Designing the Perfect Pool for Your New Custom Home: What to Know Before You Build

At PARC Concepts, we believe a well-designed outdoor space is more than just a backdrop, it’s a key part of how you live at home. Whether it’s a poolside pavilion for summer entertaining, a sheltered firepit for cool evenings, or a seamless transition from indoor dining to an outdoor kitchen, your landscaping should support your ideal lifestyle year-round. By planning outdoor living zones early in the custom home process, you can ensure every element feels considered, connected, and truly built for how you want to spend your time at home.

When building a custom home, you have a rare opportunity to shape every detail around your lifestyle, including how you relax, entertain, and connect with the outdoors. For many homeowners, that means one thing: a pool. 

But here’s what most people don’t realise until it’s too late, your pool shouldn’t be a last-minute decision after the house is done. To get it right, pool design should be integrated from the very beginning of your custom home project. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through why timing matters, what to consider, and how to avoid costly missteps. If you’re working with a custom home builder like Nexus Built, and want a pool that truly complements your home and block, read on. 

When clients come to us after their home is complete, we often hear the same regret: 

“We wish we had planned the pool earlier.” 

Here’s why timing matters: 

• Structural considerations: A pool impacts soil conditions, drainage, access, and even foundations, especially on sloped sites. 

• Access for construction: If the house is already built, there may be limited access for machinery, driving up excavation costs. 

• Design cohesion: A pool designed with your home creates seamless indoor-outdoor flow, optimised views, and better privacy. 

• Council approvals: Pool installations often require approval alongside your landscape or building plans. Planning them together saves time and headaches. 

By collaborating early with your architect, builder, and landscape designer, you ensure the pool becomes an integral part of your home, not an afterthought squeezed into leftover space. 

Every block has its quirks, and your pool design needs to respond to them. 

Sloped Blocks 

Pools on sloping sites are more than possible, they’re often some of the most visually stunning. But they require expert planning. Retaining walls, multi-level decks, and structural engineering all need to be designed with precision. 

North-Facing Yards 

A north-facing backyard is ideal in Australia, it maximises sun exposure for your pool, heating it naturally and making it more enjoyable year-round. Your pool designer will help position it for maximum solar gain, while managing glare and shade zones with plantings or structures. 

Wind & Privacy 

Where is the prevailing wind coming from? Will neighbouring homes overlook your space? The answers will affect not just pool placement but fencing, screen planting, and even heating efficiency. 

A qualified landscape designer like PARC Concepts assesses these factors upfront, ensuring your pool feels private, peaceful, and positioned for enjoyment. 

The most luxurious pools don’t just sit next to the house, they feel like a continuation of it. 

At PARC Concepts, we design pools in close collaboration with architects and builders. That includes: 

• Aligning pool shapes and materials with architectural features 

• Designing adjoining alfresco spaces, decks, or steps 

• Managing level changes with integrated seating, retaining walls, or garden beds 

• Ensuring fencing meets regulations without compromising the view 

If you’re working with a design-led builder like Nexus Built, we can integrate with their team early to streamline approvals, coordinate on drainage or foundations, and deliver a plan that serves both form and function. 

We’ve seen it all. These are the pitfalls you want to dodge: 

Leaving it too late 

Once the house is framed or finished, pool access may be restricted, increasing costs or even making your original vision impossible. 

Not considering future landscaping 

The pool isn’t just a hole in the ground, it’s the centrepiece of your outdoor lifestyle. Poor planning around plants, hardscaping, or shade can leave you with a harsh, uninviting space. 

Going too big (or too small) 

It’s tempting to maximise every metre. but an oversized pool can dominate the yard. Likewise, a pool that’s too small might not suit your needs or look proportionate next to your new home. Get advice before committing to dimensions. 

Every custom home deserves a pool that’s not just functional but beautiful. Whether you’re after sleek minimalism or a tropical resort vibe, your pool type and finish will set the tone for your entire outdoor space. 

Here’s what to consider when selecting a pool type: 

Concrete Pools 

The most customisable and luxurious option, concrete pools are ideal for homes with unique site conditions or high-end design ambitions. 

• Fully tailored shape, size, depth and layout 

• Perfect for sloped blocks, infinity edges, or integrating with decking 

• Can be tiled in glass mosaic for a premium finish 

• Longer lead time and higher investment, but built to last decades 

Plunge Pools 

Compact, elegant, and increasingly popular for both urban homes and acreage retreats. 

• Suited for small spaces, courtyards or secondary pool zones 

• Can be above ground, semi-inground, or sunken 

• Available as precast concrete or built-in 

• Excellent for hydrotherapy or soaking, with less maintenance than full-size pools 

Fiberglass Pools 

A smart choice for quick installs, provided your site is level or can be prepped. 

• Pre-moulded shapes in various sizes 

• Smooth, durable surface with minimal maintenance 

• Fast turnaround, installation can take as little as 3–5 weeks 

• Ideal for straightforward builds where time and budget are key 

 

Custom Finishes & Details 

A custom pool doesn’t stop at structure, the finish is what creates visual impact and elevates the experience. 

Mosaic Tile Pools 

• Timeless and luxurious, perfect for design-forward homes 

• Available in glass, ceramic, or natural stone 

• Allows for creative detailing, patterns, or colour shifts 

• Ideal for architectural integration with interiors and alfresco spaces 

Pebblecrete Pools 

• Durable exposed aggregate finish with a natural, textured feel 

• Popular for blending into landscaping or bushland and coastal settings 

• Comes in a range of colours and textures 

• Adds tactile comfort underfoot and a more organic aesthetic 

Other Customisations 

• Tanning ledges and stepped entries for lounging or kids 

• LED smart lighting for ambience and automation 

• Integrated spas or water features 

• Natural stone coping or timber decks for a seamless edge 

When we design pools at PARC Concepts, we don’t just specify structure, we curate every material, texture, and plant that surrounds it, creating a cohesive outdoor environment from the waterline out. 

The pool might be the hero, but the surroundings make the experience. 

A well-considered landscape design will: 

• Create shade and comfort with pergolas, planting, or pool houses 

• Choose pool-safe plants that don’t drop leaves or attract pests 

• Incorporate ambient lighting for evening entertaining 

• Include zones for dining, lounging, and play 

• Ensure drainage and water run-off is handled correctly 

At PARC Concepts, we specialise in pool landscaping that feels integrated, not just added on. 

Want to add an outdoor kitchen, firepit, sauna or shower? We can design the entire outdoor lifestyle package from day one.

Build It Once. Build It Right. 

Designing a pool during the custom home planning stage means better value, better cohesion, and better long-term results. 

At PARC Concepts, we work closely with builders like Nexus Built to ensure your pool and landscaping are thoughtfully designed, council-compliant, and ready for seamless construction.