Pool surround with built in bench seating. Photo Credit: K. Leonard
This is an example of a large traditional backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Newark with gravel.

Above Ground Pools

Cavanaugh Pool, Spa & Patio, Inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Other with gravel.

Above Ground Pools

Ohio Pools & Spas

Mid-sized contemporary backyard round pool in Cleveland with gravel.

Brentwood - Layton

Lauren Shadid Architecture + Interiors

photo by Holly Lepere
Design ideas for a large traditional backyard rectangular natural pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and gravel.

Baignade naturelle, été 2016

MAILLARD PAYSAGE - Allées - Terrasses - Clôtures

MAILLARD MYRIAM
This is an example of a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Paris with a hot tub and gravel.

Le moulin

Franck Minieri, Photographer

Merci de me contacter pour toute publication et utilisation des photos. Franck Minieri | Photographe www.franckminieri.com
This is an example of a large country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Nice with gravel.

Troon Residence

Dillon Kyle Architects (DKA)

the design offers generous, flowing open spaces on the main level, which overlooks a small courtyard. The site’s woodland characteristics inspired the use of exterior stone. Accoya, a fast-growing softwood that is impervious to decay in the Houston humidity, was used for siding. The combination of the site strategy, program and aesthetic direction respond to the site’s challenges to create an elegant solution. Peter Molick Photography

Brennan Traditions Windows - Southlake

Brennan Enterprises

Window replacement on a Southlake, TX home.
Mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Dallas with a pool house and gravel.

Tropical

Champion Pools & Spas, Inc.

David Brams, Champion Pools and Spas Inc
Large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Miami with a water feature and gravel.

American Craftsman

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard rectangular pool in Grand Rapids with a pool house and gravel.

An East Bay Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Brennan Traditions Windows - Southlake

Brennan Enterprises

Window replacement on a Southlake, TX home.
Mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Dallas with a pool house and gravel.

Aménagement d'un jardin avec piscine

Arbo Paysages

Aménagement d’un jardin avec piscine à Bordeaux, - Plantation des massifs - Mise en place de graviers et roches décoratives - Mise en place d’un arrosage automatique - Pose de gazon de plaquage

Modern Garten

Inspiration for a mid-sized country custom-shaped natural pool in Hamburg with a water feature and gravel.

Plant Filter Bog in Natural Swimming Pool

Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes Inc.

Plant filter adjacent to the natural swimming pool. Photo by Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes Inc.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Toronto with a water feature and gravel.

Bridgehampton

Siberian Floors

Design ideas for a traditional rectangular pool in New York with gravel.

Poolscapes

Woodlands Green Thumb Landscape Maintenance

Mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Houston with a hot tub and gravel.

Piscine de forme libre

Diffazur Piscines Toulon

Diffazur Piscines
Mid-sized traditional custom-shaped natural pool in Marseille with a hot tub and gravel.

OAKHURST DRIVE , BEVERLY HILLS

HIGHFIRELA

Classic traditional extensively remodeled in 2017 , in the Beverly Hills Flats. Elegant formal entry w/ black & white checkered marble floors, welcomes you to the sweeping curved staircase w/ hand carved wood wainscoting. Large stepdown formal living room with high ceilings , fireplace and built -in bookcases. spacious formal dining and gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook features: Carrera marble counter, Viking, miele, &sub zero appliances.

Outdoor Living Space, Pool House

JD Helton HOMES

Inspiration for a large country backyard pool in Atlanta with gravel and a pool house.

Green Pool Design Ideas with Gravel

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.