Lawn sun terrace, with gravel cutouts for the lounges, reduces impervious surface integrating contrasting material and textures.
This is an example of a large modern backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in New York with a hot tub and tile.

North Palm Beach Residence

Ned Marshall Interiors

Design ideas for a tropical rectangular pool in Miami with tile.

Pools, Spas, Water Features & Fountains

Knapp and Associates, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in New York with a hot tub and tile.

VILLA 03

STARG Architetti Rubelli & Gussago

Contemporary rooftop custom-shaped infinity pool in Milan with tile.

Delray Beach - New Modern Waterfront Construction

REH Interiors

Contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Miami with tile.

Hollywood Hills

Trinity Builders & Design, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with tile.

Walless Cabana

Walless Architecture

A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

Island Estates Beach House

Dream Coast Builders

Photos by Jon Cancelino Photography
This is an example of a beach style courtyard rectangular pool in Tampa with tile.

Sheridan

Plantaysia, Inc.

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

Outdoor Pool and Gazebo Lighting, Audio and Electrical, Glenburnie Rd, Vermont

The Electric Crew

A collaboration between The Electric Crew and The Pool Company (Melbourne) to create this outdoor pool-side living space. The pergola was fitted with a Big Ass Fan, Wireless audio sound system and LED down lights. We fully automated the lighting and appliances so that the owner can have full control from their smart phone from anywhere. All lights are high quality LEDs sourced exclusively by The Electric Crew.

Mas Provencal , location saisonnière

Christine MIRANDA IMMOBILIER,en Drôme Provençale

Design ideas for a large mediterranean rectangular pool in Grenoble with a pool house and tile.

Piscina

Laladecor - Reformas y Home Staging

Large mediterranean custom-shaped pool in Barcelona with with a pool and tile.

Smart Pergola System

Majestic Outdoor

Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in New York with a pool house and tile.

Pacific Palisades Residence

Shigetomi Pratt Architects, Inc.

Mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and tile.

Ridgehaven Transitional

Shaddock Custom Builders and Developers

Mid-sized transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a hot tub and tile.

Completed Projects

in2blue design

This is an example of a small mediterranean backyard rectangular pool in New York with tile.

Ridgefield Pool House

Sean O'Kane AIA Architect P.C.

This project involved the design of a new open-air Pool House on grounds of a 1905 carriage house estate. The main house and guesthouse on this property were also extensively renovated as part of the project. The concept for the new Pool House was to incorporate the vocabulary of these existing structures into the form while creating a protected, yet open space with a bright and fresh interior. The Pool house is sited on axis to a new fifty-foot pool and the existing Breakfast Room terrace with views back to the house and the adjacent pastoral fields. The exterior of the pool house is shingled, with bracketed rakes, exposed rafter tails and a cupola. Wood louvered shutters and a custom made removable fabric cover protect the structure during the off season. The interior of the Pool House includes a vaulted sitting area with wide beadboard on the walls and ceiling, shingled half walls and a soapstone wet bar. The bluestone flooring flows in from the pool terrace, blurring the boundaries of interior and exterior space. The bath and changing area have a built in stained bench and a vanity with an integral soapstone sink. An exterior shower enclosure is linked to the form by the bracketed extension of the main roof. Photography Barry A. Hyman. Contractor L & L Builders

French Country House

HOBBS INC

Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA Warren Jagger Photography
Design ideas for a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a pool house and tile.

Chestnut Run

Seoane Landscape Design

Contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Boston with a hot tub and tile.

Hawthorn Infinity Lap Pool and Spa

Neptune Swimming Pools

Stunning charcoal fully tiled lap pool and spa with bluestone coping and granite feature spillway. Photos by Patrick Redmond
This is an example of a mid-sized asian backyard rectangular pool in Melbourne with tile.

Green Pool Design Ideas with Tile

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.