# Mediterranean lakeside pool in Henderson

A big freeform with a vanishing edge toward the lake, a cabana and the kind of tile you hear about. Drawn for a large Tuscan-style stucco house with a barrel tile roof, arched windows and a bell tower accent, with a terraced lot above an artificial lake with Italian cypress, palms, bougainvillea and decomposed granite paths.

A design idea for Henderson, NV. Arizona, Nevada and the desert Southwest, lake or waterfront lot, Spanish and Mediterranean. Updated 2026-10-06.

## The numbers

- Size: 40 × 20 ft (3.5 to 6 ft deep)
- Water surface: 640 sq ft
- Water: about 17,500 gal
- Coping: 55 linear ft
- Deck: 1,970 sq ft
- Hot tub: 7 ft round (about 850 gal)

## The design, spelled out

The floor is 3.5 ft deep at the steps and stays level for about 11 ft, slopes over about 14 ft, then runs level at 6 ft for the last 15 ft. A sun shelf sits at the other end.

### Shape: Freeform

A pool with natural, flowing curves. Curves relax a yard and work with planting, a rock feature or a tub, at the cost of a more complicated cover.

### Size: 40 × 20 ft

A pool about 20 ft wide and 40 ft long. A big pool for swimming and entertaining, which needs a generous lot and a strong filtration plan. That is about 640 sq ft of water and about 17,500 gallons.

### Steps: Curved steps

Curved, wedding-cake steps. A formal, graceful way into a Roman or larger pool. The steps lead into water 3.5 ft deep.

### Sun shelf: With an umbrella

A sun shelf with an umbrella in the water. Adds shade so the shelf is usable at midday.

### Pool edge: Vanishing edge

One edge where the water spills over a wall into a hidden catch basin. It makes the water look like it runs into the view, and it needs a slope or a retaining wall, a catch basin and more engineering.

### Hot tub: Spills into the pool, 7 ft round

A hot tub built into the pool and level with the deck, spilling into it. It shares the pool's water and equipment, so one heater and one set of chemistry cover both. The tub holds about 850 gallons.

### Pool finish: Pebble

An exposed pebble aggregate finish, in the Pebble Tec style. Durable and textured, which hides small marks, but rougher on bare feet. In strong sun, a lighter finish fades less and hides scale from hard water.

### Finish color: White finish, bright light blue water

A white interior. Gives the brightest, lightest blue water.

### Waterline tile: Blue glass

Blue glass mosaic at the waterline. Adds sparkle and a clear blue edge to the water. It runs about 55 linear ft around this pool.

### Coping: Travertine

Ivory travertine with a rounded edge. Stays cooler underfoot than most stone and gives a warm, classic edge. It runs about 55 linear ft around this pool. A light coping stays cooler on bare feet in summer.

### Deck: Travertine pavers

Ivory travertine pavers. Light and cool underfoot, and a natural fit with Mediterranean and French styles. The deck is about 1,970 sq ft here. Here the deck is the hottest thing in the yard, so surface color matters as much as material.

### Planting: Desert

Gravel, agave, succulents and boulders. Uses little water and keeps leaves out of the pool. A low-water planting plan keeps leaves out of the water and the bill down.

### Pool fence: Glass

A frameless glass pool fence. It keeps the view open. Your town's barrier code sets the height, the gate and the latch, so ask before you design around it.

### Water features: Rock waterfall

Rock waterfall: A natural rock waterfall. Gives a lagoon look and a strong sound, and uses more space than a wall feature. Moving water raises evaporation, so keep features modest and run them on a timer.

### Add to the yard: Cabana

Cabana: A small, open-sided cabana beside the pool. A shady place to change, nap or stash towels. It needs a footing and often a permit.

### Furniture: Loungers, Dining table

Loungers: A pair of chaise loungers. The first thing people want on a pool deck. Dining table: An outdoor dining table and chairs. Turns the pool into the place where meals happen.

### Light: Golden hour

Shown in golden-hour light. Low sun is when the finish, the tile and the planting look their best.

## Why it suits this house

The yard: a terraced lot above an artificial lake with Italian cypress, palms, bougainvillea and decomposed granite paths. A waterfront lot is regulated land, so the rules decide how close the pool can sit to the shore. Shoreline setbacks, flood zones and sometimes environmental review limit where a pool can go. The view is the point, so a low edge, glass fence or vanishing edge can frame it.

