Any garden, backyard, outdoor nook will instantly become more welcoming with a water feature, whatever it is: a fountain, a tiny pond, a plunge pool or a hot tub. Homeowners living in warm climates prefer pools or various kinds but there’s a constant issue with a pool is that you will have to clean it all the time, and it won’t look natural in relaxed landscapes. There’s a solution to the problem: just go for a swimming pond instead! A swimming pond is a water feature that will bring your garden to life with birds, insects and various water creatures and you may use it for swimming. Natural swimming pools and ponds look super harmonious and totally blend the landscape, which is achieved using greenery and water plants plus usual plants. Here are some ideas of pulling off such a pond and some advantages.
Advantages
Swimming in a natural pond does not leave you with itchy red eyes, dry skin or wanting a shower, which is common after swimming in chlorinated water, so chlorine haters, this is your option. A natural swimming pond looks very cool in your landscape becoming an additional decor feature and it looks absolutely natural integrating into the landscape. A natural pond has excellent water quality, it creates a habitat for wildlife and flora and features reduced maintenance costs thanks to that. Some wildlife and plants will help you clean the water, some swimming ponds are self-cleaning ones. Having a natural swimming pond in your yard can actually work to reduce the population of stinging insects, by attracting dragonflies and other natural predators of fully developed mosquitoes.
![a beautiful and all natural swimming pond with rocks inside, a rock border and a wooden deck plus a ladder a beautiful and all-natural swimming pond with rocks inside, a rock border and a wooden deck plus a ladder](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-beautiful-and-all-natural-swimming-pond-with-rocks-inside-a-rock-border-and-a-wooden-deck-plus-a-ladder.jpg)
a beautiful and all-natural swimming pond with rocks inside, a rock border and a wooden deck plus a ladder
![a beautiful outdoor space with greenery, blooms and a manicured lawn, with a natural swimming pond and a wooden deck a beautiful outdoor space with greenery, blooms and a manicured lawn, with a natural swimming pond and a wooden deck](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-beautiful-outdoor-space-with-greenery-blooms-and-a-manicured-lawn-with-a-natural-swimming-pond-and-a-wooden-deck.jpg)
a beautiful outdoor space with greenery, blooms and a manicured lawn, with a natural swimming pond and a wooden deck
![a beautiful swimming pond with a brick border and a wooden deck, plants and blooms around is super chic a beautiful swimming pond with a brick border and a wooden deck, plants and blooms around is super chic](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-beautiful-swimming-pond-with-a-brick-border-and-a-wooden-deck-plants-and-blooms-around-is-super-chic.jpg)
a beautiful swimming pond with a brick border and a wooden deck, plants and blooms around is super chic
![a cool and large swimming pond with brick staps and a wooden deck with outdoor furniture, greenery and water plants a cool and large swimming pond with brick staps and a wooden deck with outdoor furniture, greenery and water plants](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-cool-and-large-swimming-pond-with-brick-staps-and-a-wooden-deck-with-outdoor-furniture-greenery-and-water-plants.jpg)
a cool and large swimming pond with brick staps and a wooden deck with outdoor furniture, greenery and water plants
![a cool asymmetrical swimming pond with water plants and a wooden deck with some loungers and an umbrella a cool asymmetrical swimming pond with water plants and a wooden deck with some loungers and an umbrella](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-cool-asymmetrical-swimming-pond-with-water-plants-and-a-wooden-deck-with-some-loungers-and-an-umbrella.jpg)
a cool asymmetrical swimming pond with water plants and a wooden deck with some loungers and an umbrella
![a cool large swimming pond with rocks and water plants that allow self cleaning easily, plus a wooden deck and a ladder a cool large swimming pond with rocks and water plants that allow self-cleaning easily, plus a wooden deck and a ladder](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-cool-large-swimming-pond-with-rocks-and-water-plants-that-allow-self-cleaning-easily-plus-a-wooden-deck-and-a-ladder.jpg)
a cool large swimming pond with rocks and water plants that allow self-cleaning easily, plus a wooden deck and a ladder
![a cool natural swimming pond with stone steps and water plants, a wooden deck and a rattan chair is cool and welcoming a cool natural swimming pond with stone steps and water plants, a wooden deck and a rattan chair is cool and welcoming](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-cool-natural-swimming-pond-with-stone-steps-and-water-plants-a-wooden-deck-and-a-rattan-chair-is-cool-adn-welcoming.jpg)
a cool natural swimming pond with stone steps and water plants, a wooden deck and a rattan chair is cool and welcoming
![a large and very natural swimming pond with stone borders, greenery an water plants, a wooden deck and some chairs a large and very natural swimming pond with stone borders, greenery an water plants, a wooden deck and some chairs](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-large-and-very-natural-swimming-pond-with-stone-borders-greenery-an-water-plants-a-wooden-deck-and-some-chairs.jpg)
a large and very natural swimming pond with stone borders, greenery an water plants, a wooden deck and some chairs
