Building Your Dream Pool: Expert Insights on Custom Inground Designs

Posted on November 21st, 2025

When you picture your backyard, are you seeing a plain patch of grass or a shimmering oasis that invites you to unwind?

We’ve helped many homeowners swap the ordinary for something spectacular, and we believe the right design can turn your outdoor space into your favourite spot.

You’ll want more than just a pool; you want a destination. We know how exciting it is to imagine the laughter, the splash, the sunshine—and then to make it real.

As you explore this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about custom inground swimming pool designs, indoor versus outdoor options, luxury touches, and how to maintain your investment so it stays beautiful over time.

 

 

Why Choose Custom Inground Swimming Pool Designs

When you decide on custom inground swimming pool designs, you choose freedom: freedom to pick shape, depth, materials and features. We’re not talking cookie-cutter here. Your backyard becomes a unique reflection of your lifestyle.

We’ve seen homeowners select organic curves that mimic a natural lagoon, or sleek rectangles that fit modern architecture—either way the result is tailored. Your property size, sun orientation, landscaping, and budget all influence design decisions, and we help balance those factors.

Another reason to go custom: longevity and resale value. A thoughtfully designed inground pool becomes a standout feature in your home’s marketing appeal.

We emphasise collaboration. You tell us your vision, we bring our expertise, then together we refine it. That’s how we ensure your pool fits your home, your tastes and your future plans.

And yes: building custom means we can integrate upgrades like built-in hot tubs, smart lighting, water features or indoor pool adaptations. More on those next.

 

 

Indoor Pools vs Outdoor Retreats — What Suits You Best

One of the first decisions we guide you through is whether an indoor pool or an outdoor retreat better fits your lifestyle. With an indoor pool, you gain climate control, year-round use and protection from weather. It's perfect when your schedule or region makes outdoor use less predictable.

On the other hand, outdoor settings offer sunshine, fresh air and the classic backyard experience. When you invest in luxury pool design outdoors, you can lean into resort-style elements, outdoor dining, fire features or a built-in hot tub.

We weigh up benefits and costs with you. For indoor pools, expect additional structural, HVAC and dehumidification considerations. For outdoor pools, you will factor in sun exposure, weather durability and seasons of use.

Many clients say they want “an outdoor retreat” that blends pool, patio and landscaping into one seamless zone. We deliver that by integrating coping, decking, pools and hardscape as one project.

Whether indoor or outdoor, our focus on inground pool construction ensures that foundations, plumbing and finishes are built properly. What matters is that you’ll enjoy the result—and we’ll build it to last.

 

Key Elements of Luxury Pool Design

When designing a luxury pool, a few key elements separate the good from the great. First, material choices matter: high-end tile, natural stone coping, customised water features and ambient lighting elevate the look.

Second, consider features like a built-in hot tub, tanning ledge, swim-out bench or integrated spa steps. These create zones within the pool so you’re not stuck swimming laps the whole time.

Third, incorporate smart systems: LED lighting, pool automation, energy-efficient pumps and variable-speed motors. These not only look slick but also reduce running costs.

Fourth, think about outdoor living flow. Your pool should tie into patios, seating, pergolas or outdoor kitchens so that your space works as a whole.

We always recommend combining around four features at most initially—too many can overwhelm the budget or backyard. Examples: water feature, simple fire pit, LED lighting plus a hot tub.

By focusing on these elements, we help you achieve a luxury look without going overboard or creating maintenance headaches.

 

Backyard Upgrade Ideas with Poolside Paradise

We’ve seen how adding a pool triggers a cascade of other enhancements—so we encourage you to think about the entire backyard as a project. Here are ideas we often implement:

• Extend the patio and add comfortable lounge seating near the pool.
• Create a shaded pergola or cabana for afternoon breaks out of the sun.
• Add landscaping and lighting around the pool edge for ambience after dark.
• Include a fire feature or built-in hot tub as an adjacent element to the pool.
• When we design a backyard retreat, everything is coordinated: surface finishes, furniture, planting, lighting. It’s not just the pool that matters—it’s how it fits into the space and invites use.

For those in Lubbock, we know the local sun, wind and soil conditions—so we choose materials and orientation that optimise comfort and durability.
Our team ensures your upgrade aligns with your home’s architecture and your lifestyle: whether that’s quiet evenings with friends or active summer days with kids.