The house is a large Tuscan-style stucco house with a barrel tile roof, arched windows and a bell tower accent. A Spanish or Mediterranean house wants curves, warm stone and plenty of shade. Roman ends, travertine and terracotta tones echo the stucco and tile roof. A pergola and potted planting finish the courtyard feel.

## Will it fit your yard?

Plan on a clear area of about 67 by 38 ft for the pool, the tub, 4 ft of deck around the water and 5 ft to the fence line. The deck as drawn here is about 69 by 40 ft.

## Arizona, Nevada and the desert Southwest: what the climate asks of this pool

In the desert Southwest, a pool is a cooling tool, so shade, water loss and finish fade shape the design.

- Sun and dry air evaporate water quickly. Expect to top up often, and ask about a cover or a smaller surface if water cost matters to you.
- Strong sun fades dark finishes and tile faster, and hard water leaves scale on tile at the waterline. Lighter finishes hide it better.
- Decks can get hot enough to burn bare feet. Choose light, cool-to-touch surfaces and add shade near the steps.
- Desert planting uses little water and keeps leaves out of the pool. Gravel yards still need a clear drainage plan for monsoon storms.

## Quick answers

**How much water does this pool hold?** About 17,500 gallons. It is 40 by 20 ft with about 640 sq ft of water, 3.5 ft deep at the steps and 6 ft at the deep end. The gallons come from adding up the depth over the real floor, steps and shelf included.

**How big a yard does it need?** Plan on a clear area of about 67 by 38 ft for the pool, the tub, 4 ft of deck around the water and 5 ft to the fence line. The deck as drawn here is about 69 by 40 ft.

**What does this design cost?** A planning range for NV is $140,000 to $360,000 all in: the pool, deck, coping, fence and features listed on this page. Permits and engineering are not in it. It is a range built from published prices, not a quote, and real jobs usually land inside it rather than on its edges.

**How long does it take to build?** Plan on about 3 to 6 months from a signed contract to the first swim. Permits take from a few days to several months, depending on the town, before work starts.

## Why it works here

Terraces above the lake make a vanishing edge the natural choice, and the glass fence keeps the sightline open from the cabana. Travertine pavers stay cooler under Henderson sun than darker stone would, and the round tub at the left end spills into the pool beside the rock waterfall.

What to watch: A vanishing edge loses more water to evaporation and wind in dry heat, and it needs a catch basin and a pump that keeps up. The model leaves out the lake, so check the real view and edge angle on site.

## What this will cost: a planning range

$140,000 to $360,000 for NV, a range from published prices and not a quote.

- The pool: $58,000 to $160,000. 639 sq ft of water at $90 to $250 a square foot (shell, excavation, plumbing, equipment, plaster). Steps and the sun shelf are part of the shell.
- Pebble interior: $6,000 to $6,000. 997 sq ft of shell at $6 a square foot above plaster. Pebble is $10 a square foot against $4 for plaster in both sources.
- Coping: $2,500 to $3,000. 55 linear ft at $45 to $55 a foot.
- Deck: $29,000 to $53,000. 1,967 sq ft at $15 to $27 a square foot installed.
- Hot tub: $6,000 to $18,000. A spa added to a new pool.
- Vanishing edge: $10,000 to $30,000. Pool Research's premium over an average inground pool, and it can run higher.
- Rock waterfall: $4,000 to $10,000. A medium rock waterfall. A grotto costs more.
- Cabana: $7,500 to $30,000. Priced at $150 to $600 a square foot for a custom pool house, over this cabana's footprint.
- Pool fence: $21,000 to $46,000. 217 linear ft around the deck as drawn, at $95 to $210 a foot installed.

Sources: [US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state](https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area); [HomeAdvisor, in-ground pool cost](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/swimming-pools-hot-tubs-and-saunas/inground-pool); [Fixr, gunite and concrete pool](https://www.fixr.com/costs/inground-gunite-concrete-swimming-pool); [Pool Research, plunge pool cost](https://poolresearch.com/plunge-pool-cost/); [ThePricer Media, pool resurfacing (quoting Angi, April 2026 data)](https://www.thepricer.org/how-much-does-pool-resurfacing-cost/); [Willsha Pools, pool finishes](https://willshapools.com/?p=5877); [Pool Research, pool coping cost](https://poolresearch.com/coping-cost/); [HomeAdvisor, travertine pavers](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/outdoor-living/travertine-pavers-install/); [HomeAdvisor, hot tub cost](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/swimming-pools-hot-tubs-and-saunas/install-a-hot-tub); [Shasta Pools, Arizona costs](https://shastapools.com/blog/breaking-down-the-cost-of-an-arizona-pool); [Pool Research, infinity pools](https://poolresearch.com/infinity-pools/); [Simplified Pools, water features guide](https://simplifiedpools.com/blog/pool-water-features-fountains-guide/); [Block Renovation, building a pool house](https://www.blockrenovation.com/guides/building-a-pool-house-costs-design-tips); [Fixr, pool fence](https://www.fixr.com/costs/swimming-pool-fence)

