A description of the homeowners and space from Linnzy, the Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio designer who worked on this project: "The homeowners can be described as an active family of three boys. They tend to host family and friends and wanted a space that could fill their large backyard and yet be functional for the kids and adults. The contemporary straight lines of the pool match the interior of the house giving them a resort feel in the very own backyard! The large pergola is a perfect area to cool off in the shade while enjoying a large outdoor kitchen as well as an oversized fire pit for the cooler nights and roasting marshmallows. They wanted a wow factor as the pool is the main focal point from the living room, and the oversized wall and rain sheer did the trick!"

New Straightline Pool with Custom Spa and Custom Landscaping in Miami, Florida

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This beautiful pool in Miami Florida features one of a kind landscaping with spa and wet edge! The tile for the pool and spa are beautiful teal colors and the LED lights add extra flavor at night!

Cushman project

Guiton's Pool Center

Sacramento River waterfront property. Freestanding pool wall with stone veneer. Dedicated planting spaces and area lighting. LED lit bubbling water features at the "Sun shelf" area in the pool.

Caladium

AquaTerra Outdoors

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a water feature and concrete slab.

Modern Masterpiece

Keith Zars Pools

LX Glass plaster, color Sea Song...a brilliant pop of vivid blue hues that compliment the various textures in the design project. Siggi Ragnar-Photographer

Magnolia Custom

M. Lahr Homes

Large contemporary backyard l-shaped lap pool in Orlando with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Manchester VT Residence

SSG Pools & Spas, Inc.

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Boston with a water feature and decking.

Esprit mazet à Nîmes

F&F BODARD ARCHITECTES

Contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Montpellier with a water feature and decking.

Clear as glass

Lowcountry Custom Pool and Spa

Glass raised waterfall wall Sheer fountains Shellstone coping Acrylic viewing panel Bench seating Putting green Privacy wall
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Charleston with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Le Ciel Model, Naples, FL

Residences at Mercato

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular natural pool in Miami with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Ultimate Trophy Club Pool Transformation

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

This beautiful geometric project designed by Mike Farley has a lot of elevation changes with a stunning view of the golfcourse. The flush spa was kept near the house for easy access and blended with the contemporary style of the home. Both the outdoor kitchen and fire pit area are used as retaining walls with the elevation change. It also gives lots of seating along with the bar stools - inside and outside the pool. The water feature is a sheer rain fall that is kept low so that the golf course view isn't blocked. There is a nice sized tanning ledge to hang out on. The outdoor kitchen has a grill, trash can, drop in cooler and lots of seating. The cabana has cam lights for evening fun. We used ceramic on the patio that looks like wood and has greys and browns in it. The concrete is grey with a heavy texture. The channels have Mexican Pebble to blend with the grey tones.

Garfield

BonaVista Pools

Custom small urban pool, raised walls, shared system with spa. Toronto, ON.
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Other with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Laguna Beach

SC POOLS

Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Orange County with a water feature and concrete slab.

Tranquil Pool House

W Design Interiors

Tricia Shay Photography
Photo of a contemporary indoor rectangular pool in Cleveland with a water feature and decking.

Modest Urban Plunge

Water's Edge Outdoor Living

© Javier Guillen Photo
Photo of a small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Southlake Modern

Randy Angell Designs

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

Contemporary Lap Pool in Newbury Park, CA

User

Steve King | Architectural Imaging
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a water feature and decking.

Ringwood North

Southern Cross Swimming Pools

Patrick Redmond
Small contemporary courtyard rectangular lap pool in Melbourne with a water feature and decking.

Corona Del Mar

Aqua-Link Pools and Spas

Built By Aqua-Link Pools and Spas. Engineered by Watershape Consulting Designed by Garden Studio Pictures By Leigh Ann Rowe Photography
Photo of a small contemporary courtyard rectangular lap pool in Orange County with a water feature and concrete slab.

Beverly Hills Mansion Makeover - Contemporary Conceptual

Bauer Design Group

This was my favorite aspect of the redesign. We took several negatives and turned them into incredible, showcase features. For example, the current basement has 8 foot high ceilings and is used primarily for storage. Our plan lowers it 4 feet, allowing for an enormous car and art gallery. The walls of the pool are acrylic letting in light and turning this area into a coveted place to entertain. The reflecting pool is approximately 150 feet long and invites people from the house into the yard to enjoy the gardens and the views. There are several unusable acres of hillside. Our plan calls for those to be planted with wine producing grapes with a wine cellar and caves built into the hillside.

Contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.