Pool Design Ideas: Gilbert Desert Classic
Our Pool Design Ideas series was created to help spark ideas of what might be a good fit for you in your backyard. When you’re starting the process of building a pool, there are numerous decisions to make. A great place to get started is with the pool design and design elements. Whether it’s a freeform or geometric design, with modern, Tuscan, or retro design elements; it’s really about the look that fits your home.
At California Pools & Landscape, we’ve been creating custom pools in the valley of the sun for more than 35 years. We’ve designed hundreds of retro pools of all shapes and sizes, to meet the desires of every client.
About This Gilbert Classic
These Gilbert homeowners wanted to transform their backyard into a desert oasis, with plenty of destinations for enjoyment. They came to our design team looking for multiple entertainment areas with a pool with a baja shelf, spa and outdoor living areas. They also wanted a yard that was low maintenance and a maximized pool area in the design.
The retro pool is the focal point of this design, that all starts off of the patio. The pool has a large baja shelf and offers plenty of decking around it for relaxation. The spa sits in a perfect view from the master bedroom, right next to the fireplace. With several areas for relaxation, entertainment and recreation throughout the yard, this Gilbert classic is one for the ages!
Creating A Retro Feel With Design Elements
Creating a clean and classic design to match the feel of the home while incorporating multiple areas for entertainment was at the top of the list for our team. Over 1,000 square feet of 16×16 Biscotti Offset Artistic Pavers carry throughout the design of this outdoor environment. Bullnose Artistic Paver Coping also sits around the edge of the pool for a consistent flow from the surrounding deck.
This diving pool starts at 3’ and goes down to a depth of 6’ and is 29’ from end to end. The baja shelf is centered in this design, offering a nice area to relax 15” in the water. The pool’s Electric Blue Glass Pebble with double abalone interior sparkles in the Arizona sun and pairs beautifully with the Mojave Aqua waterline tile.
Incorporating Design Elements Throughout The Yard
These Gilbert customers maximized the space in their backyard, incorporating several destinations throughout their outdoor environment. The design of the yard is tied together with the aforementioned 16×16 Biscotti Offset Travertine Pavers with over 3,100 sqft of ¾” Table Mesa Brown Granite.
The travertine paver path leads to the 6ft x 6ft spa and the see through fireplace, the perfect combination for cool desert evenings. The fireplace is 10ftx5ft and capped off with an Artistic Paver cap. The fireplace is covered with Bark Ledgestone stacked stone which complements perfectly with the other design elements in the yard.
The outdoor kitchen in this project was added after completion of the pool and spa, in order to create more room for entertainment. The perimeter surface of the raised bar features the same Bark Ledgestone stacked stone and the bar surface adds plenty of space for drinks or food hot off the bbq grill. The tile work on the bar top is also unique, with a specialized design on the round extension.
Desert landscaping and rocks were installed to add a natural feel to the outdoor environment. Seven Pygmy Palms are integrated in the design along with Mastic trees, Southern Live Oaks & Texas Ebony trees. A combination of 43 shrubs, 10 groundcover plants and 9 accent plants really breathe life into this desert landscape. The river rock path also adds a natural design break to the granite rocks and ties in beautifully to the stacked stone selection.
Designing Your Own Backyard Oasis
Hopefully, these pool design ideas helped you figure out some design elements that you might enjoy in your backyard design. Selecting pool and backyard elements as well as design features is a fun part of the process. It’s important to consider what will fit into your home’s environment and be enjoyed by you and your family.
The elements in this Gilbert classic backyard are just a few of the many design options that we have available at California Pools & Landscape. We’ve built a page that houses all of the retro design ideas that could create an ultimate backyard experience. To see all more design ideas visit our Photo Galleries.
Love this pool design idea? If you’re ready to start with your dream yard design, get started with one of our talented designers.
