Looking at the home from one of the lounging decks, outdoor living does not end when the sun goes down. A beautiful infinity and all-tile pool and sunken fire pit as well as multiple raised lounge areas allow for enjoyment throughout for all ages. Photography by Jimi Smith

Masterfully Designed Outdoor Living Space in Arcadia

Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools

After a day of fun outdoors, it is always nice to spray off before going back into the house. This complete shower is tucked away around the corner of the house to add to the feel of privacy.

Highwater Garden

Sean Walters

A vanishing edge pool and waterfall are focal points for a constraint-driven project governed by a wetlands and associated no-build zone, extensive rock outcrops, steep slopes, and a small, tough-to-access work area. A team of consultants was required in order to obtain variances and other approvals across multiple agencies and meetings. The end result is a beautiful outdoor living space that expresses the architecture and utility of the owner's home into a highwater garden for relaxation and enjoyment.

Phoenix Custom Pools - Tribal Waters

Tribal Waters Custom Pools

Tribal Waters Custom Pools Phoenix area pool builder
Inspiration for a mid-sized backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

Modern Backyard Resort

Lavender Landscape Design Co.

Introducing our sleek and luxurious new backyard design project! This project features: • Stunning water features • Gorgeous plantings • Outdoor kitchen • Spacious dining area • Relaxing spa • Cozy fire feature • Beautiful modern spheres Visit the link to get started! www.lavenderlandscape.com

Pool and Seating Area

Liebo Builders

Photo of a large contemporary backyard lap pool in Los Angeles with with a pool.

Bighorn Palm Desert modern golf community luxury resort style home

Whipple Russell Architects

Bighorn Palm Desert modern golf community luxury resort style home. Photo by William MacCollum.
Expansive modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Los Angeles with with a pool and tile.

Concord Pool Deck

Lynch Landscape and Tree Service, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Boston with with a pool.

North Barrington, IL Rectilinear Swimming Pool with Geometric Parquet-style deck

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This stunning traditional pool in North Barrington, IL measures 18 '0 `` x 36’0” with a depth ranging from 3’6” to 5' 0 `` to 3’6” in a Sport pool configuration. The shallow area features a 63 square foot sun shelf with 4 steps attached and 2 LED colored bubbler water features.. The opposite end has a 4 square foot swimout. The pool coping is Bullnose Bluestone. There is an automatic hydraulic pool safety cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. The pool finish is ceramaquartz. There are also volleyball and basketball systems installed. Photography by e3.

Outdoor Retreat

Made by Patchi

The large pool deck is draped with Silver Takoma Travertine coping, and Passion Silver porcelain pavers. I delineate two areas by the large pool. By creating these two sections within this large area, I was able to keep the composition visually interesting while making two very functional and distinctive zones. The lounge area features three contrasting lounge chairs in black and the seating area by the fireplace features a modern sofa and chairs with black metal frames. The look is sophisticated and functional.

Practical Design Reaches New Heights

Betz Pools Limited

Although the natural rise along the back was perfectly suited to the design, special precautions had to be taken to avoid encroaching on the roots of the massive trees. The landscape architect is also an arborist so that issue was expertly handled, as was the addition of mature trees and shrubs to enhance privacy.

Dallas Inwood Estates Transitional Modern Swimming Pool + Courtyard

Randy Angell Designs

This is an example of a large transitional backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with with a pool and concrete slab.

Pool Patio with Kitchen and Fire Table - Center Moriches, 11934

Stone Creations of Long Island Pavers & Masonry

This Center Moriches Pool Patio was created by Stone Creations of Long Island using the following Cambridge Pavingstones with Armortec products: Pavingstones: Limestone Quarry 24” x 12” ledgestone coping with 6x9 coal double border. Limestone quarry XL smooth Cambridge Pavers for patio. Onyx/Natural 6” maytrx wall for kitchen and light columns with coal banding. Design - Build - Maintain --(631) 678-6896 - www.stonecreationsoflongisland.net

Modern Poolside Respite

Curbs Studio

Large modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Boston with with a pool and concrete pavers.

South Morang

Intrinsic Landscapes

Our clients in South Morang know one thing for sure. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than having a barbeque on the deck after cooling off in the pool! The poolside has been paved in beautiful pale travertine to complement the two-tone rendered external walls. The large pergola frame is made of laminated Cypress beams with multiple coats of Cutek oil to create a rich gloss surface. Oversized galvanised post stirrups and brackets make the structure extremely stable and strong and when paired with the warmth of the glossy, dressed timber it creates a bold and stylish modern-industrial look. That look is completed by the flat Ampelite roof sheeting which requires no battens, allowing for a much more open, clean roof space and Colorbond guttering. The additional height and opaque sheeting allow the maximum amount of light and breeze through without compromising on coverage. A perfect outdoor entertainment area for any type of weather really!

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.

Backyard Pool Patio with Concrete Slabs

Techo-Bloc

Audacious in its massive size, the look of this bold beauty is polished yet casual. With its elegant veining, Aberdeen makes a statement at once luxuriant and eminently livable.

Forever Home

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

An in-ground spa features therapy jets and an automatic cover, which may be retracted incrementally to allow the water weir to function decoratively. Stone piers support painted wooden pergola supports, unifying stone and carpentry.

Losken Pool

Georgian Landscape Design

Complete Landscape Makeover including pool and spa, walls, pavers, artificial turf and plants!
Photo of a small modern backyard rectangular natural pool in Atlanta with with a pool and concrete pavers.

Pools

MOD Construction, LLC

Swim spa with custom water features
Small backyard rectangular pool in Salt Lake City with with a pool and stamped concrete.

Backyard Pool Design Ideas with with a Pool

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.