New Member in SoCal

[rzdm]

Hello Everyone! I just signed a contract with a builder. It hasn’t gone to engineering yet so we still have time to change some configurations. I’m trying to decide between two pool designs and could use some help with the decision. The main difference is the placement of the spa and the Baja shelf.

The pool is 30 x 15. The shelf is 11 x 7 (12 x 6 if centered). The spa is 7 x 7 (8 x 6 if centered). The difference between the spa and the shelf dimensions is because I’d like to have more walk space between the posts and the spa/shelf while maximizing swimming area. The photos show an 18” raised spa, but we’re also open to having it lowered to 12” or even zero-elevation if it goes in the middle.

What I like about having the spa in the middle is that it’s closer to the patio door, which I find specially appealing since we were likely to still use it in colder months. Also, I like the idea of being able to watch TV while sitting in the spa.

Hubby likes the spa at the end by the fire pit for when we have people over. People in the spa can easily socialize with those sitting around the fire pit. It also makes sense to put these two features together since they are both more likely be used at night. If we put the shelf at the end, it is less likely that people would be there while the fire pit is being used.

Then again, I also like the shelf in the middle with the benches on either side because it gives us a “cleaner” swim/play area that’s a straight rectangle without any features jutting into the space.

Please share your thoughts, any pros and cons, (and experiences if you have a pool design like either plan).

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP! I have an idea! How about having BOTH of them at that end of the pool? Push the spa away from the house and put the shelf beside it. SO many good reasons to do this:
-Best of both worlds by having them both there for the reasons you stated above.
-I worry about the bench on either side of the shelf. See people will come running out of the house to jump in the pool and they might not make a big enough jump and land on the benches.
-It will be neat to be able to go from the spa to the shelf as wanted. The shelf can serve as the entry to the pool.

Just something to think about.