Designing a Pool to Match Your Home’s Architectural Style
Choose the Right Pool Style for Your House
Swimming pools are great additions to your home, especially when you are building in a hot climate like Texas! Pools offer an additional outdoor recreation area, a space for guests to gather around, and a spot to cool down. When designing a pool, it is important to bring in a landscape architect who can help you maximize your backyard and match your home’s architectural style for a cohesive look and feel. Our Austin, Texas architects break down pool shapes, decking options, and features that complement five of Austin’s most popular architectural design styles. With our help, it will be easy to choose the right pool design for your home.
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The Right Pool Style for a Contemporary Home
Contemporary homes feature clean lines, minimalist detailing, and industrial materials like concrete, glass, and metal. These simple lines should be reflected in the pool design to create a cohesive feel and unite the home’s exterior with the outdoor space.
Modern Pool by DK Studio
Contemporary Pool Shape: Architectural
Architectural swimming pools feature linear lines, geometric shapes, and streamlined details. This style of pool will celebrate the design process and work to contrast with the landscape rather than blend in or mimic a natural body of water.
Contemporary Pool Decking Options
Contemporary pool deck options include limestone, cool deck, and concrete. When working with limestone as a decking material, opt for linearly cut slabs with a uniform texture rather than broken flagstone.
Contemporary Pool Features
Infinity edges are the perfect feature to invest in for a contemporary styled pool. An infinity edge allows for water to flow over the side of the pool, creating the effect of a boundaryless body of water.
The Right Pool Style for a Traditional Home
Traditional homes typically feature carved wood detailing, brick facades, and charming character. When designing a pool to match a traditional house, it makes sense to carry over some of these cozy details to your outdoor space.
Traditional Pool Shape: Grecian
A Grecian pool shape offers traditional charm and mimics elements of Neoclassical, Colonial, and Federal architecture. A Grecian pool is rectangular in form and typically features angled corners and arches on the two shorter sides.
Traditional Pool Decking Options
Brick and stone are excellent pool deck options for traditional homes because they both offer some old-world charm. Another great option is to lay stone pavers with grass borders in between to bring in a natural element and a unique geometric pattern.
Traditional Pool Features
For a traditional pool, consider adding fountain-like water features and incorporating flower beds and planters. Elements like these will bring a garden feel to your outdoor living space.
The Right Pool Style for a Mid-century Home
Mid-century homes are packed with iconic style, and so are mid-century style pools. When seeking mid-century pool inspiration, our Texas architects turn to the Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs, designed by architect Richard Neutra in 1946.
Mid-century Pool Shape: Rectilinear
Mid-century pools typically feature rectilinear shapes with slightly rounded corners. Occasionally, mid-century pools will feature an interesting angle or an L-shape that jets out from the main form and echoes the angles used in the design of the home.
Mid-century Pool Decking Options
Integrated concrete pool decking and coping was a popular choice during the Modernist era and remains a practical decking option today. Mid-century style pools typically feature a continuous concrete deck that curves at the edge to act as the pool coping and create a cohesive and sleek look. For a fun retro vibe, artificial turf patches in bold geometric shapes could also be incorporated into the pool decking.
Mid-century Pool Features
Popular mid-century pool features include water lines that reach the edge of the house, rock features, and multilevel pool tiers to provide space for spas and sunbathing decks.
The Right Pool Style for a Hill Country Style Home
Hill Country style homes are very popular in the Austin, Texas area for their use of natural stone, cozy atmosphere, and regional history. In the hot Texas sun, it makes sense to pair this style of home with a pool to match!
Hill Country Pool by DK Studio
Hill Country Style Pool Shape: Arched
To reflect the Hill Country style, our architects recommend choosing a rectangular pool arched on either end. The general rectangle shape will echo the sturdy and stable construction of these stone homes, and the arches will add an element of traditional charm.
Hill Country Style Decking Options
The most popular building material in Hill Country homes is natural stone, specifically limestone. To continue a cohesive application of materials, continue the exterior stonework onto the pool deck. For added rustic charm, select a heavily textured finish.
Hill Country Style Pool Features
Consider adding an outdoor fireplace to complete the Hill Country pool look. This will also serve as the perfect spot for guests to gather on cool Hill Country nights.
The Right Pool Style for a Courtyard Home
Homes with courtyards and even townhomes on small lots can utilize their unique outdoor spaces with a properly proportioned pool. Here’s the question. Are you ready to take the plunge?
Courtyard Home Pool Shape: Plunge
Plunge pools are smaller than traditional pools and perfect for tight spaces and people looking to cool off and relax rather than swim laps. A fountain-inspired plunge pool is an ideal addition to a courtyard space, as it adds a water feature that is both beautiful and practical.
Courtyard Home Decking Options
For a courtyard plunge pool, make sure the decking materials make sense for the space. A material like cool deck is not commonly seen in courtyards and might feel out of place. Brick, natural stone, and even slip-resistant tile are more suitable options.
Courtyard Home Pool Features
Consider adding fountain elements to give your courtyard plunge pool a tranquil atmosphere. Mosaic tiles, water spouts, and carved stone accents are all great options.