Luxury Pool Construction in Southern California
A luxury pool should feel aesthetically cohesive, rather than just big and flashy.
Material quality, number of features, and price should not be the deciding factors when you evaluate the pool. It is about the relationship the pool has with other elements of architectural design, construction materials, sight lines, and the other outdoor areas.
Hillside Pool Builder plans luxury pools around the home’s architecture, the property’s views, and the spaces where people gather. Discuss your yard and the features you value, from an infinity edge to an attached spa and a carefully planned deck.
Start With the Experience You Want to Create
A cohesive design is the outcome of a clear design concept.
To some, the goal is to create a refined, quiet design with the architectural elements of the home and pool. For others, the focus is to provide a pool design that enhances their view. Another may be to create a large platform for entertaining.
equal importance to each design element.
A stronger project has a hierarchy.
That might mean:
- keeping the biggest visual element the water;
- preserving critical views;
- placing the spa intentionally;
- designing the layout to allow for ample entertaining; and
- using a limited palette of materials across the pool and surrounding surfaces.
Once those things are prioritized, the rest can fall into place.
Let the Architecture Lead the Pool Design
The home gives the first design language.
Windows, rooflines and the way the backyard is integrated can all play a part in how the pool should look and the positioning of the pool.
The geometry and sight lines may be more important on a contemporary home, while on a different home site, they may feel more natural with softer transitions.
The pool should not feel out of place from the surrounding architecture.
If you want to work on the design of the pool and overall pool placement before the construction process, go to custom pool design.
Let the Pool be a View From Within
A thoughtful pool can impact how you feel while you are in the house.
Large windows and doors bring a backyard into the interior view with large windows and doors. That means the placement of the pool, its orientation and its relationship with the surrounding landscape are critical when viewed through the glass.
What should be visible from the primary living areas?
The pool could be the primary visual anchor. A focal point could be a raised spa. Landscape design could be used to preserve an open area with framing, while providing a focal point with a background element.
This is just one of the many elements that help distinguish a premium project from an expensive project.
Thoughtful Pool Design
A luxury pool doesn’t require an unusual design to attract attention
Often, simple designs that are properly scaled become more powerful.
Pool length, width, depth and surrounding deck space must be carefully considered relative to the size of the house and backyard.
A long, calm rectangular pool may provide the architectural character a property needs. A different site or location may require a different configuration due to the home, terrain or outdoor layout.
The focus shouldn’t be on which pool shape looks the most luxurious, but rather what shape will provide the most balance to the property as a whole.
For end-to-end construction of a pool build without this design-centric focus, head to custom pool construction.
Limit usage of materials
An increased budget for materials will not ensure a high-end finish.
Pool finishes, coping, deck surfaces and hardscape paired with other architectural elements should be visually related. With too many competing surface types, backyard clarity is lost.
A limited palette can help connect the house and pool to important features.
Consider other elements to help:
- create and maintain boundaries to help define spaces;
- connect the architectural lines to the pool;
- give the pool a more formal feel;
- help join large, undefined outside areas;
- and help pool features be seen and not compete with one another.
For surfaces adjacent to the water, think about designs for pool decks.
For larger connected areas and more formal outside areas, think about hardscaping.
The Water Should Be the Star of the Show
The most impressive pool environments are typically well edited.
The contrast of architecture, movement, and reflection brought by the pool water itself are some of the most important features.
Everything else should help enhance the setting and not compete.
Maybe a simple ledge is designed for relaxing. Perhaps seating is built around the pool for a conversational edge. A spa can become a great focal point. Maybe even a custom water feature is added.
All the ideas don’t need to make the final cut.
Explore our many pool feature ideas and see what fits the design best.
Spa Integration with the Main Pool
When the spa and pool elevations differ or when the spa is placed next to the pool, the spa really stands out.
This placement really matters.
An attached spa will have a more quiet and calm relationship with the pool. An elevated spa may actually become an important part of your pool composition.
How you orient the spa and its placement determines comfort and overall pool use.
A spa should feel like it is intended to be there rather than an afterthought.
Be sure to explore custom situated and elevated spas.
Tanning Ledge Only When It Improves the Pool Design
If the pool design calls for the use of the pool for relaxing, then a lounging area is a nice design addition.
They provide another dimension of the pool and create a more casual sitting area.
