Vanishing Edge Pool with Grand Effects automated fire bowls, laminar jets, travertine coping and concrete pavers. This pool has the most gorgeous view of Mt. Shasta to the North.

Green Brook Concrete Lazy River

Contemporary Pools & Spas LLC

Design ideas for an expansive transitional backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in New York with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Tuscan Inspired Villa

Affiniti Architects

Expansive mediterranean custom-shaped pool in Miami.

Katy Pool Construction w/ Bathhouse & Landscape

Sage Pools, Scapes & Design

We designed & constructed a beautiful outdoor space for our client. The project features a custom pool with tiered spa, swim shelf with bubblers, water & fire features, fire pit, pergola built on site, covered patio with bathhouse & outdoor kitchen. The landscape features a blend of palms, Holly eagleston trees with sunshine ligustrum.

BLACK FRIESIAN™

ORIJIN STONE, LLC

Composed of bold contrast and perfect lines, this stunning example of Belgian modern design invites thoughtful admiration of its clever spaces. ORIJIN STONE’s Friesian™ Limestone natural stone paving ushers a formal transition from structure to land - skirting the estate with its inky hue and luxurious finish. Landscape Architecture & Installation: Topo, LLC Architecture by Peterssen/Keller Architecture Builder: John Kraemer & Sons Inc. Interiors: Rauscher & Associates Photography: Spacecrafting

Ligntness vs Darkness Transitional Gem in FlowerMound

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

The Lightness vs Darkness theme carries throughout this project including never used materials and details to create this transitional gem in FlowerMound, TX. The axis and cross axis have stunning water and fire feature elements in the asymmetrical design. The black precise stacked slate spillway provides sound and visual effects and contrasts with the fire line burner visible from everywhere inside. This draws you out to enjoy the pool, and a lot more. The pool offered great places to hang out with the tanning ledge and built in bar stools and lots of room for the game of volleyball. The cross axis from the master bedroom draws the eye across the pool, through the black all tile vanishing edge spa, splitting the dual cabanas, through the fire pit, to gaze on the "Dark Planet" starburst light. The cabanas were divided into entertainment and dining. The graphite air slate, from Spain, covered the entertainment floating center and the cooking counter. Ivory Travertine in a stack bond pattern accented the cabanas, porch, fire pit and key areas blending with the coping and some veneers. The cabana steel roof matched the front home entry roof and helps unify the existing home with the additions. Details were important down the lighted and tiled vanishing edge channel for the spa. This project is one to be enjoyed any day of the week but it really is the shiny star every night. Project designed by Mike Farley. Photos by Mike & Laura Farley.

Rovey Ave, Paradise Valley

Norton Luxury Homes

Expansive transitional backyard rectangular infinity pool in Phoenix with a hot tub and tile.

Infinity Edge, Negative Edge, Vanishing Edge and Rimless Pools

J. Tortorella Swimming Pools

Thermal Bluestone coping surrounds the pool and spa and a Natural Cleft Bluestone patio with Radiant Cooling complements that coping on this Negative Edge pool/spa combo looks out at the bay. The interior is finished with a French Gray marble dust.

Amarula Sun

Ryan Hughes Design

Multiple levels of luxury outdoor living have been created by Ryan Hughes in this 10,000 square foot wonderland of rushing water, blazing light and artistry of tile. The 3,000 square feet of water moves from level to level adding interest and spectacular views along the way. Photos by Joe Traina

Jocson Residence

Dky Architects

Poolside. Photo credit: The Boutique Real Estate Group www.TheBoutiqueRE.com
Inspiration for an expansive modern backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Orange County with concrete slab.

Via Gavannetto

Charles Clayton Construction Inc

Photo of an expansive traditional backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Orlando with natural stone pavers.

Entertaining Oasis

Eisler Landscapes

This grilling island is a grill master's dream with a mini refrigerator, storage cabinets, plenty of counterspace, and a bar to keep diners close to the action but out of the grill master's way.

Brick Pool decking and Garden

Johnsen Landscapes & Pools

The brick decking is in a herringbone pattern that creates dynamic interest. The grass strips break up the large expanse. We made sure to include traditional planters to inject some color to the scene.

Outdoor / Indoor Recreation

Transitions by Sharon Kleinman

Addition to home in Potomac Maryland. Indoor pool with five lounging areas. Vaulted cieling with spot lighting. Lounge chairs with autumnal color pillows. Photographed by Gwin Hunt

Winter Retreat

Keller Builders Llc

Custom indoor pool room with outdoor fans and beadboard ceiling
Inspiration for an expansive traditional indoor l-shaped pool in Other with a pool house and tile.

North Ocean Custom

Marc Julien Homes

Situated on a three-acre Intracoastal lot with 350 feet of seawall, North Ocean Boulevard is a 9,550 square-foot luxury compound with six bedrooms, six full baths, formal living and dining rooms, gourmet kitchen, great room, library, home gym, covered loggia, summer kitchen, 75-foot lap pool, tennis court and a six-car garage. A gabled portico entry leads to the core of the home, which was the only portion of the original home, while the living and private areas were all new construction. Coffered ceilings, Carrera marble and Jerusalem Gold limestone contribute a decided elegance throughout, while sweeping water views are appreciated from virtually all areas of the home. The light-filled living room features one of two original fireplaces in the home which were refurbished and converted to natural gas. The West hallway travels to the dining room, library and home office, opening up to the family room, chef’s kitchen and breakfast area. This great room portrays polished Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and 10-foot French doors. The East wing contains the guest bedrooms and master suite which features a marble spa bathroom with a vast dual-steamer walk-in shower and pedestal tub The estate boasts a 75-foot lap pool which runs parallel to the Intracoastal and a cabana with summer kitchen and fireplace. A covered loggia is an alfresco entertaining space with architectural columns framing the waterfront vistas.

Italian Elegance

JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

Piston Design
This is an example of an expansive mediterranean backyard infinity pool in Houston with a hot tub.

Woodlands Reverse Negative Edge Pool

Marquise Pools

This pool has four different levels with the spa being the high point of the project 30" above finish floor of the house, level two is the glass tile wet deck just below spa spillway, level 3 is the main pool, level four is the lower trough which is at rear patio level. Homes that do not have the proper slopes for vanishing edges, can reverse the topo and create the negative edge that faces the house for a dramatic view, and create wonderful flows of water running towards the house and create incredible views

Barrington Hills Indoor/Outdoor Estate Project

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This amazing estate project has so many features it is quite difficult to list all of them. Set on 150 Acres, this sprawling project features an Indoor Oval Pool that connects to an outdoor swimming pool with a 65'0" lap lane. The pools are connected by a moveable swimming pool door that actuates with the turn of a key. The indoor pool house also features an indoor spa and baby pool, and is crowned at one end by a custom Oyster Shell. The Indoor sauna is connected to both main pool sections, and is accessible from the outdoor pool underneath the swim-up grotto and waterfall. The 25'0" vanishind edge is complemented by the hand-made ceramic tiles and fire features on the outdoor pools. Outdoor baby pool and spa complete the vessel count. Photos by Outvision Photography

An Addition and Renovation to a Private Residence in Anderson, Ohio

Sally Noble Architect, LLC

New exterior pool house located off of the existing pool area. Photo by Sally Noble.
Photo of an expansive traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Cincinnati with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Expansive 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.