 

 

The Construction Process for Inground Pool Construction

When we talk about inground pool construction, we break it into phases so you know what to expect. First, the design and permitting phase: we finalise shape, features, equipment and submit required documents.

Next comes excavation and plumbing: we dig, set plumbing lines, bonding and electrical connections. Then structural steel and shotcrete or gunite (depending on design) go in to form the pool shell.

After the shell, we install tile, coping and decking—the surfaces you’ll touch and walk on. Then equipment systems (pump, filter, automation), water features and lighting are added. Finally, fill the pool, balance water chemistry, and test fully.

Throughout, we coordinate subcontractors, monitor site conditions and keep you informed. Communication is one of our strongest commitments—keeping you up to date helps avoid surprises.

Construction timelines can vary depending on design complexity, season and permitting. We build to minimise disruption, protect existing landscaping, and leave your yard clean at completion.

 

 

 How to Open and Maintain Your Inground Pool

After your pool is built, you’ll want it to stay gorgeous and functional. For pool opening services in Lubbock, we advise a thorough startup: inspect the equipment, clean off any debris or plaster dust, and balance the water before letting swimmers in.

Regular maintenance matters. Here’s what we recommend:

• Skim and vacuum weekly in season.
• Check chemical levels and equipment monthly.
• Inspect coping and decking for movement or cracking.
• Winterise (if applicable) by covering and reducing circulation if you’ll not use it.

 

Neglecting these steps can reduce lifespan of equipment or increase operating costs. We also emphasise automation systems to reduce manual checks and free you up to enjoy the pool rather than manage it.

If you’d rather have professionals handle opening, closing or regular service, our team is ready to help. We help keep your investment performing and looking crisp year after year.

 

Hot Tub Installation for Inground Pools

Installing a built-in hot tub alongside your pool creates a dual-purpose space: you can cool off in the pool during summer and soak in the tub on cooler evenings. We often integrate the hot tub so the water flows visually between the tub and pool or shares equipment to streamline systems.

Key decisions include tub size, spa jets, seating depth and heating system. You also decide whether the hot tub is elevated, flush with the deck or partially submerged—aesthetic and functional choices we help navigate.

From a construction standpoint, adding a spa means extra design coordination: you’ll need heater capacity, plumbing integration, additional controls and sometimes structural support. But when done correctly, the result is seamless
One memorable project we completed included a travertine surround, eight lion-head water features (into a martini-pool concept) plus a hot tub with smart controls. Client said “worth the wait”. 

Whether you’re planning a fresh build or to remodel an existing pool, adding a hot tub is one of the upgrades that raises both enjoyment and overall value.

 

Expert Tips for Custom Swimming Pool Designs in Lubbock

Because you’re looking in the Lubbock area, our local experience gives us insight that matters. Our expert tips:

• Choose the right orientation. Position your pool so you get sun when you want it and shade when you don’t.
• Match materials to the environment. In our region, select coping and decking that handle heat, sun and occasional wind without fading or cracking.
• Plan for windbreaks or shade-structures. A pergola, cabana or trees near the pool zone increase comfort.
• Don’t ignore equipment location. Place your pump, filter and heater where sound, access and aesthetics are managed well.
• Budget realistically. Custom doesn’t mean unlimited cost. Set priorities, pick a shape and features you love, and plan future additions (like a hot tub) down the line.
• Maintain clarity on timelines and disruption. Construction will impact your yard, so ask about staging, material storage and cleanup plans.

At Poolside Paradise we guide you through these steps and apply our local knowledge to make sure your design doesn’t just look good in drawings—but performs beautifully in our climate and lifestyle.

 

 

Ready to turn your backyard into a true paradise? At Poolside Paradise, we specialise in custom inground swimming pool designs and accompany you from the first concept to the final splash.

We offer personalised design and construction services to help you transform your outdoor space into a retreat you’ll love. Visit our service page to explore our custom inground swimming pool construction solutions and see how we bring visions to life.

Give us a call at (806) 776-6017 or email [email protected] to get started.

We believe life is better poolside, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
Let’s craft your outdoor sanctuary together—backyard upgrades, luxury pool design, indoor or outdoor, hot tub integration, maintenance planning—whatever your dream, we’ll build it with care, style and local expertise.

At Poolside Paradise, your new pool is just the beginning of the story.