Planning Ahead: Designing Your Backyard Before the Pool

If a pool is in your future, plan the backyard now so nothing gets torn out later.

Many homeowners add the patio cover first and the pool a year or two later. That works well, if the backyard is designed with the pool in mind. We don't build pools, but we design and build the outdoor living around them and work alongside the pool builder of your choice.

AY Luxury Designs LLC · Certified Building Contractor CBC1268168 · Amany Youssef: Registered Building Contractor RB29003947 · Registered Electrical Contractor ER13016631 · Registered Underground Utility & Excavation Contractor RU11066663

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What to Plan Before the Pool

Where the pool will go. The cover, kitchen and fire feature should frame the future pool, not block it.
Equipment and access. Leave room for pool equipment and a path for the pool builder's equipment to get in.
Screen enclosure size. If the pool will be screened, plan the enclosure footprint now.
Electrical and conduit. Plan the power runs so the patio doesn't have to be cut later.
Hardscape. Choose patio materials that can carry through to the pool deck.
A pergola or cover by the pool. Shade right at the pool edge is one of the most-used spots in a Florida backyard.

UF/IFAS advises planning your power needs for cooking and lighting early when designing an outdoor living space.

The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that a roof blocks direct sun while some UV still reflects in from bright surfaces such as concrete or dry sand.

Why AY Luxury Designs

You design it with the founder. Amany Youssef designs every project with you in person and stays involved through the final walkthrough.
We manage every step, from design to final inspection. We handle the AutoCAD design, the HOA paperwork, the engineering, the permits and the build. We handle electrical work with our licensed electrical partner, and gas and plumbing with our licensed trade partners.
Built for Florida. Every permitted structure gets its necessary engineered documents.
A Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite.

Our Design-Build Process

Design session with Amany. Your project starts at our Jacksonville design studio, where you sit down with founder Amany Youssef and watch your project take shape live on screen in AutoCAD.
Free AutoCAD design and a custom quote. You get to-scale 3D renderings and a fully itemized custom quote within 24 hours of your consultation, so you know exactly what you're getting.
In-home design visit. Amany comes to your home for an in-person walkthrough, so we look at the project together where you're most comfortable, finalize the details and choose your colors and finishes.
Engineering, HOA and permits handled. We get the necessary engineered documents for every permitted structure, prepare your HOA/ARB package and pull the permits.
Build. We can start most projects within two to four weeks. Our crews follow a build process we've refined over many projects, and you get daily updates.
The AY Advantage. You hold back the final 5% for seven days after completion, so we can take care of any touch-ups before you sign off.

Financing is available through Synchrony Bank, including 18 months of no-interest financing, and we have other financing options as well.

Related Projects

Attached covered pergola on a screened pool enclosure, Mandarin (Jacksonville) An attached cedar pergola with a covered top, built onto the family's existing screened pool enclosure to add shade by the pool.

Composite-roof screen room with fireplace and two outdoor kitchens, St. Augustine A large composite-roof screen room with our expanded-view upgrade, a warm wood ceiling and a motorized retractable screen. Inside, a linear fireplace in stone veneer with a TV anchors the room, with two outdoor kitchens and a stone hot tub build-up, and lighting ties the whole backyard together at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I plan for a pool before building a patio cover? If a pool is in your future, tell us. We design the cover, pavers and electrical so the pool can be added later without tearing anything out. We don't build pools, but we work alongside the pool builder of your choice.

Can you build a pergola over a pool or spa? Yes. Pergolas and covers over pools and spas are a favorite way to add shade. We plan them around your pool layout and equipment.

Do you design backyards in AutoCAD? Yes. Every project starts with an AutoCAD design so you see your backyard before we build it.