Most Gold Coast homeowners already have a pool style in mind before they call anyone. Usually, it is the one they saw at a friend’s place, or the one that kept appearing on their Instagram feed for three weeks straight. That image is not a bad starting point. But the pool that looked incredible in a waterfront home in Paradise Waters might be the wrong call entirely for a 600sqm block in Mermaid Waters.
Pool type shapes how much you use the space, what the running costs look like year to year, and whether the pool works with the rest of your backyard or spends the next twenty years fighting it. Get this right early, and everything else in the design falls into place. Get it wrong, and you will know it every time you look out the back window.
Key Takeaways
- The right pool should suit how you plan to use it, whether that is relaxing, entertaining, swimming for fitness or making the most of a view.
- Plunge pools are ideal for compact backyards, offering a smaller footprint and generally lower running and maintenance costs.
- Lap pools suit regular fitness swimming and work particularly well on long, narrow blocks where their linear shape can maximise usable space.
- Infinity pools have the greatest impact on properties with views, particularly waterfront and elevated sites, but involve more complex engineering and higher costs.
- Your block size, shape, orientation and site conditions should help guide the type, size and positioning of your pool.
- Designing the pool and surrounding landscape together creates a more cohesive outdoor space, with the pool working naturally alongside entertaining areas, decking, paving and gardens.
- 3D landscape design allows you to visualise how the pool will work within the entire outdoor space and make changes before construction begins.
Plunge Pools, Infinity Pools & Lap Pools - At A Glance
Here is what each option actually delivers, and who each one is right for.
| Pool Type | Best For | Size | Running Costs | Visual Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plunge pool | Cooling off, entertaining | 2.5 to 6m | Low | Works in almost any yard |
| Lap pool | Fitness swimming | 12 to 25m | Medium to high | Clean architectural line |
| Infinity pool | View-facing properties | Custom | High | Maximum impact, view-dependent |
Why Concrete Pools Offer the Most Flexibility
As experienced Gold Coast pool builders, Lynx Landscaping builds exclusively in concrete because it offers the design freedom needed to create a pool around the property, rather than designing the property around a pre-made shell. A custom concrete pool can be shaped and positioned to work seamlessly with decks, entertaining areas, boundary lines, views and challenging site constraints. If you are weighing up your options, our guide to concrete vs fibreglass pools explains the key differences between the two and what to consider when choosing the right construction method for your property.
This flexibility also allows the pool and surrounding landscape to be designed as one cohesive outdoor space, with every element considered from the outset.
You can see this approach across Lynx Landscaping’s projects, where the pool is not treated as a standalone feature, but as an integral part of the overall landscape design.
Plunge Pool Design and Construction on the Gold Coast
A plunge pool is typically between 2.5 and 6 metres long, providing enough space to cool off, relax and enjoy the water without taking over the backyard. Its compact footprint is one of its greatest advantages, particularly on smaller Gold Coast blocks where every square metre needs to be carefully considered.
When entertaining areas, decking, gardens and a pool all need to work within a limited space, a well-designed plunge pool can be an ideal solution. Rather than dominating the backyard, it can become a central feature that complements the surrounding landscape. Combined with timber decking, considered planting and integrated outdoor living areas, even a compact backyard can feel spacious, inviting and thoughtfully designed.
The smaller water volume can also mean lower heating costs and reduced chemical requirements compared with a larger swimming pool. These ongoing costs are worth considering during the design stage, particularly when looking at the long-term investment of owning and maintaining a pool.
There are, however, some limitations. A plunge pool is designed primarily for cooling off, relaxing and entertaining rather than swimming for fitness. Positioning is also critical. A pool placed in permanent shade, disconnected from the entertaining area or squeezed into an unused corner can quickly feel like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the landscape.
If you are working with a smaller backyard, Lynx can create a detailed 3D design showing how a plunge pool and surrounding landscape will work together before construction begins.
Lap Pool Design and Construction on the Gold Coast
Lap pools are long and narrow, typically ranging from 12 to 25 metres in length, and are primarily designed for fitness and regular swimming. For homeowners who swim frequently, having a lap pool at home makes it easier to incorporate exercise into everyday life without relying on a public pool or gym.
Their streamlined shape also makes lap pools particularly well suited to long, narrow blocks. Positioned along a boundary, they can make efficient use of the available space while preserving more of the backyard for entertaining, gardens and other outdoor features. The strong linear form can also add a clean, architectural quality to the landscape, particularly when it complements the lines of the home.
The larger water volume of a lap pool generally means higher running and maintenance costs than a smaller pool, so this should be considered during the planning stage. Positioning is equally important. Because of their length, lap pools can easily divide a backyard or disrupt the connection between indoor and outdoor living areas if they are not carefully integrated into the overall design.
The surrounding landscape also plays an important role in how a lap pool feels within the backyard. Large-format paving, defined garden edges and considered planting can complement its strong geometry, while softer or more layered landscaping can be used to balance those clean architectural lines. The key is ensuring the pool, home and landscape share a cohesive design rather than treating each as a separate element.
Lynx Landscaping’s Bayview project in Paradise Point demonstrates how careful pool placement can bring an outdoor space together without overwhelming it. The pool, firepit, artificial turf and layered planting were designed to work cohesively within the available area, creating distinct yet connected spaces without making the backyard feel crowded. The entire landscape construction was completed on site in just two and a half weeks.