## How long it takes

3 to 6 months from contract to first swim. Permits take from a few days to several months, depending on the town, before work starts.

- A vanishing edge needs the catch basin and its wall built to level, so the schedule runs to the long end. One builder source puts an infinity pool at 12 to 20 weeks.
- The yard additions are usually built after the pool is finished, so they add weeks that are not in this range.
- The hot tub is built with the pool, so it adds days of plumbing and tile rather than weeks.

## What it is made of

- Interior: Pebble, white (about 1,000 sq ft of shell). Small stones set in cement. It is textured, hides wear and holds color well, and it is rougher on bare feet than the other finishes.
- Waterline tile: Blue glass (about 98 linear ft, 10 in. band). Glass mosaic reads bright in sun and is easy to wipe clean of the waterline scum ring.
- Coping: Travertine (about 55 linear ft). Natural stone with a rounded edge. It stays comfortable underfoot but should be sealed, and it needs a gentle cleaner rather than an acid wash.
- Deck: Travertine pavers (about 1,970 sq ft). Natural stone pavers. Cooler than most paving in the sun, but porous: it needs sealing and a quick rinse after salt or chlorine splashes.
- Pool fence: Glass (about 215 linear ft around the deck as drawn). Frameless glass keeps the view open and needs wiping to stay clear. Its height, gate and hardware have to meet your town's barrier rules.
- Planting: Desert. Gravel, agave and succulents: very little water and no lawn, with sharp leaves to keep away from the steps and the barefoot path.
- Water feature: Rock waterfall. A natural stone waterfall. It needs space, a strong base and a pump sized for the flow, and it is the feature that most changes how the yard looks.
- Yard addition: Cabana. A small open-sided shelter beside the pool: shade, a changing spot and somewhere to keep towels.
- Hot tub: Spills into the pool, round (about 850 gal). Built with the pool, with its own jets, heater share and cover. Tile and coping match the pool.

## Keeping it up

- Pebble in this climate: Pebble handles sun well but not hard water: scale is the most common problem on it, and the maker's own support page says scale removal is not covered by warranty. In a dry region, test calcium and balance the water on a schedule.
- When it is resurfaced: Pebble is usually redone every 15 to 20 or more years, depending on the water and the builder (Shasta Pools, plaster versus pebble and Pebble Technology, support). On this pool that is about 1,000 sq ft of interior.
- Travertine pavers deck: Seal the travertine as the maker says and rinse it after salt or chlorine splashes. Use a stone-safe cleaner, never an acid wash.
- Rock waterfall: A rock waterfall collects algae and leaves in the crevices. Plan on a spring clean and a check of the pump.
- The hot tub: A hot tub is a second body of water with its own chemistry. Keep it covered between uses and drain and clean it on the maker's schedule.
- Glass fence: Glass fence panels show water spots. Wipe them down and rinse the hardware.
- Sun and water loss: Heat and dry air take water out of the pool quickly. A cover, a pool shade and a smaller surface all cut the top-ups.
- Yearly running cost: Owners commonly budget $3,000 to $5,000 a year for chemicals, power, service and repairs (HomeAdvisor, in-ground pool cost, 2026).

## Questions to ask a builder

- How will you keep the deck and the water line cool and scale-free in full summer sun?
- Do the vanishing edge, the rock waterfall and the spilling tub share one catch basin, and can the pump handle all three running at once?
- How is the catch basin sized and hidden, and what happens to the water on a windy day?
- Do the pool and the tub share a heater, and can the tub run alone in cold weather?
- How deep is the sun shelf, and can a chair sit on it without tipping?

Start with this design in the free visualizer: https://rendersplash.com/pool-visualizer?idea=lake-las-vegas-mediterranean-pool-henderson