Design ideas for a large country backyard custom-shaped pool in Nashville with natural stone pavers.

Pool, spa, and slide entertainment for every age.

Kane Landscapes Inc

This is an example of a traditional pool in DC Metro.

Private Residence 2 - The Ridges - Custom Home

Blue Heron

BH Elite Creation Custom Home - The Ridges, Las Vegas, NV
Photo of a modern pool in Las Vegas.

Woking Way Residence

Hsu McCullough

Rear yard patio with hillside swimming pool and pool house
Design ideas for a large mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers and a pool house.

Glen Ellen Residence

Knock Architecture and Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular natural pool in San Francisco with with a pool and concrete slab.

Contemporary Residence & Pool House

Marc Newman Architect

View of new pool house, pool & patio.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular pool in San Francisco with concrete slab.

Hallmark Project

Elite Outdoor Living

Design ideas for a modern pool in Dallas.

Irvington Deck + Patio

Howells Architecture + Design

We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. Functions include a cedar soaking tub, outdoor shower, fire pit, and dining area. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.

Urban Remodel

Something Special Interiors, Inc.

This is an example of a transitional custom-shaped pool in Omaha with a pool house.

large rectangular pool with oversized steps + interior spa

Drakeley Pool Company

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

Westwood Tudor House Phase II

Julia Chasman Design

The pool was a major building job, and once completed we focused on framing it with an upper and lower level, with the white stucco wall running the entire width of the large yard, and the broken concrete pieces used to create the steps, and paths through the rest of the garden. Bluestone was used for the patio paving, while the coping was simple poured concrete. Note Jackie exploring the wall. The Euphorbia we planted as a hedge two years ago has grown in beautifully to fully block the view of the house behind, and could not have been a better choice.

Crescent Estate

L. Lumpkins Architect, Inc.

rear yard with pool and cabana
Expansive midcentury backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Fox Point

Hendel Homes

Design ideas for a contemporary pool in Minneapolis.

Modern Straight Line Pool & Spa in Fort Lauderdale

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This tranquil and relaxing pool and spa in Fort Lauderdale is the perfect backyard retreat! With deck jets, wood deck area and pergola area for lounging, it's the luxurious elegance you have been waiting for!

The Spa

Conscious Environments Inc.

An aboveground spa features stone coping, spill way, stone tile, natural stone veneer, Pebble Tec plaster, and seating for ten. It's surrounded by a natural dry creek bed, California coastal plants, BBQ island, fire pit, and covered patio.

CA to PA Pool House Pavilion

Allison Ong Shreffler, Architect / AOS Architect

A So-CAL inspired Pool Pavilion Oasis in Central PA
Large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Other with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Antique Farmhouse Outdoor Living Space with plunge pool

Soake Pools

Pool project completed- beautiful stonework by local subs! Photo credit: Tim Murphy, Foto Imagery
Design ideas for a small country backyard rectangular natural pool in Boston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Hilltop home in Lafayette, CA

Melanie Stewart Designs

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Boise with concrete slab and a pool house.

Robert's Residence

Green Origin Designs

This is an example of a contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Orange County with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Great Wall of Fire

Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio

A description of the homeowners and space from Linnzy, the Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio designer who worked on this project: "The homeowners can be described as an active family of three boys. They tend to host family and friends and wanted a space that could fill their large backyard and yet be functional for the kids and adults. The contemporary straight lines of the pool match the interior of the house giving them a resort feel in the very own backyard! The large pergola is a perfect area to cool off in the shade while enjoying a large outdoor kitchen as well as an oversized fire pit for the cooler nights and roasting marshmallows. They wanted a wow factor as the pool is the main focal point from the living room, and the oversized wall and rain sheer did the trick!"

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.