One of the first questions homeowners often ask when considering a fiberglass pool is simple: What size pool should we get?

It sounds like a question that should have an equally simple answer. Measure the backyard, find a pool that fits and start planning.

In reality, choosing the right fiberglass pool size involves much more than determining how much open space is available. The size and shape of your property, how you plan to use the pool and what you want around it can all influence which pool makes the most sense.

If you’re considering a fiberglass pool in Maryville, Knoxville or the surrounding East Tennessee area, here are some of the things worth considering before deciding bigger is automatically better.

Start With How You Want to Use the Pool

Before comparing dimensions, think about what you picture happening in the pool.

A family that wants space for children to swim and play may have different priorities than homeowners who primarily want a place to relax. Someone who regularly entertains a large group may want more water space, while a couple creating a quiet backyard retreat may be perfectly happy with a smaller pool and more room for outdoor living.

Think beyond the number of people who live in your home. Consider how often you entertain, whether children or grandchildren will use the pool and what activities are most important to you.

Those answers can help narrow the options before measurements ever enter the conversation.

The Pool Isn't the Only Thing That Needs Space

One of the easiest mistakes to make is looking at an open backyard and mentally filling most of it with water.

The area around the pool matters too.

You may want space for lounge chairs, a dining table, a grill, an outdoor kitchen or an open area where children can play. You’ll also need comfortable circulation around the pool so people can move through the space without everything feeling crowded.

A slightly smaller pool with a well-planned surrounding area can sometimes create a more functional backyard than the largest pool the property can physically accommodate.

Consider the Relationship Between the Pool and the House

A pool becomes a major feature of the property, so its proportions should make sense with the home and backyard.

That doesn’t mean a large house always needs a large pool or that a smaller property can’t have a substantial one. It means the finished design should feel balanced.

Look at the proposed pool area from inside the house as well. Views from frequently used rooms can help you think about where the pool should sit and how much of the backyard it should occupy.

Property Conditions Can Affect Your Options

East Tennessee backyards come in all shapes, sizes and elevations.

Slope, drainage, property lines, easements and existing structures can all influence where a pool can be installed and how the surrounding space should be designed. Backyard access is another important consideration because the pool and installation equipment have to reach the site.

Two properties with similar square footage can have very different usable areas once those conditions are considered.

That’s why selecting a fiberglass pool based solely on dimensions from a brochure can be misleading. The pool has to work with the actual property.

Think About Features You Want in the Pool

Overall dimensions aren’t the only consideration when comparing fiberglass pool models.

Different designs can include features such as tanning ledges, built-in seating, steps or varying depths. These features change how the available water space functions.

A tanning ledge, for example, may be a priority for someone who loves lounging in shallow water. Another homeowner may prefer to dedicate more of the pool’s footprint to open swimming space.

Rather than comparing pools only by length and width, consider how each design uses that space.

Bigger Isn't Always Better

It’s easy to assume that if your backyard can accommodate a larger pool, you should choose it.

But the best pool is the one that fits the way you want to live outside.

If increasing the pool size means sacrificing the patio, seating area or lawn space your family would use every day, the tradeoff may not be worthwhile. On the other hand, a household that spends most summer weekends entertaining may decide that additional pool space is worth prioritizing.

There isn’t one correct ratio of pool to backyard. There is simply a balance that works better for each property and homeowner.

Plan the Whole Backyard Before Choosing the Pool

Even if every element of your backyard won’t be completed at the same time, thinking about the finished space early can prevent problems later.

Where would outdoor furniture go? Could you eventually add a fire feature or outdoor kitchen? Do you want to preserve part of the lawn? How will people move from the house to the pool?

When those questions are considered before the pool is selected, it becomes easier to choose dimensions that support the larger vision.

Choosing a Fiberglass Pool in East Tennessee

The right fiberglass pool size isn’t necessarily the largest model that will fit in your yard. It’s the pool that gives you the combination of swimming space, surrounding outdoor space and functionality that works for your property.

Foothills Outdoor Designs helps homeowners in Maryville, Knoxville and surrounding East Tennessee communities evaluate their properties and explore fiberglass pool options that fit the way they want to use their backyards.

If a pool is part of your plans, start with the whole backyard rather than a set of dimensions. The finished space will be better for it.

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