Photo of a large transitional indoor rectangular pool in Chicago with concrete pavers.

IN 2021, PETE AND BECKY MEIER HIRED LANDSCAPE DESIGN WEST, LLC, TO CREATE AN EXTRAORDINARY RENOVATION DESIGN FOR THE CANYON PASS HOUSE LOCATED IN THE GATED COMMUNITY OF CANYON PASS AT THE PINNACLE OF DOVE MOUNTAIN, IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. EXISTING LANDSCAPE DID NOT COMPLIMENT THE OUTSTANDING ADJACENT DESERT NOR THE UNIQUE MARK SOLOWAY ARCHITECTURE. GOAL WAS TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL DIALOGUE WITH THE ADJACENT DESERT AND RESIDENCE. DESIRED OUTCOME: INCREASE VISUAL APPEAL/LOWER WATER USE WITH NUMEROUS SPECIMEN SUCCULENTS AND A PLANTING DESIGN THAT IS INVITING, COLORFUL AND GRACIOUS, INCREASE YEAR AROUND COLOR AND BLOOMS TO ATTRACT NATIVE POLLINATORS SUCH AS BIRDS, BATS, HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES MITIGATE DAMAGE TO PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY PREVIOUSLY USED AS CONSTRUCTION STAGING AREAS LOWER WATER USAGE REPLACING EXISTING FAULTY IRRIGATION LOWER ENERGY/INCREASED NIGHTTIME LIGHTING AESTHETICS WITH A PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND USING HUNTER/FX LED LIGHTING CHALLENGES: HILLSIDE/SLOPE WILDLIFE ROCKY SOILS DIFFICULT ACCESS Robin Stancliff Photography

Pool room in Shropshire

User

Design ideas for a mid-sized country indoor pool in Other with a hot tub.

Sofronas Residence

Altera Landscape

Landscape Design: AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc. / Photography: Jeri Koegel
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Pool

This is an example of a contemporary rectangular lap pool in Sydney with tile.

The Mandala House

DESIGN 4 CORNERS

This is an example of a tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in San Diego.

Attadale, WA

Imperial Homes

Contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Perth with decking.

Farmhouse Style Pool House in Chapel Hill, NC

Bold Construction

This is an example of a large country backyard pool in Raleigh with a pool house.

Modern Hot Tub & Cabana Space

Arbordale Landscaping

Our client wanted to add a hot tub and new cabana to their poolscape. The cabana was designed with a bar in the front and pool equipment and storage in the back. The bar has a roll up door for winterising. A lounge area in front allows the home owners to enjoy a drink while watching the kids play in the pool. Flagstone patios, steps, and hot tub surround give this backyard a luxurious feel. The fence is built from custom milled Cedar horizontal boards. The fence is backed with black painted plywood for full privacy. A custom hot tub pit was built in order to use what is normally an above ground hot tub. The hot tub was supplied by Bonavista Pools. Composite lumber was used to build an access hatch for hot tub controls. Boxwood hedging frame the garden spaces. There are two Hydrangea Standard trees which are underplanted with begonias for a pop of colour. The existing Cedar hedge created a great backdrop and contrast for our Japanese Maple hedge. The existing Beech tree was stunning! Lawn area was necessary for the family pets.

Pool House

Gail Hallock Architect, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized side yard kidney-shaped natural pool in Providence with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

DCS by Fisher & Paykel

Photo of a contemporary pool in Orange County.

South Seas Backyard

Sunsational Landscapes inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard pool in Toronto with stamped concrete.

Cocktail Pool With Fountains and Fire Features

My Ty Design

Cocktail Pool (Heated with 12 Therapy Jets) with 2 Shear Descent Falls and 2 Fire Features accented with stone veneer
Design ideas for a small country backyard rectangular pool in Jacksonville with brick pavers and a hot tub.

Oasis

Crystal Pools LLC

Inspiration for a large beach style backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Charlotte with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Wainscott Main House

James Merrell Architects, P.C.

Carol Bates
Design ideas for a large contemporary indoor rectangular lap pool in New York with concrete slab.

Saratoga Extreme Backyard Make over

Creative Environments

This picture was taken by Master photographer, Alex Johnson. The yard design was done by Peter Koenig Designs in Alamo, the Hardscape and Soft scape were build and designed by Michael Tebb Landscape in Alamo and the Swimming Pool construction was done by Creative Environments in Alamo. What a great team effort by all that helped to create this wonder outdoor living space for our clients.

2014 Awards of Excellence

User

Design ideas for a contemporary pool in Brisbane.

Lake Austin Waterfront Pool Cabana

David Manning Architecture

View toward the lake at dusk.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Austin with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Traditional Pool

This is an example of a traditional custom-shaped pool in Miami with concrete pavers and a water feature.

Glen Iris deck pool

Neptune Swimming Pools

A Neptune Pools Original design Courtyard pool constructed out of ground in deck with timber screen
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary rectangular lap pool in Melbourne with decking.

Grey 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.