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

This beautiful, modern lakefront pool features a negative edge perfectly highlighting gorgeous sunset views over the lake water. An over-sized sun shelf with bubblers, negative edge spa, rain curtain in the gazebo, and two fire bowls create a stunning serene space.

Sofronas Residence

Altera Landscape

Landscape Design: AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc. / Photography: Jeri Koegel
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with natural stone pavers.

Modern Pool

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern rectangular aboveground pool in Salt Lake City with a pool house.

Southlake Modern

Randy Angell Designs

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

Oakbrook Hydrotherapy Plunge Pool

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This oakbrook plunge pool doubles as a hydrotherapy pool. The vessel measures 12'0" x 15'0" and has 2 LED colored lights. There is an automatic pool cover with stone lid system. There is also a 15'0" underwater bench. The raised water feature has three scuppers spilling into the pool. The Limestone coping and capstone has a sealed, modified edge.

Pool structures

Glen Gate Company

Comfy chairs provide seating next to a beautiful pool. Attached kitchen provides space for preparing for events, or storing chilled beverages.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular natural pool in New York with natural stone pavers and a pool house.

Villa contemporaine

Casa Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Marseille with decking.

Rogers - Custom Swimming Pool, Spa & Waterfall Design

Signature Pools of Texas

Luxury spa, waterfall and swimming pool
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Houston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Vieux Carre in Uptown

Brian Gille Architects, Ltd.

Mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New Orleans with natural stone pavers.

Pool 9470, Pool, Spa, Pond, Toorak

Neptune Swimming Pools

This project was highly innovative because of its use of steel as a stepping-stone framework rather than traditional concrete. As a fully functioning fishpond, the concrete slabs generally used to suspend the stones would not provide enough room for fish to inhabit comfortably, therefore a steel frame was constructed so that the fish can swim freely underneath the stones and around the pond. The ‘Koi Pond’ is 7.9m x 2.6m and 0.9m deep and was created with specific details that would help the fish species thrive in the pond’s environment, including the use of a dark tile and a filtration system that was carefully selected to accommodate the fish. Along with being a functioning fishpond, this space doubles as a standout water feature. With black glass mosaic tiles and Tundra Marble stone coping, the features are highlighted by the surrounding greenery and a pedestal for a feature pot adds dimension and detail.

Custom Pool & Outdoor Living Space-Decatur

Boyce Design + Build

Custom rectilinear swimming pool with large tanning ledge, cascading pool steps and a raised spa that sits at the end of the pool with a waterfall spilling from its center. Outdoor living area includes a pool house and two-level paver patio with stacked stone steps and lush landscaping.

Pool on Shaded Slope

Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC

New pool patio set on the existing steep slope in the backyard. Custom cable railings surround the pool area set on top of the concrete block retaining wall. Patio space for dining and bbq with chairs arranged for optimum views to the adjacent dense woods.

Coastal Maine Backyard Renovation with Plunge Pool and Gas Fire Pit

Soake Pools

Finished project, Soake Pool surrounded by lovely stone work and bluestone patio overlooking gas fire pit area. A truly stunning backyard retreat! Photo Credit: Tim Murphy, Foto Imagery

contemporary pool, pergola and landscape

User

Contemporary pool and spa with tanning ledge tucked into compact space. To make the best use of space, we added a pergola to provide shade for an outdoor table and finished the project with lush landscaping.

Backyard Inspiration

Bullfrog Spas

Large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Salt Lake City with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Pergola, Trellis & Cabana

Knapp and Associates, Inc.

Large transitional backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Orange County with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Small Pool

Urbanscapes LLC

How to fit everything into a small back yard....Pool, entertaining and animal accommodation. Additionally our client wanted low maintenance low maintenance and a year round landscape. The artificial turf was an excellent choice for both low maintenance and pet friendly. To keep small areas of turf in pristine condition provided the conditions is highly unlikely, so the artificial turf was an obvious choice.

Corten Steel Pool Fountain

Daryl Toby - AguaFina Gardens International

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Detroit with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

JACUZZI

Oregon Hot Tub

Mid-sized arts and crafts backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Portland with a hot tub and decking.

Black 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.