Featuring Hot Takes from Jim Sweeney, Founder of Mom’s Design Build – the Midwest’s Most Awarded Design Build Firm
So, you’re thinking about putting in a pool. You’ve browsed Pinterest. You’ve talked to a pool contractor. Maybe you’ve even picked out your pool liner. But here’s the truth: if you haven’t consulted a landscape designer yet, you could be setting yourself up for a world of disappointment.
Jim Sweeney, founder of Mom’s Design Build, has designed and remodeled hundreds of pools — and he’s got the battle scars (and pro-tips) to prove it. “Let’s just be straightforward. These are first world problems, and at the end of the day, you have a swimming pool,” he says. “But pools and the design around them can be suboptimal when not done well. Good designs lead to good experiences and less work. When you work hard to prepare for leisure, you have a much more connected time.”
Let’s dive in.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Building a Pool Without a Landscape Designer (That Can End Up Costing You Big)
Poor Pool Placement
Where you place your pool matters — a lot more than you think. In fact, it’s one of the most common (and costly) mistakes people make. Too close to the house? You lose valuable room for lounging, dining, and entertaining. Too far away? It becomes an inconvenience.
“You have to get the placement right!!” says Jim.
Most homeowners simply don’t understand where a pool should go — or why. They overlook key factors like sightlines, sun exposure, and how the pool connects to outdoor living areas. Without thoughtful planning, the result feels disjointed and inconvenient; that’s the opposite of luxury.
Doing It Wrong Can Be Costly
“A well-designed living area and pool increases home value,” Jim says. “We remodel so many builder-grade pools that just don’t make sense—pool deck too small, poor privacy, poor flow, and no storage.”
Fixing mistakes later can be costly. “Relocating pool equipment is weirdly expensive and can cost 10x what it would’ve taken to plan it properly from the start. When everything is well thought out from the beginning, the process is easier and far less expensive in the long run.”
Pro Tip: The outdoor living space should connect to the shallow end or middle of the pool, normally not the deep end. “The deep end is typically the kids’ zone. Cannonballs, splash zones, and chaos. Keep the entertaining area where it’s drier and calmer.”
Also consider space for a pool house and how much “breathing room” your design allows between the house, pool, and other outdoor living areas. It’s not just about fitting everything in, it’s about how those spaces interact. If you wing it, you’ll regret it. (Keep reading for more on pool houses.)
Incorrect Pool Height and Drainage
Water management is one of the most important aspects of any pool or landscape design — and it requires careful planning. “Water must flow away from the pool and your home,” Jim warns. If you get this wrong, you could end up with water pooling, erosion, settling near your foundation, or worse, a flooded basement.
Water can be your best friend and your worst enemy. “We’ve seen some disaster situations where poor drainage led to water draining where it shouldn’t, creating soggy, unusable spaces and long-term damage,” Jim says. Thoughtful grading, proper slopes, and smart drainage solutions are essential to protect your investment and your home.
The Pool Pad Afterthought
Behind every gorgeous pool is a noisy, messy 5×8-foot pad with a heater and pump — and no, it should not be stuck between your pool and house.
Jim says, “If the pad is too close to an operable window, CO2 can draft into the home. And these things can be loud and ugly — don’t put them front and center. Plan ahead and tuck them into the design with strategic landscaping or screening.”
Pro Tip: The pool equipment should be installed at or slightly below the pool elevation to ensure proper function. Pool pumps can be picky like that.
Why the Design Should Come Before Breaking Ground
Every yard has restrictions. Setbacks. Topography. Viewsheds. A professional landscape designer understands how to work with — and maximize — what you’ve got.
“Being mindful of the site dictates so much,” Jim explains. “The reason you can’t just pick a design from Pinterest is because every site is vastly different. To truly optimize a space, you must understand its opportunities and restrictions.”
It’s a common misconception that all sides of a pool will be used equally, but that’s rarely how it plays out. In a typical backyard setup, only two, maybe three sides of the pool end up being truly functional. The side closest to the house, along with the adjacent sides, see the most activity because they’re the easiest to access and naturally integrate with the flow of the outdoor living space. The far side of the pool? It’s often overlooked, even if it seems like a smart idea during the design phase. What might appear to be a simple walk around the pool usually ends up feeling inconvenient and disconnected from the rest of the project.
And if you’re adding a pool house, placement matters. It must be integrated into the landscape without obstructing key views. “The pool house might be designed to support lounging, dining, and fire areas,” Jim explains, “but it should never block the best sightlines.”
The Pool House
“Pool houses serve as a getaway, a place to leave home and enjoy a staycation — somewhere you can go to just be. They allow you to change your environment, which can shift your energy and thought processes, helping you feel freer,” Jim explains. “They create the sensation of getting away without leaving your backyard and can help you escape the rat race of everyday life.”
For some, having guests around the house while they swim isn’t ideal. A pool house offers the perfect solution by creating a clear separation between your home and the pool area. It provides a private space for changing, relaxing, or entertaining, while keeping the action outside the home. When considering whether you need a pool house, it’s important to think about the layout and how much open space you want between the pool house, your home, and other outdoor living spaces. The key is balancing convenience and privacy, so your outdoor areas feel cohesive yet distinct.
When building a pool house, it’s essential to check with your local municipality regarding regulations on hard cover, lot coverage, and accessory building limitations. At Mom’s, we’ll handle all of that for you.
