Last Updated: September 2026
A stylish pool for a Melville home starts with a design direction, anything from a sleek infinity edge to a classic rectangle framed by a formal garden. The style only works if the size and shape fit how you’ll actually use the pool, so plan those around who swims and how often you entertain, and leave room for the patio and other extras.
What pool styles suit a Melville home?
Infinity pool
You don’t have to book a hotel overseas to swim in an infinity pool. If your property sits on a hillside with a view, an oval infinity pool makes the most of it and blurs the line between what’s built and what’s natural.
Family fun pool
A pool can be fun and good-looking at the same time. A tropical-style design with a couple of waterfalls and big stones turns the yard into a private waterpark that appeals to every age.
Mediterranean pool
You don’t need to live on the Mediterranean to pull off this style. It leans on colorful tile in vivid, natural colors, rustic wood and European cobblestone textures around the deck. Ornamental grasses and lavender fit the look, along with climbing vines, fountains, fruit trees and low walls.
Modern pool
Modern pools keep things simple: plain tile patterns and shades of gray, with a minimal surround. The result is calm and classy, a place to unwind after a long day. An L-shaped pool with bright accent lighting gives a modern design a little more personality.
Classic pool
Sometimes a classic rectangular pool surrounded by a manicured garden is all a home needs. Traditional design uses pillars, stone and fountains, symmetrical flower containers, clipped hedges and bold geometric shapes, all arranged formally. Keep the pool as the main feature and let the garden frame it.
How big should your pool be?
Once you have a style in mind, settle the size. It’s tempting to go big, but ask whether you’ll still be glad you did in ten years. A larger pool makes sense if you host often and your guests actually get in the water, or if a big extended family comes over all summer. If you’re busy and the kids will use the pool more than you will, a smaller pool usually does the job just fine.
If morning laps are the goal, think in terms of length rather than overall size. A longer pool also works well if you expect your family to grow, since it leaves room for more swimmers over time.
How much space do you need around a pool?
A pool rarely stands alone. An outdoor kitchen, built-in seating and a patio for lounging all make the area better, and all of them take up room. Map out the full footprint before you settle on the pool’s size. That means checking setbacks from the property lines and the house, so there’s enough space for everything you want without running into problems later. New York’s residential code also requires a barrier around residential pools, and your town building department confirms the details. We design pools for homeowners in Melville and across Suffolk County and build the patios, coping and hardscape around them, so it all gets planned together.
Which pool shape fits how you’ll use it?
Every shape has its strengths. This quick guide covers the common ones:
| Shape | Good for | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | Laps, easy framing with seating areas | Formal, clean lines |
| Oval | Water polo, water basketball, pool games | Relaxed, rounded corners |
| Figure 8 | Families with young kids or nonswimmers | Casual, with a deep end and a separate shallow area |
| Roman or Grecian | Homeowners who want a timeless shape | Classic, with rounded ends or angled corners |
| L-shape or lazy-L | Splitting a shallow play area from a deep or lap area | Modern, especially with strong lighting |
| Free-form | Working around existing yard features | Natural, organic |
The rectangle has been a favorite since the early days of pool design, and its straight edges almost dare you to start swimming laps. Ovals leave room around the perimeter for game equipment and feel less formal. A figure 8 gives kids and nonswimmers a separate shallow area while still offering a deep end, and an adult should always be watching. Roman pools, with rounded ends and stylized corners, and Grecian pools, with their clipped octagonal corners, bring old-world lines into a modern Melville yard.
FAQ
What is the most popular pool shape?
The rectangle has been a common choice for decades. It suits laps, it’s easy to frame with patios and seating, and it fits formal and modern homes alike. That said, the right shape depends on how you’ll use the pool. Ovals are better for games, and figure 8 pools work well for families with young kids.
Should I get a bigger pool for resale?
Size the pool for how your household will use it, not for a hypothetical buyer. A pool that’s too large for your needs costs more to build and run, and it eats into space for the patio and seating that make the area enjoyable. A well-planned pool area with room to lounge tends to matter more than raw size.
What pool shape is best for kids?
A figure 8 is a good fit because it separates a shallow area from the deep end, so young kids and nonswimmers have their own shallow area. A pool with a long, gradual shallow end works too. Whatever the shape, plan the deck and fencing around supervision, so adults can see the whole pool from where they sit.
Ready to pick a size and shape? Explore our swimming pool designs on Long Island.
Get ideas from one of our recent pool projects: North Shore Poolside in Bayville, NY.
