Best House Designs for Pools

For most Australians, a pool isn't just an addition to your backyard – it’s a total lifestyle upgrade. It doesn’t matter whether you're dreaming about a refreshing plunge pool, a family-friendly oasis or a sleek lap pool for fitness, designing your home with a pool in mind will make sure you create the perfect transition between indoor and outdoor living.

Ready to learn how to choose the right floor plan and pool style, as well as how to design the most functional outdoor living spaces that complement your home? Read on for the ultimate house plans featuring backyard pools.

How to Choose the Right House Plan for Your Pool

If you're planning to build a new home and want to include a swimming pool with it, here’s what to consider when choosing a pool-friendly home design:

• Your block size and orientation: The size, shape and orientation of your block will determine the best place to position your pool. North-facing outdoor areas get the best sunlight throughout the day, which will keep your pool area warm and inviting.
• Backyard space: Consider how much space you need around the pool for landscaping and entertaining. A functional outdoor area will improve the usability of both the main house and swimming pool.
• Indoor–outdoor connection: Open-plan living designs with large sliding doors or alfresco dining areas help create a natural connection between your home and pool.
• Privacy and safety: Think about fencing and landscaping so that you get plenty of privacy for this perfect addition to your property.
• Plumbing and electrical: Factor in where you’ll need to install things like pool pumps, lighting and cleaning equipment.

What Type of Pool Should I Install?

Because each type of pool brings its own specific pros and cons, you’ll want to consider your lifestyle, budget and the amount of backyard space you have before making a decision. Some of the most popular pool options in Australia include:

1. Fibreglass swimming pools: A popular choice for their long-lasting nature and low maintenance. Fibreglass pools are pre-made and installed as a single piece, which means less construction time (and labour costs). They also come in all shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that complements your home designs.
2. Concrete pools: Highly customisable and built to last, concrete pools can be crafted in any shape or depth. They are perfect for luxury designs and can complement your modern pool house and outdoor furniture, but they take longer to install and might require a bit more maintenance over time.
3. Vinyl-lined pools: More affordable than concrete or fibreglass, a vinyl-lined pool will be customisable but need liner replacements every 7–10 years or so. They’re a great option if you’re on a budget.
4. Lap pools: Designed for fitness, lap pools are long and narrow, making them ideal for compact blocks. They are often built alongside a home’s fence or boundary wall to maximise space.
5. Plunge pools: Perfect for small backyards, plunge pools will let you relax and have a refreshing dip while also potentially doubling as a spa if you get the pool heated.
6. Above-ground pools: A budget-friendly or temporary option, above-ground pools aren’t as popular as they used to be, but they are easy to install and remove. Just be aware that they might take up more of your outdoor space.

Our Best Home Designs for Pools

Finding the perfect design to create the ultimate pool friendly house is made easy with Brighton Homes. So if you’re after a spacious backyard retreat, a compact poolside oasis for fresh air and relaxation, or a modern alfresco design that sits adjacent to an outdoor dining area or seating area, Brighton Homes has a huge range of floor plans that will make the most of your space.

Below are six of our best home designs that pair beautifully with a swimming pool.

Grayson

The Grayson is a stunning two-storey home that will perfectly complement your modern poolside lifestyle. With family living front-and-centre, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas at the rear connect you to the outdoor living space, where entertaining and poolside relaxation are just a moment away. Whether you’re hosting weekend BBQs by the pool or enjoying quiet family moments, the Grayson is designed for effortless indoor-outdoor living.

Visit our Grayson 33 display home at Harmony and SkyRidge, or explore our Grayson 30 home design. 

BLK43A

Our BLK43A is a popular coastal-inspired home, built for those who love indoor-outdoor living. With expansive outdoor spaces, this modern masterpiece is the ideal design for poolside living, where you can soak up the sun and entertain in style. Thoughtfully crafted with seamless flow between indoor and outdoor areas, the BLK43A is a dream home for entertaining, unwinding and fully embracing a coastal lifestyle.

Visit our BLK43A display home at SkyRidge.

Juniper

The Juniper is a single-storey home that blends functionality and style and is the perfect canvas for you to make all your lifestyle dreams come true. With effortless connectivity between indoor and outdoor areas, it’s the perfect home for those who long for poolside barbecues and sun-soaked weekends. If you’re ready for long summer days spent hosting poolside gatherings, or you simply want a place where you can unwind in a tranquil retreat, the Juniper will make every day feel like a holiday at home.

Explore the Juniper home design.

Enhancing Pool Areas with Functional Spaces

Think about your pool house plans as being about more than just a place to swim, but rather an extension of your home’s living space. You can create the perfect place by incorporating functional outdoor features for flow between your indoor and outdoor areas. From outdoor kitchens and lounges to thoughtful landscaping, decking and lighting features, it’s easy to deliver the perfect ambiance around your swimming pool.

Outdoor Kitchens and Lounges

An outdoor kitchen and lounge can transform your backyard and pool area into a luxurious, highly functional space for entertaining. Maybe you want to integrate a well-equipped cooking and dining area adjacent to the pool. Or perhaps you’ve imagined preparing meals while still being part of the conversation, with guests lounging nearby on a charming patio or dipping their toes in the water. You might even want to set up an outdoor shower next to the pool.

A built-in barbecue, pizza oven or even a small bar area can elevate the experience even further. Weather-resistant furniture and shades, such as pergolas or retractable awnings, make things comfortable year-round with that added privacy you want from pool houses.

From weekend brunches to summer evening cocktails or casual family dinners, an outdoor kitchen and lounge will make your pool area practical and enjoyable – no matter the season.

Landscaping and Lighting

The right combination of plants and hardscaping can blend your pool right in with the rest of your outdoor space, making it feel like a natural extension of your home. Lush greenery and structured hedging can help to frame the pool while giving you a bit more privacy and shade. For a low-maintenance and solution that will stand up to the Queensland heat, think about using drought-hardy plants that thrive in this climate.

Then there’s the use of strategic lighting for ambience and safety, so you can enjoy your pool area long after the sun goes down. Soft, warm lighting along pathways, around garden beds and the pool’s edges can instantly create a resort-like feel, while brighter task lighting near your outdoor kitchens or lounge areas is practical. Bottom line? Well-placed landscape lighting will highlight your home’s biggest features while also improving visibility for evening entertaining.

Let Brighton Homes Help You Create Your Perfect Home

While Brighton Homes doesn’t plan or install backyard pools, we work closely with your chosen contractor to make sure your home and outdoor space are in harmony. Our memorable floor plans set the perfect foundation for creating a backyard oasis. And if you want to improve your outdoor sanctuary with beautiful landscaping that complements your modern pool, check out our landscaping tips and ideas for your new home to bring your vision to life.