7 Pool Design Decisions Homeowners Regret (And How to Avoid Them)
After years building custom pools in Georgia, Alison Pools has witnessed countless homeowners discover pool features they wish they'd added or design decisions they'd like to reverse. These regrets surface months or years after construction, when modifications become exponentially more expensive than including them during the original build.
Understanding these common mistakes before breaking ground protects your investment and ensures your pool delivers the lifestyle enhancement you're envisioning. Here are the seven design decisions homeowners most frequently regret, and the solutions that prevent them.
Regret #1: Inadequate Deck Space Around the Pool
The most common complaint swimming pool builders in Georgia hear from existing pool owners centers on insufficient deck space surrounding the water. Homeowners consistently underestimate the room they need for lounging, dining, and moving around the pool.
The Problem
Pool contractors in Georgia often focus solely on the pool shell dimensions, treating surrounding deck space as an afterthought. A typical mistake: budgeting for minimal decking, then discovering the pool feels cramped and uninviting.
Standard industry practice suggests 300 square feet of deck space as adequate for most pools. This provides a narrow walkway around three sides of the pool, enough room for basic access but little more. In reality, Georgia pool builders with decades of experience recommend 500-800 square feet for pools serving families who plan to entertain guests.
Consider what actually happens around your pool. You need space for:
Lounge chairs: Each chaise lounge requires approximately 30 square feet, including clearance space for reclining and walking around it. A family with four lounge chairs needs 120 square feet dedicated to seating alone.
Dining areas: An outdoor dining table for six people requires 80-100 square feet. Adding a grill station or outdoor kitchen adds another 60-100 square feet.
Traffic flow: Comfortable walkways around furniture and between the pool edge and any structures require 4-5 feet of clearance, not the 2-3 feet many builders provide.
Pool entry zones: The areas where swimmers enter and exit concentrate traffic. These zones need extra width to prevent congestion, particularly at steps and shallow entries.
The Solution
Alison Pools approaches deck space as an integrated outdoor living design, not an afterthought. During the initial consultation, we map how you'll actually use the space. Do you host pool parties for extended family? Do you need dining areas for outdoor meals? Will you add an outdoor kitchen later?
We create 3D renderings showing furniture placement at scale. Seeing actual lounge chairs, tables, and umbrellas positioned on the deck reveals space constraints that floor plans obscure. This visualization process prevents the "it looked bigger on paper" disappointment that plagues homeowners who skip this step.
Georgia landskaping must also account for the region's intense summer sun. Adequate deck space allows for shade structures, pergolas, or covered seating areas positioned away from the pool edge, protecting both furniture and people from 100°F+ heat.
For pools in Kennesaw, Georgia, and similarly sized residential lots, we typically recommend allocating 60-70% of the total project budget to the pool itself and 30-40% to surrounding deck space and outdoor living features. This ratio ensures balanced, functional outdoor environments that homeowners enjoy for decades.
Regret #2: Skipping the Spa Integration
Adding a spa after pool construction costs 3-4 times more than integrating it during the original build. Yet homeowners frequently eliminate spas from initial plans to meet budget targets, a decision they consistently regret within the first year.
The Problem
Pool contractors in Georgia present spas as luxury upgrades rather than functional necessities. Homeowners view them as optional indulgences they can add later. The reality: integrated spas provide year-round usability that dramatically increases pool enjoyment, particularly in Georgia's climate.
Pool experience genuine winter weather with occasional freezing temperatures. Pool usage drops dramatically from November through March without a heated spa option. Homeowners discover their expensive pool sits unused for 5-6 months annually, and investing feels wasteful.
Beyond seasonal considerations, spas offer therapeutic benefits that enhance daily life. Hydrotherapy jets provide muscle recovery after workouts, stress relief after long days, and a gathering space distinct from the main pool. Families with teenagers find spas become the preferred hangout spot, justifying the investment through actual usage.