![a cool deck by a natural pond a large asymmetrical swimming pond with a wooden deck all around it and lots of water plants is a super cozy and cool space](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-large-asymmetrical-swimming-pond-with-a-wooden-deck-all-around-it-and-lots-of-water-plants-is-a-super-cozy-and-cool-space.jpg)
a large asymmetrical swimming pond with a wooden deck all around it and lots of water plants is a super cozy and cool space
![a large natural swimming pool clad with stone and with a small cave looks very cohesive in the space and is all cool for dogs and humans a large natural swimming pool clad with stone and with a small cave looks very cohesive in the space and is all cool for dogs and humans](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-large-natural-swimming-pool-clad-with-stone-and-with-a-small-cave-looks-very-cohesive-in-the-space-and-is-all-cool-for-dogs-and-humans.jpg)
a large natural swimming pool clad with stone and with a small cave looks very cohesive in the space and is all cool for dogs and humans
Designs
A usual natural pool creates some space for swimming (50-70% of the surface) and some for filtration. There are lots of different configurations and looks, and minimum pool size recommendations range from 30 to 50 square meters, but there are also much smaller pools that function quite well. Water is pumped to shallow areas with abundant plant life and aggregate that act as natural filters, keeping water pure and clear.
![a large natural swimming pool with natural borders done with greenery and blooms and a wooden deck over this pool a large natural swimming pool with natural borders done with greenery and blooms and a wooden deck over this pool](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-large-natural-swimming-pool-with-natural-borders-done-with-greenery-and-blooms-and-a-wooden-deck-over-this-pool.jpg)
a large natural swimming pool with natural borders done with greenery and blooms and a wooden deck over this pool
![a lovely and welcoming swimming pond with plants and blooms around, a wooden deck with some loungers is amazing a lovely and welcoming swimming pond with plants and blooms around, a wooden deck with some loungers is amazing](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-lovely-and-welcoming-swimming-pond-with-plants-and-blooms-around-a-wooden-deck-with-some-loungers-is-amazing.jpg)
a lovely and welcoming swimming pond with plants and blooms around, a wooden deck with some loungers is amazing
![a lovely natural swimming pond with some water plants, some greenery and blooms around, a wooden deck with loungers a lovely natural swimming pond with some water plants, some greenery and blooms around, a wooden deck with loungers](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-lovely-natural-swimming-pond-with-some-water-plants-some-greenery-and-blooms-around-a-wooden-deck-with-loungers.jpg)
a lovely natural swimming pond with some water plants, some greenery and blooms around, a wooden deck with loungers
![a lovely natural swimming pool with stone borders and water plants, a wooden deck with planters and a rock, some chairs and blooms a lovely natural swimming pool with stone borders and water plants, a wooden deck with planters and a rock, some chairs and blooms](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-lovely-natural-swimming-pool-with-stone-borders-and-water-plants-a-wooden-deck-with-planters-and-a-rock-some-chairs-and-blooms.jpg)
a lovely natural swimming pool with stone borders and water plants, a wooden deck with planters and a rock, some chairs and blooms
![a modern house with a wooden deck and a natural looking swimming pool with rock borders, it's a lovely space to enjoy cool water a modern house with a wooden deck and a natural-looking swimming pool with rock borders, it's a lovely space to enjoy cool water](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-modern-house-with-a-wooden-deck-and-a-natural-looking-swimming-pool-with-rock-borders-its-a-lovely-space-to-enjoy-cool-water.jpg)
a modern house with a wooden deck and a natural-looking swimming pool with rock borders, it's a lovely space to enjoy cool water
![a modern yet natural looking swimming pond with steps and water plants is a cool and chic idea to rock a modern yet natural-looking swimming pond with steps and water plants is a cool and chic idea to rock](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-modern-yet-natural-looking-swimming-pond-with-steps-and-water-plants-is-a-cool-and-chic-idea-to-rock.jpg)
a modern yet natural-looking swimming pond with steps and water plants is a cool and chic idea to rock
![a cozy natural swimming pond with a waterfall a natural pool done with stone and a small waterfall, with greenery and other plants around](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-pool-done-with-stone-and-a-small-waterfall-with-greenery-and-other-plants-around.jpg)
a natural pool done with stone and a small waterfall, with greenery and other plants around
![a natural swimming pond clad with rocks, with a large wooden deck and wooden loungers over the pond is cool a natural swimming pond clad with rocks, with a large wooden deck and wooden loungers over the pond is cool](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pond-clad-with-rocks-with-a-large-wooden-deck-and-wooden-loungers-over-the-pond-is-cool.jpg)
a natural swimming pond clad with rocks, with a large wooden deck and wooden loungers over the pond is cool
![a natural swimming pond with a stone staircase, with greenery and some water lilies is a lovely space to have a swim a natural swimming pond with a stone staircase, with greenery and some water lilies is a lovely space to have a swim](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pond-with-a-stone-staircase-with-greenery-and-some-water-lilies-is-a-lovely-space-to-have-a-swim.jpg)