What a Good Landscape Designer Delivers That a Pool Contractor Can’t
Pool contractors think about the pool. A landscape designer should think about your life — your aesthetic, your routines, and how your family will actually use the space. They consider the bigger picture: how the indoors connect to the outdoors, how the sun moves across your yard, where you’ll want privacy, and how every element should work together to create not just a pool, but an experience.
“Landscape designers give you a garden view of the pool,” Jim explains. “They’ll make your pool look like a water feature — something beautiful and integrated, not just a big blue rectangle in the yard.” By blending plantings, hardscapes, and sightlines, they transform the pool into the centerpiece of a cohesive outdoor environment. It becomes a destination, not just a feature.
Pro Tip: Want a high-end look? Jim shares, “Make the water view a long skinny pool perpendicular to the home. We also get rid of all the ugly plastic sh*t, including the auto cover, coping, plastic skimmer lids… You can get rid of all of it, it just takes planning, forethought, and a little bit of money.”
Things That Get Overlooked Without a Designer
Bathroom Access
Walking through the house soaking wet? That gets old fast — and messy even faster. If the only bathroom is inside across the house, you’re looking at wet floors, increased wear on interior surfaces, and constant clean-up. Thoughtful pool design includes convenient, nearby bathroom access, whether that’s a dedicated pool bathroom or an outdoor shower.
Human Load & Storage
Not having enough space makes things awkward and inconvenient. There needs to be room for the “human load,” because everyone who comes to a pool brings their own clutter —bags, towels, coolers, sunscreen, extra clothes, and more.
“Outdoor living should reflect what it’s like inside a home — there should be room for everyone, designated drop zones, and distinct spaces for items and ‘stuff,’ a thoughtful place for food, and even space for that massive pool swan you bought back in 2020,” Jim says.
There also needs to be enough room for maintenance equipment and chemicals. “Storage must be thoughtful and easy. If it’s not, it’s always a mess.”
Food & Drink Access
Jim says, “You’re going to need water or beer, and you’ll often want it fast.” When you’ve got a pool in Minnesota, quick access to cold drinks — whether it’s water, beer, cocktail, or a juice box — isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. That’s why an outdoor kitchen with a built-in fridge is a game-changer. Pool owners tend to be the entertainers, and with guests comes the need for seamless hosting. A thoughtfully designed space makes it easy to keep everyone fed, hydrated, and happy—without the constant trips inside.
And don’t forget the recycling and easy access to the garbage! Pool party’s mean bottles, cans, and snack wrappers. Built-in bins keep things tidy and cleanup easy. Another popular must-have? A built-in ice maker to keep drinks cold and your cup filled all day long.
Privacy
“You’re half-naked in your backyard when you’re hanging out by the pool. Out of respect for your neighbors, and your own comfort, you don’t want to feel like you’re on display… you just want your space to be private.”
Shade, Warmth, and Wind
You want control over your outdoor climate. A pergola or covered porch provides protection from the sun and rain. A fire feature adds heat when the temperature drops. Strategic design helps make your space more enjoyable and usable earlier in the spring and later into the fall.
Bug Protection
Screened-in areas can be a lifesaver, especially during mosquito season in Minnesota. Whether it’s a pool house, pavilion, porch, or underside of a deck, motorized screens allow you to enjoy the outdoors without constantly swatting bugs or reaching for the bug spray. They also make outdoor dining, relaxing, and entertaining more comfortable, especially in the evenings.
Code Requirements
Sometimes safety features like fences or automatic pool covers aren’t optional, they can be required by code. But just because they might be necessary doesn’t mean they have to be eyesores. With the right design approach, these elements can blend seamlessly into your outdoor space. Fences can be customized with materials and styles that match your home or landscape, while plantings and hardscaping can soften their appearance. Automatic covers can be built right into the pool design for a clean, streamlined look. When planned well, these required features can actually enhance your space, not detract from it.
Materials
“We’ve had to repair pools with crumbling walls, often due to poor construction or the use of incorrect materials. It can be an absolute disaster,” Jim shares. “Beyond the pool itself, it’s also important to think about the materials surrounding it. Dark materials, for example, can get unbearably hot in the sun, making it uncomfortable and even painful to walk on.” Some materials can also be quite slippery when wet, so it’s important to choose options that are both safe and stylish.
A Good Landscape Designer Understands the Whole Picture
Designers see what’s possible. They understand current trends, what is classically timeless, (what’s dated or cheesy) and know how to make your pool feel like a high-end resort.
And in Minnesota, where pool season is a short 90 days, design matters even more. Landscape design around a pool extends that time by expanding the use of the pool. When there are water features in the pool and a magnificent backdrop behind the pool, and there is protection from the wind in the fall with the use of a porch and a firepit for warmth, the pool becomes the water feature in the months it can’t be swam in. It becomes the viewshed and it’s beautiful when designed right.
With jets, bubblers, fountains, sun decks, and a magnificent backdrop that’s enhanced by intention, your pool becomes a year-round feature. When it’s too cold to swim, it becomes your view. And when designed right, every line works in harmony.
“The features need to be positioned well to create energy and beauty in the space, otherwise it feels wrong.”
The Bottom Line?
If you want a pool that looks amazing, functions well, integrates with your home, reflects your lifestyle, and avoids expensive mistakes — you need to find a good landscape designer.
When looking for a landscape designer, find one that you trust and vibe with. Our team at Mom’s Design Build is experienced, talented, and will work hard to create your dream. Contact us if you are interested in exploring the possibilities!
