Creating A More Beautiful Pool Area

Create A Serene Setting With A Natural Pool

23 May 2017

Adrian Spencer

Sustainability and eco-friendly are still big buzzwords in designing homes. Does that mean you have to do without luxuries? No, in fact, one of the popular trends now is building a natural swimming pool, which closely mimics ponds in nature. Such pools can look like a naturalistic swimming hole or an ultra-modern pool complex. Design a natural pool that creates a serene setting in your backyard.

About Natural Pools

Rather than use chemicals and complicated filtration systems, natural pools utilize organic filtration as seen in nature. Essentially, a natural pool is comprised of two pools. The main pool is for swimming, while the secondary pool is for filtration. Either plants or gravel or a combination of both, provide the filtering in the filtration pool. A pump and natural water movement cycle the water through the filtration pool and back into the swimming pool. Since the sun provides the heat source, you want at least some of the swimming pool unsheltered. According to House Logic, construction costs are about the same as for traditional pools, while maintenance costs are significantly less.

Natural Pool Design

While it's true that a natural filtration system can work well for any pool design, many homeowners like to create a naturalistic atmosphere around their pool. One option is to create a lagoon effect. For this type of pool, you'll choose either a kidney or a freeform style pool liner. Look for one that's in a deep turquoise or bright blue to simulate the look of a natural lagoon. Have the contractors build rock formations around the pool. Likewise, they should build planting beds for your exotic plants. Having a waterfall installed can help the circulation of water while also providing that lagoon appeal.

Another option is recreating a favorite swimming hole in your backyard. For this design, you may still choose a kidney or freeform liner, though a circular or oval one works well, too. Likewise, choose a more subtle color for the liner. From there, have contractors build naturalistic decks out of rock or hardwood for running around your swimming hole. They should also build planting beds for native plants around your pool.

Plants for the Natural Swimming Pool

When it comes to landscaping around the pool, choose plants that create the theme you're going for. Just make sure they won't drop a lot of seedheads or leaves into your pool. For filtration and cycling water, you'll need three types of water plants. Floating plants, such as water lilies, help cycle the water and protect vital micro-organisms. Oxygenating plants, such as duckweed, absorb nitrates and phosphates while slowing the growth of algae. Biological filters are plants such as cattails that have fibrous roots that remove contaminants from the water. All of these also help create the serene feel of a natural getaway in your backyard.

Channel the serenity of nature with a natural pool in your backyard. For more information, check out a company like Pacific AquaScapes today!

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