There was a time when the most popular pool designs were rectangular and kidney shaped. Elvis Presley may have started the trend towards unique pool designs with his guitar shaped pool, but for generations, most pools stuck with these two basic shapes. While these are still popular, there are many more popular pool designs to choose from today.  

Popular Pool Designs Inspired by Nature

There is an increasing trend towards pool designs that are inspired by nature. Many of these are in a freeform shape with natural stone pool surrounds in a garden setting. For added authenticity, water is recirculated via a waterfall. A larger pool may even include a tropical island in the centre or a spa area in a semi-circular alcove. If space is limited, a spa or plunge pool in a natural setting creates an oasis of tranquillity in an urban environment.

Popular Pool Designs for Exercise

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can get, but the traditional lap pool doesn't always fit into the traditional Aussie backyard. That's why lap pools and plunge pools fitted with resistance jets have become so popular. A lap pool can be only one or two lanes wide and as long as your available space allows. If there is not enough length available for more than a few swimming strokes, simply install resistance water jets at one end of the pool. Swimming in a pool fitted with these is a bit like swimming against the current in the ocean but with the benefit of giving you the option of controlling the strength of the current.

Popular Pool Designs for Relaxation and Hydrotherapy

The buoyancy of water makes it naturally relaxing. The great thing about relaxation and hydrotherapy pools is that they don't have to be large, so no matter how little space you have to spare, you probably have enough space for one. A plunge pool is just big enough to jump into for a refreshing dip while a spa can be large enough to accommodate 4 or more yet small enough to fit under a gazebo. Add warm water and spa jets and your plunge pool or spa becomes a hydrotherapy pool.

Other Popular Pool Designs

Infinity edge pools (also called negative edge pools) are probably one of the most popular of the newer pool designs. An infinity pool edge, which is simply an edge or edges submerged just below the water line, creates an illusion of  being "edgeless" or stretching out to infinity. These work especially well on sloping blocks with views into the distance.

Custom pool designs in shapes that fit in with the contours of the land or home are also becoming increasingly popular. Imagine, for example, an 'L' shaped pool that begins with a spa at the edge of your lounge or sun room and then turns 90 degrees to become a lap pool stretching the length of your house.

If space and your budget allows, you can even combine all the elements of the most popular pool designs into one, creating a natural pool for swimming, playing  and relaxing. If space is at a premium, that is an obstacle that can be overcome simply by the addition of water jets and other pool accessories. With so many innovative pool designs to choose from, there is no limit to what you can do..