Latest Trend in Custom Swimming Pool Designs: Sunken Lounges
Installing a Sunken Pool Lounge: A Luxurious Retreat for Your Backyard
A sunken pool lounge is more than just a seating area; it's a statement piece that transforms your pool area into a stylish and inviting oasis. This recessed seating area, partially or fully surrounded by water, offers numerous benefits and requires careful design considerations.
Benefits of a Sunken Pool Lounge
- Enhanced Aesthetic and Cozy Ambiance: A sunken lounge creates an intimate, cozy area that feels connected and inviting, like an outdoor living room, making your backyard feel like a luxury resort or backyard oasis.
- Visual Focus and Integration: By lowering the seating area, the design draws visual attention to surrounding features such as mature trees or water elements, enhancing the overall atmosphere and connection with nature.
- Space Efficiency: Particularly in smaller yards, a sunken pool lounge can save space by consolidating seating and pool functions in a compact, multi-level design, increasing usable area without sprawl.
- Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow: When integrated near large doors or openings, it fosters a smooth transition from inside the home to the outdoor space, enhancing usability and lifestyle flow.
- Acoustic and Relaxation Benefits: Incorporating water features near the sunken lounge, such as water sheers, adds soothing sound that permeates the space, amplifying relaxation and luxury.
Design Considerations for a Sunken Pool Lounge
- Site Integration: The lounge should harmonize with existing natural features (e.g., trees, views) and follow the natural terrain contours for a balanced look.
- Materials Choice: Durable, natural, and sustainable materials (e.g., stone, hardwoods, recycled materials) are recommended for aesthetics and longevity. Materials that age gracefully contribute to a timeless design.
- Water Management and Safety: Proper drainage and waterproofing are essential to prevent water pooling or damage. Safety measures (such as steps, handrails, or lighting) should be incorporated for comfortable use.
- Access and Transition: Positioning the sunken lounge close to the home with large doors or sliding panels ensures quick and easy access, reinforcing indoor-outdoor living.
- Acoustics and Lighting: Adding suspended lighting or other focal elements draws attention and defines the space visually, while sound features like running water promote tranquility.
- Multi-Use Options: Considering additional features like swim-up bars or integrated outdoor kitchens adjacent to the pool lounge can enhance usability and entertainment options.
- Privacy and Intimacy: The lowered design naturally creates privacy by limiting sight lines, making the space feel intimate and secluded from neighbors or other yard areas.
In cooler areas, sunken pool lounges can be paired with heated pools or fire features to extend usability into spring and fall. Some homeowners are incorporating retractable covers or heated seats to stretch the pool season even further. Sunken pool lounges offer endless possibilities for various styles, such as modern, tropical, Mediterranean, or rustic. Some homeowners add a pergola or partial shade cover to keep the sunken pool lounge usable during sunny afternoons.
A well-designed sunken lounge can set a pool apart from others on the market and create a luxury feel. If you're planning a custom pool build or renovation, consider a sunken lounge for a luxurious retreat that enhances your backyard living experience.
A sunken pool lounge, with its integration into home-and-garden spaces, promotes a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, creating a cozy and luxurious outdoor living area. By mentioning sustainable materials in design considerations, one can embrace outdoor-living while maintaining a lifestyle that balances aesthetics with environmental responsibility.