The Solution
Alison Pools designs integrated spas that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. Rather than appearing as afterthoughts, our spas flow naturally from pool design, creating cohesive water features that elevate the entire outdoor space.
Spillover spa designs, where water cascades from the elevated spa into the pool, provide the soothing water sounds that transform backyards into resort environments. This configuration requires coordinated plumbing and structural engineering during initial construction. Adding it later means jackhammering existing concrete, relocating equipment, and modifying pool shells, costs that quickly reach $40,000-60,000 versus $15,000-25,000 when built originally.
For Georgia swimming pool builders committed to year-round usability, spa integration is essential. Even modest-sized spas (6x6 feet) accommodate 4-6 adults and extend pool season by months. The ROI becomes evident when homeowners use their outdoor space consistently rather than abandoning it for half the year.
Energy-efficient heating systems make spa operation affordable. Modern heat pumps and gas heaters maintain spa temperatures for $80-150 monthly, even during winter, far less than homeowners assume. Variable-speed pumps reduce circulation costs, making spa ownership practical for budget-conscious families.
Regret #3: Choosing the Wrong Pool Depth Configuration
Depth configuration ranks among the most difficult aspects to modify post-construction. Yet pool companies in Georgia still default to outdated deep-end designs that serve virtually no one's actual needs.
The Problem
Traditional pool design specified 8-foot deep ends to accommodate diving boards. This convention persisted for decades despite changing usage patterns. Modern families rarely dive, making extreme depth unnecessary and even problematic.
Deep pools create multiple disadvantages:
Safety concerns: Young children and less confident swimmers find deep water intimidating. Families with kids age 3-10 discover that 8-foot depths limit where children can safely play, concentrating activity in a small shallow zone.
Higher costs: Every additional foot of depth adds expense for excavation, shotcrete, water volume, heating, and chemical treatment. An 8-foot deep end requires 25-30% more water than a 5-foot configuration, increasing fill costs and ongoing heating expenses.
Limited usability: Adults standing in 8-foot water cannot interact with children or socialize comfortably. Most pool activities, from water volleyball to floating, work better in 4-5 foot depths.
Reduced lounging areas: Tanning ledges, beach entries, and built-in seating occupy shallow spaces. Deep-end designs reduce the square footage available for these popular features.
The Solution
Alison Pools designs depth configurations matching actual usage patterns rather than following outdated conventions. Our approach prioritizes versatility:
Sports pool configuration: Shallow water on both ends (3.5-4 feet) with a gradual slope to 5-6 feet center depth. This layout accommodates volleyball, basketball hoops, and active play while allowing adults to stand comfortably throughout most of the pool.
Extended tanning ledges: These 6-12 inch deep platforms let swimmers lounge in water while staying cool. They're wildly popular with all age groups and provide the "resort experience" homeowners desire. Proper sizing requires 8-10 feet of length and 6-8 feet of width to accommodate lounge chairs or multiple people.
Built-in bench seating: Running benches along pool walls at 18-inch depth create social gathering spots where people can sit partially submerged, stay cool, and converse without treading water.
For pools in Kennesaw, Georgia, serving families with children, we typically recommend 4-foot maximum depth with extensive shallow features. As children age, this configuration continues serving well because teenagers and adults actually prefer moderate depths for socializing and playing.
The cost savings from shallower pools can fund premium features like upgraded tile finishes, better lighting systems, or automation technology. These additions enhance daily enjoyment far more than unusable deep water. You can explore examples of our depth configurations in our project portfolio.
Regret #4: Undersizing the Pool for Future Needs
Swimming pool builders in Georgia encounter this regret constantly: homeowners wish they'd built larger pools. The "build bigger" advice saturates online forums for good reason. While appropriate sizing depends on individual circumstances, undersized pools consistently disappoint.
The Problem
Budget constraints tempt homeowners to minimize pool dimensions. A 14x28-foot pool costs $15,000-20,000 less than an 18x36-foot pool. This difference feels significant during planning, but becomes irrelevant once families discover their pool feels cramped.
