A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

Greene Residence

DesignARC

Situated on a 3.5 acre, oak-studded ridge atop Santa Barbara's Riviera, the Greene Compound is a 6,500 square foot custom residence with guest house and pool capturing spectacular views of the City, Coastal Islands to the south, and La Cumbre peak to the north. Carefully sited to kiss the tips of many existing large oaks, the home is rustic Mediterranean in style which blends integral color plaster walls with Santa Barbara sandstone and cedar board and batt. Landscape Architect Lane Goodkind restored the native grass meadow and added a stream bio-swale which complements the rural setting. 20' mahogany, pocketing sliding doors maximize the indoor / outdoor Santa Barbara lifestyle by opening the living spaces to the pool and island view beyond. A monumental exterior fireplace and camp-style margarita bar add to this romantic living. Discreetly buried in the mission tile roof, solar panels help to offset the home's overall energy consumption. Truly an amazing and unique property, the Greene Residence blends in beautifully with the pastoral setting of the ridge while complementing and enhancing this Riviera neighborhood.

MQ Blanca 1 - Vivienda unifamiliar

PLAYstudio

Inspiration for a modern side yard custom-shaped lap pool in Alicante-Costa Blanca.

Gerrard Resort Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography
Design ideas for a large mediterranean courtyard custom-shaped pool in Dallas with concrete pavers.

Grand ARDA - Outdoor Living - RG Designs and K2 Design Group

AIBD - American Institute of Building Design

The outdoor living area utilizes bold radial lines to offer a sense of unobstructed openness along the panoramic riverside views. Special consideration was given to the design and engineering of the outdoor space to allow a massive 60-foot span between columns, resulting in an unparalleled view. Playful geometric shapes speak to an easy livability that belie the bold and glamorous design. The second floor deck provides seamless access from the guest bedrooms, office and exercise rooms. The use of glass railing and zero-edge doors carefully preserve the view. A Grand ARDA for Outdoor Living Design goes to RG Designs and K2 Design Group Designers: Richard Guzman with Jenny Provost From: Bonita Springs, Florida

Pool House Zen

Wadia Associates

Inspiration for a contemporary side yard custom-shaped natural pool in New York with a pool house and concrete slab.

Bonita Springs Beach House

design styles architecture

Situated on a double-lot of beach front property, this 5600 SF home is a beautiful example of seaside architectural detailing and luxury. The home is actually more than 15,000 SF when including all of the outdoor spaces and balconies. Spread across its 4 levels are 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, his and her office, gym, living, dining, & family rooms. It is all topped off with a large deck with wet bar on the top floor for watching the sunsets. It also includes garage space for 6 vehicles, a beach access garage for water sports equipment, and over 1000 SF of additional storage space. The home is equipped with integrated smart-home technology to control lighting, air conditioning, security systems, entertainment and multimedia, and is backed up by a whole house generator.

Kennett Square Pool House

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

E.S. Templeton Signature Landscapes
Design ideas for a large country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

"Big Time"

Ryan Hughes Design/Build

The complexity yet calming beauty of the outdoor space shines with the custom lighting features as well as fire features and glowing waters. The path into the pool surrounded circular fire patio provides the perfect vantage point for taking in all the well-appointed areas and outdoor rooms. Natural plantings are utilized to soften the hardscapes and add overhead colorful interest. Photography by Joe Traina

Pool Pavilion

Carolina Timberworks

Reclaimed Douglas Fir © Carolina Timberworks
Design ideas for a large country backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Charlotte with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Naples Florida

Theo and Isabella Design Group

Photos by Lori Hamilton
Large mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Boston with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Backyard & Barn

Forte Building Group, LLC

This is an example of a large country backyard custom-shaped pool in Nashville with natural stone pavers.

New Jersey Residence

David Morello Garden Enterprises, Inc.

Circa 2021. This stunning garden is in New Jersey and one knows it's not Houston because of the hydrangeas. Can you say staycation?
Photo of an expansive traditional backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Houston with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

Custom Pool and Backyard in Boca Raton

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This elegant pool and spa in Boca Raton is really the perfect touch to this modern custom luxury home. With fire strip along the back of the spa, a rectangular tabletop, and custom stepping stones, this is sure to please the new guests!

Swim up Spa Bar

Tipton Spires Design|Build

Quirky swim up/dine in spa bar with custom brazilian hardwood timber structure and accents
Photo of a contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Houston with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

The Sanctuary | Fall 2020

Tim Perry Photography

This is an example of a traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Omaha with a water slide and concrete pavers.

Modern Southlake Family Resort

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Fun, sleek, modern pool with amazing features: cabana, fire bar, splash pad with LED lights, long dolphin slide, outdoor kitchen with retractable doors and a secret garden/play area for the kids. Photos by Farley Designs

Infinity Edge Pool With Sunken Seating Area In Fort Lauderdale

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This amazing infinity-edge pool with sunken seating area, stepping stones, and firebar feature overlooks the Fort Lauderdale intracoastal and is a beautiful spectacle during the evening!

256 Palmo

Ecclestone Signature Home

This is an example of a large mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Miami with a hot tub.

10979 Chalon

The House Group

Modern patio with interesting designer solution - mosaic infinity pool with water fountain. Outdoor fireplace next to them is for cold and cozy evenings.

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 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.