Certified Pool Contractor #1461109 (Commercial & Residential)

Southern Pool Designs | Custom Luxury Pool Builders Logo
Southern Pool Designs | Custom Luxury Pool Builders Logo

Design Studio

THE DESIGN STUDIO

The Design Studio transforms your inspiration into a precise plan, refined through our mastery of design and fluid engineering. A Design Deposit reserves your place in our build schedule and secures dedicated time with our design team to engineer every detail upfront. It protects your investment, prevents costly mistakes, and is fully credited toward your pool when you proceed.

3D Design lush green backyard with custom luxury swimming pool, rock waterfall, and outdoor lounging areas.

Your Design Studio Experience Includes:

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Custom Design

Created for your home and lifestyle

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3D Renderings

Refined until the vision is perfect

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Curated Finishes

Selected with expert guidance

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CAD-Certified Designer

Direct access for precision planning

Investment Tiers

Inquire now for pricing. Each tier is tailored to match the complexity and vision of your project.

Foundation Design

For straightforward projects with minimal complexity.

  • ✔️ Standard pool and spa shapes and sizes
  • ✔️ Basic decking and coping
  • ✔️ No elevation changes or advanced features
  • ✔️ Typically flat lots without site constraints

Example: 15’x30’ rectangle pool with paver deck and standard equipment

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Most Popular

Signature Design

For projects with moderate complexity and additional design considerations.

  • ✔️ Custom pool shapes or freeform layouts
  • ✔️ Integrated spa or sun shelf
  • ✔️ Multiple water or fire features
  • ✔️ Raised walls, planters, or elevation changes
  • ✔️ Premium decking, coping, or finish options

Example: Freeform pool with raised spa, waterfall feature, and custom finish package

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Monument Design

For highly complex, specialty projects requiring advanced engineering.

  • ✔️ Infinity or vanishing edge pools
  • ✔️ Grottos, caves, or elaborate water features
  • ✔️ Multi-level pools with retaining walls
  • ✔️ Resort-style outdoor living environments
  • ✔️ Large-scale luxury builds requiring advanced permitting

Example: Lakeside infinity pool with spa, grotto, and custom decking across elevations

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Your Design Studio experience concludes with the delivery of the SAV file — the complete vision for your pool. The file is yours to keep, but its greatest value comes to life when built by the same experts who created it, ensuring seamless execution and uncompromised quality.

Every Pool Starts With a Plan Ours Aren’t Sketches

Our pools are engineered visions built to last — 3D renderings → engineered plans → flawless builds. That’s why the most discerning builders and homeowners in Florida trust Southern Pool Designs. The deposit is an investment in doing things properly from the outset. It secures your place in our limited project calendar, engages our senior design and engineering team, and helps prevent costly missteps before they occur. We accept only a select number of new projects each quarter to ensure the focused, white-glove attention that defines Southern Pool Designs.
3D Render Finished Pool
Finished Pool
3D Rendering

Imagination becomes architecture in our Design Studio

Transform your inspiration into a precise plan with our expert team.
3D Design vibrant backyard pool area with modern amenities, lush landscaping, and outdoor seating for luxury relaxation.
3D Design luxurious modern backyard with a custom-designed swimming pool and outdoor living space.
3D Modern backyard with custom pool, basketball court, and outdoor lounging area. Elegant landscaping completes this luxurious design.
Ryan Colton - Lead Designer

MEET OUR LEAD DESIGNER, RYAN COLTON

Ryan Colton leads our Design Studio, guiding a specialist team that turns ambitious ideas into engineered plans built to last. With more than $50M in luxury outdoor projects designed and built, he’s the trusted partner for Central Florida’s top custom homebuilders.

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Elite Portfolio
From infinity-edge pools to full resort-style backyards, Ryan sets the standard for luxury outdoor living.
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Builder’s Choice
The region’s best homebuilders rely on him to design projects that integrate seamlessly into multi-million-dollar estates.
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From Ballfield to Backyards
A former Division I athlete. Ryan channels that same focus and discipline into world-class pool design.

Working with Ryan means more than hiring a designer—it’s gaining the collective creativity and precision of our entire studio. Every project he leads is engineered to look stunning, build clean, and stand the test of time.

FAQ: design studio

Why pay for a design from you when other pool companies can design a pool for free? +

Free isn’t free. It’s the most expensive mistake you can make.

Here’s why working with Southern Pool Designs actually saves you money and maximizes your budget:

  • Creativity that pays for itself: Our experts give you a “wow” design that boosts long-term home value, at a fraction of project cost.
  • Guidance that saves you from regret: We help you avoid wasting money on features that don’t matter, while focusing on what really does.
  • Innovation that stretches your budget: We source smarter materials and alternatives that bring your yard to life for less.

Bottom line: Others “design for free” because they make it back with cookie-cutter pools and inflated change orders. We charge a small design fee up front because it saves you six figures on the back end.

Pay a little now, or pay a lot later. The smart money invests in design.

What is the timeline for my project? +
1

Design Deposit → 3D Design (< 1 Week)

In less than a week of your design deposit, you get a fully planned 3D design that’s ready to build, and your spot in our build schedule is locked in.

You tell us any tweaks, we make the changes, and you get a detailed proposal that’s ready for your approval when you’re satisfied.

2

Project Deposit → Fully Engineered Plans (1–6 Weeks)

Project deposit triggers engineering: we turn your design into detailed plans, get them third-party stamped, and ensure it exceeds code so the project lasts for decades.

Timeline: Straightforward pools: 1–2 weeks. Complex features (grottos, infinity edges, knife edges): 4–6 weeks.

3

Permit Submitted → Permit Approval (2–6 Weeks)

Once plans are stamped, our permitting manager files immediately within 24 hours. Timelines vary by municipality and reviewer, but we track and push until it’s green-lit.

Typical approval: 2–6 weeks.

4

Construction Begins → Project Completion (> 10 Weeks)

Construction starts the moment your permit is approved and we run a tight ship with no wasted days. Your project manager sets the build timeline and gives you weekly updates so everyone stays on the same page.

Duration: As little as 10 weeks, or several months depending on project size and complexity. Because we cap each manager’s projects, you get top-level attention without backlog delays.

Why can’t you give me a ballpark price without doing a design? +
Every backyard is different, and the cost of a pool depends on dozens of factors - yard size, access, soil conditions, elevation, features, finishes, and more. Without a custom design and site evaluation, any “ballpark” number would be a guess, and guesses can create unrealistic expectations. Our process ensures you get a price that reflects your exact vision, scope, and site so there are no surprises later.
Can the pool design accommodate future upgrades or changes? +
Yes, our custom pool designs can be planned to accommodate future upgrades and additions. At Southern Pool Designs, we often include pre-installed chase lines for future fire features such as fire pits, fire bowls, or flame effects integrated into rock waterfalls or columns. We can also plan ahead for future heat pump or pool chiller installations, making it easy to enhance your outdoor space as your needs evolve. This type of forward-thinking design ensures your luxury pool is not only beautiful today but also ready for whatever upgrades you may want down the road.
Can the pool blend seamlessly with my home’s aesthetic or style? +
Yes, we specialize in designing custom pools that blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture and aesthetic. At Southern Pool Designs, we regularly collaborate with interior designers, homebuilders, and architects to ensure your outdoor space complements the overall style of your home. From coordinating tile and decking materials to matching color palettes and textures, we carefully select finishes that create a cohesive transition between indoor and outdoor living areas. Whether your home is modern, coastal, Mediterranean, or transitional, we’ll design a luxury pool that enhances and elevates your property’s unique aesthetic.
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