Backyard pool paradise

When creating your own backyard pool paradise, it’s best to balance imagination and practicality; the key is to make the pool work for you. We rarely swim all year round, but having a space you enjoy means you’ll keep going back to soak in the ambience.

A pool to suit your home

Classic kidney-shaped pools have long been an Australian favourite, but modern designs mean that whatever size or shape your yard, there’s a pool to suit. The layout might blend perfectly with your home style or set itself apart entirely as a glimmering desert-mirage vision.

If your dream is to have a lap pool but the yard isn’t wide enough, consider running it along one side of the house. Find interesting tile patterns, pavers and plants to brighten up the area.

Forget what you know about above-ground pools too, because they’ve changed a lot since the days of aquamarine plastic structures. They can be incorporated into decking areas to appear in-ground, which is ideal for homeowners who aren’t able to excavate on their property.

One man’s paradise …

A family in Utah recently built their dream backyard pool with a 20 m waterslide and waterfalls, one of which stands six meters above the water, perfect for daredevil jumps. There’s also a hidden underwater entrance to the pool that’s 8 m deep and over 16 m long!

While a $2 million project like that is well out of range for most of us, there are plenty of things we can do to transform our pool settings into a unique paradise.

• If you prefer the simple, elegant look of infinity edges or sleek tile and stone, consider glass fencing and weatherproof wicker settings.
• Go tropical with gazebos, statues, cane furniture and water features.
• Palm trees and ferns surrounding the pool offer shade and privacy, but beware of leaves and spores falling into the water.
• Weatherproof recliners and large umbrellas (preferably shading some of the water) will mean that swimmers and lounge lizards of all ages can enjoy hours together by the pool.
• Add an outdoor bar with a fireplace and tiki torches to make the space attractive at night or when it’s too cold for swimming.

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It can cost more to get your pool back into shape than it does to keep it healthy, so give yourself more reasons to enjoy the outdoors and you’ll be enticed to keep it clean and clear.