Structural design features
The details built inside the pool. The outline of a pool is only part of the design. The elements built inside it, such as where you sit, how you enter and what you can see through, decide how the pool is used and how well it suits your home. Because concrete is formed to your design, each of these can be shaped to suit your home's architecture rather than chosen from a standard catalogue.
Sun ledge (tanning ledge)
A shallow platform for lounging in the water.
A sun ledge is a wide, shallow area, typically 150–300 mm deep, built for sun lounges, umbrellas or simply sitting in the water with a drink.
Why homeowners choose it
A relaxed spot for every age. Young children can play safely, and adults can lounge without swimming.
A resort feel at home. It adds a leisure zone that a deeper-only pool can't offer.
Flexible and social. It works as a gathering spot when entertaining.
What to know:
A ledge takes up pool area, so its size and position need to balance lounging space with swimming space. Best suited to: Coastal, Hamptons and resort-style homes, and family backyards.
Bench seating & built-in ledges
Places to rest, perch and chat.
Built-in benches and narrow ledges let you sit at a comfortable depth along the pool's edge, in a corner or within a spa.
Why homeowners choose it
Comfort without leaving the water. You can sit, talk and relax without treading water.
Clean, tailored lines. Seating built into the shell keeps the pool uncluttered.
Easy to shape around the design. Benches can follow curves in organic pools or run straight in linear designs.
What to know:
Bench height and depth affect comfort, so it helps to plan these for the people who'll use the pool most. Best suited to: All styles, with straight, crisp benches for modern designs and curved forms for softer, natural looks.
Steps & entry points
How you enter sets the tone.
Steps are one of the most visible parts of a pool. They can be wide and sweeping, narrow and discreet, or built as a beach-style entry that slopes gently into the water.
Why homeowners choose it
Easy, safe access. Wide, low steps suit children, older swimmers and anyone who prefers a gentle entry.
A strong design statement. Full-width steps give a sculptural, architectural look, while corner steps keep the pool shape clean.
Multi-purpose. Wide steps can double as seating.
What to know:
Step width, rise and non-slip finishes all matter for safety and comfort. A wide entry uses more of the pool footprint than a corner step. Best suited to: Full-width, linear steps suit contemporary homes. Gentle beach-style entries suit resort and coastal designs. Symmetrical steps suit heritage homes.
Viewing windows & glass walls
See into the pool from the side.
A glass window or panel can be built into a raised pool wall, or into a pool that adjoins a lower level or living area, so the water is visible from beside or below.
Why homeowners choose it
A distinctive feature. It makes the pool a visible part of the home, not just something outside it.
Natural light and a sense of depth. The water glows from the side, especially when the sun is low.
Great sightlines. It suits split-level homes and sloping blocks where the pool sits above a lower living or entertaining area.
What to know:
Glass walls need specialist engineering and certification, and they're a larger investment than standard construction. Glass needs regular cleaning, and in coastal areas salt will build up faster. Best suited to: Modern and contemporary homes, and sloping or multi-level sites.
Sunken seating, swim-out ledges & planter edges
The finishing touches that make a pool feel custom.
Smaller built-in details, such as a sunken seat, a swim-out ledge for resting arms or a planter along the edge, can make the pool feel designed for you.
Why homeowners choose it
Personal touches. These details can suit how you actually use your pool.
Soft and natural looks. Planter edges can blend the pool into the garden.
Efficient use of space. Compact details add function without enlarging the pool.
What to know:
Small elements still need to be planned early, as they're far easier to build into the shell than to add later. Best suited to: Any style, with planter edges and softer forms suiting natural and tropical looks.
Matching features to your home's style
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Contemporary / Modern
FEATURES THAT SUIT IT: Full-width linear steps, straight benches, glass viewing window
OVERALL EFFECT: Crisp, architectural and clean-lined
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Coastal / Hamptons
FEATURES THAT SUIT IT: Wide sun ledge, beach-style entry, built-in bench seating
OVERALL EFFECT: Relaxed, open and family-friendly
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mediterranean / Tuscan
FEATURES THAT SUIT IT: Curved steps, planter edges, sunken seating
OVERALL EFFECT: Warm, layered and welcoming
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Resort / Tropical
FEATURES THAT SUIT IT: Large sun ledge, beach entry, swim-out ledges
OVERALL EFFECT: A private-retreat feel
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Heritage / Federation
FEATURES THAT SUIT IT: Symmetrical steps, formal benches
OVERALL EFFECT: Balanced, formal and in keeping with period character
A note on balance: The best pools don't use every feature. Two or three well-chosen elements that echo your home's lines and materials will look better than a long list. We'll help you decide what's worth including and what to leave out.
Ready to start designing your new pool?
Talk to our team about which features suit your home, your site and your budget.