Designing a pool is one of the most exciting decisions a homeowner can make. However, getting the new pool design correct can cause additional stress.
After Shasta's 60 years, we’ve learned most pool regrets come from what homeowners didn’t think through early enough. Today’s homeowners are more informed than ever. They research and compare before they ever meet with a builder. Although, there are still a few critical blind spots that can lead to frustration.
This guide highlights the most common design mistakes. Also, how to avoid them. So, you can build a pool that works beautifully today and years from now.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Biggest Mistake People Make When Designing a Pool?
- What Can Go Wrong If You Design a Pool Poorly?
- How Do I Avoid Regretting My Pool Design?
- Why Pool Design Mistakes Happen and Why They’re Avoidable?
What Is the Biggest Mistake People Make When Designing a Pool?
The biggest mistake homeowners make is designing their pool based on how it looks instead of how they’ll use it. A beautiful pool can quickly become frustrating if it doesn’t support your lifestyle or long-term needs.
Mistakes homeowners make:
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Prioritizing aesthetics over functionality (layout, access, usability)
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Not thinking through how the space will be used day-to-day
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Choosing features or placement that don’t match activities (like volleyball vs. deep diving)
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Making decisions before fully understanding all available options
Looks More than Function
“People really go more by the looks rather than what’s functional… but if you’re not thinking about how you’ll actually use it, that’s where issues start.” - James Arrowood, Shasta Pool Designer
What Can Go Wrong If You Design a Pool Poorly?
A poorly designed pool can lead to higher costs or limited usability. Many issues don’t show up until after construction. Many changes are difficult or even impossible to fix later.
Common consequences include:
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Costly redesigns or upgrades (like adding a spa later at 3–4x the cost)
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Structural limitations that make changes difficult (Baja shelves, plumbing, layout)
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Poor layout that disrupts your backyard flow or damages landscaping
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Misjudging space due to setbacks, trees, or property constraints
Adding Spa Later can Cost More
“Adding a spa later… I bet you it’s three, four times more doing it later… you’re cutting decking, redoing plumbing—it can get extensive.” - James Arrowood, Shasta Pool Designer
How Do I Avoid Regretting My Pool Design?
You avoid regret by planning beyond today. Start thinking about how you’ll use your pool over time. Next, being flexible with your budget, and making key decisions early when they’re most cost-effective.
What smart homeowners do differently:
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Think about both current and future lifestyle needs
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Prioritize features that are hard or expensive to add later (spa, heating, structural elements)
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Stay flexible with budget to invest in long-term value
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Focus on usability, comfort, and maintenance
Important Now and Later
“Think about what’s important not only now, but later… it’s not like you can trade it in. You want something you can grow into.”
Why Pool Design Mistakes Happen and Why They’re Avoidable?
Most homeowners don’t make poor decisions. They just don’t have all the information at the right time.
Pool design is a series of trade-offs:
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Now vs. later
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Looks vs. function
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Budget vs. long-term value
It’s easy to lean toward what’s exciting in the moment instead of what will matter years down the line. That’s where working with an experienced design team makes all the difference.
FAQ
What do homeowners regret most after building a pool?
Most regrets come down to layout, missing features, or underestimating usage.
Can pool design mistakes be fixed later?
Most pool design mistakes can be fixed. Anything that effects structural elements become more expensive or invasive to change.
Is it better to add features now or later?
If a feature involves plumbing, structure, or electrical, it’s almost always more cost-effective to do it upfront. Cosmetic elements like decking or landscaping can often wait.
References
BBB.org Hiring a pool contractor
Troublefreepool.com Realized Our Pool is the Wrong Size
