five backyards, five dreams: amazing backyard transformations from imagine pools

Every backyard tells a story. Some speak of steep slopes and drainage challenges. Others whisper of cramped spaces and awkward layouts. But the best stories? They’re about transformation: how skilled pool builders and innovative fiberglass pool designs turn problematic yards into family havens. Across the country, Imagine Pools and its experienced dealers are rewriting these stories daily, armed with cutting-edge fiberglass technology and years of expertise. Here are five amazing backyard transformations that showcase not just the versatility of fiberglass pools, but the creative problem-solving and meticulous craftsmanship that set great backyard pool designs and the dealers who install them apart.

When homeowners in Montgomery, Ohio, faced challenging elevation changes in their backyard, they turned to Werbrich Custom Outdoor Living for their guidance and expertise. The question was simple: Could their unique yard accommodate a pool?

The Solution: Landscape Architect Josh created detailed 3-D models to help the homeowners visualize the transformation. At the center of his design was the Imagine Pools’ Illusion 35’ in Seaside Sky, enhanced with LED lighting, heating and saltwater chlorination. Josh strategically placed lights on the pool’s far side so “from the patio and the house, the pool appears to glow, creating a magical ambiance.”

The Challenge: Project Manager Tyler navigated complex site constraints including property lines, setback limits and Montgomery’s strict codes. The team demolished existing structures and set the pool on a compacted gravel base for stability.

The Result: What began as a logistical puzzle became a neighborhood celebration. The pool installation required a crane to lift the pool over the house, turning the day into a community event with hot dogs and beer for cooperative neighbors.

Materials Used:

• Unilock Beacon Hill Flagstone pavers in Granite Fusion
• Alan Block Classic retaining walls in Stone Creek Color

The finished backyard transformed the family’s vision of making their “home the place to be” into reality, creating a space that perfectly balances beauty and function.

When Probuilt Pool & Patio designed this stunning transformation featuring an Imagine Pools’ Illusion 30’ in Volcanic Black, they knew they were creating something special. The pool’s sophisticated auto cover system and dual bubblers in the splash pad promised luxury and convenience.

The Challenge: Navigating one of the strictest municipal approval processes the team had encountered. What should have been a standard permitting process stretched into months of back-and-forth with city officials, testing the team’s patience and project management skills.

The Solution: Persistence and meticulous documentation paid off. Probuilt’s thorough approach to code compliance eventually secured approval, proving that expertise extends beyond installation to regulatory navigation.

The Showstopper: While clients expected to rave about the pool itself, it’s actually the pool deck that stops visitors in their tracks. The deck design perfectly complements the dramatic Volcanic Black finish, creating a cohesive outdoor living space that exceeds expectations.

The Revelation: This project single-handedly changed misconceptions about dark pool finishes. As Probuilt discovered, customers who previously dismissed black pools thinking they’d appear “dark black” were amazed to see how Volcanic Black actually appears as a gorgeous deep blue, opening up new design possibilities for future projects.

Materials Used:

• Automatic pool cover system
• Dual bubblers in splash pad area

When Probuilt Pool & Patio met with homeowners who loved to entertain, the vision was clear: create a pool large enough to accommodate lots of people in a long but fairly shallow yard. The challenge? An angled fence line that demanded a crucial design decision.

The Challenge: The yard’s unique layout presented a geometry puzzle. With a long, shallow space and an angled fence, the team had to decide whether to align the Imagine Pools’ Marvelous 40′ in Ocean Blue parallel to the house or follow the fence line. Additionally, elevation issues proved more complex than initially anticipated.

The Solution: Probuilt chose to run the pool parallel with the fence, maximizing the yard’s natural flow. When elevation challenges emerged, they adapted with a larger lip on the back side of the pool deck, turning a potential problem into a design feature that enhances the pool’s profile.

The Showstopper: The spillover tanning ledge has become the star of every gathering. Guests consistently gravitate toward this feature, making it the perfect spot for socializing and relaxation during the homeowners’ frequent entertaining.