a natural swimming pond with a stone staircase, with greenery and some water lilies is a lovely space to have a swim
![a natural swimming pond with a wooden deck and greenery and blooms around it is a cool and welcomign space to refresh yourself a natural swimming pond with a wooden deck and greenery and blooms around it is a cool and welcomign space to refresh yourself](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pond-with-a-wooden-deck-and-greenery-and-blooms-around-it-is-a-cool-and-welcomign-space-to-refresh-yourself.jpg)
a natural swimming pond with a wooden deck and greenery and blooms around it is a cool and welcomign space to refresh yourself
The larger (and deeper) a pool is, the less likely it is to develop an algae problem. A deeper pool will mean a cooler water temperature, which means a slower start to your swimming season, but perhaps a more refreshing dip in the full heat of the summer. Somewhere between one and two meters will protect living organisms during winter. The sun promotes algae growth and photosynthesis, so really, the less exposure to sun the better.
![a natural swimming pond with rocks around and a wooden deck over it is a cool space to swim in and relax a natural swimming pond with rocks around and a wooden deck over it is a cool space to swim in and relax](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pond-with-rocks-around-and-a-wooden-deck-over-it-is-a-cool-space-to-swim-in-and-relax.jpg)
a natural swimming pond with rocks around and a wooden deck over it is a cool space to swim in and relax
![a natural swimming pond with water plants and a simple wooden deck, rock borders is a lovely space to refresh yourself a natural swimming pond with water plants and a simple wooden deck, rock borders is a lovely space to refresh yourself](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pond-with-water-plants-and-a-simple-wooden-deck-rock-borders-is-a-lovely-space-to-refresh-yourself.jpg)
a natural swimming pond with water plants and a simple wooden deck, rock borders is a lovely space to refresh yourself
![a natural swimming pond with water plants and a small wooden deck with a chair is a cool and pretty space to have a rest in a natural swimming pond with water plants and a small wooden deck with a chair is a cool and pretty space to have a rest in](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pond-with-water-plants-and-a-small-wooden-deck-with-a-chair-is-a-cool-and-pretty-space-to-have-a-rest-in.jpg)
a natural swimming pond with water plants and a small wooden deck with a chair is a cool and pretty space to have a rest in
![a natural swimming pool clad with stone around, with a wooden deck over it and nothing else looks as if it was always there a natural swimming pool clad with stone around, with a wooden deck over it and nothing else looks as if it was always there](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pool-clad-with-stone-around-with-a-wooden-deck-over-it-and-nothing-else-looks-as-if-it-was-always-there.jpg)
a natural swimming pool clad with stone around, with a wooden deck over it and nothing else looks as if it was always there
![a natural swimming pool clad with stones and rocks, with water plants and a wooden deck is a good place for swimming a natural swimming pool clad with stones and rocks, with water plants and a wooden deck is a good place for swimming](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pool-clad-with-stones-and-rocks-with-water-plants-and-a-wooden-deck-is-a-good-place-for-swimming.jpg)
a natural swimming pool clad with stones and rocks, with water plants and a wooden deck is a good place for swimming
![a natural swimming pool surrounded with a wooden deck on its whole length and greenery and blooms around plus water plants inside a natural swimming pool surrounded with a wooden deck on its whole length and greenery and blooms around plus water plants inside](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pool-surrounded-with-a-wooden-deck-on-its-whole-length-and-greenery-and-blooms-around-plus-water-plants-inside.jpg)
a natural swimming pool surrounded with a wooden deck on its whole length and greenery and blooms around plus water plants inside
![a natural swimming pool surrounded with greenery, with a swing and a tree house to jump into water is amazing a natural swimming pool surrounded with greenery, with a swing and a tree house to jump into water is amazing](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pool-surrounded-with-greenery-with-a-swing-and-a-tree-house-to-jump-into-water-is-amazing.jpg)
a natural swimming pool surrounded with greenery, with a swing and a tree house to jump into water is amazing
![a natural swimming pool with a stone border, some pebbles and water plants, stones and rocks is a cool space for a refresh a natural swimming pool with a stone border, some pebbles and water plants, stones and rocks is a cool space for a refresh](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-swimming-pool-with-a-stone-border-some-pebbles-and-water-plants-stones-and-rocks-is-a-cool-space-for-a-refresh.jpg)
a natural swimming pool with a stone border, some pebbles and water plants, stones and rocks is a cool space for a refresh
Wildlife
Plants, some insects, amphibians and other aquatic life are part of the ecosystem of a natural swimming pond. You end up sharing your swim with all the life (stationary and mobile) who keep your pool clean and clear. Keep in mind – these little creatures will have no interest in you and are likely quicker swimmers than you, so relax and enjoy. Get inspired to make one in your backyard!