Children grow. Families expand. Social circles change. The 12-year-old twins, who are perfectly content with a small pool, become teenagers wanting to host friends for pool parties. Suddenly, six swimmers make the water feel crowded and limit activities.
Pool contractors in Georgia also see neighborhood effects. When your neighbors have larger pools, yours feels inadequate by comparison. Property values in Georgia subdivisions often reflect pool sizing, with larger pools commanding premium pricing.
The Solution
Alison Pools guides clients through realistic usage projections. Rather than designing for current family composition, we account for 5-10 year lifestyle changes. Questions we explore:
How many guests typically attend your gatherings? A pool comfortable for 6 swimmers becomes cramped with 10-12 people during parties.
What activities matter most? Swimming laps requires different dimensions than playing water volleyball or lounging on floats.
How long will you own this home? If this is your forever home, size the pool for adult children and grandchildren visiting. If you plan to sell within 5-7 years, consider what features buyers in your neighborhood expect.
For typical pool builders serving families in 2,500-4,000 square foot homes, the sweet spot falls between 16x32 and 20x40 feet. This range accommodates active use by 8-12 swimmers, provides room for various activities simultaneously, and matches buyer expectations for executive homes.
The investment difference between modest and generous sizing often seems larger than reality. That $20,000 gap that prevents you from building bigger spreads across 15-20 years of ownership. Is $1,000 annually worth avoiding the "wish we'd gone bigger" regret?
For properties with larger estate lots, size constraints typically involve budget rather than space. Here, we help prioritize spending. Perhaps simpler decking materials or deferred landscaping allow the right-sized pool now, with outdoor kitchen additions coming later.
Regret #5: Neglecting Adequate Lighting
Lighting receives insufficient attention during design, yet dramatically impacts pool usability and safety. Homeowners who economized on lighting universally wish they'd allocated more budget to this essential feature.
The Problem
Standard builder packages include minimal lighting: perhaps one LED fixture in the deep end. This creates illumination sufficient for basic safety but fails to deliver the ambiance and visibility that make evening swimming enjoyable.
Georgia pool owners use their pools primarily during evening hours once summer temperatures moderate. Daytime highs above 95°F make afternoon swimming uncomfortable. Families gather poolside from 7-10 PM when adequate lighting becomes critical.
Insufficient lighting creates multiple problems:
Safety hazards: Steps, depth changes, and pool edges need clear visibility to prevent accidents. Shadows and dark zones increase injury risk.
Limited ambiance: Pools become uninviting black holes after sunset rather than glowing focal points that draw people outdoors.
Reduced usability: Insufficient light prevents evening swimming, eliminating peak usage hours.
Security concerns: Dark pools and surrounding areas create opportunities for accidents and reduce property security.
The Solution
Alison Pools treats lighting as an integrated design element rather than an afterthought. Our lighting strategies include:
Multiple in-pool fixtures: We specify 2-4 LED lights depending on pool size, positioning them to eliminate shadows and create even illumination. Color-changing LEDs add versatility for different moods and occasions.
Perimeter lighting: Low-voltage LED fixtures along deck edges, steps, and pathways ensure safe navigation around the pool area. These create the "resort lighting" effect that makes outdoor spaces feel professionally designed.
Landscape accent lighting: Uplighting trees, highlighting water features, and illuminating architectural elements extends visual interest beyond the pool itself.
Deck and seating area lighting: String lights, post cap lights, or integrated deck lighting ensure outdoor dining and lounging areas remain functional after dark.
For pools in Georgia and surrounding areas, we recommend allocating $8,000-15,000 for comprehensive lighting systems. This investment transforms pool areas from basic functionality to genuine outdoor living rooms that families use consistently.
Automation integration allows controlling all lighting from smartphone apps or wall-mounted panels. Creating lighting scenes for different occasions (family swim, party mode, romantic evening) takes seconds and dramatically enhances the outdoor experience. Learn more about our outdoor living design approach.
