Pool Design & Construction in Northern Virginia
Schedule a Free ConsultationA swimming pool can become the centerpiece of your backyard, but the best pool projects consider more than the pool itself.
Outdoor Spaces provides custom pool design and planning throughout Northern Virginia, helping homeowners determine where the pool should go, how it should connect to the home and yard, and how surrounding features such as patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, landscaping, and pavilions should fit together.
We can begin the pool design process and coordinate with one of our established pool-building partners, or work alongside a pool builder you have already selected.
Is a Pool Right for Your Backyard?
A successful pool design starts with understanding how the pool will fit into the property as a whole.
The size and grade of your yard can influence where the pool can comfortably sit, how much surrounding patio space is practical, and whether retaining walls, steps, or other transitions may be needed.
We also consider how you want the pool to relate to your home.
Some homeowners prefer the pool close to the house so it feels directly connected to the main outdoor living area. Others prefer a destination pool located farther into the property and reached by a walkway or lawn.
Neither approach is automatically better. The right choice depends on your property, how you expect to use the pool, and what other outdoor spaces you want around it.
Pool Design Choices
Pool Location and Site Planning
Where the pool sits can shape how you use the entire backyard.
A pool close to the home can create a direct connection between indoor living areas, outdoor dining, and the pool deck. A destination pool farther into the yard can create a more distinct retreat and encourage greater use of the full property.
Grade is another important consideration. Because a pool and the surrounding deck need to work within the existing landscape, sloped yards may require retaining walls, steps, grading, or other design solutions.
Rather than simply choosing an open area and placing the pool there, we look at circulation, views, landscaping, access, and the relationship between the pool and the rest of the property.
Pool Construction and Water Systems
Gunite pools are the most common type of pool. Because they are constructed on site, they allow for a high degree of flexibility in the pool’s shape, dimensions, stairs, benches, and other built-in features.
Fiberglass pools use a prefabricated shell. They can provide a more cost-conscious option, but homeowners are limited to the available manufactured shapes and sizes.
Homeowners may also choose between traditional chlorine and saltwater systems. Saltwater pools have become increasingly popular, but this choice often comes down to personal preference.
The Space Around Your Pool
Most homeowners want usable space around the water for lounging, entertaining, and moving comfortably between different areas of the backyard.
Depending on your goals, the surrounding design may incorporate:
- Patios and pool decks
- Outdoor kitchens
- Fire features
- Outdoor lighting
- Pavilions and shade structures
- Bars and seating areas
Hot Tubs & Spas
Hot tubs and spas can be incorporated into a pool design or planned as their own outdoor feature.
They are commonly positioned adjacent to a swimming pool or integrated into a patio, pavilion, or other outdoor living space.
As with the pool itself, placement matters. We consider how the spa connects to the home, seating areas, pathways, and other features so it feels like an intentional part of the overall design.
Water Features
Fountains, waterfalls, streams, ponds, and other ornamental water features can add movement and visual interest to a landscape.
These features typically make the most sense when they support the larger design rather than being added as standalone elements.
They can also require more ongoing maintenance than homeowners sometimes expect, so we consider both the visual effect and the long-term practicality when determining whether a water feature is right for the property.
What Affects the Cost of a Pool Project?
The cost of a backyard pool project depends on much more than the pool shell itself.
Major factors can include:
- Pool size and shape
- Gunite versus fiberglass construction
- Property grading and site conditions
- Pool deck or patio size and materials
- Retaining walls and steps
- Access to the construction area
- Pavilions or other structures
- Outdoor kitchens and fire features
- Lighting and landscaping
- Hot tubs, spas, or additional water features
A relatively straightforward pool on a level property will have a very different scope from a pool integrated into a sloped backyard with extensive hardscaping, walls, an outdoor kitchen, and a pavilion.
Thinking about the entire outdoor living plan early can also help you prioritize which elements should be built together and which may be added later.
Our Pool Design Process
Consultation and Site Evaluation
The process begins with a free consultation at your property.
We will discuss how you want to use the pool, whether you envision it close to the house or elsewhere in the yard, which surrounding features are important to you, and the overall style and budget for the project.
We will also evaluate the site itself, including grade, access, existing outdoor spaces, and the relationship between the pool and your home.
Design and Coordination
Next, we develop a plan that considers the pool and the outdoor environment around it.
We typically aim to present the initial design approximately two to three weeks after the consultation.
Outdoor Spaces can then coordinate with one of our established pool-building partners or work with a pool contractor you have already selected. This allows the pool construction and surrounding landscape design to be planned together rather than as separate projects.
Construction
Once the design and pool specifications are finalized, construction can begin.
Project timelines vary based on the pool type, property conditions, overall scope, time of year, contractor schedules, and material availability.
For projects that include patios, walls, kitchens, structures, landscaping, or other outdoor features, our team can remain involved to help coordinate those elements with the pool installation.
Pool Design FAQs
Why Hire Outdoor Spaces Instead of Going Directly to a Pool Builder?
A pool builder primarily focuses on constructing the swimming pool itself.
Outdoor Spaces looks at how the pool fits into the larger property, including its location, surrounding patio, outdoor kitchen, fire features, landscaping, shade structures, pathways, and connection to the house.
If you are unsure where the pool should go or want it to be part of a larger backyard renovation, that broader planning can be especially valuable.
Is a Gunite or Fiberglass Pool Better?
It depends on your property and priorities.
Gunite pools provide greater flexibility in size and shape because they are built on site. Fiberglass pools use prefabricated shells, which can offer cost advantages but limit you to predetermined dimensions and designs.
Should My Pool Be Close to the House?
Not necessarily. A pool close to the house can make it easy to move between indoor and outdoor spaces. A destination pool located farther away can create a separate backyard retreat.
The best location depends on your property and how you want to use the surrounding outdoor space.
Can Outdoor Spaces Work With My Pool Builder?
Yes. We can work with one of our established pool-building partners or coordinate with a pool contractor you have already selected.
Should I Choose a Saltwater or Chlorine Pool?
Both systems can work well, and the decision often comes down to homeowner preference and the recommendations of the pool contractor.
Saltwater systems have become increasingly popular, while traditional chlorine systems remain common. Your pool builder can help you compare the operation and maintenance requirements of each system.
What Your Neighbors Are Saying
Working with Outdoor Spaces has been a wonderful experience. The designers really listen to what your ideas are and transform them from dreams into reality.
— Brian