This home had a kitchen that wasn’t meeting the family’s needs, nor did it fit with the coastal Mediterranean theme throughout the rest of the house. The goals for this remodel were to create more storage space and add natural light. The biggest item on the wish list was a larger kitchen island that could fit a family of four. They also wished for the backyard to transform from an unsightly mess that the clients rarely used to a beautiful oasis with function and style. One design challenge was incorporating the client’s desire for a white kitchen with the warm tones of the travertine flooring. The rich walnut tone in the island cabinetry helped to tie in the tile flooring. This added contrast, warmth, and cohesiveness to the overall design and complemented the transitional coastal theme in the adjacent spaces. Rooms alight with sunshine, sheathed in soft, watery hues are indicative of coastal decorating. A few essential style elements will conjure the coastal look with its casual beach attitude and renewing seaside energy, even if the shoreline is only in your mind's eye. By adding two new windows, all-white cabinets, and light quartzite countertops, the kitchen is now open and bright. Brass accents on the hood, cabinet hardware and pendant lighting added warmth to the design. Blue accent rugs and chairs complete the vision, complementing the subtle grey ceramic backsplash and coastal blues in the living and dining rooms. Finally, the added sliding doors lead to the best part of the home: the dreamy outdoor oasis! Every day is a vacation in this Mediterranean-style backyard paradise. The outdoor living space emphasizes the natural beauty of the surrounding area while offering all of the advantages and comfort of indoor amenities. The swimming pool received a significant makeover that turned this backyard space into one that the whole family will enjoy. JRP changed out the stones and tiles, bringing a new life to it. The overall look of the backyard went from hazardous to harmonious. After finishing the pool, a custom gazebo was built for the perfect spot to relax day or night. It’s an entertainer’s dream to have a gorgeous pool and an outdoor kitchen. This kitchen includes stainless-steel appliances, a custom beverage fridge, and a wood-burning fireplace. Whether you want to entertain or relax with a good book, this coastal Mediterranean-style outdoor living remodel has you covered. Photographer: Andrew - OpenHouse VC

Burr Ridge Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Project

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This project feaures a 18’0” x 35’0”, 4’0” to 5’0” deep swimming pool and a 7’0” x 9’0” hot tub. Both the pool and hot tub feature color-changing LED lights. The pool also features a set of full-end steps. Both the pool and hot tub coping are Valders Wisconsin Limestone. Both the pool and the hot tub are outfitted with automatic pool safety covers with custom stone lid systems. The pool and hot tub finish is Wet Edge Primera Stone Midnight Breeze.. The pool deck is mortar set Valders Wisconsin Limestone, and the pool deck retaining wall is a stone veneer with Valders Wisconsin coping. The masonry planters are also veneered in stone with Valders Wisconsin Limestone caps. Photos by e3 Photography.

Polished Modern

Bartone Interiors

Design ideas for a small modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Raleigh with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Modern Hillside Pool with Fire and Water Features

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Beautiful modern pool project in Southlake, TX designed by Mike Farley. It has a large cabana with a outdoor kitchen and fireplace. The hillside was terraced to create different gathering areas. The desire for great water features resulted in the back of the fire feature creating an awesome sound with a water wall and the cabana bench back created a spot for the sheer descents. The lush tropical plantings accented with raised planters and synthetic grass provide privacy with the neighbors and will grow into paradise. Constructed by Claffey Pools & landscape by Joey Designs. Photo by Mike Farley.

Clayton Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with natural stone pavers.

Mount Hawthorn Plunge Pool

Naturesque

Inspiration for a small modern backyard round aboveground pool in Perth with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

New City - New Pool House

ROAM Architecture

A new pool house structure for a young family, featuring a space for family gatherings and entertaining. The highlight of the structure is the featured 2 sliding glass walls, which opens the structure directly to the adjacent pool deck. The space also features a fireplace, indoor kitchen, and bar seating with additional flip-up windows.

Custom Design - Outdoor Living - The Ridges

Blue Heron

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Las Vegas with a hot tub.

327 Nautilus St.

Marengo Morton Architects

Mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular aboveground pool in San Diego with a pool house.

327 Nautilus St.

Marengo Morton Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular aboveground pool in San Diego with a pool house.

Custom Pool & Spa With Fire Features In Lighthouse Point

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This luxurious pool and spa in Lighthouse Point is the ultimate backyard paradise! Complete with French Silver interior, custom spillway spa, fire feature, and 2 custom made by Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas fire bowls, this is sure to please on a summer evening!

Outdoor String Lighting around Pool - Omaha, Nebraska | McKay Landscape Lighting

McKay Landscape Lighting

The pool in the backyard of this Omaha home is the perfect place to be on these hot summer days. It was an ideal spot to add outdoor bistro string lighting to create a unique ambiance for those warm summer nights. The light sconces on the wall and illuminating the trees, installed in an earlier phase, increases nighttime safety and creates an aesthetically pleasing backdrop while also increasing security around the pool. Learn more about the pool lighting design: https://www.mckaylighting.com/blog/outdoor-pool-lighting-design-with-bistro-string-lights-omaha

Pool 9548, Infinity Pool, Hampton

Neptune Swimming Pools

The client's came to us wanting a design that was going to open up their small backyard and give them somewhere for their family to enjoy and entertain for many years to come. This project presented many technical challenges due to the levels required to comply with various building regulations. Clever adaptations such privacy screens, floating deck entry and hidden pool gate behind the raised feature wall were all design elements that make this project more suitable to the smaller area. The main design feature that was a key to the functionality of this pool was the raised infinity edge, with the pool wall designed to comply with current pool barrier standards. With no pool fence between the pool and house the space appears more open with the noise of the water falling over the edge into a carefully concealed balance tank adding a very tranquil ambience to the outdoor area. With the accompanying fire pit and sitting area, this space not only looks amazing but is functional all year round and the low maintenance fully automated pool cleaning system provides easy operation and maintenance.

Spa Time!

Aquality Construction

This spa with specialty coping around it is every home owners dream. Walk out into your backyard to your very own retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the day. Equipped with an automatic safety cover and automatic heat/chemical dispersal this spa pretty much takes care of itself!

Zaha 1

Catalina Alarcón - Interior design

Inspiration for a small beach style backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Mexico City with a hot tub.

Van Nuys

J Designs Pool & Spa, Inc

The perfect size for a small backyard, long seating area fits all the guests
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with with a pool and decking.

English Country in Arcadia | Pool

Greey Pickett

Design ideas for a large country backyard rectangular pool in Phoenix.

Sophisticated Simplicity

Calumma Creative Landscapes

Small modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Toronto with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Botanica - Pools & Spas

Botanica Landscape Inc.

This spa is set on the top of a deck. We used Bluestone rubble for the stacked stone. The back wall is also a water feature
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Encino, CA

Regal X Inc.

Modern heated pool and spa
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Backyard 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.