Photo of a pool in Singapore.

This wall next to the swimming pool is clad in natural limestone, finished using Artisans' Strata technique.
Inspiration for a contemporary pool in London.

Southwestern Tropical Pool & Spa in Parker County

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Welcome to Parker county. This arched custom cedar door provides entrance & exit from the garden to the driveway. This helps screen the view of the cars from the adjacent pool area. This Parker county beauty has shade on both sides of the pool thanks to the 2 arbors. There is a flagstone beach entry, built in table, multiple waterfalls to give views from all areas of the yard. The raised spa has a natural looking stream going into the pool. The spa also has top step surrounding the seating well to give larger visual look without larger gallons & heating time. The LED lights and low voltage lighting around the pool give it a calming atmosphere at night. It is enclosed in Granbury chopped stone screen walls with stone archway. Photos by Mike Farley

Blue Jay Way

Yoram LePair Architects

Design ideas for a transitional infinity pool in Los Angeles.

Classic Hatteras Indoors

Bradford Products

Bradford’s Classic Collection of residential stainless steel spas arrive from our facility with all appropriate equipment. We provide frame-mounted equipment within the stainless steel frame or remote equipment on a lightweight, durable polypropylene platform. Inground, recessed or on-grade final installations of a Bradford spa will require accessibility to the shell plumbing for the user. All electrical and plumbing must be performed by licensed trade contractors.

Shannon Ln Residence

SHM Architects

This is an example of a modern pool in Dallas.

DATO RESIDENCE

Tate Studio Architects

Pool view within the Dato Residence. Architect- Tate Studio Architects Interior- Anita Lang Builder- Marbella Homes, Inc. Photo- Thompson Photographic -

Salt Lake City

Deep Blue Pools & Spas, Inc.

20' x 60' Gunite Pool Photo Credit: Francisco Kjolseth
Photo of a country backyard rectangular lap pool in Salt Lake City with a water slide.

Platte County Paradise

Nature's Touch

Three levels of water, two large rock waterfalls and two fire features make up the luxury swimming pool and deck for Platte County Paradise. The highest pool level features a hot tub from which water spills into the main pool. From the main pool, an infinity edge that runs 30 feet in length spills water down 8 feet into the plunge pool. A slide wraps around a rock water fall and ends in the plunge pool. A beautiful stone and iron staircase escorts you and your guests to the slide. For this rustic design, all rocks were drilled and pinned into the gunnite shell with apoxy. The grotto was built so that swimmers can enter from either side to find seating. The cave is designed to hold a large group for parties. We installed two fire features; one is intended for a large gathering where outdoor couches offer seating. The other feature is at patio level. This luxury pool contains every amenity imaginable including a swim-up bar, full and cabana dry stacked with stone and featuring timber that was selected from the property.

Custom Pool House in Rumson, NJ

Fine Creations Works in Wood LLC

Photo of a transitional pool in New York with a pool house.

Views in the Valley

Intex Design and Construction

www.IntexDandC.com Large backyard pool, outdoor living space created by Intex Design and Construction
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

The 20 acre Resort in High Meadow Ranch

Marquise Pools

The entry into the sunken bar and grotto that sits inside the pool, Marquise Pools is just the best at Landscape Architecture and Master Planning Photography by Paul Ladd

Pools

yardscapes Inc.

This "home in the city" wanted a multifunctional pool/spa, so David Kopfmann with Yardscapes created this large spa that could be used as either. He incorporated it into a bluestone patio, along side a wood fire pit.

Saugatuck Shores Landscape

Erskine Associates LLC

Photography: Barry A. Hyman
This is an example of a contemporary pool in New York with tile.

Bucks County Residence

Landscape Design Group Inc.

Design ideas for a traditional pool in Philadelphia.

Building a Dream Backyard

Braen Supply

Building a Dream Backyard When this homeowner started the design process of a new backyard, Braen Supply was immediately there to supply all the stone materials. The home was part of a new development, so the challenge was to make the home stand out while still addressing specific areas of the existing backyard, such as the steep grade. Working With the Experts Taking the steep grade into consideration, moss rock boulders were selected to create stairs down to the lower area of the backyard where the fire pit sits. The grade of the backyard also allowed for the infinity pool, full color bluestone pattern was selected as the veneer for the back wall of the infinity pool. Braen Supply chose Tennessee gray and bluestone to create a seamless transition from the front of the house to the back of the house. Although they are two different stones, they work nicely together to complete the overall design and tone of the home. It all came together and made the perfect backyard. Materials Used: Belgium Blocks Full Color Bluestone Pattern Bluestone Caps Tennessee Gray Irregular Moss Rock Boulders Full Color Bluestone Irregular Kearney Stone Steps Granite Mosaic Veneer Completed Areas: Front Walkway & Porch Driveway Edging Backyard Walkways Pool Patio & Coping Pool Water Features Fireplace Hearth & Mantal Wading Pool Raised Hot Tub

Haus WI in München

Jacob&Spreng Architekten GmbH

Photo of a modern pool in Munich.

Bloomfield Hills, MI (II)

DesRosiers Architects

James Haefner Photography
This is an example of a contemporary indoor rectangular pool in Detroit with a hot tub and tile.

Custom Home in Mandarin

Collins Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard round pool in Jacksonville with brick pavers.

Interior of Pool House

Rentschler Interiors / LAKESTREETSTUDIO

Pool House common area featuring Photo by Alison Shaw.
Design ideas for a country backyard rectangular pool in Boston with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

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.