Photo of a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Atlanta with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Patio around pool looking over lake. Deborah Olson
Design ideas for an expansive traditional backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Other with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Piscine contemporaine

Diffazur Piscines Toulouse

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Toulouse with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Pool Design Ideas

FS Landscaping Contractors, Inc.

Large contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Philadelphia with natural stone pavers and a pool house.

Malleus

User

Jim Schaffert
Photo of a mid-sized tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Los Angeles with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Sheridan

Plantaysia, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Miami with tile.

Rocklin Pool

Premier Pools and Spas- Sacramento

Photo of a large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Sacramento with a water slide and stamped concrete.

31007 N 66th Street Cave Creek, AZ

Platinum Realty Network

Welcome to your Southwestern Adventure. Nestled on over two acres this Incredible Horse Property is a ''Ranchers'' dream! Gated front pergola covered courtyard, 92''x48''x3'', and cedar door w/speakeasy. Stunning inlaid floor t/o with stone design in foyer and coat closet. Unique kitchen features Viking appliances, double ovens, food warmer, 6 burner gas stove top, built-in Miele coffee maker, vegetable sink, pot filler, insta hot water, breakfast nook/bar seating, pantry, skylight, and granite/glass countertops with custom cabinetry. Open concept family room to kitchen. Wood burning fireplace, large upper lit viga beams, and French door to pool. Amazing Atrium with skylight and fountain all opening up to family rm, dining rm, and game room. Pool table in game room with wood burning fireplace,built-ins, with back patio access and pool area. First bedroom offers Murphy bed and can be easily converted from office to bedroom. The 2nd bedroom with large closet and private bathroom. Guest bedroom with private bathroom and large closet. Grand master retreat with attached workout room and library. Patio access to back patio and pool area. His/Hers closets and separate dressing area. Private spa-like master en suite with large shower, steam room, wall jets, rain shower head, hydraulic skylight, and separate vanities/sinks. Laundry room with storage, utility sink, and convenient hanging rod. 3 Car garage, one extra long slot, swamp cooler, and work room with built-ins or use as an extra parking spot for a small car or motorcycle. Entertaining backyard is a must see! Colorful and fun with covered patio, built-in BBQ w/side burner, sin, refrigerator, television, gas fire pit, garden with 2'x15' raised beds and work area. Refreshing pool with water feature, Jacuzzi, and sauna. Mature fruit trees, drip system, and circular driveway. Bonus 2nd patio, extra large wood or coal burning grill/smoker, pizza oven, and lots of seating. The horses will love their 7 Stall Barn including Stud Stall and Foaling Stall. Tack Room, automatic flyer sprayer, automatic watering system, 7 stall covered mare motel. Turn out or Riding arena. Pellet silo and covered trailer parking. Security system with motion cameras.

Pools with Natural Waterfalls

Arapahoe Landscape Contractors

This is an example of a large transitional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in New York with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Our Work

Blue Sky Pools

Everyday is a staycation with this custom built luxurious resort style pool in your backyard! From the beach entry with bubbling fountains, swim up bar with in water bar stools, lazy river, natural stone spa, flowing rock water fall, and fire pit, this is a pool that your family and friends will love and enjoy for years... even your mother-in-law wont want to leave!

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.

Mitzi Gaynor's former Beverly Hills estate

Luke Gibson Photography

Luke Gibson Photography
Large mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Los Angeles with a pool house.

Discovery Project, Khandala

Prachi Damle Photography

Prachi Damle Photography
This is an example of a contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Mumbai with a pool house.

Country Club of the South

Catalina Pools and Design

Photo of an expansive traditional backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Atlanta with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Lagoon 3 level pool

Creative Rock Formations

Christian Spires
Inspiration for a large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Raleigh with a water slide and natural stone pavers.

Encanterra

Greey Pickett

Photo of an expansive traditional backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with a pool house.

"Big Time"

Ryan Hughes Design

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

decks with pools.

Hickory Dickory Decks

Inspiration for a large mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Toronto with decking.

Pool and Spa LED Lighting Purple

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This amazing home features a backyard patio and pool area with a spectacular custom pool with many features including island which feature sitting areas and fire pit a spa as well as incredible slide which goes into the swimming pool. The pool measures roughly 2300 square feet, and has a deep end of 10'0". The spa is raised and has 12 therapy heads. There is LED colored lighting throughout the project. There is a 300 square foot zero depth beach entry into the pool with agitator jets to keep the water moving. There is also a sunshelf within the pool. The lazy river wraps around the sunken island, and the current in the lazy river is propelled by a commercial waterpark quality pumping system. The sunken island has lighting, a fire pit, and a bridge connecting it to the decking area. There is an infinity edge on one edge of the pool. The pool also has an in-floor cleaning system to keep it clean and sanitary. The swimming pool also has the ability to change colors at night utilizing the amazing LED lighting system. The pool and spa exposed aggregate finish is French Gray color. The slide that cascades down the grotto is custom built. The waterfall grotto also provide a thrilling jump off point into the deepest part of the pool. This amazing backyard was designed and built for a home in Bull Valley Illinois.

Pool Slides

Richard's Total Backyard Solutions

Ken Bullock
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Houston with a water slide and decking.

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.