David Dietrich Photography
Photo of a traditional pool in Other with a hot tub.

Rustic Pool

Design ideas for a country backyard rectangular infinity pool in Vancouver.

Natural Pools

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects

This is an example of an eclectic pool in Dallas.

Swimming Pool Designs

Douglas C Lynn, LLC Landscape Architecture

Designed & Photographed by Doug Lynn Built by Olympic Atlanta Pool & Spa
Inspiration for a traditional kidney-shaped pool in Atlanta.

Cabana Retreat

bsq Landscape Architects

Design ideas for a large traditional rectangular pool in Toronto with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Spanish / Mediterranean eclectic

David Rolston Landscape Architects

A Contemporary Spanish / Mediterranean eclectic home in the Park Cities area of Dallas had a very basic front yard, and only grass and some mature Magnolias and a Pecan in the backyard from the previous home. We added a new front entry at the sidewalk, using the brick and cast stone from the house for replication, and expanded the plantings to include more texture and color. In the back yard a medium sized dipping pool, using Ann Sacks glass tiles and dark plaster, with a raised wall and scuppers makes a focal point to the existing outdoor living areas. This landscape was designed by Patrick L. Boyd, Senior Design Associate with David Rolston, Landscape Architects

San Marino Island House

Robert Kaner Interior Design

Photo of a small tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in Miami with concrete pavers and a water feature.

Classic Design

Harmony Design Group

The center piece of the back yard was a rectangular swimming pool set on axis with the two rear balconies. The design included a dinning patio with a built in grill and a separate swimming pool patio. In order to connect the landscape to the house the walls were veneered with the same granite stone as the house. Lush gardens with shrub roses and hydrangea surround the swimming pool and patios. This project is located in Bergen County and was a collaboration with CLC Landscape Design. Harmony Design Group is a Landscape Architecture Design Firm based in Westfield, New Jersey with licensing in both New Jersey and New York. For more information, call us at (908) 264-4440. All images are provided by CLC Landscape Design.

The Negative Edge Raised Spa

Minke Avant-Garde

Major pool renovation Added raised 4 side infinity edge spa. Complete re tile in black sheeted pebble and large format black granite on the spa. White concrete pool surround.

Distinguished Pools

Distinguished Pools
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard kidney-shaped pool in San Diego with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Spa Park Ridge, IL

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote Park Ridge, IL Spa. Swimming Pools and spas by: Platinum Pools 847.537.2525 Photo by Outvision Photography Platinum Pools designs and builds inground pools and spas for clients in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

River House

Wagner Hodgson

This site 30’ above the Connecticut River offers 180 degree panoramic views. The client wanted a modern house & landscape that would take advantage of this amazing locale, blurring the lines between inside and outside. The project sites a main house, guest house / boat storage building, multiple terraces, pool, outdoor shower, putting green and fire pit. A long concrete seat wall guides visitors to the front entry accentuated by a tall ornamental grass backdrop. Local boulders, rivers stone and River Birch where also incorporated into the entry landscape, borrowing from the materiality of the Connecticut River below. The concrete facades of the house transition into concrete site walls extending the architecture into the landscape. A flush Ipe Wood deck surrounds 2 sides of the pool opposite an architectural water fall. Concrete paving slabs disperse into lawn as it extends towards the river. A series of free-standing concrete screen walls further extends the architecture out while screening the pool area from the neighboring property. Planting was selected based upon the architectural qualities of the plants and the desire for it to be low-maintenance. A fire pit extends the pool season well into the shoulder seasons and provides a good viewing point for the river. Photo Credit: Westphalen Photography

Crisp Architects

Berkshire Pool House. Photographer: Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a traditional rectangular pool in New York with a pool house.

Wellesley - Contemporary Farm House

Structure Home

Set upon an oversized and highly sought-after creekside lot in Brentwood, this two story home and full guest home exude a casual, contemporary farmhouse style and vibe. The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, each ensuite with thoughtful touches that accentuate the home’s overall classic finishes. The master retreat opens to a large balcony overlooking the yard accented by mature bamboo and palms. Other features of the main house include European white oak floors, recessed lighting, built in speaker system, attached 2-car garage and a laundry room with 2 sets of state-of-the-art Samsung washers and dryers. The bedroom suite on the first floor enjoys its own entrance, making it ideal for guests. The open concept kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, Wolf appliances, wine storage, dual sinks and dishwashers and a walk-in butler’s pantry. The loggia is accessed via La Cantina bi-fold doors that fully open for year-round alfresco dining on the terrace, complete with an outdoor fireplace. The wonderfully imagined yard contains a sparkling pool and spa and a crisp green lawn and lovely deck and patio areas. Step down further to find the detached guest home, which was recognized with a Decade Honor Award by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA in 2006, and, in fact, was a frequent haunt of Frank Gehry who inspired its cubist design. The guest house has a bedroom and bathroom, living area, a newly updated kitchen and is surrounded by lush landscaping that maximizes its creekside setting, creating a truly serene oasis.

SWIM

J. Montgomery Designs, Inc.

For more photos of this project see: LEBLANC
Inspiration for a large modern backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Vinyl Pool Renovation and Landscaping

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with concrete pavers.

French Country Retreat

Vernon Wentz

This pool has been designed around the French country theme. There is something to be said about coming home to a tranquil garden with a water fountain relaxation area and a pool to cool off from the day. So whether you want to soak in the water, on the deck or just drift off on the bench swing this garden setting has you covered. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery.

Altadena Dream Home

Courtney Bates Design

This is an example of a midcentury pool in Los Angeles.

Transitional Cottage

Tanner Homes

Inspiration for a transitional pool in Dallas.

Outdoor living space

Pool Craft

Design ideas for a traditional backyard rectangular pool in Toronto with a water feature.

Green 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.