The Designers Guide To Specifying Materials For Gardens With Swimming Pools

A swimming pool is without doubt an opulent addition to any outdoor space, but as a garden designer, how do you make a great big hole in the ground look luxurious, attractive and inviting for many years to come?  Your client is no doubt investing a lot of money in their swimming pool project and they will of course, expect it to add value to their property.

There are a million and one decisions to make when designing gardens with swimming pools. Layouts, planting styles, materials and bespoke features to name but a few. Arbour Landscape Solutions MD Richard Bicker has personal experience of designing and building luxury gardens. These are his quick tips for specifying landscaping materials.

• Safety first…..opt for slip resistant materials for the poolside area.
• Colour matters. Dark paving gets hot in summer whilst bright white can dazzle in bright sunlight.
• Go big! A generously sized poolside area can accommodate activities such as entertaining, outdoor dining, and lounging beyond the splash zone.
• Don’t use materials that could be uncomfortable to walk on barefoot.
• Loose materials such as aggregates or grass clippings will most likely be traipsed into the pool and cause cleaning issues.
• Avoid materials which may be damaged by contact with pool chlorine. That goes for grouts and drain covers as well as for pavers.
• Don’t be afraid to go bespoke. No need to compromise your design by making it fit the dimensions of standard sized landscaping products.
• Develop a great relationship with a supplier who has the expertise to advise and who genuinely cares about sourcing the best materials for your project.

Which Hard Landscaping Materials Are Suitable For Pool Surrounds?

The one big consideration for swimming pool surrounds is, of course, safety.  The surface needs to be as slip-resistant as possible with no sharp edges that can be painful for bare feet.  

Porcelain paving is one choice but your client may prefer the traditional solidity of natural stone. Egyptian Limestone for example, is not only attractive, it’s a joy to walk upon barefoot and can have surface finishes applied to amplify slip resistance.

Bespoke natural stone offers a wealth of different profiling and surface finishes which add extra opulence to gardens with swimming pools. Think elegantly shaped coping stones, discreet drip channels, sturdy steps and original features for oodles and oodles of wow factor.

Concealing Utilities

Every pool needs filters, drains and practical things that help keep the water clear. But unfortunately these essential utilities can be unsightly. Arbour Landscape Solutions has sourced a range of Hide Access covers which are childproof, visually discreet, and immensely practical. 

Hide Access Covers are a variant of recessed manhole covers and allow landscapers to incorporate them into the hard landscaping with ease and elegance.

Pergolas And Shelters

A swimming pool is all about comfort - will you provide your clients with some sort of shelter from the hot sun and/or chilly breezes?

An elegant pergola lends itself beautifully to ambient lighting - perfect for long summer nights beside the pool.

Will you commission a Patio Cover with louvred roof and/or removable sides? A garden room with facilities for changing clothes and making refreshments? Or would you prefer to create a timber structure of your own design.  Maybe with a living roof for extra interest? Whichever you want, the team at Arbour Landscape Solutions can help with technical advice and/or sourcing any of the materials you need.

Plants And Planting

Finally, let’s not forget plants. They’re probably not your main focus when building a swimming pool but those living decorative touches make all the difference.  Plants have a unique way of making an area feel super-luxurious. Plus, if you have enough of them, they can actually make the air feel cooler by way of evapotranspiration.

An experienced garden designer will know exactly which plants and plant combinations to use in a swimming pool garden to effectively ‘dress’ the area and create a relaxing ambience.

When you are ready to buy plants, Arbour Landscape Solutions offers a speedy plant sourcing service that will save you hours of internet searches and phone calls. 

Inspiration For Gardens With Swimming Pools

An elegant swimming pool garden designed and built by The Essex Garden Co using Pietra Jura Beige bespoke porcelain paving from Arbour LAndscape Solutions.
Read the case study here.

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Glorious swimming pool garden by Jackie Gough Garden Design incorporating bespoke Egyptian limestone paving

Contemporary swimming pool garden designed by Richard Bickler from Arbour Landscape Solutions

Plunge pool in a prize winning show garden created for RHS Hampton Court by Consillium Hortus

Here To Help

Suffice to say, that the Arbour Landscape Solutions team are here to support you at every stage of your swimming pool project. From finding a specialist pool builder, to specifying materials, and sourcing products - between us we have all of the expertise you need.  And at Arbour Landscape Solutions, introductions and technical advice are always 100% free of charge.

Contact Us Today To Chat About Your Latest Projects

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