What Is a Lagoon Pool? Shapes, Ideas, and Costs

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Have you ever wanted to take your vacation back home with you, making your backyard a tropical oasis? Imagine walking into a paradise every day, just steps away from your house!

Keep reading to learn more about what a lagoon pool is, what features this style of pool has, and the costs of building a lagoon pool.

What Is a Lagoon-Shaped Pool?

Two features define lagoon pools: their freeform shape and their tropical design elements. These additional design features often include rock waterfalls, caves and grottos, tropical landscaping, dreamy lighting, and color schemes of blue, teal, and green.

In terms of shape, lagoon pools are characterized by soft curves and a lack of straight lines, causing them to work well in most backyards. No lagoon pool is the same, and each one has a unique design that takes the location and shape of the backyard into account.

This freeform shape allows these tropical adornments to resemble natural lagoons, inspiring their name.

What Shape Can You Make a Lagoon Pool?

The possibilities for the shape of lagoon pools are endless. Each lagoon pool is unique, as the style is genuinely freeform, meaning the pools have no distinct or predetermined shape.

They have an organic feel since they blend in naturally with your backyard. Because of their nonlinear layout, lagoon pools even work well in asymmetrical or weirdly configured backyards.

However, lagoon pools can also be similar in shape to the popular kidney-shaped pools and figure-8 pools:

  • Kidney-shaped: Also nonlinear, these pools have a curved back with a small indent on one side. This dent is also a functional, obvious distinction for different depths of your pool. 
  • Figure-8: Similar to an hourglass shape, these pools are also great for providing an obvious shallow vs. deep end. Both ends do not have to be the same size, which allows them to fit in well with most backyard spaces.

As long as your pool does not have harsh lines, its shape fits the lagoon style. 

What Type of Materials Make Up a Lagoon Pool?

There are many different types of materials used to build an in-ground pool, each with varying costs and lifespans:

  • Concrete is the most expensive material to install and maintain and lasts the longest, up to 50 years. It can cost between $29,000 and $60,000 to install concrete and more than $2,750 per year to maintain.
  • Fiberglass is the next most expensive material, coming in at $18,000-$65,000 to install. However, it is the least costly for yearly maintenance, at about $375 per year, and lasts 25 years.
  • Vinyl is the most inexpensive material to install at $25,000-$45,000. It costs about $1,325 per year to maintain, and it should be replaced every 10 years or so. 

What Type of Finishes Can You Use in a Lagoon Pool?

There are many types of finishes your pool can feature, depending on your design and budget:

  • Plaster: The most common finish for in-ground pools, plaster is inexpensive, long-lasting, and offers a classic look. It can come in different colors and lasts 5-7 years.   
  • Aggregate: Combines plaster with a mix of stones, pebbles, or glass beads. There are two types of aggregate ‒ polished (which contains finely crushed stones) or exposed (which contains river pebbles or glass beads). Both can last from 10-20 years and provide more of a customizable, designer look. These finishes are more resistant to chemical wear and staining than plaster alone.
  • Tile: Available in glass, ceramic, porcelain, or stone varieties, tile is the most expensive finish and the longest lasting. Like aggregate, the design and customizable options are endless.

When thinking about designing your pool, selecting finishes, and choosing a color scheme, keep in mind that the primary goal of most lagoon pools is to complete a natural look, so they are typically a blue or green color.

So How Much Do Lagoon Pools Cost?

Like any type of pool, the cost of a lagoon-style pool depends on the materials, size, and layout. On average, lagoon pools tend to have a higher price tag than simpler pool layouts.

According to Home Advisor, lagoon pools cost about $50,000-$150,000. In comparison, normal, non-lagoon, kidney-shaped pools cost $15,000-$35,000 for fiberglass and $30,000-$70,000 for concrete. Lap pools cost $40,000-$60,000.

With their endless customization options, lagoon pools have many add-on features that can increase their price. Popular accessories include:

  • Rock waterfalls: $1,500-$10,000
  • Grottos and caves: $5,000-$10,000
  • Hot tub (also known as a spa): $8,000-$15,000
  • Pool lighting: $700-$2,000
  • Pool heaters: $1,600-$3,800 to install; additional $100-$500 per month for electricity
  • Landscaping: $3,000-$5,000. An important element of lagoon pools, proper landscaping gives your background that perfect tropical paradise feel. Tropical plants, trees, and shrubs help blend the pool into your yard, creating a relaxing retreat. 

Saltwater vs. chlorine pools have different costs, which is another aspect to consider. 

Saltwater pools tend to cost more, as they have a more expensive saltwater chlorination system.

A saltwater pool can cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,500 more than a standard chlorination system. It’s just another cost to factor in when choosing your pool design.

Fun Ideas for Lagoon Pools

The options for lagoon-style pools are endless, but here are some fun ideas:

  • Add in-pool lighting to add ambiance to late-night swims.
  • Install a sound system to listen to music underwater.
  • Build a natural rock waterfall with a slide for the kids.
  • Make the pool finish a tan color to look like sand, and add a wade-in entry to look like a beach. Add tropical plants, palm trees, and sun umbrellas to complete this tropical look.
  • Build a hidden grotto behind a waterfall. 

Should You Get One or Not: The Pros and Cons

At the end of the day, deciding whether a lagoon pool is right for you depends on your budget and the vision you have for your backyard space. 

Pros

The great part of the freeform shape of lagoon pools is they can fit almost any space. That means unsymmetrical backyards that could not fit a linear pool might be able to house a lagoon pool.

Their shape also means design options are endless, with the ability to add rock waterfalls, caves and grottos, wading spaces, and tanning ledges. All add to the experience of your backyard oasis.

Another pro of their unique design is that unsightly pool mechanisms and equipment can be easily hidden out of sight in a lagoon-style pool. The additional tropical, organic landscaping helps with this as well.

Adding a pool also increases your home’s appraisal value, potentially making it easier to sell when the time comes. 

Cons

Unfortunately, lagoon pools are not for everyone. Their nonlinear shape means they are not ideal for lap swimming or exercising. Depending on the size and depth of the pool, water aerobic exercises are possible.

The features of a lagoon pool add up quickly because of their endless design and customization options, especially those that transform your backyard into a true tropical oasis. If you want a less expensive route that doesn’t include landscaping or additional nature-style add-ons, a more traditional rectangular pool is better.

Final Thoughts

Lagoon-style pools can create a tropical home-away-from-home in any backyard. The optional features and add-ons for this pool style are endless, and you can customize a lagoon pool to fit any design and yard.

Be sure to do your research, though, as your budget really will determine what your lagoon pool looks like and what amenities you can include.

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