It was great to visit my Kippington Road garden design project this week and see the swimming pool area taking shape. The pool is now in and looking fantastic.
I love the clients choice of colour for the pool - an inky dark blue.
Now, with the new pool on one side of the space the garden builders are poised to come in and put the rest of the garden in place around it. The pool area will be paved, and opposite will be a lovely lawn area with relaxed seating under a wood pergola overlooking the pool space.
It will be wonderful to see this pool glinting in the sun this summer!
If you're thinking of installing an in-ground swimming pool in your garden here are some top tips to think about:
Before you start, always check whether or not you will need planning permission. It will depend on where you live as different councils have different regulations - check with your local council.
The amount of time you will spend using a swimming pool in the UK might be less than in hotter climates, so it needs to look good all year round even when it's not in use. Locate it somewhere where it won't be a dominant sight during colder months, and use clever planting to soften the view when not in use.
It's a good idea to screen the pool - especially from neighbours or from the street - so that it's private. Create a swimming pool space that's distinct from the rest of the garden but is also part of the garden as a whole. However, always make sure you maintain a line of sight to the pool from other areas of the house or garden, especially if you have small children.
When thinking about planting around the pool consider whether there are existing trees nearby and what sort of trees these are. It's crucial to consider the roots of large trees growing nearby as this can crack your paving and ultimately could damage your pool. You could also be dealing with a large volume of leaf fall in autumn. In addition to this, Holly as a tree or hedge, for example, sheds leaves consistently throughout the year and makes for a prickly surface for bare feet.
Once you've decided on the desired size of your pool make sure you leave enough space around it for easy and safe access. The tighter the space around it the more likely there are to be accidents. I would allow at least a metre but preferably more, especially for a family when you factor in children running and playing near water.
Consider the colour of your pool. Bright turquoise pools in the UK aren't always the best choice. Why not try a dark blue or teal instead of turquoise?
Planting around the pool. Avoid creeping or messy plants - they can stain your paving and also create a trip hazard.
Consider how you're going to heat the pool. It will use a significant amount of energy to heat a pool
Leave space for furniture - you won't always be swimming. Measure up sun loungers and deck chairs and make sure you have space for these around the pool.
Storage. Ensure you have adequate space to house the pump, as well as space to store all the pool essentials - floats, furniture, cushions etc.
If you're interested in installing an in-ground swimming pool in your garden and would like some advice on how to incorporate this into your garden design give me a call to arrange a consultation.