![a natural looking swimming pond with rocks around and a wooden deck is a cool solution if you love natural landscaping a natural-looking swimming pond with rocks around and a wooden deck is a cool solution if you love natural landscaping](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-natural-looking-swimming-pond-with-rocks-around-and-a-wooden-deck-is-a-cool-solution-if-you-love-natural-landscaping.jpg)
a natural-looking swimming pond with rocks around and a wooden deck is a cool solution if you love natural landscaping
![a perfect swimming pond with lots of water plants, a wooden deck with some furniture and greenery and trees around a perfect swimming pond with lots of water plants, a wooden deck with some furniture and greenery and trees around](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-perfect-swimming-pond-with-lots-of-water-plants-a-wooden-deck-with-some-furniture-and-greenery-and-trees-around.jpg)
a perfect swimming pond with lots of water plants, a wooden deck with some furniture and greenery and trees around
![a pretty natural swimming pond with some water plants and stone borders, a wooden deck with a couple of chairs a pretty natural swimming pond with some water plants and stone borders, a wooden deck with a couple of chairs](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-pretty-natural-swimming-pond-with-some-water-plants-and-stone-borders-a-wooden-deck-with-a-couple-of-chairs.jpg)
a pretty natural swimming pond with some water plants and stone borders, a wooden deck with a couple of chairs
![a pretty small swimming pond with a wooden border, rocks and water plants, a small deck with loungers and greenery around a pretty small swimming pond with a wooden border, rocks and water plants, a small deck with loungers and greenery around](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-pretty-small-swimming-pond-with-a-wooden-border-rocks-and-water-plants-a-small-deck-with-loungers-and-greenery-around.jpg)
a pretty small swimming pond with a wooden border, rocks and water plants, a small deck with loungers and greenery around
![a pretty small swimming pond with water plants, a large wooden deck with loungers, chairs and a table and blooms and greenery around a pretty small swimming pond with water plants, a large wooden deck with loungers, chairs and a table and blooms and greenery around](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-pretty-small-swimming-pond-with-water-plants-a-large-wooden-deck-with-loungers-chairs-and-a-table-and-blooms-and-greenery-around.jpg)
a pretty small swimming pond with water plants, a large wooden deck with loungers, chairs and a table and blooms and greenery around
![a simple organic swimming pond with water plants and rocks and a wooden deck is a cool and welcoming space a simple organic swimming pond with water plants and rocks and a wooden deck is a cool and welcoming space](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-simple-organic-swimming-pond-with-water-plants-and-rocks-and-a-wooden-deck-is-a-cool-and-welcoming-space.jpg)
a simple organic swimming pond with water plants and rocks and a wooden deck is a cool and welcoming space
![a swimming pond with rocks, various plants and a terrace by its side plus umbrellas is a cool idea and invites to relax here a swimming pond with rocks, various plants and a terrace by its side plus umbrellas is a cool idea and invites to relax here](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-swimming-pond-with-rocks-various-plants-and-a-terrace-by-its-side-plus-umbrellas-is-a-cool-idea-and-invites-to-relax-here.jpg)
a swimming pond with rocks, various plants and a terrace by its side plus umbrellas is a cool idea and invites to relax here
![a wooden and stone deck with a small and cool natural swimming pond, just like a plunge pool and greenery a wooden and stone deck with a small and cool natural swimming pond, just like a plunge pool and greenery](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/a-wooden-and-stone-deck-with-a-small-and-cool-natural-swimming-pond-just-like-a-plunge-pool-and-greenery.jpg)
a wooden and stone deck with a small and cool natural swimming pond, just like a plunge pool and greenery
![an oversized natural swimming pool with lots of plants and greenery and some rocks inside it that create totally a natural feel an oversized natural swimming pool with lots of plants and greenery and some rocks inside it that create totally a natural feel](https://i.digsdigs.com/2023/07/an-oversized-natural-swimming-pool-with-lots-of-plants-and-greenery-and-some-rocks-inside-it-that-create-totally-a-natural-feel.jpg)
an oversized natural swimming pool with lots of plants and greenery and some rocks inside it that create totally a natural feel