Kirk Bianchi created this resort like setting for a couple from Mexico City. They were looking for a contemporary twist on traditional themes, and Luis Barragán was the inspiration. The outer walls were painted a darker color to recede, while floating panels of color and varying heights provided sculptural interest and opportunities for lighting and shadow.

Lantana Luxury Geometric Pool

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

This pool project has some cool elements all combined together to create an outdoor playground. The main focal point from the house is the raised wall that contains a fire bar with stainless steel spill edges and flower pots. The spa seats 8 people comfortably, is raised 18" and has rolled glass tile with spill edges that match the pool spill edges. There is a nice cozy seating area around the sunken fireplace made for cushions and comfort. Right next to it is space for a table and chairs. Artificial grass was used to give a really lush feel to the project along with low maintence. The PebbleSheen color is Aqua Blue. We used Austin stone and Leuder's limestone (bullnozed on the chair backings and spa). The bar area has a overhang for the barstools. The large tanning ledge centers on the main door. On the far side away from the fireplace is a really cool bed swing area inspired by the owners' trip to the Carribean. It's a queen size mattress hanging from the cedar arbor that has an acrylic panel to keep the rain out. Curtains are for privacy & to help keep the sun out when wanted. Project designed by Mike Farley - FarleyPoolDesigns.com

Beach Pool

Splash Pools & Construction

A quick look through the glass front door of this home allows you to see through the house to the paradise that awaits. Toll Brothers desired for this luxurious zero edge, beach entry pool to include a cabana with a spa capable of being closed-off entirely. Expert design and installation left them completely enamored with their outdoor space. The cabana was constructed at pool level, with a zero edge completely around it, requiring the footings to actually be built into the pool. It showcases a large water feature, as well as glass walls that can completely close, providing privacy for the spa. We worked alongside the contractor for the cabana while constructing the pool so that we could properly install the elements for both portions of the project. The beach entry has several colors of mosaic tile, installed by hand to create a gradient of color, as though walking from sand to deeper water. The entire front portion of the pool is a beach entry, allowing guests to walk straight from the outdoor patio into the pool. The back of the pool is a negative edge, creating an expansive, ocean-like feel to the space. The landscape was designed to coordinate perfectly with the pool, featuring a large grassy peninsula that jets into the water. Multi-trunk King Palms were craned over the house and delicately placed into the middle of this oasis. They are surrounded by artificial turf ensuring easy maintenance and a clean line along the zero edge. This luxurious, resort-style pool and spa allows ample space for lounging on the beach, relaxing in the spa and swimming in the colorful lagoon. The owners could not be happier with their beach-themed paradise. Toll Brothers the Enclave at Yorba Linda

Willow Bend Plano Modern Renovation

Randy Angell Designs

When modernizing a curve-lined ("free-form") pool, the best way to give it that contemporary look is to incorporate straight lines and sharp angles wherever you can. Seeing as how demolishing and altering the existing pool beam can be incredibly expensive (if not logistically impossible in some cases), the most cost-effective way to incorporate those straight lines is to reconfigure/re-shape the pool decking. This was one of the many things that happened on this West Plano project. Notice the straight line saw cuts in the decking, coupled with the squared-off outside deck edges that those lines run into.

Highland Vista

Sun West Custom Homes LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern rooftop custom-shaped infinity pool in Las Vegas with a water feature.

"Big Time"

Ryan Hughes Design

Stepping pads cladded with light stream glass tile extends the floating on water concept and leads guest to the corner spa area. Creating calming sight and sound is the waterfall wall with a trio of candeliers from Grand Effects. Just outside the spa area is the lounging patio creating a welcome spot to lie back and relax poolside. Photography by Joe Traina

St. Kitts Project

Source Kitchen & Bath

Inspiration for a mediterranean custom-shaped infinity pool in Charleston with a water feature.

Rear Elevations

User

©ThompsonPhotographic.com 2015
Photo of a round infinity pool in Phoenix with a water feature.

Rock waterfall and pond into swimming pool

Matthew Giampietro Garden Design

This pool waterfall in Miami, Florida is made out of North Carolina boulders. The rock waterfall into the swimming pool is installed by Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc.

Wine Country Masterpiece

User

"Round Hill," created with the concept of a private, exquisite and exclusive resort, and designed for the discerning Buyer who seeks absolute privacy, security and luxurious accommodations for family, guests and staff, this just-completed resort-compound offers an extraordinary blend of amenity, location and attention to every detail. Ideally located between Napa, Yountville and downtown St. Helena, directly across from Quintessa Winery, and minutes from the finest, world-class Napa wineries, Round Hill occupies the 21+ acre hilltop that overlooks the incomparable wine producing region of the Napa Valley, and is within walking distance to the world famous Auberge du Soleil. An approximately 10,000 square foot main residence with two guest suites and private staff apartment, approximately 1,700-bottle wine cellar, gym, steam room and sauna, elevator, luxurious master suite with his and her baths, dressing areas and sitting room/study, and the stunning kitchen/family/great room adjacent the west-facing, sun-drenched, view-side terrace with covered outdoor kitchen and sparkling infinity pool, all embracing the unsurpassed view of the richly verdant Napa Valley. Separate two-bedroom, two en-suite-bath guest house and separate one-bedroom, one and one-half bath guest cottage. Total of seven bedrooms, nine full and three half baths and requiring five uninterrupted years of concept, design and development, this resort-estate is now offered fully furnished and accessorized. Quintessential resort living.

Sedona Vanishing Edge Glass Tile Pool Spa

Hydroscapes LLC

Scott Sandler
Inspiration for a modern backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with a water feature and decking.

Barrington Residence

BDS Design Build Remodel

Studio West Photography
Photo of a mid-sized eclectic indoor kidney-shaped pool in Chicago with a water feature and brick pavers.

Custom Pool on a Working Farm

Brown's Pools & Spas

Vinyl liner pool surrounded by lazy river. The pool is located in the backyard of the home, which is surrounded by a working farm. The pool also showcases a cow-themed mushroom pad. Photo by Mandy Shaw

Pools & Spas

Signature Pools & Landscapes

Design ideas for a large modern backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Los Angeles with a water feature and tile.

Monroe Georgia Oasis by White's Pools

Bloodfire Studios LLC

Heather Fritz
Inspiration for a country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Atlanta with a water feature and stamped concrete.

Rettangolare

Bianchi Design

Blue Pool

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

Deep walkin benches, Ipe deck pool deck hiding pool cover ro, Lightstreams glass tile - all blue tile, vanishing edge. and perimeter over flow,
Photo of a large contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in San Francisco with a water feature and tile.

Old Cypress Pointe Lot 1

PB Built

www.pb-built.com
Photo of a large beach style backyard rectangular lap pool in Miami with a water feature and stamped concrete.

Platinum Homes Vanishing Edge Pool

Southernwind Pools Inc.

Formal, luxury style vanishing edge pool with tile deck, custom raised coping, built-in tanning ledge, and grass/tile patio.
This is an example of a large mediterranean backyard rectangular infinity pool in Dallas with a water feature and tile.

HGTV's "Cool Pools - SCUBA POOL"

CAVINESS LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC.

Featured on HGTV's "Cool Pools", the "Scuba Pool" was inspired by the homeowner's love for scuba diving, so we created stone tunnels and a deep diving area as well as lazy rivers and two grottos connected by a native Oklahoma boulder waterfall. A large beach entry gives young ones plenty of play space as well. These homeowners can entertain large groups easily with this multi-function outdoor space. Design and Construction by Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photo by KO Rinearson

Blue Pool Design Ideas with a Water Feature

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.