Regret #6: Choosing Premium Aesthetics Over Functional Features
Homeowners seduced by stunning tile work and decorative finishes sometimes sacrifice functional features that would enhance daily enjoyment. This misplaced priority becomes apparent within months.
The Problem
Pool companies in Georgia showcase dramatic tile installations, exotic stone work, and artistic finishes in their portfolios. These beautiful elements capture attention during the planning process, overshadowing less photogenic but highly functional features.
The budget conflict arises when homeowners must choose between aesthetic upgrades and practical additions. Should you spend $8,000 on upgraded glass tile in the spa or add a tanning ledge for the same cost? Should that $12,000 go toward custom mosaic work or toward integrating an automated cover system?
Many homeowners choose visual appeal, then discover they'd trade decorative elements for missing functionality. The custom tile looks beautiful, but the pool gets minimal use because managing it without automation is tedious. The expensive stone work impresses visitors, but the lack of built-in seating means everyone just treads water rather than relaxing.
The Solution
Alison Pools advocates the 70/30 rule: allocate 70% of the budget to functional features and 30% to aesthetic upgrades. This ensures your pool works well first, then looks spectacular.
Essential functional features we prioritize:
Automation systems: Controlling temperature, filtration cycles, lighting, and chemical feeders from smartphone apps dramatically improves pool ownership experience. This $3,000-6,000 investment pays dividends through simplified maintenance and energy savings.
Variable-speed pumps: Required by Georgia regulations, these pumps reduce energy costs 50-75% compared to single-speed models. The $1,500-2,000 cost premium pays back within 2-3 years through lower electric bills.
Quality filtration: Proper filter sizing and premium filtration media maintain water clarity with less chemical intervention and fewer maintenance headaches.
Adequate seating and ledges: Built-in features that enhance usability should precede decorative tile upgrades.
For Georgia landscaping integration, we coordinate pool finishes with surrounding hardscape and outdoor living areas. This comprehensive approach prevents the disjointed appearance that results when pools are designed in isolation from their environment.
Regret #7: Inadequate Site Analysis and Planning
Rushing into construction without a comprehensive site evaluation creates problems that haunt homeowners for years. Proper planning prevents these expensive mistakes that become evident only after completion.
The Problem
Enthusiastic homeowners sometimes pressure Pool contractors in Georgia to begin construction before adequately addressing site complications. This impatience leads to drainage issues, equipment placement problems, utility conflicts, and access difficulties.
Common site planning mistakes include:
Poor drainage design: Water pooling near the deck, erosion problems, and foundation moisture issues develop when surface water management receives insufficient attention.
Awkward equipment placement: Pool equipment positioned where noise bothers neighbors or where access for maintenance is difficult.
Utility conflicts: Discovering buried electrical lines, gas pipes, or septic systems during excavation causes delays and unexpected costs.
Sun exposure miscalculation: Pools positioned where trees create excessive shade or where afternoon sun makes west-facing deck seating unbearably hot.
Access challenges: Equipment trucks and concrete pumps need space to maneuver. Properties with narrow gates, tight corners, or mature landscaping create access nightmares.
The Solution
Alison Pools begins every project with a comprehensive site analysis. Our process includes:
Soil testing: Understanding soil composition, bearing capacity, and drainage characteristics before designing the pool prevents structural problems and determines appropriate construction methods.
Utility location: We coordinate utility marking for all underground services, preventing excavation surprises and ensuring equipment placement avoids conflicts.
Sun pattern study: Analyzing sun angles throughout the day and across seasons helps position pools and deck areas for optimal enjoyment. Georgia properties must account for intense summer sun and winter shadows that affect pool heating and comfort.
Drainage engineering: We design comprehensive drainage systems that direct water away from pool areas, prevent erosion, and protect both the pool structure and the surrounding landscape.
3D site modeling: Advanced software creates accurate representations of finished projects within existing landscapes. This reveals potential problems before breaking ground.
For pools in Georgia, where many properties sit on sloped lots or in established neighborhoods with mature trees, site analysis becomes even more critical. Working around existing features while creating functional outdoor spaces requires experience and careful planning.
