The best family pools are designed around how the family actually lives, not just how the pool looks in a photo. When we design a pool, we think about everyone who will use it: young kids, teenagers, adults, grandparents and often the dog.
For the kids
- Wide entry steps and ledges where little ones can sit and splash safely.
- A safe jump spot with enough depth, planned so it does not clash with the shallow areas.
- A sun ledge or splash zone. See our splash pad pools.
- Clear sight lines from the kitchen, living room and alfresco, so you can keep an eye on the pool from inside.
For the adults
- Bench seating built into the pool for relaxing without getting out.
- Spa jets or a spa combination for year-round use. Read our pool and spa combinations.
- A coffee or wine corner: a ledge or seat positioned to catch the afternoon sun or the view.
- Heating so the pool gets used in more months of the year. See are pool heaters worth it?
For the dog
Dogs love pools, and planning for them makes life easier. An easy-exit step or ledge helps dogs get out safely, and choosing durable finishes around the pool helps with wet paws and claws.
For the whole yard
- How the pool looks from the house. The pool is often the main view from your living areas, so we design for that view.
- Room around the pool for lounging, entertaining and shade.
- Fencing that suits the design and meets Queensland pool safety rules.
- Low maintenance. Options like in-floor cleaning mean more swimming and less cleaning.
- Gentle water. Our pools use a salt water chlorinator with magnesium included, which many families find softer on skin and eyes. Read 7 benefits of magnesium pools.
Plan for the future
A pool lasts for decades, and your family will change. Toddlers become teenagers who want to swim laps or jump in, and parents may want gentle exercise and hydrotherapy later on. Designing for how you will use the pool in ten or twenty years, not just next summer, also helps your home’s long-term value. See does a pool add value to your Gold Coast home?
Hear from our families
A young family on the Gold Coast bought a home with a pool already in the plans, and the pool has become the centrepiece of their home and entertaining:
And one of our clients in her 60s uses her pool every day for exercise, movement and hydrotherapy, together with her two Labradors:
Get everyone on the same page
Family pool design means a lot of opinions. That is why our design sessions happen in our 3D design studio, where the whole family can see the pool in 3D and look at real tile samples together. At the end, you take home a box with your chosen tiles so everyone can agree before the build begins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pool shape for a family?
It depends on your yard and how you will use it. Rectangular and L-shaped pools work well for families because they can separate a shallow play area from a deeper swimming or jumping area.
How deep should a family pool be?
Most family pools combine a shallow area with ledges for younger children and a deeper section for swimming and jumping. We work out the right depths for your family during the design stage.
Planning a pool for your family? See our family pool designs or book a free on-site visit.