The Vision Realized: The homeowner’s original vision aligned closely with the final result, proving that clear communication and expert execution can turn entertaining dreams into reality. The pool’s generous size ensures plenty of room for guests while the strategic placement maximizes the yard’s potential.

Materials Used:

• Spillover tanning ledge feature
• Custom deck design with elevated rear section

When Broc Hutchison, owner of Sunset Fiberglass Pools was called to create a pool for a new build home on 100 acres in Westport, Kentucky, they envisioned something that would complement the property’s country farm elegance. The centerpiece would be an Imagine Pools Inspiration 40’ in Volcanic Black, but this project would demand far more than a standard installation.

The Vision: Create a natural oasis that seamlessly blended with the sprawling landscape. The homeowners wanted a dramatic waterfall feature with a covered pavilion housing an outdoor kitchen, all designed to take advantage of the property’s stunning views where hills slope away to reveal distant forests.

The Challenge: Installing 30 boulders of varying sizes around the pool required exceptional engineering. Broc and his team had to pour substantial footers under each boulder and develop a sophisticated support system using concrete sonotube forms against the pool shell, all tied together with reinforced concrete.

The Innovation: The waterfall’s plumbing system was meticulously camouflaged to maintain a natural appearance, with recirculating pool water creating the cascade effect. The team angled the ledge walks strategically to direct water back into the pool, preventing waste while enhancing the natural flow.

The Dream Installation: As Broc noted, this project was “every installer’s dream” due to easy site access. The existing retaining walls provided perfect structure, while multitudes of pavers were installed in an elegant flagstone pattern with Belgard coping completing the sophisticated look.

Materials Used:

• 30 natural boulders with engineered footer system
• Flagstone-pattern pavers
• Belgard pool coping
• Custom waterfall with camouflaged plumbing
• Covered pavilion with outdoor kitchen

The finished project creates a stunning focal point on the 100-acre property, where country elegance meets modern pool technology.

Sunset Fiberglass Pools faced a unique set of challenges when tasked with installing an Imagine Pools’ Freedom 38′ with Splash Pad in Volcanic Black on this one-acre property. What seemed like obstacles became the foundation for creative design solutions that exceeded client expectations.

The Challenge: A utility easement that stopped at the fence line and a dramatic three-foot drop from the house to the pool area demanded immediate attention. Additionally, the detached garage location meant the pool would need to be craned over the house for installation.

The Creative Solutions: Broc and his team built a retaining wall to manage the elevation change and worked directly with Imagine Pools to customize the skimmer placement in the deep end’s dead center. When spa placement constraints forced an off-center position, what started as a “happy accident” became a design feature the clients loved, perfectly offsetting the fireplace and creating better visual balance.

The Showstoppers: Three deck jet laminars with LED lights create a spectacular water feature, while dual fire elements—a gas fire pit by the spa and wood-burning fire pit below—provide year-round ambiance. The silver travertine pavers and tile selections from National Pool Tile complement the dramatic Volcanic Black gelcoat finish of the pool.

The Complete Transformation: Sunset Fiberglass Pools removed existing deck steps and trees, then added concrete steps with accent lighting from the house. Custom planter beds flanking the pool and Belgard paver spa walls complete the sophisticated design. The heated, saltwater pool with solar cover ensures year-round enjoyment.

Materials Used:

• Custom-positioned skimmer and offset spa
• Silver travertine pavers
• National Pool Tile
• Belgard paver spa walls
• Three deck jet laminars with LED lights
• Gas and wood-burning fire features
• Custom retaining wall and concrete steps

As this installation proves, sometimes the best designs emerge when constraints force creativity, turning potential problems into distinctive features.
Ready to transform your backyard? Contact your local Imagine Pools dealer to discover how expert craftsmanship and innovative fiberglass technology can turn your outdoor space into the perfect family oasis.