Pool Patio Design
Planning your patio space
around your inground pool project
“Studies show that when using their pool, the average homeowner spends 85% of their time on the patio and not in the actual pool.”
About us
Vision | artistry | 25 Years of experience
Woodstream landscape
A design oriented landscape company in Rochester NY
On this overall website you will find helpful Information you’ll need in order to plan any Landscape Project.
The information is based on my formal education in Landscape Architecture combined with over 25 years of professional experience, designing & installing Front yard Landscaping, inground pools and backyard living environments in Rochester, NY and Hilton Head, SC.
We can design your backyard or patio project
Why plan the patio ?
“Studies show that when using their pool, the average homeowner spends 85% of their time on the patio and not in the actual pool.”
That makes the pool patio an essential part of your pool project. A feature that you must get right….AND (hopefully the first time!)
On this page you’ll find some information on designing the space around your inground swimming pool.
Including recommended space requirements, easements, setbacks and a few tips on designing space.
Installing an inground pool in the Rochester, NY area? Check out this overview: Inground pool cost Rochester NY
Plan Your outdoor living space before you start
On a majority of the pool installations, core elements that will impact spatial perception … or “the feel” of your backyard & pool space are usually an afterthought.
It can be tempting to rush to get your new pool in the ground, to be using it as soon as possible.
However, the possibilities for the whole backyard become much more restricted once the pool is already in place, especially if the finish grade was not given much forethought.
It will be well worth the extra time it takes to plan your backyard, in fact it can help determine your Return on investment.
Patio Design
for pools
By considering practical issues early, you can make sure they are addressed in your overall pool design.
1) utility or services easements
Look at your lot survey and see if there are any utility or municipal services easements which could prevent you from encroaching on that area.
- The easements are the biggest problem that you’ll run into. Especially in some areas of Hilton & Greece.
- Sometimes the rear easements bisect the yard almost in half instead of being along the back line. It can be a gamechanger, so make sure to look at your survey before you get too far into a project.
2) Setbacks
Look into your local bylaws, to see setbacks.
In Rochester, they vary by Town…..You will need to know:
- Setback from the side property lines. It’s usually 10′. If you live in Webster it is 15′.
- Rear setback is usually 15′ for most towns, but that is almost never an issue.
- The pool needs to be 10′ from a structure (NYS Law)
3) consider your activity zones
Think about the flow and functionality of your backyard. Most pool builders want to just plop the pool down in the middle of the backyard.
If you are having trouble, It’s helpful to imagine your backyard space as activity zones. Your activity zones might include places for:
- eating and cooking outside
- someplace to sit while our kids play nearby
- comfortable seating areas to connect with friends and family
- quiet areas to soak in the sun
- areas to enjoy fire features
- areas to play yard games like cornhole or horseshoes
- larger areas for playing or teaching team sports like Soccer or Football
4) Functionality
It can put a damper on the way a space functions if your guests can’t move around in a logical way.
Consider issues that will have an impact on the function of your space, such as:
- Flow & access between your house & the pool area
- Where will people change?
- Where will the pool equipment and chemicals be stored?
- Is there a convenient place to store pool toys & accessories?
- Distance from the cooking area to the eating area.
5) Patio Space Guidelines
A 1′ or 2′ difference is all it takes for a space to feel OFF or less than functional.
On my 2D plans, You can see the dotted lines around features showing dimension required for functional human space.
Below are some outdoor space guidelines using data which is based on Anthropometric research.
The research data is used by architects and designers to plan residential and commercial spaces properly.
6) Choosing your patio material
Basically, you have 3 options when it comes to the material you use for your pool patio. Each has advantages and disadvantages. You can learn more here:
Patio Space
Guidelines
Below are some outdoor space guidelines using data which is based on Anthropometric research.
The research data is used by architects and designers to plan residential and commercial spaces.
1:Social Space
A conversation area for 3 to 6 people requires about a 10’x10′ space.
This is the space needed to sit comfortably & converse at a normal decibel.
2: Dining Dimensions
Measure the table and add 3’ of space per side.
This gives you 2′ for a chair and 1’ of space for pulling your chair out and getting up or ‘Disengagement Space’.
Example: a 48” round table needs a 10’ x 10’ space.
You want minimum 6’ from the edge of a table to the waters edge to handle dining space and circulation.
3:Circulation
Corridor space needed for a single human to move comfortably is usually 3’.
Circulation space needed for two persons to pass each other is usually 5’-6’.
Add at least 1′ to that when spacing circulation near the waters edge.
4: Fire Feature Dimensions
For a wood burning firepit the suggested space requirement is 5′-6′ from the containment liner (steel ring) to the circulation zone. It breaks down like this:
- 20″-30″ safety zone
- 24″ seating depth
- 18″ disengagement zone
5: Chaise lounge Space requirement
A Chaise lounge needs about 4’ x 8’ (assuming a 7’ x 24”-28” lounge) which is enough space for the lounge and the 1’ disengagement space around 3 sides of the lounge.
The space intended for chaise lounges is another spot that is typically undersized. Allow 4’ from the front edge of a chaise lounge to the waters edge, this allows for safer circulation.
6: Common Mistakes
Don’t minimize the space inside the fence. I see this done all the time. It is a terrible trade off.
I often see 3′-4′ of extra concrete installed all the way around the pool (giving at total of 6′-7′ from waters edge).
The square footage adds up pretty quickly, often 400-500 sq. extra.
Sounds like a lot of extra space. The problem is that it’s only 6′-7′ wide from the waters edge.
It’s entirely useless, other than for circulation ( which only required 3′-4′ of space).
Designing your
outdoor Living Space
Space requirement for Fire Pit
For a wood burning firepit the suggested space requirement is 5′-6′ from the containment liner (steel ring) to the circulation zone. It breaks down like this:
- 20″-30″ safety zone
- 24″ seating depth
- 18″ disengagement zone
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Inground Pool Projects
Woodstream landscaping projects | Rochester NY
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