A swimming pool can completely transform a Los Angeles backyard. More than a place to cool off, a thoughtfully designed pool can become the centerpiece of an outdoor living space, creating room for entertaining, relaxing, exercising, and enjoying California’s year-round outdoor lifestyle. But designing a pool involves much more than choosing its shape and size. The best pool designs in Los Angeles consider the property’s layout, surrounding landscape, architecture, sun exposure, privacy, materials, water use, safety, and how the entire backyard will function together.
If you’re considering a new pool or a complete backyard transformation, here are some of the most important things to look for when designing a pool in Los Angeles.
Start With the Backyard, Not the Pool
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is treating the pool as a standalone feature. A pool should be designed as part of the entire landscape.
Before determining the pool’s shape or dimensions, look at the backyard as a whole. Where does the house sit? How does the property receive sunlight? Where are the best views? Are there existing trees worth preserving? Where will guests enter the outdoor space? The answers to these questions can influence everything from pool placement to surrounding patios, planting areas, walkways, outdoor kitchens, and seating areas.
A successful Los Angeles pool design should feel like a natural extension of the home rather than something that was simply added to the backyard.
Consider the Size and Shape of Your Pool
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to pool design.
The ideal pool size depends on the size and shape of your property and, most importantly, how you plan to use it.
For homeowners who primarily want a place to relax and entertain, a smaller architectural pool may make more sense than a large traditional swimming pool. If exercise is important, a longer rectangular design may be preferable. Families may want more open swimming space, while homeowners focused on entertaining may want to prioritize shallow lounging areas and generous surrounding hardscape.
Popular pool shapes can include:
- Rectangular and geometric pools
- Freeform pools
- Lap pools
- Plunge pools
- Infinity-edge pools
- Spool-style pools combining spa and pool features
The right shape should complement both the architecture of your home and the overall landscape design.
Think About How You Will Actually Use the Pool
Before designing your pool, think about your lifestyle.
Will the pool primarily be used by your family? Will you host large gatherings? Do you want a space for swimming laps? Are children going to use it? Do you envision spending evenings around the pool with friends?
These questions can help determine which features are worth incorporating.
For example, a pool designed primarily for entertaining might include:
- A large tanning ledge
- Built-in seating
- An attached spa
- An outdoor kitchen nearby
- A poolside dining area
- Fire features
- Multiple lounge areas
Meanwhile, a pool intended for fitness may benefit from a longer, more streamlined shape and dedicated space around the pool for movement and equipment. The best custom pool design in Los Angeles starts with how you want to live outdoors.
Plan the Pool and Landscaping Together
One of the most important considerations for any Los Angeles backyard pool is the surrounding landscape. The pool, hardscape, plants, lighting, and outdoor structures should all work together as one cohesive design. Instead of thinking, “Where should we put the plants after the pool is finished?” consider the landscape during the initial design process. This allows you to create intentional transitions between the pool and the rest of the yard.
For example, a pool might be surrounded by:
- Natural stone patios
- Concrete or porcelain pavers
- Drought-tolerant planting
- California native plants
- Ornamental grasses
- Succulents
- Privacy trees
- Built-in planters
- Outdoor seating areas
This is especially important in Southern California, where water-conscious landscaping can help create a beautiful backyard without relying on a traditional grass lawn.
Choose Materials That Complement Your Home
Your pool materials should complement the architecture and finishes already found on your property. Consider the relationship between your home’s exterior materials and your pool coping, decking, tile, walls, and surrounding hardscape. For a modern Los Angeles home, clean lines, large-format paving, minimalist tile, and simple planting can create a contemporary look. For a Spanish or Mediterranean-style property, natural stone, warm tile, textured stucco, and lush but water-conscious planting may be a better fit. The goal isn’t necessarily to match every material. Instead, the different elements should feel intentional together.
Plan the Entire Outdoor Living Space
If you’re already investing in a new pool, this is an opportunity to rethink the entire backyard. Consider what other features would make the space more functional.
A pool design might be paired with:
- An outdoor kitchen
- Built-in barbecue
- Fire pit
- Fireplace
- Outdoor dining area
- Covered patio
- Pergola
- Pool house
- Outdoor shower
- Custom seating
- Water features
- Landscape lighting
Instead of creating several disconnected areas, a landscape designer can organize these elements into one cohesive outdoor living environment.
Designing a Better Los Angeles Backyard
A great pool isn’t just a body of water. It’s the centerpiece of an outdoor environment.
The best pool designs in Los Angeles consider everything around the pool—from the architecture of the home and surrounding landscape to privacy, shade, entertaining areas, water efficiency, drainage, safety, and lighting.
That’s where a comprehensive landscape design approach can make a difference.
At PictureBuild, we help Los Angeles homeowners bring their outdoor spaces together through thoughtful landscape design and construction. Whether you’re planning a new pool, redesigning an existing backyard, or creating a complete outdoor living space, our goal is to create an environment that looks beautiful, functions naturally, and feels connected to your home.
Ready to start planning your Los Angeles backyard? Contact PictureBuild to begin designing an outdoor space built around the way you live.