Pool trends to keep you

Swimming pools never go out of style and are the perfect addition to a backyard. But, if you’re going to invest thousands of dollars in a beautiful new pool, consider these six trends for 2019 that will make yours the coolest pool in the neighbourhood.

Timber-look pools

Interior designer and stylist at Stage One Interiors, Louise Hatcher is all about the Instagrammable perfection of a timber-look pool.

‘‘While real timber cannot be used to line a pool, certain porcelain tiles have a ‘wood appearance’ to them, which when combined with timber decking as surround, makes for a stunning timber-look pool.

‘‘Earp Bros Starwood range of porcelain wood-look tiles are leading the way with this amazing new trend, that is about to take off in a big way.’’

Small is beautiful

Architect and residential designer at VMA, Vanessa Hedges has realised that ‘‘small’’ is no longer a dirty word when it comes to pool design.

‘‘My clients realise that very few backyard pools are used for swimming laps or exercise purposes, and in so doing have liberated themselves from the requirement for larger pools.

‘‘Clients no longer want the backyard to be ‘all pool’, realising that it becomes a dead space in winter. Also, you can have lots of family fun splashing around in pools as small as five by three metres.’’

Classic and simple

Creative director at Octopus Garden Design, Gerrad Everson says that simple shapes still reign supreme for most backyard pool designs.

‘‘While the classic rectangle is still the most popular shape for concrete pools, we love to incorporate full-width steps and long swim out ledges in our pool designs for seating and heating the pool so it can be used all year.

‘‘Simple and clean lines will always be in style, and occasionally we incorporate angles or add a fillet curve to one or two sides to soften an edge, or