A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

Yaroomba Delight

Quality First Constructions

The warmth of dark composite decking, coupled with lush greenery and minimalist pool give this outdoor area a tropical jungle vibe.
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style backyard rectangular pool in Sunshine Coast with decking.

Taringa House

Shane Marsh Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in Brisbane with with privacy feature and tile.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Geelong with natural stone pavers.

Kennett Square Pool House

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

E.S. Templeton Signature Landscapes
Inspiration for a large country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Horseshoe Trail

The Art of Building

Design ideas for a midcentury backyard rectangular pool in New York with a pool house.

Luxury Pool with Modern Cabana

Boyce Design + Build

This stunning pool has an Antigua Pebble finish, tanning ledge and 5 bar seats. The L-shaped, open-air cabana houses an outdoor living room with a custom fire table, a large kitchen with stainless steel appliances including a sink, refrigerator, wine cooler and grill, a spacious dining and bar area with leathered granite counter tops and a spa like bathroom with an outdoor shower making it perfect for entertaining both small family cookouts and large parties.

Twin Lakes Outdoor Living

Canin Associates' Architecture Studio

Jeremy Flowers Photography
This is an example of a small mediterranean backyard rectangular pool in Orlando with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Outdoor Pool Cabana

Terra Ferma Landscapes

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with a pool house and brick pavers.

Modern Pool Retreat

Vernon Wentz

This is a wonderful lap pool that has a taste of modern with the clean lines and cement cabana that also has a flair of the rustic with wood beams and a hill country stone bench. It also has a simple grass lawn that has very large planters as signature statements to once again give it a modern feel. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

Los Angeles Custom Home Builder

Joel & Co. Construction

Mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles.

Southlake Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with a water feature and decking.

Livingston Pool, Pergola and Patio

Artscape Land Design

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New Orleans with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Los Altos Family House

CCS ARCHITECTURE

Contemporary compound with well-defined outdoor spaces that are comfortable during hot summer days. Photographer: Matthew Millman
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular aboveground pool in San Francisco.

Stratford Residence

AquaTerra Outdoors

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Exclusive Resorts / Buffington Homes - Kiawah Island

Buffington Homes South Carolina

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style backyard rectangular infinity pool in Charleston with decking.

Traditional Cape Cod remodel

Studio 6 Architects

Large Remodel to an Existing single Family Home
This is an example of a large traditional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Orange County with natural stone pavers.

Weston Home

Paul Maue Associates Landscape Architects

The top of the hill shows how dramatic the surrounding landform is while looking through the plantings on the hillside down to the pool and bluestone pool paving. A key feature of the design is the stone coping that merges seamlessly into the stone paving without a definitive edge. This required the gunite shell to be accurately formed to support the jogs in the coping stones. Photo: Paul Maue

Honolua Ridge, Maui, Residence

Rick Ryniak Architects

Mark Ammen
Inspiration for an expansive tropical backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Hawaii with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Urban Oasis Backyard

Kelley Design Group

Black and white home exterior with a plunge pool in the backyard.
Photo of a country backyard rectangular pool in Austin with concrete pavers.

Backyard and Rooftop Pool Design Ideas

Swimming pools are heavenly during hot Australian and New Zealand summers and are the perfect way to cool down, relax, entertain friends and even get fit. A pool can also create visual interest, especially when you consider features like coloured pool tiles, lighting and landscaping. If you are short on space, you might still fit a lap pool, plunge pool or swim spa, all of which could be focal points in your small garden. As you plan your pool design, map out your space and determine what size, shape and style works best for you. Browse the photos on Houzz for design ideas for above ground pools, inground pools, as well as pool landscaping and novelty features like pool slides or water features. Then, save your favourite photos to an ideabook, and get in touch with the experts behind your favourite picks.

What type of pool should I install?

The dimensions of your backyard will determine the type of inground pools you can install. Take into account boundary restrictions and pool fencing compliance. Fibreglass versions are cheaper, and quicker to install; whereas concrete constructions are better suited to tricky sites and give you more freedom in design. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to commit to an inground pool, above ground pools are a more affordable alternative. If you only have a small backyard, a plunge pool is a great solution, and can easily run along a boundary wall or down the side of a house. This option is also low maintenance, can be heated for use in winter, and can do double duty as a swim spa. A long, narrow space, on the other hand, could fit a lap pool, whereas a water feature could fill an awkward space. If your backyard features a stunning vista, consider an infinity pool to accentuate the view.

What pool fencing options are available?

While the specifics vary from state to state, fencing is required of most pool designs. However, pool fencing doesn’t have to obscure your pool design. Glass fencing is increasingly popular for this reason exactly, and is available framed, frameless, semi-frameless and even in-ground. A cheaper alternative is aluminium or steel fencing, which, again, are available in a variety of styles: flat top, loop-top, double-top and wire-based.

What pool landscaping features should I consider?

To get the most out of your pool, design an area that offers multiple hangouts. Include a nearby barbecue, dining area, seating for lounging and outdoor shower. Having shaded areas will give you more reason to stay poolside longer, too. Timber decking and stone paving are popular choices for pool surrounds, and are also helpful in creating zones. Just imagine a raised timber platform with a daybed – a luxurious, resort-style addition to any pool design. Leafy trees and rocks will create a more natural-looking oasis, and will help provide more privacy for swimmers. Where you want your landscape to be the main focus, keep pool equipment and furnishings to a minimum.