Tanning ledges and Baja shelves are excellent visual dividers of the pool.
The dimensions should fit and if a ledge is too large, it becomes crowded and pretty much useless.
For more design ideas, check out tanning ledges and Baja shelves.
Limit Use of Infinity Edge to Appropriate Scenarios
Infinity edge pool designs work best alongside elements such as property lines that create a disappearing edge to connect with off-site elements, whether that is a canyon, hillside, a view of a city or a distant landscape. When one of these design elements is present, the edge should not be one of several competing features. Infinity edge pool designs are architectural elements that really work, and when one of the aforementioned conditions is present, an infinity edge pool design should be considered.
Use the Slope
Designing on a slope has advantages because you have the ability to create more levels as opposed to a totally flat site. Of course, this must be done within the confines of creating a safe and an easy to use design. If your sloped land is the main area for construction, then hillside pool construction should be reviewed.
Entertainment Around the Pool
People tend to congregate around the pool, and so the design should incorporate space to lounge and visit outside of the pool.
Entertaining may require:
- poolside lounge areas;
- a designated dining area;
- clear walking paths;
- an area for more relaxed seating;
- outdoor kitchen; or
- an additional gathering area fashioned further away from the water.
Balancing the purpose and function of these backyard additions requires space but often helps to utilize these areas better.
Patio seating or dining surfaces cover basic needs for seating but are relatively simple to install.
Create Privacy Without Losing Openness
It is easier to enjoy and utilize a backyard when comfort is considered.
Depending on neighboring properties and sight lines, privacy can become part of the design process.
The design doesn’t need to encase the landscape in a solid mass of planting.
Landscape can pool around the pool, define edges, and provide privacy while still maintaining the most important open views.
For a coordinated planting scheme around the pool, refer to: pool landscape design
Connect the Pool to the Rest of the Outdoor Environment
Some projects require more than just a pool and a deck.
An outdoor kitchen makes entertaining even easier. A fire feature, along with an extended patio, can function as additional gathering spots.
The goal is not to put as many amenities in the backyard as possible.
Rather, it is about looking for ways to create multiple uses for the outdoors while maintaining one cohesive design.
For a larger, more encompassing outdoor environment, take a look at outdoor living.
See outdoor kitchens and BBQ areas for a dedicated cooking space.
Explore outdoor fire pits for additional gathering spot options.
What You Can Expect From a Design-Focused Pool Project
A nice pool project is not just about putting together beautiful elements.
The value lies in the resolution of the various elements of the property and how they interact with one another.
That can mean a pool that integrates well with a house’s architecture and material palette, as well as a deliberate and integrated design that extends beyond the pool.
A design-driven process aims to:
- The geometry and position of the pool can relate directly to the architecture and material palette of the house.
- Important Views Can Be Better Framed
Pool placement, landscaping and seating can be placed to relate to strong sightlines.
- More Intentional Circulation
For now, consider walking paths between the home, pool, spa, and seating areas as flexible solutions.
- Features Selected Based on Function
The selected features should create an enjoyable experience as opposed to simply being available to select. For example, a feature such as a spa, a tanning ledge, or an infinity edge could assist in the creation of an enjoyable experience.
- Unified Outdoor Space
The pool area, decks, and even landscape and seating areas can be aligned with the same style and direction.
The goal is that the reconstruction of a variety of outdoor elements is unified and cohesive.
How a Luxury Pool Project Comes Together
A luxury pool project requires the use of a design process that is systematic in order for each element of the project to complete the desired goal.
- Define the Experience
The goal is to determine what the desired state of the finished project is.
This can be the aesthetic of a quiet and simple pool, an outdoor design that is focused on the view, a designed space that is oriented toward outdoor entertaining, or a combination thereof. - Analyze the Backyard and House
The design is informed by the outdoor space that is created by the backyard, as well as the indoor/outdoor connection, and by other backyard design features and what is available. - Design the Main Composition
The pool design begins, and the orientation and focal points are made.
This design begins to inform selections such as a spa, an infinity edge, or a shallow water area. - Create a Material Direction
Once the design direction is finalized, the artificial surface surrounding the pool and decking can be finalized. - Create a Unified Outdoor Space
The landscape and gathering areas should support, rather than compete with, the pool and seating. - Evaluate the Property
Design and features are amended based on the accessibility and physical features of the property. - Define the Project Scope
Knowing the relationships will allow planning to move the project in the right direction.