During the design stage, Lynx models the lap pool as part of the complete outdoor space, considering its position alongside entertaining areas, paving, planting and the home itself. This allows potential issues to be resolved early and ensures the pool enhances the way the backyard looks and functions rather than dividing it.
Infinity Pool Design and Construction on the Gold Coast
Infinity pools are generally more complex and costly to construct than standard swimming pools, largely due to the additional engineering involved. The vanishing edge requires a catch basin, carefully designed hydraulics and precise site planning to create the seamless overflow effect. On the right property, however, this additional investment can become one of the defining features of the entire outdoor space.
An infinity pool is designed so that water flows over one or more edges into a concealed catch basin before being recirculated. From the right viewing angle, the pool edge appears to disappear into the surrounding landscape, creating a strong visual connection with a canal, ocean outlook, hinterland view or even the horizon.
For this reason, the site and outlook are particularly important. Infinity pools deliver their greatest impact when the vanishing edge can be positioned to take advantage of an existing view or change in elevation. On a flat block where the pool looks directly towards a standard boundary fence, the additional engineering and construction may not deliver the same visual benefit. Understanding whether the property can make full use of an infinity edge is therefore an important part of the initial design process.
Gold Coast waterfront properties are particularly well suited to this style of pool. On canal-front, waterfront and elevated properties, the position of an infinity pool can influence the entire landscape design – from the orientation of entertaining areas and decking to sightlines, planting and how the outdoor space connects with the home. Rather than treating the pool as a standalone feature, Lynx considers each of these elements together to ensure the infinity edge makes the most of the property’s natural advantages.
For Gold Coast properties where an infinity pool is being considered, Lynx can assess the site, outlook and overall landscape during the initial consultation to determine whether an infinity edge is the right design choice and whether the additional investment will deliver the desired result.
How to Choose the Right Pool for Your Property
Choosing the right pool starts with more than deciding which style you like best. How you plan to use the pool, the size and shape of your block, your home’s layout and the way the pool will connect with the surrounding landscape all need to be considered. A pool that looks impressive on its own is not necessarily the one that will work best for your property or lifestyle.
Start with how you use the space
Think about what you want from your pool and how it will fit into everyday life. Will you use it primarily for swimming and exercise, or is it somewhere to cool off, relax and spend time with family and friends? Will it become a central part of your outdoor entertaining area, or would you prefer it positioned more privately within the landscape?
These practical considerations can help narrow down the options. A lap pool may suit someone who swims regularly, while a plunge pool can provide the enjoyment of a pool without requiring as much space. For a property with the right outlook and site conditions, an infinity edge may be worth considering for the visual connection it can create with the surrounding view.
Let the block shape the decision
Every property presents different opportunities and constraints. Block size and shape, boundaries, access, levels, orientation, views and the position of the home can all influence the most suitable pool design and placement. Choosing the best location for your pool is just as important as selecting the right pool type, with sunlight, privacy, access and its connection to the home all influencing the final decision.
A long, narrow site may lend itself well to a lap pool, while a more compact backyard may benefit from the smaller footprint of a plunge pool. Waterfront or elevated properties can offer opportunities for an infinity edge where the outlook allows the effect to be fully appreciated. Sloping blocks require additional consideration, as levels, retaining, excavation and access can all influence where and how a pool is incorporated into the landscape.
Rather than forcing a particular pool style onto the site, the best results come from designing around the property’s individual characteristics. This is also why landscape design should come first, allowing the pool and surrounding outdoor areas to be planned together before construction begins.
Design the pool and the space together
A pool should feel like an integral part of the landscape. Thoughtful pool area landscaping considers its position, shape and materials alongside entertaining areas, decking, paving, gardens and the architecture of the home.
This is where Lynx Landscaping’s complete design-and-construct approach offers an important advantage: the pool is planned as part of the entire outdoor environment rather than as a standalone addition.
The Admiralty project in Paradise Waters demonstrates this approach. Set on a waterfront property, the custom concrete pool was designed as part of a broader landscape transformation incorporating tropical gardens, hardscaping and outdoor living areas. Each element was considered in relation to the home, the waterfront setting and the way the clients wanted to use the space, resulting in a cohesive landscape where the pool feels naturally integrated into its surroundings.
Before construction begins, Lynx uses detailed 3D landscape design to help clients visualise how the pool and surrounding outdoor areas will come together. Pool positioning, paving, planting, decking and other key elements can all be considered as part of the complete design, allowing important decisions and adjustments to be made before work begins on site.
Ready to Find the Right Pool for Your Property?
The right pool is not simply the one that looks best on its own. It should suit your property, your lifestyle and the way you want to use your outdoor space for years to come. By considering the pool as part of the complete landscape from the beginning, you can create an outdoor area where every element works together – from the pool and entertaining areas to the paving, planting and gardens.
If you are considering a new pool as part of a complete landscape transformation, talk to Lynx Landscaping about what is possible for your property. Specialising in Gold Coast landscape design and construction, the team can manage everything from initial design and 3D visualisation through to pool construction and landscaping, taking your entire outdoor space from concept to completion.
Contact us on 0491 303 867 or complete the online quote form to start planning your outdoor space.