An infinity edge pool is the most dramatic move in pool design: one side of the water seems to disappear into the view. Done right, it turns a lake, a golf course or the horizon into part of the pool. Done wrong, it looks like a leaking wall. Below are infinity edge pool designs we have built across Florida, the design ideas behind them, and what it takes to make one work on a Florida lot.
Every pool here was designed in our Design Studio, where we model the pool, the edge and the view in 3D before anything is dug.
Infinity edge pool design ideas from our Florida projects
Lakefront infinity edge pool and spa
The idea: point the edge straight at the water so the pool and the lake read as one surface from the house. The spa sits on the same axis, so the view from the hot water is the same view.
Vanishing edge at dusk
The idea: design for sunset. On a west-facing lake lot, the edge lines up with the evening light, and pool lighting takes over once the sun goes down.
Infinity edge with modern lighting
The idea: light the edge itself. Lighting in the weir wall and catch basin makes the disappearing edge glow at night, which is when Florida pools get the most use. See pool lighting options.
Vanishing edge with fire features
The idea: pair the calm of the vanishing edge with fire on the opposite side, so the pool has a quiet end and a dramatic end. More in fire and water features.
Sheeting edge detail
The idea: a perfectly even sheet of water over the edge is what sells the illusion. That takes a weir wall set dead level and a pump and plumbing system sized to keep the flow constant.
Infinity pool framed by landscape
The idea: let planting frame the edge on both sides so the eye goes straight to the open view in the middle.
Infinity pool with sunset view
The idea: the outdoor living space faces the same way as the edge, so the view works from the pool, the lounge and the dinner table.
Infinity edge with a lighting feature
The idea: a pool that changes after dark. Color and lighting scenes, controlled from your phone, give the same edge a different mood every night. See pool automation.
Types of infinity edge pool designs
- Single vanishing edge. One side disappears toward the view. The most common choice for lakefront and golf course lots.
- Multiple vanishing edges. Two or more sides spill over. More dramatic, more engineering, and more water to move.
- Perimeter overflow (mirror) pool. Water spills over every edge, so the surface sits flush with the deck like a mirror. Common on modern designs and on champagne spas with perimeter overflow.
- Knife edge. An ultra-thin edge detail that makes the water look like it is floating. See knife edge pools.
Not sure which is which? Our guide to infinity edge vs vanishing edge explains the differences.
Designing an infinity edge pool in Florida
You need a view worth disappearing into
An infinity edge only makes sense if there is something on the other side: water, a fairway, a preserve. Facing a fence or a neighbor’s house, the effect is lost. Start with where you will sit and what you will see.
Florida lots are flat, so the grade has to be designed
The illusion works best when there is a drop behind the edge. On flat Florida lots, that usually means raising the pool and terraces or working the grade toward a lake bank. This is decided in design, not on site.
Water table and soil
On many Central Florida lakes, the water table sits close to the surface. The catch basin, plumbing and structure have to be engineered for it. See what that involves in building in Sanford and other lakefront areas.
HOA and architectural review
Communities such as Golden Oak, Isleworth and Windermere and Bay Hill have rules on raised structures, walls and setbacks that affect where an edge can go.
Operating costs
Because water must flow over the edge continuously, infinity pools need a dedicated pump, a correctly sized catch basin and good automation. Variable speed equipment keeps running costs under control. See variable speed pumps.
What an infinity edge pool costs
Our custom pools start at $120,000. An infinity edge adds engineering, structure, a catch basin and equipment, and the cost depends on the length of the edge and the height of the drop behind it. See what an infinity pool really costs to build for a full breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How does an infinity edge pool work?
One or more walls of the pool are built slightly lower than the water level. Water flows over that weir wall into a hidden catch basin below, and a pump returns it to the pool. From the right viewpoint, the edge disappears.
Can I add an infinity edge to an existing pool?
Sometimes, but on most pools it means rebuilding the structure. We only do full rip-and-replace projects, so we would redesign the pool around the edge rather than cut one into an old shell. See rebuild vs touch-up.
Do infinity pools work on flat lots?
Yes, with the right design. Raising the pool, terracing the yard or using a lake bank creates the drop the edge needs.
Who builds infinity edge pools in Florida?
Southern Pool Designs designs and builds infinity edge pools across Florida from offices in Sanford, Lake Nona, Merritt Island and St. Augustine. We do not serve South Florida.
Have a view worth an infinity edge? Start your design with our Design Studio and see it in 3D before we break ground.