What May Be Included in the Project?
Nothing is the same for two luxury pool projects.
A simple, architectural pool may not incorporate many other elements. A larger, outdoor environment may include many.
Depending on the design, the project may include:
- A design-focused swimming pool
- An attached or raised spa
- A tanning ledge or built-in seating
- An infinity edge with a view that supports it
- Coordinated pool decking
- Patios and other hard scape
- Landscape design
- An outdoor kitchen area and/or an outdoor living area
The goal is not to try to include everything. It is to identify the elements that belong together.
What Affects Luxury Pool Construction Cost?
There is no single expensive pool project cost that captures them all.
The overall project scope will vary depending on the property and the design.
Cost considerations can include:
- pool size and design
- complexity of the design
- access and site conditions
- finishes and pool surface selections
- spa selections
- edge details
- pool deck details
- landscaping
- other outdoor connections
A simple architectural pool at the top of a hillside with an infinity edge and an adjacent spa and other outdoor elements is a very large and different project from a small architectural pool.
Understanding what you want to build is the first step in developing a useful quote.
Build a Luxury Pool
This option may be of interest if you want to think about the pool design in the context of the overall site design.
This may be of interest if you have design considerations such as
- How should the swimming pool be integrated with the design of the residential structure?
- How can we design a swimming pool to enhance or preserve a particular site view?
- Which of the elements do we choose to include in the swimming pool project?
- How should the materials selected be related to each other?
- Where can there be seats for group congregations?
- How can landscape elements be used to give privacy while also being flexible?
- How can the swimming pool be designed to be integrated with dining and entertaining areas?
Activities such as these may best be integrated through a design consultation.
Luxury Pool Builders Serving Southern California
Hillside Pool Builder has its headquarters in Sherman Oaks and serves the Greater Los Angeles area and many surrounding communities in Southern California. Confirmed service expansion has also included Orange County and San Diego.
The design and hillside serving communities within the Los Angeles service area includes Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas.
The design of a particular site can be more important than the design of a particular community.
Browse all pool builder service areas.
For more detailed information, visit Los Angeles pool builder.
What helps us understand your vision?
You don’t need a completed design to start the process.
Here are a few other details to make this first call more effective.
- Your Property’s Location (ZIP code)
- Photos of your Home and Backyard
- Style of your Home
- Views you want to protect or highlight
- How you want to use the pool and outdoor living
- Any pool or spa features you’re considering
- Features for entertaining or dining in the outdoors
- Photos that exhibit the atmosphere you like
- Inspiration images to show the type of atmosphere you like, but remember, we want this to come from your property.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Pool Construction
A luxury pool usually is a pool integrated with the overall design of the property and architecture, NOT a pool with a ton of features. The pool, architecture, outdoor areas, landscape and deck should feel fully integrated.
A custom pool caters to a certain client and property. A luxury pool project places a strong emphasis on architectural integration, key details, and the use of premium materials that connect the design to other elements of the outdoor living space.
An infinity edge is not a requirement and may not be the best design solution for every property. With the right elevation and an outside view, an infinity edge can be a nice addition, but great proportion and material integration can make a design led pool just as effective with no infinity edge.
Yes. If your design and outdoor area look and function well together, including a spa can be a good design choice.
Yes. Outdoor living, pool design and landscaping can all be designed to work together as long as they are part of the same design project.
Depending on your property and the features you want to install, including the landscaping and outdoor living areas connected to the pool, the construction cost of a luxury pool can vary from project to project. The cost would be defined after the design of the project is complete.
This will depend on the design of the pool, the features you want to include, the landscaping, the portable living areas and the site conditions. Once the design is complete and the requirements are defined, an appropriate timeline of the construction schedule can be determined.
You don't have to have finalized plans. Bring photos of your home and backyard, show us your property, important views, how you want to use your space, and some inspiration pictures.
The first step to design a luxury pool is deciding how you want to use that space, not comparing a checklist of features.
We want to know how you entertain, the architecture, your views and how you want the pool to enhance your backyard.
The design process can then work out how to best fill in the rest of the space.
Contact Hillside Pool Builder to discuss your project.