The position of a swimming pool within a garden determines almost everything else — how much sun it receives, how it relates to the house, how practical the groundworks are, how it integrates with the rest of the garden, and whether it creates a sense of arrival and delight or simply sits awkwardly in the landscape. Getting the position right is the single most important decision in the design process.

Sunlight is the most important practical consideration. A pool that receives full sun throughout the day will be warmer, more inviting and cheaper to heat than one in partial or full shade. Identify where the sun is in your garden throughout the day, and particularly in the afternoon when a pool is most likely to be in use. Avoid positions where the house, tall trees or outbuildings cast significant shade over the pool.

The pool should relate naturally to the house — visible from the main living spaces if possible, and accessible without an awkward journey through the garden. A pool positioned where it can be seen from a kitchen or living room is more likely to be used and more likely to feel like an integrated part of the home. Consider also where changing and shower facilities will be, and how people will move between the pool and the house.

The existing levels of your garden significantly affect the cost and complexity of pool construction. A flat site with good vehicle access is the most straightforward scenario. A steeply sloping site, a walled garden or a site with restricted access for excavation plant will increase costs and may require retaining structures.

We always carry out a site visit before any design work begins to understand the levels, access and ground conditions — all of which affect how the pool can be positioned and how the surrounding terrace and landscaping can be designed.

Privacy is important for most pool owners. Consider where the pool will be visible from — neighbouring properties, roads and public footpaths. In some cases, hedging, walling or fencing can provide the screening required. In others, the position of the pool within the garden naturally provides good privacy.

The pool needs a plant room to house the filtration, heating and dosing equipment. This plant room needs to be close enough to the pool for practical pipework runs but positioned discreetly within the garden. We plan the plant room location at the design stage as part of the overall project, not as an afterthought.