The comprehensive planning Alison Pools provides prevents the "wish we'd thought of that" regrets that plague homeowners who rushed construction.
Avoid These Regrets with Expert Guidance
Let Alison Pools guide you through design decisions that protect your investment and enhance your lifestyle.
Serving homeowners in Georgia
Making Informed Decisions for Long-Term Satisfaction
Every design decision during pool planning reverberates through years of ownership. The features you include or exclude, the dimensions you select, and the quality standards you maintain determine whether your pool becomes a cherished lifestyle enhancement or a source of ongoing regret.
Swimming pool builders in Georgia encounter these patterns repeatedly. Homeowners who invest time in comprehensive planning, prioritize functionality alongside aesthetics, and work with experienced Pool contractors in Georgia consistently report higher satisfaction levels.
For pool builders, understanding regional climate impacts, soil conditions, and lifestyle patterns becomes essential. What works in Florida or Arizona doesn't necessarily translate to Georgia's specific challenges and opportunities.
Our proven record of building hundreds of pools across the region means we've witnessed which design decisions age well and which produce regret. This experience protects your investment by steering you toward choices that deliver satisfaction throughout pool ownership. Browse our promising portfolio to see decades of proven results.
Questions to Ask During Pool Planning
Protecting yourself from future regrets requires asking the right questions early in the planning process:
What features do existing pool owners wish they'd included?
Experienced pool companies in Georgia should readily share common regret patterns they've observed.
How will this pool work for our family in 5-10 years?
Children grow, circumstances change, and lifestyle needs evolve. Design for anticipated futures, not just current situations.
What's the total project budget, including deck space and outdoor living areas?
Pools shouldn't be designed in isolation from surrounding environments.
How does this design account for our property's specific site conditions?
Drainage, sun exposure, utility placement, and soil characteristics all impact long-term success.
What's the maintenance reality for this design?
Complex features that look amazing but create upkeep headaches become sources of regret.
What elements can be added later versus what must be included now?
Understanding which features become exponentially more expensive to add post-construction helps prioritize spending.
At Alison Pools, we encourage these conversations because educated clients make better decisions. Our goal is pools that deliver satisfaction for decades, not just impressive initial builds that disappoint over time.
Learn From Our Experience
Alison Pools has designed and built hundreds of custom pools across Georgia. Explore our portfolio to see how proper planning and experienced execution prevent common regrets.
Browse Our Projects →Creating Your Ideal Georgia Pool
Building a pool represents a significant investment in your property and lifestyle. The decisions you make during planning determine whether that investment delivers decades of enjoyment or becomes a source of ongoing regret.
Alison Pools approaches each project as a partnership. We bring years of experience building pools in Georgia, technical expertise, and a comprehensive understanding of regional challenges. You bring knowledge of your family's needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget realities.
Together, we create outdoor living environments that enhance property value while delivering the daily satisfaction that makes pool ownership worthwhile. By learning from common regret patterns and applying proven design principles, we help you avoid the mistakes that plague less experienced builders and rushed planning processes.
Whether you're considering a pool for your home, planning a waterfront property, or designing outdoor living spaces in Georgia, the principles remain consistent: thoughtful planning, functional priorities, quality construction, and experienced guidance prevent regrets while creating spaces you'll cherish.
Your pool should represent one of the best decisions you make as a homeowner, not a compromise you learn to tolerate. By understanding these seven common regret patterns and working with swimming pool builders in Georgia committed to long-term client satisfaction, you can confidently move forward with pool construction knowing you've made informed decisions.
Ready to Build Your Pool the Right Way?
Schedule a consultation with Alison Pools to discuss your vision, explore design options, and create a comprehensive plan that prevents common regrets. Our Georgia specialization ensures your project delivers lasting satisfaction.
Explore More Pool Planning Resources
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What We Do: Custom Pool Design & Construction – Discover our comprehensive approach to pool building
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