Landscape and pool designer Kirk Bianchi shares insights on designing a functional outdoor retreat.

What elements can elevate a poolscape’s beauty and functionality?

Look beyond the pool. Design the vertical focal features first. Whether it’s an architectural accent, a sculptural cactus, a bonsai-like tree or a striking array of pots featuring specimen plants, these surrounding eye-level elements must be prioritized from the outset. Otherwise, they will be displaced by the pool or hardscape. This is the No. 1 thing I see missing from most settings.

Most yards fall short of their potential when landscape and pool specialists alike forget that we see the world through the layers of foreground, middle ground and background, like looking through the lens of a camera. These three layers must work together as a unified composition to have a beautiful impact. A yard that is a pool-centric space without a clear subject behind it lacks a certain ‘something’ and fails to engage from inside or out.

Imagine the pool being analogous to a sleek glass table holding a vase of flowers. The table may be elegant, but ultimately, it’s the flower arrangement—the landscape—that truly shines. In other words, the pool plays a supportive role, while the vertical focal points around the yard’s “frame” are the real stars of the scene. 

Once these perimeter features are thoughtfully placed first, the pool can settle in—bold, simple, striking and exactly where it belongs. By planning and investing in perimeter highlights in advance, you can create a space that resonates from every viewing angle, with the pool seamlessly enhancing the overall design instead of overshadowing it. 

How can I arrive at a perfectly proportioned poolscape that still feels resort-like?

A lways design the pool last. Whether you have a small space or a vast open area, the approach is the same. The second step is to establish the essential living and activity zones. It’s a common mistake to assume the pool should go in the center of a space or right off the patio.

Instead, consider how you’ll move through and enjoy the space. Map out outdoor kitchens, dining nooks, lounging and play areas, and account for traffic flows as well. You want to navigate smoothly without having to weave around furniture. By designating these functional areas first, you ensure that each area feels purposeful and connected from one thing to the next. 

When designed last, the pool fits naturally into the overall composition, striking the ideal balance between active and open space. Following this sequence, you’ll achieve a resort-worthy environment that feels elegant, refined and functional, perfectly tailored to your lifestyle and proportional to your setting.

How do I choose between the many novel pool features and functions that I’m drawn to? 

Simplicity creates potency, and proportion is the hidden magic of harmony. If you follow the sequence I have outlined, the process of elimination will elevate which key features make sense for your space. 

First, less is more. It’s not about deprivation; decluttering ensures that key elements remain the celebrated stars of the show. By curating and arranging them thoughtfully, you emphasize what truly matters while allowing enough open space to let each feature breathe.

Music and visual arts work the same way. Proportion—both in pitch and duration—distinguishes a beautiful melody from aggravating noise. In music, the space between the notes is just as important as the notes themselves. In visual design, proportion is the hidden math that sizes and spaces elements, so everything feels just right. When you walk into a perfectly proportioned space, you experience a deep sense of calm and order, even if you can’t pinpoint why. This level of harmony and flow between elements is what makes you pause and take notice. 

Conversely, if you dismiss using proportion and arbitrarily size and place amenities together, you’ll likely check off many must-have boxes while ending up with visual discord. 

By embracing the idea that “less really is more” and ordering key elements with proportion in mind, you achieve a purposeful design that truly resonates, elevating your outdoor space from ordinary to unforgettable. 

Landscape and pool designer: Kirk Bianchi, Bianchi Design, Scottsdale, bianchidesign.com