Swimming Pool Design Style Guide

Design Styles are the style of decor that serves as the framework for architecture, furniture and interior decorating.

Pool Design Styles are the very same, using form and function, textures and colors, to evoke the style of design.

Here's 7 schools of pool design; how creative pool builders and crafty pool owners can design a pool with personality.

Zen Pools

Asian inspired pools, often called Zen pools, are quiet serene places for meditation or reflection. Natural rock, plants and lighting create a tranquil space.

bates-masi-architects-hamptons — Bates Masi Architects Pool Design Style: Zen

David Hicks Photography Pool Design Style: Zen

Image via paseoner.com Pool Design Style: Zen

Tropical Pools

Tropical pools are filled with boulders, water falls and lush with rain forest greenery. In true form, tropical pools give the feeling of a natural swimming hole, discovered deep in the jungle.

Courtesy of Shepard Butler Landscaping. Pool Design Style: Tropical

Image via Pinterest. Pool Design Style: Tropical

Image via casaydiseno.com. Pool Design Style: Jungle

Mediterranean Pools

The Mediterranean design style typically evokes Tuscan themes, with porticos of old world design, capped with pergolas and infused with beautiful climbing vines.

mediterranean-swimming-pool-wftv — Image via wftv.com. Pool Design Style: Mediterranean

Image via activerain.com. Pool Design Style: Mediterranean

Image via hgtv.com. Pool Design Style; Mediterranean

Country Garden Pools

A classic garden pool is purposely minimal in accouterments and is uncluttered by diving boards or hand rails. Oversize coping stones and grass is all you need.

Image via huntcountrypools.com. Pool Design Style: English Garden Pool — Courtesy of Hunt Country Pool Builders. Pool Design Style: Garden

Image via sitesystems-landscape.com, a Gerbert & Sons Landscaping company based in Connecticut — Image sitesystems-landscape.com. Pool Design Style: Garden

Image via jpmdesign.be. Pool Design Style: Garden

Contemporary Pools

Modern and post-modern pools mate geometric designs with luxury stones and surfaces and bold lighting for dramatic effect. Infinity edges are common with this pool design style.

Image via Bonicklandscape.com. Pool Design Style: Modern — Courtesy of Bonicklandscaping.com. Pool Design Style: Modern

Image by A-cero architects, Spain. — Design by a-cero.com. Pool Design Style: Modern

Waterscapes by Bianchi Design. Pool Design Style: Modern

Western Pools

Western pools use desert tones, natural stones and rocks, to blend with arid surroundings. Mix in some desert friendly plants and trees along with colored rocks.

california-pools-and-spas-mesa-az — California Pools & Spas, Mesa, Az. Design Style: Desert

Image via Houzz.com Pool Design Style: Desert

Azul-Verde Design Group, Mesa Az. Pool Design Style: Desert

Coastal Pools

Coastal pools can adopt a sub-theme of beach, sea-life or nautical and decorate accordingly. Hues are pale and muted to match water and sand tones. Ocean mosaic tile inlays can be added to any concrete pool.

Photo by Tria Giovan for Gap Interiors Pool Design Style: Coastal — Photo by Tria Giovan for Gap Interiors. Pool Design Style: Coastal

Wave lounge chair by Paola Lenti Pool Design Style: Beach — Wave lounge chair by Paola Lenti. Pool Design Style: Coastal

Image via homedesignlover.com Pool Design Style: Coastal — Image via homedesignlover.com. Pool Design Style: Coastal

Whatever pool design style you choose, bring together elements in the pool, deck, landscape, furniture and fence to unify the theme. Landscape designers and pool builders can help, or do it all for you!

In The Swim makes every effort to provide accurate recommendations based upon current ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) standards, but codes and regulations change, and In The Swim assumes no liability for any omissions or errors in this article or the outcome of any project. You must always exercise reasonable caution, carefully read the label on all products, follow all product directions, follow any current codes and regulations that may apply, and consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. In The Swim assumes no legal responsibility for your reliance or interpretation of the data contained herein, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the quality, safety, or suitability of the information, whether express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.