools come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, styles and designs. Some are used for specific purposes, like lap pools for health and fitness, infinity pools to make a landscape architectural statement, novelty pools to express the owner's personality or interests, and naturalistic pools that blend in with the landscape. Enjoy this photo gallery of kidney-shaped swimming pools.
Kidney-Shaped Swimming Pools
Swimming pools come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, styles and designs. Some are used for specific purposes, like lap pools for health and fitness, infinity pools to make a landscape architectural statement, novelty pools to express the owner's personality or interests, and naturalistic pools that blend in with the landscape. Enjoy this photo gallery of kidney-shaped swimming pools.
Rectilinear and Geometric Swimming Pools
Swimming pools come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, styles and designs. Some are used for specific purposes, like lap pools for health and fitness, infinity pools to make a landscape architectural statement, novelty pools to express the owner's personality or interests, and naturalistic pools that blend in with the landscape. Enjoy this photo gallery of kidney-shaped swimming pools.
Swimming Pool Shapes
Swimming pools come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, styles and designs. Some are used for specific purposes, like lap pools for health and fitness, infinity pools to make a landscape architectural statement, novelty pools to express the owner's personality or interests, and naturalistic pools that blend in with the landscape. Things that can dictate the shape of your pool: lot size and available s…
Oval-Shaped Swimming Pools
Swimming pools come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, styles and designs. Some are used for specific purposes, like lap pools for health and fitness, infinity pools to make a landscape architectural statement, novelty pools to express the owner's personality or interests, and naturalistic pools that blend in with the landscape. Enjoy this photo gallery of oval-shaped swimming pools.
Thinking of Building a New Swimming Pool or Spa?
Curious about what it takes to build a swimming pool or spa in your own backyard? Ask yourself several important questions and consider some key points before making the big commitment.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Diving Into a Swimming Pool Project
If your No. 1 reason for getting a pool or spa is because your brother, neighbor or college buddy has one, maybe you should reconsider. Planning, building and maintaining a swimming pool or spa is not a whim or keeping-up-with-the-Joneses kind of purchase. It's a major addition to your house. It dramatically alters the landscape of your outdoor living space. It can be a lifestyle change, albeit a…
Build, Install or Buy a Swimming Pool, Spa or Hot Tub
Why do you want a swimming pool or spa? The real question probably is why wouldn't you want a private swimming pool or spa? You may have a clear-cut reason, like your children are on a swim team and need to practice daily. Maybe you want one "just because." Take some time to seriously consider how a swimming pool or spa would benefit your home and your life.
Above-Ground Swimming Pools Make Pool Ownership A Reality, No…
If an inground swimming pool isn't in your future for whatever reason, maybe an above-ground pool is the solution. Above-ground swimming pools range from economical models to more luxurious (and expensive) styles. Many can be enjoyed year 'round, and some use saltwater systems popular with inground models. Above-ground pools also have solar heating systems and covers. A good way to give your pool…
Inground and Above-Gound Pool Design
Above-ground, inground, and pool and spa combos have one thing in common: they're not all alike. Once you have the design know-how, discover your ideal pool by a process of sorting through your likes and dislikes, pros and cons, and gut feelings about what will make your pool the perfect design for you.
Into the Deep: Planning the Size & Depth of a Swimming Pool
Are you planning a swimming pool project? The size, shape and depth of your pool should be determined by your needs and desires for building a pool. Learn the size and depth requirements for pools that will be used for recreation, entertaining, children, fitness and relaxation. Plan wisely: imagine swimming laps in a kiddy-sized pool.
Celebrity Swimming Pools
While swimming pools have been around since the days before the Hanging Towers of Babylon, in modern history, private backyard swimming pools really started to make a big splash after World War II. And guess who owned pools, were photographed in and near them, and unofficially sparked the trend that continues to grow more than 60 years later? Movie stars -- as in "Swimming pools, movie stars" (an…
Inspiration Gallery: Luxurious Swimming Pools From World-Class Hotels
Planning a pool project? No doubt you've been looking at photo after photo of swimming pools and spas of all kinds of sizes, shapes and styles. How about a little inspiration from some of the most luxurious world-class hotels? Maybe you can replicate one that comes close to your "dream pool" -- on a slightly smaller scale, of course.
Getting in Shape: A Gallery of Swimming Pool Shapes & Forms
Shapes of swimming pools are only limited by your imagination. Possibile shapes include geometrics, polymorphics, amoebas, long and narrows, U.S. states, guitars, multi-levels -- basically whatever you want. Peruse this photo gallery of popular pool shapes.
Glass & Tile Mosaic Designs for Pools & Spas
Mosaiclegs creates beautiful swimming pool mosaics throughout the world. Specializing in architectural mosaic design, the company's pool designs are created in Byzantine and Venetian glass, river rock, stone and marble. Enjoy this photo gallery of beautiful works of art created on the bottoms and sides of pools.
Less Than 100 Private Pools in Manhattan, APSP Reports
Suburbanites have an edge over big-city residents when it comes to pool ownership. The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals reports that there are fewer than 100 single-family pools in Manhattan, while there are about nine million pools nationwide. The New York Times reveals the cost of pool ownership in New York City.
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