Top Award Winning Project-A Spa Overlook - Residence in Aurora, Ohio

It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with the owners of this custom home while it was still under construction. The early planning allowed LWB to design the topographic features of the site to fit into the amenities that the clients desired such as an organically shaped swimming pool, a spa, planting, etc. The extreme grades in the backyard created an opportunity to place the spa overlooking the pool. The unique grading situation also allowed the pool utilities to be built underneath the lawn in a vented room, hidden from view. Waterfalls in the pool and a water wall help to create a relaxing experience in the homeowner's backyard. This Project was awarded with a coveted Grand Award in Residential Installation $50,001 & Over by the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association.

Ingleside Rural resort

JMR Building Contractors Pty Ltd

resort style pool with water features, glass fronted spa. Designed and constructed in-house
Photo of a large country backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Sydney with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Modern Waterfront

Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc.

Matthew Williams
Mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in New York with decking.

Fordin

BLUE HAVEN POOLS - Morrisville

Photo by Eric Delaforce
This is an example of a large country backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Raleigh with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Swimming Pools--Outdoor Living

CST Design Group LLC

Free form pool built into the hillside of this project allowed the spa to be elevated. Adding additional pumps to the spa allowed added water fall effects to the space

Hallbrook Rustic

Nature's Touch

Mossy boulders accent the edge of this two level pool and jacuzzi in a natural and rustic design. Flagstone coping borders the swimming pool. Huge rocks cantilever over the main swimming pool allowing a sheet of water to cascade down. You can swim through the wide waterfall to a seat bench for shade from the sun. A six foot infinity edge separates the upper toddler pool from the main lower pool. Adding to the entertainment area is an outdoor kitchen which sits in a lanai (a covered porch design originating in Hawaii). The lanai pulls the elements of outside closer to the home. Along the back side of the lower level pool sits a rare stone retaining wall. The type of stone used for this wall is not typically found in this region. The retaining wall contains a built in plant pocket.

Holistic Modern in West Linn, Oregon

Drake's 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Center

A lot of this stone work is actually a hand-made artisan at work... but a good portion is natural stone too. We challenge you to spot the difference. A falls water feature creates a grotto within the pool space with a shelf to sit on and 'hide-out'. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

Goldie Brown Ranch

Liquid Evolution Pools

This pool has a generous natural granite boulder water feature with local flagstone copping and patio. We used Pentair equipment, Intellitouch control system, paramount PV3 in-floor system, and Pebble Sheen interior finish.

Pool

LWB Design Landscape Architecture

Private Residence - Custom Pool & Spa - 7

Ehrich & Ehrich Construction LLC

Photo of an expansive country backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in New York with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Natural freeform pool with Cave and Beach entry

Hearthstone Luxury Pools + Outdoors

Unique, custom freeform pool in Kennesaw, GA with oversized perimeter overflow spa, flagstone beach entry, in-water barstools and "floating" granite table top. Large swimming are and deep diving well. Spectacular hidden entry beneath boulder and carved-stone waterfall into a cave/grotto filled with custom carved stone and benches for relaxing. Back entry into the caves leads to a path, back over the waterfall and to a jumping terrace with boulder wall. King and Queen boulder seats are worked into the wall. Another terrace adds more area for table and chairs and a custom rubble fire pit.

Price

BLUE HAVEN POOLS - Morrisville

Photos by Eric Delaforce
Photo of a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Raleigh with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Spa spillway into river

Fossil Creek Pools

Photo of a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Austin with a water feature and brick pavers.

Pool Design Ideas

FS Landscaping Contractors, Inc.

Traditional pool design
Photo of a large country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Philadelphia with natural stone pavers and a water feature.

Mountain Mine-Themed Pool With Waterfalls, Slide and More

CAVINESS LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC.

Color Kinetics light system in the pool and landscape provide multiple "light shows" that can be custom programmed to fit the client's desires. A dramatic mood setting for a totally different feel in the expansive pool and outdoor entertaining area. Design and Construction by Kelly Caviness, Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photography by KO Rinearson

Rustic Poolscape

MEDEA LANDSCAPE STUDIO, LLC

Natural pool with boulder waterfall and lush perennials and ornamental grasses.
Design ideas for a large country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in New York.

Resort Style Pool in Fredericksburg, TX

Keith Zars Pools

This free form resort pool is in Fredericksburg Texas. In this photo you can see one of the sun shelves (where the lounge chairs are placed).
Photo of an expansive country backyard custom-shaped pool in Austin with natural stone pavers.

Exteriors

Boss Enterprises

Inspiration for a country backyard custom-shaped pool in Wilmington with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Fredericksburg Farm House

Brad Sharpe Pools

Inspiration for a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Austin with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Toowoomba - Rural Rockpool

Majestic Pools & Landscapes

Andrew Jakovac
Inspiration for a mid-sized country courtyard custom-shaped natural pool in Brisbane with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Country Custom-shaped 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 country 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 country 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 country 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 country 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 country 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.