Make Your Backyard

Minimalism is a prominent factor in contemporary design, following the principle of “less is more.” Many homeowners opt for this style because it complements their modern homes. Minimalist pools reduce the space to its most basic elements of water and geometry and only require a few components to create a luxurious atmosphere.

Here are five elements of a minimalist pool design:

1. Type of Pool

The type of pool has an immense impact on making it feel minimal and modern. Two popular choices for minimalist designs are lap and infinity pools.

Lap Pool

A lap pool is a long, narrow pool that is usually rectangular. These pools offer a solution for shallow or narrow backyards. Their minimal design makes them the ideal type of pool to match a minimalist home. For extra luxury, add a built-in hot tub.

Infinity Pool

An infinity pool is another minimalist option. It includes one or more walls stopping just a fraction of an inch below water level, causing the water to spill over the ledge where a basin catches it and pumps it back into the main pool area. Its design seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, creating an illusion that it goes on forever.

2. Shape

Pools built with minimalism in mind typically have a rectangular shape. Rectangles feature long, lateral lines, dramatically impacting the surrounding landscape. This shape is also the ideal complement to homes with contemporary architecture, which almost always have a length greater than their width. Minimalist pools are also designed as circles, depending on the surrounding terrain and the home itself. This shape can create a feeling of movement in an infinite arc.

3. Features

Minimalist pools typically do not have an abundance of flashy features, but adding a few sleek touches can lend themselves to the design. Waterfalls add a relaxing sound and luxurious ambiance. Incorporating elements of fire, such as a fire bowl with a fountain, can also give your pool a resort-like feel. A high level of luminance is also essential to a contemporary design. To achieve this, build the structure in a location free of shadows and obstructions and integrate artificial lighting like LEDs.

4. Patio

The idea of “less is more” should also guide you when designing the area surrounding your minimalist pool. Using travertine stonework for your pool deck creates a feeling of cohesion that accompanies the overall design. The key to completing the modern look is surrounding your swimming pool with a few contemporary outdoor living pieces. Metallic, angular lounge chairs and simple wooden furniture are two options, depending on your color scheme.

5. Landscape

You can complement your minimalist pool by matching the landscape elements to this design style. Don’t overwhelm your backyard with trees and plants. Instead, include a few strategically-placed components that don’t attract too much attention. Subdued landscaping allows the pool itself to stand out.

Design Your Minimalist Pool Today

If you are interested in building a minimalist pool, Pools By Design can help. Our portfolio features traditional and modern swimming pools, infinity and lap pools, high-end features, and much more. We have extensive experience with custom pools and can help you design the luxurious backyard of your dreams.

Contact us for a free design consultation and get started on your minimalist pool today.

Cooling off on a hot summer day is one of the biggest perks of pool ownership. However, in sunny states like Arizona, warm weather can quickly heat the temperature of your pool. Luckily, there are several ways to lower water temperature and cool down your pool so you can enjoy a refreshing swim all summer long.

Run Your Filter At Night

Running your pool filter at night helps cool down the water for several reasons. First, the air outside is the coolest at night, and cycling the water exposes it to colder temperatures. Water circulation also facilitates evaporation, which contributes to heat loss. Lastly, it is substantially cheaper to run your pool filter at night, encouraging you to run it for longer than you would during the daytime.

Use an Aerator

Another low-cost and easy way to cool down your pool is by installing an aerator. An aerator is an attachment that screws onto the side of your pool and sprays a fountain of water into the pool through the pump. The oxygen from the droplets spraying through the air can lower the water temperature by a few degrees, which makes a huge difference in the summer months. Aerators are a great option for states with dry climates like Arizona.

Shade the Pool Area

Shading your deck and pool area from direct sunlight will also help keep the water at a comfortable temperature. Landscaping features like trees, shrubs, and flowers can act as natural sun breaks. Airflow also naturally cools your pool through evaporation, so make sure to leave room for a breeze in your landscaping design. You can also install a canopy, sun shade, or umbrellas on the sunny side of the pool to help shade the water.

Invest in Active Cooling Mechanisms

Active cooling systems are some of the most effective ways to cool down residential swimming pools. There are two common forms: reversible heat pumps and evaporative coolers. While it seems counterintuitive, heat pumps are very effective at reducing water temperature. With the flip of a switch, they can cool your pool due to their reverse function that extracts heat from the water. They are a worthy investment if you also want to heat your pool in the winter.

As the name suggests, evaporative cooling uses evaporation to lower the temperature of your pool water. It is a more inexpensive option than heat pumps and is more practical for places that do not require pool heating. Pool owners can expect to see a 10-15 degree decrease in water temperature when they run these types of systems.

5. Install Water Features

Installing water features is both a fashionable and functional way to lower the temperature of your pool. Like a filter and an aerator, features like a fountain or waterfall keep the water circulating and increase air exposure, as well as encourage evaporation. These three mechanisms will work together to keep your pool water both active and cooler.

Stay Cool This Summer With Pools By Design

Building a custom pool is a great way to give you a break from the summer heat. At Pools By Design, we have a variety of water features you can incorporate into your swimming pool to help cool it down. Our friendly pool experts will help you find the right fit for your backyard setup.

Schedule a free pool design consultation with us today.

Infinity pools, also known as infinity-edge pools, create the illusion that they extend into the horizon. In the past, these dazzling designs were typically only present at high-end resorts. Now, it’s possible to install one in your own backyard. Because of their unique design, many people wonder how exactly an infinity pool works. The concept is relatively simple to understand but requires an experienced builder to execute properly.

Creating an Infinite Edge

An infinity pool creates the illusion of extending to the horizon through the use of one edge that is lower than the others. This edge also has a sloped top that water flows over. Using blue tiles on the edge can add to the aesthetic by highlighting the water and the sky as they merge together.

When viewed from a distance, it looks like there is no wall here at all. This leads many people to ask whether an infinity pool is safe to swim in, but it’s important to remember that the pool is still fully enclosed. Although water flows over the infinite edge, the wall is still in place and, provided other pool safety rules are followed, swimmers are safe to swim near it.

The Catch Basin

Of course, it wouldn’t be safe or practical for water to simply fall off the edge of the pool into the space below. This would quickly flood the area and create a hazard for any property below the pool. Instead, infinity pool builders create a catch basin, also known as a drain basin, below the infinite edge. Water flows from the main pool into this basin, where it is redirected into the pool’s circulation system. From there, it is redirected back into the swimming area above.

Although the catch basin is not typically visible from the deck, you’ll be able to see it when you swim to the edge of the pool or if you look down near the edge. Different pool owners and designers approach the catch basin differently. Some use grates to protect the water from any debris, and this may be more practical if you cannot easily reach the area to clean it. On the other hand, some prefer to keep the aesthetic as close as possible to the main pool.

Can You Build an Infinity Pool in Any Backyard?

Because of their unique design, infinity pools may not be suitable for every backyard. You will typically need to have some sort of elevation change for an infinite edge to be practical. Properties on a hill, especially those with gorgeous views, are better candidates than a typical backyard pool in a suburban neighborhood, for example. On the other hand, a very steep slope can make the job more difficult and increase the cost. An experienced pool builder can help you adapt your vision to what is realistically possible within your outdoor living space.

Luxury Pool Builder in Tucson

At Pools by Design, we have the expertise necessary to build stunning and functional infinite-edge pools. We can also add a variety of other high-end features that will make your backyard feel like a luxury resort.

Contact us today to discuss building an infinity pool in Tucson or the surrounding areas.