There is an almost endless number of options available for those looking to design a custom swimming pool to suit their homes. From l-shaped lap-pools to multi-level or rim-flow pools, even a pool in the outlined shape of your chosen country - the only limit to the possible innovations is your own creativity.

Of course, getting yourself into debt over a luxury item like an inground pool is just craziness. If you're likely to put yourself into financial straits to meet your glamorous expectations, it's the time either to hold out until you're in the right position to afford it, or to tone down on your expectations. Are you liquid enough for a pricey pre-shaped metal or fiberglass custom swimming pool design, or are you going to go the simple concrete route? Ultimately, settling for a collapsible rubber pool in the meantime might be the most sensible option.

A custom swimming pool can be the chance to add a lot of value and character to your home, as well as developing it as a platform for entertaining guests. There are few things as impressive at a pool party as neon-lit fountains or cascading waterfalls for your guests to luxuriate in, or islands to lounge on - so you do need to think about how many people you'd like to be able to accommodate, and the kind of social dynamic you'd like to create. Studies have shown that, at a real pool party, whether the number of people is thirty or a hundred, there are seven people in the pool at any given moment. Keep that in mind.

Still, trying to be a party magnet with an extraordinary swimming pool without thinking about what will make you happy in a space is really just a sure path to ultimate dissatisfaction. Pick a design that you feel represents you, and your interests. Do you like being in lush natural surroundings, or enjoying the aesthetic and intellectual appeal of minimalist postmodern architecture features around your swim area? Sharp lines or curves? Gazebos or thatch huts? What color will be easiest on your eyes when you're swimming underwater? Do you like chilly dips in winter, or are you going to need a heat pump to make your pool usable when the cold months hit?

Finding your own answers to questions like this will decide whether your custom swimming pool turns out to be an element of your dream home. Considering aesthetic elements of inground pool design alongside landscaping ideas for privacy and beauty will ensure that your recreational area will suit your taste, not that of your developer or the photographers for the latest issue of Garden&Home.